Dog fight...oh s**t...

Clodagh

Clodagh

Playing chess with pigeons
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My lurcher, Sash, and my brother-in-laws labrador and hound were hunting rabbits up in the farmyard this morning. (I was at work, but OH and BinL were here).
They heard a horrible noise and went to investigate. The old hound was on her back on the ground and Sash and lab were attacking her. No one knows what happened but assume they actually killed something (very rare) and fought over it. Starry is at the vets and they don't think she will live... She has been ripped to shreds. Now, I would like to think that Sash would never start a fight, she has never even growled at another dog that I have heard, and lab and hound don't get on that well anyway...but Sash is covered in blood and bites, and can hardly move, and apparently lab has no blood on her at all. They did see both of them on Starry as she was on the ground, but Sash must have been well in there.
Now, I feel that I must offer to pay something towards the vet fees, as I would want him to if the boot was on the other foot...but how much? If I offer half, it will be loads and I have NO MONEY...yet if I offer, say £100, that may only be a drop in the ocean.
Thoughts?
 
Oh, how horrible. I really feel for you. I don't really know what to say- as you can't prove that it was ONLY your dog responsible for the damage, it wouldn't be entirely fair for you to pay all the vet fees (not that I'm sure of the legality of that, but just how it seems to me.) Do you have insurance for your dog that will cover this?

Just to add that, possibly against all odds, I do hope the hound pulls through.
 
That's a nightmare for you isn't it? Not only do you feel guilty even while not knowing if Sash was involved or not, it also means that to a certain extent, you will feel you have to watch her like a hawk from now on until you KNOW you can trust her again. One thing you can be sure of is it wasn't your fault, you weren't there and if it is something they often did (hunting together) then it was a completely freaky accident.
Old hounds (not sure whhat type) are notoriously grumpy over trophies; it could have been caused by the others trying to take it off her and sparks flew or vice versa, who's to know for sure; it's just sad, old hound came off by far the worst. Let's hope she recovers.
It could well be that Lab, being heavier and stronger didn't get a mark on him because of his strength at keeping the others away from him but was able to inflict a lot of damage himself if that makes sense. There are so many ways this could have happened and you'll never know for sure, it'll just be speculation.
I have to say, if I was in your position, I would have to offer to pay something whilst not admitting it was only your dogs fault, I don't think you can say that even though she was the only one with battle wounds on her. After all, at the time, you were not in charge of them, someone else was, so they must take the lion share of the blame as they were guilty of negligence for want of a word. You could actually ask them to help with your vet fees!
 
How horrible! What a dreadful situation to be in. Our dogs used to fight quite regularly (they're better now, thank God!) but it takes no time at all for them to do significant damage!
I don't know that the amount of blood is particularly significant; Sometimes a couple (or 3) of ours would be fighting and one would come out clean and the others a mess...
I think any amount you offer would be appreciated.
Hope the hound pulls through!
 
Well, hound still alive but no big improvement.
BinL says he didn't see Sash bite her, just yip while the other two fought. She still got covered in blood though, so isn't too innocent.
He may rehome one, he said, if they keep fighting, so I may take hound. Shes a smelly old thing, but such a sweetie. Got to see if she makes it, first. Apparently you could see her shoulder blade in one gash...yuck..
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Actually it is amazing just how resilient dogs are. This hound may well survive.

My old collie used to be frequently attacked by my other dog which we didn't bring with us to Canada, another collie. My old collie has had her knee stitched back up, both of her ears reconstructed and has had puncture wound to her body, legs and the final one was her throat was bitten and punctured.

My little, bite-y collie was then re-homed and has enjoyed life as an only dog with no other dogs living within a 3 mile radius and has given her owner nothing but happiness since.

My old collie has suffered no long-lasting problems due to this period in her life when she spent days at the vet almost every month!

Good luck to the hound - hope all goes well.
 
Hound coming home (to BinLs) tomorrow!!
Shes on the mend, good old girl, and will be coming to work here on the farm every day so I shall set her a bean bag up next to the Aga for her private use!! He is going to see how they get on.
Thank you, Finn, will keep you in mind! :-)
 
She was PTS today, the wound reopened and there wasn't enough to re attach.
Poor old girl, the nicest, most inoffensive dog you could ever meet.
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