Disturbing reading - Guide Dog attacked

[smudgley]

This is terrible.
A GDO was at a train station with her dog when it was attacked by another dog.
Read the link, but only watch the video link of the CCTV if you really want to - it is not very nice & quite disturbing footage.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23772137-blind-woman-tells-of-horror-as-terrier-mauls-her-guide-dog.do

[MrsH]

That was terrifying! A relief to read that the dog has recovered but how awful that they haven't traced the attacking dog yet. Has this story only just broken? I notice the attack happened over a month ago, perhaps they're hoping that publicity will lead to someone identifying the dog's owner. Shocking that at one point he just ran off!!

[smudgley]

That was terrifying! A relief to read that the dog has recovered but how awful that they haven't traced the attacking dog yet. Has this story only just broken? I notice the attack happened over a month ago, perhaps they're hoping that publicity will lead to someone identifying the dog's owner. Shocking that at one point he just ran off!!

I didn't realise that, but you are right. I've just looked at the dogs health notes & the attack happened on 4th October. The first I heard of it was when I saw it on the news today. :shock:

[Kim]

That is shocking, poor dog and owner.

[borderdawn]

It was a terrible accident, but Im sure it was an accident. Am I right in thinking the guide dog was not badly injured at all and returned to work pretty much straight away?

[random]

It was a terrible accident, but Im sure it was an accident. Am I right in thinking the guide dog was not badly injured at all and returned to work pretty much straight away?

Yes I agree, it was an accident, the man didn't run off as it said, did he? Looked to me like he got his dog off and from what it says, the dog didn't really do much damage as far as fighting dogs go, the lab also looked to run back after it at the end?

[dandysmom]

Very disturbing indeed.

[Phoenix]

I didn't even dare read the link :shock:

[smudgley]

Yes I agree, it was an accident, the man didn't run off as it said, did he? Looked to me like he got his dog off and from what it says, the dog didn't really do much damage as far as fighting dogs go, the lab also looked to run back after it at the end?

yes he did after the incident. Why do you think the police have released the CCTV footage of him appealing for anyone who recognises him to come forward?. He did try to get his dog off & luckily the GD wasn't too badly injured, but the way the dog was going at it, I think it was quite irresponsible having the dog off lead in a public area & then to leave & blind person to try & call for help and to get the dog back is a very cowardly person.

[borderdawn]

yes he did after the incident. Why do you think the police have released the CCTV footage of him appealing for anyone who recognises him to come forward?. He did try to get his dog off & luckily the GD wasn't too badly injured, but the way the dog was going at it, I think it was quite irresponsible having the dog off lead in a public area & then to leave & blind person to try & call for help and to get the dog back is a very cowardly person.

Yes he ran after, but he did get his dog off, he could of run before.

The dog did have a lead on as you clearly saw, but he did drop it, you also saw him try to stand on the lead as soon as he saw the dog eye the other one, he then went to grab his dog but he wasnt quick enough. He should of made sure the dog was secure before he started messing around.

Can you confirm this dog was back working pretty much straight away, and that the injuries were nowhere near as bad as many are making out. Media hype is something nobody needs, and as much as this was an awful accident, it was not pre meditated at all whatsoever.

[smudgley]

I agree with everything you say Dawn.
It was not an intentional attack, however it was quite a serious one.
the dog had bite wounds to her neck, paws & abdomen. 2 large open wounds which needed flushing and antibiotics - she didn't have any stitches as the vet advised it would be best to leave them open due to the nature of them.
She is now back working.
The police are still loking for the guy.
On a side-note the vet bill was huge, not sure why it was so much as I don't know all the details. Anyway - she's ok that's the main thing. :)

[borderdawn]

Thank kelly, Im pleased she is ok. I hope they find the guy, if only to educate him about keeping hold of his dog in public.

[Fran]

It's the mental scars that the guide dog will now bear that worry me. Having had one of my girls experience a nasty attack from another dog, 12 months on, we are still having problems with her fear of other dogs. IMO the attack should never have happened and a dog as nasty as that should be muzzled in public

[borderdawn]

It's the mental scars that the guide dog will now bear that worry me. Having had one of my girls experience a nasty attack from another dog, 12 months on, we are still having problems with her fear of other dogs. IMO the attack should never have happened and a dog as nasty as that should be muzzled in public

Well it appears this dog has none Fran or I expect Guide Dogs wouldnt have her out working again.

Many dogs have the type of temperament that these things dont affect. One of my dogs was attacked too some time ago, by a black lab, he was absolutely fine and showed no ill effects either physically or mentally. In fact he still sees the dog who still wants to attack him and every other dog it sees, yet he ignores him completely. This dog is not muzzled and his owner is convinced her dog is "fine." Some dogs of course are adversely affected and its very very sad, and as you rightly say, these attacks should not happen.

I think in this case at least, the guy only needed to have stood on his dogs lead and this accident would of been prevented, it appears his can and fag were more important!:roll:

[Fran]

Whatever our opinions there is no getting away from the fact that the man who owns the dog has broken the law. The dog was dangerously out of control in a public place, this is a criminal offence. Next time it might be a child the dog attacks...

[smudgley]

I simply can't believe he walked away, leaving a blind person there, alone to catch & attend to her dog (who was taken to a nearby vet)

The dog is again working & if there was any brekdown in her work, she wouldn't be working, so she must be a little sweetie who trusts her GDO.

She's a special girl really, for 2 reasons. As you know we mainly breed our own dogs (buying in a very small percentage of dogs) we also don't use many chocolates. However She's a little chocolate girlie as well being totally outside bred (outside as opposed to in-house) so completely different lines to our working stock. She qualified as a Guide Dog and is still working after this episode. She's 3 and a half. little poppett.

[borderdawn]

Whatever our opinions there is no getting away from the fact that the man who owns the dog has broken the law. The dog was dangerously out of control in a public place, this is a criminal offence. Next time it might be a child the dog attacks...

Come on Fran thats a ridiculous thing to "assume" isnt it, there is nothing to suggest that at all. Im sure the dog that shook my dog 12ft across the ground then opened the side of his chest up hasnt attacked a child yet, or perhaps it has!:roll: Nobody has said the dog was under control, everybody has said he was wrong to drop the lead, the ONLY thing anyone has said is that it was an accident and it was.

The dog that attacked my dog was no accident, the owner cannot control him, yet she still has him loose, its not only my dog thats been attacked by him, he has attacked several, she blantently KNOWS her dog is dog aggressive, yet chooses to run him loose where other dogs are. Im sure though, that his dog aggression wont turn into people aggression, I find that a really naive thing to say. Id love to see the evidence of this happening, even fighting Pit Bulls dont attack their moronic owners, which to be honest is a shame!

[borderdawn]

I simply can't believe he walked away, leaving a blind person there, alone to catch & attend to her dog (who was taken to a nearby vet)

The dog is again working & if there was any brekdown in her work, she wouldn't be working, so she must be a little sweetie who trusts her GDO.

She's a special girl really, for 2 reasons. As you know we mainly breed our own dogs (buying in a very small percentage of dogs) we also don't use many chocolates. However She's a little chocolate girlie as well being totally outside bred (outside as opposed to in-house) so completely different lines to our working stock. She qualified as a Guide Dog and is still working after this episode. She's 3 and a half. little poppett.
She didnt look a bad type Kelly, the picture I saw. Do you think the breeding may of accounted for her different temperament? I mean more of a couldnt care less attitude, or get on with it type, rather than the more sensitive type many guide dogs can be?

[Kazz]

This is a sad sad incident I am no way watching the video link...but read the information. I am pleased the dog is okay (after treatment) however I agree the other dog owner should not have left the scene. But sometimes people get panicked/shocked like people who leave the scene of an accident or just freeze. There again he may just be the sort of person who couldn't care less.

As most of you know my brother and his family have a little Westie pup Alfie....he is 17 weeks old now and was attacked by a boxer 2 weeks ago he had stitches in his shoulder, and severe bruising as he was shaken.

Alfie was on lead and with my sister in law she had a pushchair with the baby in and the Boxer appeared out of nowhere, attacked the pup and the owner called the dog and walked off. Leaving a woman with a baby and a bleeding puppy on the canalside path.

A man on a barge and two fishermen all from the opposite sides of the bank gcame over and gave assistance.

The vets bill was £385...but luckily the pup is not at all bothered so far by meeting other dogs....what irritates me is the man never stopped, said sorry nothing. But the dog is known to be dangerous, according to other walkers on the path he has attacked before.
What guts me is this was the first time Toni (s-i-l) has done this walk without me and Sal. I introduced her to the walk on the flat easy to do with the pushchair. I have never seen the Boxer off lead before though...but maybe thats self preservation.....by the owner he has a dog that attacks (so puts lead on if approaching dog that can do it damage if attacked, thats what we think)

Alfie is still charging about and totaly chilled with other dogs, maybe thats down to good breeding and good socilisation.

[Fran]

Alfie is still charging about and totaly chilled with other dogs, maybe thats down to good breeding and good socilisation.


Think yourself lucky then because according to our dog trainer, the majority of problem dogs she sees are those that have been attacked by another dog and she sees many and is an extremely good, accredited, experienced trainer. My dog is extremely well socialised as all my pups /dogs are, she was very young when the attack happened, it was a vicious, unprovoked attack and she was on a lead. it has mentally scarred her for life

You lot make me laugh you really do, like you condone that it's alright that this should have happened just because it was a 'terrier' type dog that a lot of you own. FACT - this guy has broken the law and that's the bottom line

[borderdawn]

Think yourself lucky then because according to our dog trainer, the majority of problem dogs she sees are those that have been attacked by another dog and she sees many and is an extremely good, accredited, experienced trainer. My dog is extremely well socialised as all my pups /dogs are, she was very young when the attack happened, it was a vicious, unprovoked attack and she was on a lead. it has mentally scarred her for life

You lot make me laugh you really do, like you condone that it's alright that this should have happened just because it was a 'terrier' type dog that a lot of you own. FACT - this guy has broken the law and that's the bottom line

Whats your problem tonight Fran? Nobody has condoned what has happened, anywhere at all, if Ive missed it please point it out, because I cant find it. You obviously have issues because your dog was attacked, but please dont make out this was anything other than an accident, it wasnt. There has been not one person that has said the guy shouldnt be held responsible for his irresponsibility, yet you have implied that people are condoning his actions and the attack, which is utter rubbish.

Like it or lump it many dogs do not suffer adversley after an attack, some do, just because yours has, and Im sorry to hear that, doesnt mean that others will. I know you have issues with certain breeds, I cant help thinking this is directed towards them, good job when that Labrador exposed my pups chest muscle I didnt feel the same about him, otherwise I expect you would feel differently as you have the breed yourself.

Oh and I dont own a Bull breed and never have, I did own Labradors though, I had one of them after it bit a child too, however she never did it again. Accident perhaps?

[Fran]

I know aggresive labs myself, it's nothing to do with breed here. It just make me laugh that all the people who own the 'terrier' type breed seem to think it's an 'accident' and make less of this than it is. You can see from the video that the man knew his dog was aggresive, it should have been muzzled and then no 'accident' would have taken place. I hope they catch the guy, prosecute him and destroy the dog

If any of my dogs ever did anything remotely like this dog did, I'd take the dog myself to get it put to sleep. It's disgraceful that people are trying to make excuses for an obvious incompetent owner and a very dangerous dog.

I cannot imagine what it is like to be blind but I can tell you as a seeing person, a vicious dog attack is a very frightening experience.

[borderdawn]

I know aggresive labs myself, it's nothing to do with breed here. It just make me laugh that all the people who own the 'terrier' type breed seem to think it's an 'accident' and make less of this than it is. You can see from the video that the man knew his dog was aggresive, it should have been muzzled and then no 'accident' would have taken place. I hope they catch the guy, prosecute him and destroy the dogThen you will know the damage they can do and that the "breed" or type should have nothing to do with it, yet you mention "terrier" types, why? It WAS an accident Fran, PLEAS show me anywhere you can see that it wasnt. Did the guy try to stand on the lead the moment he saw the other dog? Did the guy dive down to grab the dog in an attempt to stop it? Did he remain untill he stopped the attack, risking himself being bitten? He did Fran, it WAS an accident.

You have before said this "type" of dog should be put to sleep, its a very strange attitude for somebody who is supposed to be fond of dogs, you should be able to recognise that this was an accident. Do you think the Lab that attacked my pup should be destroyed? Ill tell you now, my dog was a LOT worse than that Lab afterwards and he was on a lead too, the Lab wasnt!

If any of my dogs ever did anything remotely like this dog did, I'd take the dog myself to get it put to sleep. It's disgraceful that people are trying to make excuses for an obvious incompetent owner and a very dangerous dog.
NOBODY has made excuses, again, show me where? EVERYBODY has said he should be found and held accountable, I cant see why you have this between your teeth (excuse the pun) everyone agrees with you, the dog was dog aggressive, he SHOULD of kept hold of the lead, but what happened was an accident, he didnt plan it nor want it to happen. You must remember the severity of the injuries on the dog itself Fran. No sitches at all, it was hardly ripped and mauled was it? Im not defending that either, just IMO the dog was more of an AM Bulldog type that Pit Bull type, and if it was a PB, Im sure the injuries sustained in that time would of been far more serious. If it was a PB then I agree that it should be PTS because they are an illegal breed, I dont think anyone will argue with that either.

I cannot imagine what it is like to be blind but I can tell you as a seeing person, a vicious dog attack is a very frightening experience.I dont think the lady was totally blind was she? Either way, I agree it must of been a terrifying experience for her, and anyone really. I am fully aware of what a dog attack looks like and have been witness (sadly) to a few. One, as I said on my own dog, and a couple elsewhere.

[Kazz]

Morning all.I maybe should have known not to reply to this thread, but sometimes you have to touch the fire again to believe it will burn.Yes I own a bull breed...does that make me not worthy of expressing an opinion? I think not. Would my opinion be any different if I owned a poodle? I think not. I mentioned my brothers pup because I was oddly enough trying to reassure you Fran that some dogs get attacked and are okay, I was not having a "dig" at your dogs horrible experience, her breeding, socialisation nothing. I was trying (and failing it seems) to reassure you. Alfie the pup is literaly that a pup, pups (in my experience) back quickly. Because they are dogs, and I believe they live in the moment. I do not condone the fact the dog attacked the guide dog. I do not condone the fact the man left the scene without checking all was okay. I do not condone the fact he was a numpty and did not make sure his dog was secure....but it did not look (seen video now) like anything other than an accident. I do not condone any sort of dog attack however due to the fact there are dogs in the World there will be fights, unless they are all kept, excercised and socialised in hamster balls.