Nasty loose dog on bridle path: what would you do?

[PeterNatt]

Several years ago I was riding my horse on a country road past a farm. Two dogs ran out from behind me and attacked my horse by jumping up at her and bitting at her throat. They actually managed to bring her down on the road and continued to attack her. I kicked them and hit them with my schooling whip in an attempt to get the dogs off her. My horse was injured and required several weeks of veterinary treatment. She did recover but has never been happy with dogs since then.
I went to seee the farmer/landowner concerned to explain what had happened and he became very aggressive so I retreated.
I then reported the matter to the police and dog warden both of which visited the farmer concerned.
I later discovered that these dogs had attacked other horses before but no one had done anything about it. Had they bothered to do something about it before then the dogs may not have attacked my horse.

 

[AmyMay]

Such hysteria over a barking dog. Good grief.

 

[brigantia]

Several years ago I was riding my horse on a country road past a farm. Two dogs ran out from behind me and attacked my horse by jumping up at her and bitting at her throat. They actually managed to bring her down on the road and continued to attack her. I kicked them and hit them with my schooling whip in an attempt to get the dogs off her. My horse was injured and required several weeks of veterinary treatment. She did recover but has never been happy with dogs since then.
I went to seee the farmer/landowner concerned to explain what had happened and he became very aggressive so I retreated.
I then reported the matter to the police and dog warden both of which visited the farmer concerned.
I later discovered that these dogs had attacked other horses before but no one had done anything about it. Had they bothered to do something about it before then the dogs may not have attacked my horse.

That's a very sad and sobering story.

As someone mentioned upthread, reporting the incident does not mean the animal will be put to sleep, but the proper authorities will speak to the owner to stress the seriousness of the situation, which may prevent further incidents.

OP, good luck whatever you decide.

 

[Booboos]

Several years ago I was riding my horse on a country road past a farm. Two dogs ran out from behind me and attacked my horse by jumping up at her and bitting at her throat. They actually managed to bring her down on the road and continued to attack her. I kicked them and hit them with my schooling whip in an attempt to get the dogs off her. My horse was injured and required several weeks of veterinary treatment. She did recover but has never been happy with dogs since then.
I went to seee the farmer/landowner concerned to explain what had happened and he became very aggressive so I retreated.
I then reported the matter to the police and dog warden both of which visited the farmer concerned.
I later discovered that these dogs had attacked other horses before but no one had done anything about it. Had they bothered to do something about it before then the dogs may not have attacked my horse.

While I am very sorry about your horse, it must have been a horrific experience for both of you, with all due respect I don't see what this proves. Many dogs ignore horses, many will bark at them and go no further and very very few are as aggressive as the one you describe. Surely the type and ferocity of the attack should be taken into account in each case and in this case, from what the OP says, the dog did not do much wrong.

OP just to add, try not to scare yourself too much. Just because the owner was well built it does not mean that he goes around beating up people! He is probably well built because he likes body building or sports. Beating up other people is more a matter of mentality than strict ability to do so due to body mass. All the guy did was collect his dog and apologize, just go talk to him about the whole in the fence!

 

[CorvusCorax]

I don't know whether the owner knows where the dog got out, coz if not the thing will get out again and again. It must be so frustrating for a dog like this to be kept cooped up in someone's plot and see people going past and not be able to do anything about it, owners don't seem to think of this when they coop up dogs.

Eh? So you're complaining about it being loose, but when it's behind the fence, it's 'cooped up'?! I suppose I must keep my dogs 'cooped up' because I keep them behind a secure fence, not out running the roads or in the farmer's fields unleashed. In which case, they'd be run over and/or shot.

 

[Amaranta]

Fair enough.

What I objected to was the notion that people shouldn't complain about aggressive loose dogs because then the owner of said dog might have a negative opinion of the horse owners that complain! Here I think it's more a question of who is liable than whose feelings stand to be the most offended.

Generally the law is on the side of those who consider their safety threatened by loose, out of control dogs rather than the dog owners' feelings of entitlement.

It's really up to the OP to decide appropriate course of action. She knows the situation better than we do. She might want to at least discuss her concerns with the dog owner. Reporting the incident is certainly within her rights.

Brigannta, as the one who mentioned the bad rep I feel I must respond to your post.

Firstly, I was talking about THIS particular instance, where a dog got out of a garden, barked at a horse and was retrieved by his owner. No human or horse was injured. I felt that to involve the law at this stage was inappropriate and YES to do so would not enhance our reputation as riders! Many people think we are snotty cows at the best of times!

You chose to home in on one comment, completely ignoring the rest of my post.

Of course if the dog HAD been running amok on a public highway and of course if he had actually attacked a horse/person this is a completely different matter, but he wasn't and didn't!

If you knew anything about dogs, you would realise that they are protective of their space/pack, this dog was merely protecting HIS space and was quickly retrieved by the owner who DID apologise. To report this to police at this stage would be unfair on the dog AND the owner.

 

[jokadoka]

Some interesting responses ...... I don't want to get the dog warden/local council involved, as hey, I've gotta live in this area too! BUT I've had to ask myself the question time and again - how would a little kid out on a pony have coped with something like this, and the answer always comes back that even though nothing happened on this occasion, it could have been horrendous.

Some people have suggested going to see the owner to tell him what happened. OK so he's a fairly well-built guy, I'm a woman and live on my own, in the local area, with my poor old mum, so if he decides to cut-up rough about me going to see him (and he might well), then I won't feel safe any more and that will impact on mum too.

Any anyway, I'd have to run the gauntlett of the two dogs anyway - not a nice prospect.

OR I could write him a letter, being polite rather than confrontational. I'd have to give my address, which again, if he decides to be aggressive, is putting myself at risk.

My feeling, after reading everyone's responses, is that if this dog ever gets out again then there WILL be an incident of some kind. I saw the way it was eyeing the horses' back ends and it wasn't a good feeling to it at all.

I don't know whether the owner knows where the dog got out, coz if not the thing will get out again and again. It must be so frustrating for a dog like this to be kept cooped up in someone's plot and see people going past and not be able to do anything about it, owners don't seem to think of this when they coop up dogs.

Soooo, the end result is that I have two options, as far as I can see: (1) ring the Dog Warden and have a chat and perhaps they can suggest a low-key form of action or (2) I write anonymously (don't like this idea) and say what happened and where the dog got out. I don't even know the name or address of the house, would have to rely on postman knowing where the "last cottage before the bridle path starts, with the two alsations!!!"

Reading this, it seems as though your imagination might be running away with you and the whole thing is being blown out of proportion.
To suggest the bloke must be a 'wrong'un' just because he's well built is just ridiculous.
You also assume the dogs are 'cooped up' all the time. Firstly, having the run of the garden doesn't suggest being cooped up to me, cooped up to me is being shut in to a utility room or kennel.
Secondly, for all you know the guy walks them for hours on end, I don't know, but you don't either, so just to assume they don't get exercised seems a bit odd to me.
Thirdly, any responsible parent would not let a "little kid out on a pony" by itself.
I think you need to step back, have a very large Gin and Tonic, and get things back into perspective.

 

[Kat]

Brigannta, as the one who mentioned the bad rep I feel I must respond to your post.

Firstly, I was talking about THIS particular instance, where a dog got out of a garden, barked at a horse and was retrieved by his owner. No human or horse was injured. I felt that to involve the law at this stage was inappropriate and YES to do so would not enhance our reputation as riders! Many people think we are snotty cows at the best of times!

You chose to home in on one comment, completely ignoring the rest of my post.

Of course if the dog HAD been running amok on a public highway and of course if he had actually attacked a horse/person this is a completely different matter, but he wasn't and didn't!

If you knew anything about dogs, you would realise that they are protective of their space/pack, this dog was merely protecting HIS space and was quickly retrieved by the owner who DID apologise. To report this to police at this stage would be unfair on the dog AND the owner.

The dog warden is not the police, they are a council employee. No one was talking about going to the police. The OP isn't happy to visit the owner, I don't blame her, my 6ft tall OH had an unpleasant experience complaining about an "escaped" dog to a short plump female owner. If the op is a single woman and the owner a big man why shouldn't she be concerned. It is the dog warden's job to deal with this sort of thing.

The dog warden can also log the incident in case it is a pattern of behaviour. If it is a genuine accident and never happens again there is no harm done.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

The dog warden is not the police, they are a council employee. No one was talking about going to the police. The OP isn't happy to visit the owner, I don't blame her, my 6ft tall OH had an unpleasant experience complaining about an "escaped" dog to a short plump female owner. If the op is a single woman and the owner a big man why shouldn't she be concerned. It is the dog warden's job to deal with this sort of thing.

The dog warden can also log the incident in case it is a pattern of behaviour. If it is a genuine accident and never happens again there is no harm done.

You have a commendable and touching faith in the way the system should work....sadly things do not always work as we assume they should in these systems!

The dog warden only has one side of the card to work to - ensure no dog attacks, and the easiest way to cover their back is to make things as formal and as tough as possible from the outset, since the complaint is about fear and not an actual injury attack this is easy to do, they dont have to show any injury.

Unless the owner has been aggressive to the OP, then it is simply prejudiced to assume that he is any more violent than a skinny lass would be - in fact the most aggressive and defensive dog owners Ive ever come across have all been women. Your OPs experience backs up the fact that it isnt what a person looks like that governs their personality.

I dont think anyone thinks it would be wrong for the OP to make contact in whatever way they feel happy with (in person or by letter without giving name) although in person does at least mean that the owner can be spoken with in a low key way as letters are always a formal thing, since we dont even know whether he even knows the dog has been out. But to contact the dog warden without giving the owner even the information about what the OP expects from them is OTT IMO.

 

[Amaranta]

The dog warden is not the police, they are a council employee. No one was talking about going to the police. The OP isn't happy to visit the owner, I don't blame her, my 6ft tall OH had an unpleasant experience complaining about an "escaped" dog to a short plump female owner. If the op is a single woman and the owner a big man why shouldn't she be concerned. It is the dog warden's job to deal with this sort of thing.

The dog warden can also log the incident in case it is a pattern of behaviour. If it is a genuine accident and never happens again there is no harm done.

I understand what you are saying, but I do believe the OP's imagination has run wild here and, as she understandably was scared, the incident seems worse to her than it actually was. The guy DID apologise, a real wrong un would not have bothered to do this, nor would he have retrieved the dog as soon as he realised what was happening. I just feel that it is unfair for the dog to have a black mark against him.

 

[Kat]

You have a commendable and touching faith in the way the system should work....sadly things do not always work as we assume they should in these systems!

The dog warden only has one side of the card to work to - ensure no dog attacks, and the easiest way to cover their back is to make things as formal and as tough as possible from the outset, since the complaint is about fear and not an actual injury attack this is easy to do, they dont have to show any injury.

Unless the owner has been aggressive to the OP, then it is simply prejudiced to assume that he is any more violent than a skinny lass would be - in fact the most aggressive and defensive dog owners Ive ever come across have all been women. Your OPs experience backs up the fact that it isnt what a person looks like that governs their personality.

I dont think anyone thinks it would be wrong for the OP to make contact in whatever way they feel happy with (in person or by letter without giving name) although in person does at least mean that the owner can be spoken with in a low key way as letters are always a formal thing, since we dont even know whether he even knows the dog has been out. But to contact the dog warden without giving the owner even the information about what the OP expects from them is OTT IMO.

That is a bit patronizing!

I am speaking from experience. The dog warden was very helpful in our situation. The warden's remit is not just preventing attacks, it is preventing straying and fouling too. If the op is calm in reporting it an simply asks the warden to approach the owner and ask him to check and reinforce his fencing to prevent straying that is all that should happen if the op doesn't want to take things further the dog warden can't without her co-operation unless there have been other complaints.

 

[monkeybum13]

Sometimes I take my little dog out with me if riding solo; and I've a horrible feeling about this whole thing, that this awful dog would just have got hold of him and by the time the owner had got off his arse to do anything about it, my little man would've been a meal.

Either I'm reading this wrong or you are happy to ride your horse and have your dog following you which means you are not in control of your dog on a public path?
Seems very irresponsible to me.

 

[mcnaughty]

OP you are the only person who knows what the experience was like - only you know how bad the dog was and if the geography of the area could cause a bad accident. Ignore those on here who are belittleing your fear and feelings because quite frankly only you know what they were.

I would pop a note through the door of the house concerned (no need to put your name on it) and ask the man to make sure his dog is under control in future. Tell him how frightened you were and try to explain what would happen if the horse got away and onto a road or bolted. Be nice and factual and say please. And the end though I would say that if the incident happens again you will have no option but to report it to the authorities - no need to say which authorities.

Good luck

 

[Trinity Fox]

I would say its frightening to be chased by a dog lucky you dont live near us as we have some insane collies chasing us at gateways we have trained them by feeding them and use of voice aids there has been a few issues kicking horses running off.

My dad has tb point to pointers and we have even managed to get these used to it and its good or horses in a way to get used to this, attacking dogs are a different thing.

If the dog was just escaped i would approach owner nicely none of our dogs chase but thats not always the case dont be afraid to shout at the dogs i can stop all my horses and most dogs we meet out with shouting at them my friends do say i am sacry.

The best thing is to try and get your horse used to it they do,god if i called a dog warden where we are we we would be the unclean we may as well put a bell around our necks.
I have been attacked and have scars from a dog attack on the ground not where i live but in a city park but alot of times with riding its dogs protecting thier property of fear of a bigger animal.

 

[PeterNatt]

The issue is the difference between a minor or serious incident.
Where a minor peristant nuisance has occured several times. i.e. If the dog escapes frequently etc then there is every grounds for doing something about it as the dog should be kept under control in a public place or on a public highway (including byways). However if it is a serious incident (a viscious attack) then this should be reported straight away to avoid others suffering a similar incident.
A horse rider has every right to ride out on a public right of way or highway and not be intimidated.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Completely agree with all of this.

Here, it's happened once, no attack and the owner may not even be aware of it. If it were me I would think it only reasonable I would at least be told by the person affected before they went to the lengths of 'reporting' me to anyone.

 

[brigantia]

Amaranta, I'm sorry if I misunderstood your post.

However, I feel KristmasKat has a good point here:

The dog warden is not the police, they are a council employee. No one was talking about going to the police. The OP isn't happy to visit the owner, I don't blame her, my 6ft tall OH had an unpleasant experience complaining about an "escaped" dog to a short plump female owner. If the op is a single woman and the owner a big man why shouldn't she be concerned. It is the dog warden's job to deal with this sort of thing.

The dog warden can also log the incident in case it is a pattern of behaviour. If it is a genuine accident and never happens again there is no harm done.

And here:

I am speaking from experience. The dog warden was very helpful in our situation. The warden's remit is not just preventing attacks, it is preventing straying and fouling too. If the op is calm in reporting it an simply asks the warden to approach the owner and ask him to check and reinforce his fencing to prevent straying that is all that should happen if the op doesn't want to take things further the dog warden can't without her co-operation unless there have been other complaints.

As McNaughtey has observed, some people here seem to be belittling the OP's fears. I feel she has every right to trust her instincts and not approach the dog owner directly if she feels unsafe about it. She is absolutely within her rights to report the incident to the authorities who will handle it for her. If it truly is a one off, I highly doubt that the animal will be put down but there will be a record if further incidents occur.

As PeterNatt points out:

A horse rider has every right to ride out on a public right of way or highway and not be intimidated.