Poor Harry set upon tonight

FAJ · Enlightened One

Poor Harry set upon tonight

Isla · Enlightened One

Poor Harry!

The owner of that other dog wants shot. How irresponsible can some people be!

We are very careful to get hold of our three the minute we see anyone with a dog approaching, just in case. When one starts, another joins in - Tigger is the only one who is blissfully unconcerned.

I hope Harry is ok tomorrow after his sleep. I also hope Steve wasn't badly bitten! They were lucky. I hope that owner realises what a lucky escape he/she's had too!!!

Give Harry a big hug from us and better give Steve a hug too.

Steve · Master

Harry seems fine and is snoozing away- he just has a couple of scrapes and a bloody eye. My bite is very small - advised to get a tetanus injection tomorrow if possible.

Apart from being very annoyed at the owner, who I've known since I was a kid , it wasn't the nicest of things to see - I suppose you go into fight or flight mode and you don't feel much pain yourself although my hand is throbbing after trying to separate them - I had to hit/kick both Harry and the other dog repeatedly - this I am really annoyed at.

As Fiona said, lucky on this occassion that we didn't have a muzzle on Harry and he was able to defend himself properly, even though he was on the lead.

I think a few harsh words may need to be said when things cool down.The other owner is very upset due to the damage to her dog and she'll know deep down that it was her fault because she has little control over dog which has issues and still allows it off lead.

Nicki · Big Cheese

How awful for you all. Poor Harry, I am just so glad it wasn't any worse and he didn't get his throat ripped out. Well hopefully now the owner of the other dog will be much more carefull (or is that wishful thinking).

I am not surprised you were so traumatised by it, it is a very frightening experience. I hope Steve was not too badly bitten and that it heals up fine.

Hope Harry feels much better in the morning.

Hugs to you all and a big hug foe the big boy Harry..

Nicki and wee Janie.x

Siouxsie · Enlightened One

Fiona,

So sorry to hear about this horrible experience you have all faced tonight.

The retrievers owner should be held to account for the actions of their dog - they obviously have no control.

I really hope Harry is better in the morning and that Steve is not too badly bitten too.

Hugs to all.

x

greyflintstone · Master

The poor, big handsome boy. wilma sends him hugs & kisses!

It amazes me how irresponsible people can be. How would she have reacted if it had been the other way round? I think, Steve, you are right in saying that some harsh words are needing to be said. I would be threatening to report the owner - that might make her think twice before she let's the dog run about off the lead again.

Hope Harry has a peaceful night, and that you all feel much better in the morning.

Sharon x

Amanda · Master

Poor Harry (and Steve). Glad he was able to defend himself and hope there is no lasting damage - physical or emotional. Think a few choice words to the owner is certainly needed.

FAJ · Enlightened One

Thanks for your nice thoughts, everyone. Harry seems none the worse this morning - he scoffed his breakfast as enthusiastically as normal. But you never really know with Harry; he doesn't give much away because he's a very accepting boy.

I'm still very cross and shaken by the whole thing. The retriever's owner is a very nice woman and we have no doubts that she loves her dog very much. But she's not doing right by him and she's letting him get himself into trouble - Harry isn't the first dog that he's gone for. You know, we don't walk Harry on-lead all the time because we don't think he'd like to have a run around and a play. We do it to protect himself from his own behaviour with small dogs - we do what is best for him, rather than what is easiest for us, because we love him too much to do anything else.

Jennifer · Big Cheese

Poor Harry, im sure i know who that dog and owner are. I was down at Gullane last year with my friend and her dogs as well. When we were walking back up from the beach, this golden retriever appeared from no where and when the owner appeared, she had no control over the dog. When i shouted for her to get her dog away from mine (as it was trying to hump Millie) she kept shouting, but of course the dog didn't listen. She eventually caught it, but five minutes later she let it go again and of course it came straight back to us. I was raging. It pisses me off so much when folk have no control over their dog, especially when its a really dominant one that poses threatening behaviour towards others!!

Andy Jolly · Old Hand

How awful for you all, especially poor harry. It's amazing the number of people who let their dog off the lead, unable to control them. the consequences can be disastrous and the effects long lasting. hope you all get over this upsetting experience soon, and there's no repeat performance.

max · Enlightened One

So sorry to hear about Harrys upset and injuries. It just makes your blood boil when people are so ignorant of what their dog is capable of, I wonder if she has learned anything from this I hope so for the sake of all the other dogs out there.

Nora

Valerie · Guru

So sorry to hear of this terrible incident, and hope Harry is ok, as well as Steve. You must try and console yourselves you did everything right, and words really are needed with the retriever's owner, for dogs and your own sake, as she lives so near.

Laura · Master

How horrible for you.

Have you had words with the other dogs' owner yet? I cant think of anytime something so bad as that has ever happened to us. Apart from when a boxer flew at Rosie.

She was on the lead(and muzzled), and this boxer came running up to her growling and being very rough. It was the only time, Rosie has showed any real aggression towards other dogs. I was with two little girls at the times aswell, who were terrified. I found it really difficult to hold Rosie,who was twisting around and growling, and try to keep the girls calm at the same time. Eventually when the guy mananged to catch his dog, there was no apologie, just a nasty look. I was furious. Anyway, I hope Harry and Steve are okay and the lady learns from this incident.

Isla · Enlightened One

Glad the hand is not too serious (bad enough though). Certainly don't envy you having to get a tetanus. I had dutifully avoided it for years (despite working with horses) and didn't particularly enjoy the experience after my gran's dog bit me!

How horrible for you having to kick and hit your own dog when it is the one being mauled!

What a star Harry is - being so brave about the whole incident.

FAJ · Enlightened One

A wee update for you. We went round to the other dog's owner last night to clear up a few things. She admitted that she should have called her dog back and put him on the lead, because that would have prevented the whole thing from happening. We pointed out that we are able to walk past her and him and distract Harry with a biscuit so that Harry doesn't react, but that her dog always, always snarls and lunges and growls at us every time he sees us - he used to do it to Pearly before we got Harry. I said that I'd been terrified of meeting her dog off-lead with Harry on-lead from the moment that we got Harry because I knew for sure that this kind of thing would happen. We've asked that if she sees us in future that she puts her dog on a lead and stays well away. She's fully aware that her dog isn't the "nicest natured" (to use her own words), but of course she loves him warts and all and so doesn't really see his faults in their true light.

It's all ended amicably enough. After all, we live in the same small cul-de-sac in a small village so it doesn't do to be at war. But we certainly made our feelings pretty clear in a firm but fair way. Fingers crossed, eh?

And just to report that Harry is an absolute star. We were out walking last night and in quick succession met a very yappy wee terrier, and the gobby little ****er spaniel that I've spoken about before. And what did Harry do? Straight away, he looked up to Steve in expectation of a biscuit. No reaction to the wee doggies at all - the big boy just wanted his biscuit. What a stoater he is, and no mistake.

Laura · Master

Well done Harry! What a wee star. At least the woman understood it was her dog's fault, even if she didnt quite want to admit it.

Valerie · Guru

Well done, for saying your piece in a clear way. You now know you have taken every precaution you can for Harry, even though you are having to advise someone else on how their dog should be handled!!! It sounds like you've kept a clear head in what is an emotional situation for you. Who knows, because you have acted with the owner, you may even save another dog/owner from this.

Harry's a star, and will know how you have protected him. I think they just do somehow. Fingers crossed this is behind you now.

max · Enlightened One

Well done on handling the situation so diplomatically, and hope your hand heals well Steve. Clever Harry on meeting the other dogs, what a star.

Siouxsie · Enlightened One

FAJ wrote:

And just to report that Harry is an absolute star. We were out walking last night and in quick succession met a very yappy wee terrier, and the gobby little ****er spaniel that I've spoken about before. And what did Harry do? Straight away, he looked up to Steve in expectation of a biscuit. No reaction to the wee doggies at all - the big boy just wanted his biscuit. What a stoater he is, and no mistake.

Good on Harry, you are right what an absolute star.

hugahound · Master

What a super natured dog you have. It's good that he isn't seeing all dogs as the same. He may well be a breedist though and be wary of all golden retrievers. You said the other owner was upset because of the damage to her dog. Did Harry come off better? It's a terrible thing to happen. Good that it's been sorted amicably. Nothing worse than being at war with neighbours. I know. For years at my previous house there were ex 'travellers' that lived a few doors up. Of course there were always lurchers but they were god damn awful. My dog (lurcher at the time)got beat up which made him into a 'get them before they get me' type of dog. He changed. Wouldn't start a fight but by no means would back down, not to anything. These lurchers were left to roam 24 hours a day and would come flying out onto the road whenever you passed. No authorities were interested. Was very hard going. One by one they always ended up being killed on the road. The last two they had I decided to make friends with them and it did work. When I walked Lenny and Rosie they come running over (field) at 40 mph. But just to get a biscuit! Sometimes they'd come part of the walk with me. I moved over two years ago. Lovely dogs but I believe no longer around. What are you supposed to do when no one wants to know. I'm sure the police were in thier pockets.

Glad Harry has taken it in his stride and hasn't let this incident affect him.

Nicki · Big Cheese

Good for you Harry, you are a star indeed!

Nicki and wee Janie.x

Isla · Enlightened One

What a clever boy!

Glad the owner is being reasonable, that must help immensely.

Gail · Big Cheese

Fiona i have only just caught up with this, what a horrible experience for you all and as others have said lets hope the other dogs owner has learned from it but i find that doubtful.

Glad you got the chance to say your piece in a calm way though and that Steve's hand is not too bad. Thankfully it didn't end much worse although that's probably no consolation at the time.

Harry is a star, give him a big hug from us

Amber · Master

oh no, poor you & Harry - this is what I dread happening with Oscar. Luckily most around here have friendly dogs or they are kept on a lead if not.

I really don't think your neighbour should allow her dog off lead in public at all if it has a propensity to aggressively approach and attack other dogs - and she cannot control it. I mean what if she can't get him back on the lead in time?? She doesn't sound like she has trained the dog well enough to let him off the lead, or made any attempt to deal with his dog aggression. But I know it's tricky with neighbours and you probably don't want to make it into a bigger issue and become sworn enemies! It is seriously unfair on other dogs and their handlers though.

Maybe you could invest in a can of 'Pet Corrector' compressed air to fend the dog off with, if it happens again? Available online, it makes a horrible, startling noise that ought to frighten it off. I have a can in my dog walking bag, reserved for emergencies.

FAJ · Enlightened One

We'd thought about that - it's a very good idea. And so much more portable than a bucket of water to sling over them if ever it happened again! Which hopefully it won't.......

Amber wrote:

Maybe you could invest in a can of 'Pet Corrector' compressed air to fend the dog off with, if it happens again? Available online, it makes a horrible, startling noise that ought to frighten it off. I have a can in my dog walking bag, reserved for emergencies.