ponyparty
Well-Known Member
Someone I know has posted on FB to say she was bitten by a dog whilst out running. The owner pulled the dog to the side of the path to allow her to run past, and as she did so, the dog - a GSD - lunged (whilst still on the lead) and bit her thigh. It has left a huge bruise and a small puncture mark, for which she thankfully doesn't need any medical intervention. If it hadn't been on the lead, it would have been a damned sight worse.
She was so flustered (and terrified), the woman apologised and she just wanted to get away from the dog so carried on running without getting any details.
I advised her to report this incident to police, in case the woman/dog were already known to them, or in case anything else happens, or in case they can find her and have a word/insist it is muzzled in public places in future. She spoke to a policeman who visits her workplace, who has told her that, as she didn't get the woman's name or address, and there was no CCTV, there's nothing they can do.
If I were that policeman, I'd have at least been taking a description and logging it. Apparently it happened near a kennels so I would perhaps make an enquiry there, or go back to where it happened at the same time the next day, as people often walk their dogs at the same time. I know the police are overstretched but I think this is quite serious. Am I being unrealistic? I just think it's a bit of a crap response. What if it had ripped her leg half off, would the response be the same then? I think not. I told her to log it via 101 anyway just so there's a record, in case, god forbid, it happens again to someone else.
I hope the owner in question was absolutely shocked and terrified and will muzzle it in future anyway, but you never know, enough idiots out there aren't there!
I have also advised this person that, if there is only one way past a dog, up close (e.g. canal towpath or somewhere there is no alternative path) then to slow to a walk and not make eye contact with the dog as she passes. I feel that running at speed, in close quarters, towards/past any dog (perhaps particularly a herding breed?) could trigger such a reaction, I've certainly seen dogs lunging at cyclists on shared pathways. I'm no expert though, I'm second guessing myself now, it's just what I would do in that situation - any better ideas?
She was so flustered (and terrified), the woman apologised and she just wanted to get away from the dog so carried on running without getting any details.
I advised her to report this incident to police, in case the woman/dog were already known to them, or in case anything else happens, or in case they can find her and have a word/insist it is muzzled in public places in future. She spoke to a policeman who visits her workplace, who has told her that, as she didn't get the woman's name or address, and there was no CCTV, there's nothing they can do.
If I were that policeman, I'd have at least been taking a description and logging it. Apparently it happened near a kennels so I would perhaps make an enquiry there, or go back to where it happened at the same time the next day, as people often walk their dogs at the same time. I know the police are overstretched but I think this is quite serious. Am I being unrealistic? I just think it's a bit of a crap response. What if it had ripped her leg half off, would the response be the same then? I think not. I told her to log it via 101 anyway just so there's a record, in case, god forbid, it happens again to someone else.
I hope the owner in question was absolutely shocked and terrified and will muzzle it in future anyway, but you never know, enough idiots out there aren't there!
I have also advised this person that, if there is only one way past a dog, up close (e.g. canal towpath or somewhere there is no alternative path) then to slow to a walk and not make eye contact with the dog as she passes. I feel that running at speed, in close quarters, towards/past any dog (perhaps particularly a herding breed?) could trigger such a reaction, I've certainly seen dogs lunging at cyclists on shared pathways. I'm no expert though, I'm second guessing myself now, it's just what I would do in that situation - any better ideas?