the bloody dog been fighting

[Doc Savage]

I own a couple of Bullmastifs, a bitch 8 and a dog pup 1, Me and SWMBO went out for a pleasant stroll across the fields last night, bumped into a couple of dogs on the way with out any incidents, both dogs are welll socialised and like to play, and are naturally curious.

 

Walking home at dusk a gent walking a springer came into view behind us as we were walking along a path abutted by two stubble fields I had the pup and my wife had the bitch, my wife noted that the gent behind was coming up fast and we should walk onto the field (both dogs on the lead) as we were walking away from the path, the springer, also on a lead started crying, sqeaking and pulling excessively on the lead towards (about six feet) the wife and the bitch, the bitch as she was startled pulled the wife toward the springer, lost the lead and tripped over and a suffle ensued until I pinned my dog down.

 

the net result was the owner and I were out of breath dirty covered in dog drool and the springer received a tear in its fur - probably from me pulling the dog off.

 

I quickly noted to the gent that he should make sure that his dog was ok and I would come and see him to sort the issue out as I wanted to ensure that his dog was ok after I had checked mine.

 

He took his dog to the overnight vets for stitches and has come round tonight with a claim that the vets bill is circa 500 quid.

 

the gent has give me the option of weighing him in the 500 quid or dealing with his insurers

 

 

If the bill is bonafide I have no problem in stepping up and admitting I was partially to blame and put my hand in my pocket, but as he has admitted that his dog goes ape near other dogs because of issues it has had in the past being attacked, coupled with the fact he could see we were giving him space to pass but carried on letting his dog pull him towards us - I feel like this is a six and two threes situation am reluctant to take all the blame.

 

FWIW my dog hasnt been vicious with another dog before in the eight years weve had her, she is a measured an easygoing dog.

 

Im not a person who shirks a serious responsibility of dog owner ship, neither would I advocate anyone walking away from damage caused from one dog to another

 

your thoughts are welcomed

[Ozzy Fudd]

its harsh, but your missus lost the lead, so its her fault, doesnt matter what the other dog did as long as it was kept on a lead and away from your dog

 

the guys an absolute **** for pulling a stunt like that on you though

[pigeonblasterian]

His dog must have needed a lot of treatment for a bill of £500.He must take some blame as well letting his dog act the way it did.I would tell him to get stuffed and the bill was problem.

[Cosd]

I had a cross Bull Mastif/Rottweiler bitch until she passed away at a grand old age of 13 due to cancer.

She was a beautifal dog with a wonderful temperment. We also had a cat and still have some great videos of the cat who was fearless hanging off the dogs face holding on upside down with all four sets of claws whilst Hooch just stood there without even flinching. It made my eyes water just watching.

 

She was absolutely fine with all dogs even when they barked or acted aggressive toward her. She had a litter (13 pups with 1 still born) when we mated her with a lovely Rottweiler and we decided to keep one of the pups who was returned after 6 months because the owners didn't realise just how big the pups would grow. My bitch was over 8 stone in old money and the male pups were bigger than her at 11 months.

 

Getting back to the point I want to make, once she'd had her litter and when we were out with her pup she became very protective over the pup. Though she wouldn't tug toward any other dog or go looking to start anything, the slightest bit of aggressive behaviour from any other dog even small ones, and she would see red!!

 

We had two incidents where the second involved both mother and pup attacking like a pack when a black lab was a little too bouncy wanting to play in a park whilst my wife walked them (on a lead). I made the decision there and then and had to let the pup go. The mother within a month went back to being her old self and not even flinching when other dogs would even jump on her wanting to play.

 

Your bitch could well be over protective of the pup too!!

 

My opinion is that as a responsible dog owner you should ask to see a copy of the vet bill and offer half. It can never be proven what went on in either of the dogs minds at the time, we should never forget these are animals with natural instincts, so it should be agreed that both animals and owners were equally at fault.

[MC]

If I were you I would ask to see the bill, and then pay up.

 

I had a Irish wolfhound do the same to my springer whilst out walking. Merlin was not on a lead as we were on a playing field and a couple came into the field with this IWH.

 

The IWH took one look at Merlin and launched itself towards him, ondoing this the lady holding the lead let go and the IWH came tearing towards Merlin bareing its teeth and snarling.

 

It went for Merlin and he yelped and ran off, but in the meantime I had got there and poleaxed the IWH. Merlin only had a small bite mark on his leg. I launched into a barrage of obscenities at the owners who weren't a bit apologetic and they jsut said he does that from time to time.

 

I told them if I ever saw them out with that dog unmuzzled I would report it as a dangerous dog.

 

I know it was an accident in your case as your wife dropped the lead but the last thing you need is being reported for having a dangerous dog that attacks others.

[Markio]

Yep, defo ask to see the bill, he can't begrudge you that. However those overnight vets are REALLY expensive (although possibly not £500 worth)!.

 

If you have your dog insured is there 3rd party cover? Not sure if they cover this sort of incident. But chances are your excess is quite reasonable by comparison to his alleged bill.

[WGD]

I personally would try to be calm and reasonable, ask to see the excessive bill (I had a spaniel cut on barbed wire last year knocked out, stitched up, given a course of antibiotics and two further appointments to check and then remove the stitches - total bill £230) and offer half of the bona fide amount accompanied by a letter stating the payment is a goodwill gesture and not an admission of liability.... what if the wound gets infected and the course of treatment goes on and on, or the dog croaks it???

 

I can also see the logic behind saying - dogs fight, that's life, my dog got the better of yours but it could easily have been the other way round so deal with it and pay your bill or claim you insurance. Your position here is weakened by your initial offer to pay the vet bill. Sorry this isn't a clear answer, more food for thought I suppose.

[Highlander]

Unfortunate incident but you are responsible for your dog. End of.

 

The claim for £500 vets bill does indeed sound excessive and I'd ask first for a copy of said bill then telephone the vet and ask questions. Pay up the true cost only.

 

Anyone note the irony of the posters name? Savage!!!

Edited August 11, 2010 by Highlander

[kent]

If your going to own a dog that can out muscle you on a lead you need to have 100% control. Dogs know nothing of laws and have thier own rules of good manners it is up to you to keep on the right side legally of such matters regardless of if the other dog transgressed some doggy rules. The spaniel owner seems a right fool allowing his dog to mix it with a dog more than twice his weight aswell , but fact was it was six feet away and yours broke free. Pay the bill or don't your option in county curt you might well win or get a reduced claim however if it ends up in big boys court and not county you risk destuction of your dog.

 

However your dog was out of control and this worries me, what if the spaniel was a giddy toddler? Don't kid yourself and say my dog is a big softy as it was out of your control and as i state dogs have thier own set of rules

[WGD]

what if the spaniel was a giddy toddler? Don't kid yourself and say my dog is a big softy as it was out of your control and as i state dogs have thier own set of rules

 

Would you be so quick to make this statement if it was a lab, cocker or a bichon frise that slipped the lead?

 

Accidents happen and dogs fight, it happens. To compare that to an unprovoked attack of a child is grossly unfair IMHO.

Edited August 11, 2010 by WGD

[Doc Savage]

Would you be so quick to make this statement if it was a lab, cocker or a bichon frise that slipped the lead?

 

Accidents happen and dogs fight, it happens. To compare that to an unprovoked attack of a child is grossly unfair IMHO.

 

Thanks for that – accidents do happen. I’m going to see the bill any pay up, not because I feel more at blame than him, I just think it’s the right thing to do, however I am going to give him some strong advice for controlling his dog better in the future, lucky for him that it wasn’t another type of dog less socialised than mine.

 

I will not however deter me from actively encouraging my dog to mix with other well behaved dogs as she has done for the last eight years. And I will still try and anticipate unruly dogs and keep my distance.

I hope by me sharing it gives an awareness WHATEVER dog you have, thanks for the posts

[al4x]

yup it says keep well away from certain breeds, sadly in this case accidents do happen and your wife was unable to control your dog so you do have a certain duty.

 

as for saying whatever dog you have well maybe. I have to say my breed has a reputation for not starting fights but for finishing them, not seen it yet as my bitch is very friendly however she will hold her own if a dog is agressive back. Personally if another dog started on mine on the lead for whatever reason I would question whether the owners should have it un muzled if they can't keep hold of it, a bit of barking sadly can happen when dogs are on leads and it does bring out the worst in them but when it boils over like this there isn't a lot of excuses

[kent]

Would you be so quick to make this statement if it was a lab, cocker or a bichon frise that slipped the lead?

 

Accidents happen and dogs fight, it happens. To compare that to an unprovoked attack of a child is grossly unfair IMHO.

 

In some respects yes i would. But a cocker is hardly likely to pull free is it, personally i have no time for a dog that will fight and the point i was making is out of control is out of control under certain circumstances it is not the dogs fault they have thier own rules- do you know presicely were toddlers come into those rules?

[WGD]

Do you know presicely were toddlers come into those rules?

 

Not normally on the end of a lead provoking a fight!

 

I take your points, and completely agree that control is control, but show me a man who's dogs are, and always have been, under control at all times in their life and there has never been any opportunity for an accident of any kind...

 

From my reading of it, this dog is not a fighter, it responded in a hot situation and got to the other dog. In this case it pulled it's owner over, I have seen plenty terriers slip a lead by doing terrier acrobatics to get into a fight. It is however a well socialised dog. So's my lab and I guarantee she'd have wanted to do the same thing as the mastiff given half a chance.

[Gordon R]

I would ask to see the bill - satisfy myself that it was legit and pay up.

 

Kent

personally i have no time for a dog that will fight

- that dog has not been born yet.

[al4x]

quite appropriate really Kent that you have a GWP, now if that won't fight back if something starts on it I'll be amazed.

[pegleg31]

i'd also ask to see the vet's bill

 

 

personally if i see a woman holding onto any dog larger than a lab(on a lead) i'll give them a wide birth or sit my dog's down quietly out of the way.what i fail to understand is why the bloke walked towards someone with 2 mastiffs when he know's his dog has issue's around other dog's?

 

i know it's hard to prove but surely he should accept part of the blame.

 

just my opinion

 

russ

[gsm1968]

i'd also ask to see the vet's bill

 

 

personally if i see a woman holding onto any dog larger than a lab(on a lead) i'll give them a wide birth or sit my dog's down quietly out of the way.what i fail to understand is why the bloke walked towards someone with 2 mastiffs when he know's his dog has issue's around other dog's?

 

i know it's hard to prove but surely he should accept part of the blame.

 

just my opinion

 

russ

 

 

At £500 a time, it's profitable!!

 

Seriously though, in this day and age of law suits, I would be carefull of any thing that could imply liability. It could just possibly snow ball from the £500, once he gets the idea you have your "back to the wall". I would at best agree to half the bill(directly to the vets) as a good will gesture, in the interests of the dogs health.

[Wesman]

Do as WGD says. Pay half as a goodwill gesture with a signed and dated letter stating that the payment is not an admission of liability.

[kent]

I would ask to see the bill - satisfy myself that it was legit and pay up.

 

Kent - that dog has not been born yet.

 

No can't go for that one sorry, the exeption is if the boss is under attack. I have only owned one fighter (a terrier) and he would never start a fight but needed little provocation.

[Gordon R]

Kent - how can anyone with a brain cell say that their dog would never fight? Any dog will fight given the right circumstances. To say otherwise is absurd.

[kent]

quite appropriate really Kent that you have a GWP, now if that won't fight back if something starts on it I'll be amazed.

 

Well be amazed this very weekend a Border terrier with big ideas that belonged to the neighbouring farm had a go and i called him off before actual bloodshed. The breed is not soft but the fighting reputation it holds is due to the small gene pool that once existed in the UK and one stud dog with issues. A dog in hand should look to the pack leader for support in such situations in the first instance, if the leader is in trouble then it is entirely natural for it to wade in.

The owner of perhaps the best stud dog of the breed in the UK has exactly the same idea as do the German authorities on the breed- fighting must not be tollerated. They are hard enough to handle as it is

[kent]

Kent - how can anyone with a brain cell say that their dog would never fight? Any dog will fight given the right circumstances. To say otherwise is absurd.

 

No i never said never

[Gordon R]

I am always grateful to hear an expert opinion.

 

If you genuinely have no time for a dog who will fight, you should never have owned any dog at all and should, in all conscience, refrain from keeping another.

[kent]

I am always grateful to hear an expert opinion.

 

If you genuinely have no time for a dog who will fight, you should never have owned any dog at all and should, in all conscience, refrain from keeping another.

Let me put to you that it is entirely natural for a dog to chase, kill and eat game but should we allow that in a gundog? As this is natural and i suppose that is your point fighting is natural? I am certainly no expert and see no reason for your critisism as i know few who will allow fighting and would much rather own a dog that put it's tail down and ran away or returned to the leader for protection. Sure dogs will fight but yes i should have real issues if any of mine actually pulled towards a scrap especially so if on a lead. What about sheep killing another entirely natural thing? No we are not going to agree on this one are you realy saying the reverse that fighting is OK?