I've mentioned my Mum's dog, Jemma, a couple of times on here. She's a mix of all sorts of things, probably some lab in there somewhere, and as big as a large lab (sadly rather overweight). She's a sad case, permanently shut down from her previous life. Two days ago, she was out for a walk with my sister (+ cocker) and dad, when a Staffie type ran about seventy metres towards her, latched onto her neck and was rag-dolling her from side to side, limbs flying everywhere. She's not a small dog. She was squealing and trying to get away, to no avail, and my dad (75 years of age) was running to intervene, which probably wouldn't have been a good idea, while the other owner was just looking on, making no attempt to get hold of his dog!!!!!! In the end, Jem got away and ran off - no-one could catch her and eventually someone caught up with her, collapsed in the middle of a nearby (often very busy) road. She had a huge chunk of flesh hanging from her neck, exposing bone and sinew. There were a couple of very big guys in the park practicing martial arts who accosted the other owner who was "happy" to give his details, so they got those before taking her to the vet. She had to go into surgery immediately and had 14 stitches in her neck. The other owner is paying all costs, but showed absolutely no remorse. Jem is back to her normal state of being shut down, but I feel so, so sorry for her. If any dog could deserve such an attack, it's definitely not her. Luckily, she seems fine after her surgery, despite being obviously rather sore. If the other dog had decided to go for the cocker instead, it would have been a very different ending. It must have been absolutely terrifying to witness. Apparently, my sister had some rather choice words for the Staffie's owner.
I am so sorry and sad for Jemma, just what she didn't need from her past history. I have never known of such a severe attack, it must have been very frightening for all concerned. The owner of the attacking dog should have been mortified, maybe he was in shock as well? Tragic.
That's absolutely appalling. I hope they are reporting the matter to the police and/or the local council dog warden under the Dangerous Dogs Act. It's lucky that the attack was not even more serious and that Jemima was not further injured while in the road. Offering to pay the vet bills is insufficient for the damage, terror and distress this dangerous dog has caused. I'm just completely horrified at this unprovoked attack. Hope Jemma makes a good recovery,
Absolutely dreadful. Glad that the owner's details were obtained. I hope your sister really let her have it. Poor Jemma, I hope the wound heals up without any complications.
It has been reported to the police and I advised they contact the local dog warden, too. The owner said that his dog had never done anything like that in the past, but my sister doesn't think that's true. He lives about ten miles away from where it happened, and it's not somewhere you would go out of your way to visit, so her suspicion is that he's known in his local area and he's looking for new haunts. This park is generally very quiet. In any event, to stand there smirking while your dog is throwing another around isn't normal. He was an older chap, too, not some young guy with a status dog. Hopefully something will be done, because it could have been so much worse.
So sorry to hear the news about Jemma, hope she is soon feeling better. It must of been terrible for your Dad and sister. Lets hope the Police do something about it.
I agree with your sister, most suspicious that he lives quite a distance away and his dog has never attacked before. Without the guys in the park he would probably have disappeared with his dog as well.
I'm so sorry, hope Jem heals up quickly and the guy is brought to justice. Boy, what with the incident a few days ago in my village and the other thread just posted on this board that makes three dog attacks.
Oh Fiona,I haven't been around much this week and to come on and read this is awful....I feel sick ,what a terrible attack......poor ,poor Jemma and your Dad and Sister must have had a terrible fright ...Just before I read this I was ordering a soft crate to be delivered for Dexter for Summer next year....honestly when I hear about some of these dog attacks in the UK it makes me think twice about bringing him.I know it's not the norm but it makes me anxious when I think about walking in places I don't know .... I'm glad you've been around to be some moral support to them all,I hope Jemma comes through this mentally as well as physically,poor thing and my blood is boiling at the other owner......
snowbunny I'm so sad and appalled to read this, words fail me. Poor Jemma, no one deserves that. I know Mabel was really lucky the staffie that attacked her was small. Virtual hugs to your family xx
Dexter, please don't worry, in 30 years of dog owning I have only seen one dog (a terrier) attack another with vengeance.
Appalling! Please keep us updated on how Jem is doing. it really is safe in the UK with dogs. Our dogs can spot one they aren't comfortable with a mile off, and stay away. The other day with Blake was unusual ( attacked by a staffie type dog) I was not in my local area, no harm was done as Blake was off lead and super fast! On my local common I have heard of only one attack in the last couple of years. You do get to know most of the local dog owners, and although consider myself not judgemental, I must admit to being slightly wary of any unfamiliar dogs/owners appearing on our local dog haunts, especially if they are staffie or husky types.
Have to admit that all these reports of our dogs being attacked makes me nervous to move back to the UK. Although I've had dogs lunge, growl and snarl at Juno at least they have generally been on lead. On our walks it's really unusual to meet another dog and owner where the dog has been put on a lead, and generally we position ourselves so the dogs don't have to pass close. The attitude is different here in that owners don't encourage their dogs to go and greet and play with every dog they happen to see
Fiona that is so sad. I just cannot get my head around people who don't intervene when their dogs attack. I wonder if the Staffie picked on Jemma because she was a gentle quiet thing.
Gosh, Fiona, how very awful. I just can't imagine how terrible this was for your poor Dad and sister to witness. Poor Jemma, sending lots of gentle pats to her, I hope she heals okay!
