Nudibranch
Well-Known Member
This morning some walkers passed with two dogs; one collie on a lead and one spaniel off lead. Our lane leads onto a footpath and though fields full of grazing, pregnant sheep. As soon as I realised they were not putting the spaniel on the lead I decided to go over and ask them to, as obviously we are a month from lambing and the spaniel was running manically in circles. No sooner had I taken a step than the spaniel set off at a gallop into my neighbour's field - where my chickens were ranging. The damned thing would not recall and in a split second had grabbed my elderly barnevelder and was shaking it like a rat. Long story short but the barny was taken to the vet and pts as her injuries were obviously going to be lethal: lots of degloved parts and internal bleeding. What I can't understand is why the owner thought it was fine to have the dog off lead like that. I had a bit of a go to be honest, and did end up feeling slightly sorry for him as he did apologise and offer to pay for the hen. But he thought that "open countryside" was suitable for letting dogs run about and couldn't grasp the fact that it would be shot on sight if it were seen amongst sheep.
I know well trained, working spaniels are great but this is the third time I've encountered a spaniel with an owner who can't control it and on two of those occasions one of my animals has been hurt or killed (one attacked my puppy, leaving him with a lifelong fear of other dogs).
Rant over...I just wish people could manage their dogs properly.
I know well trained, working spaniels are great but this is the third time I've encountered a spaniel with an owner who can't control it and on two of those occasions one of my animals has been hurt or killed (one attacked my puppy, leaving him with a lifelong fear of other dogs).
Rant over...I just wish people could manage their dogs properly.