So scarey

[Clodagh]

I know a lady who I used to take out for hacks when I worked on a yard, she is blind, but can see some dark and light definition.
She has got a dog, a labrador I think, that she got as a puppy when I last saw her, probably 2 years ago now.
I saw her today in work (Tesco, her daughter was with her), she knows my voice so we always chat. I asked how the dog was and he has just got out of the vets having been attacked by a staffy. The owner of the dog did nothing, she was walking him on her own, on a known route. She tried to help her dog who was screaming and got knocked over by the melee. Thank goodness a passing car driver stopped and got out and choked the staff off her dog. He then tried to help her up and the staff had another go. Eventually the staff owner grabbed his dog and bolted. Her dog will be OK but she has now lost all confidence walking him.
Thinking how awful dog fights are when you can see imagine how horrific it must be if you can't.

 

[Dizzydancer]

Gosh how scary, I hope she can get her confidence back soon and that her poor dog makes a full recovery

 

[YasandCrystal]

That's horrible, the poor woman. My only suggestion is for her to buy a Dazer which is a dog deterrent, it sends out a high pitch alarm. I thought of getting one for my daughter who has a tiny chihuahua as it worries me a staffe could just kill him so easily out on a walk. There are so many irresponsible dog owners around and sadly terriers are often dog aggressive.

 

[Clodagh]

Y&C, does that not upset your own dog? Trouble is she wouldn't see another dog coming.

The trouble with all bull breeds, like staffs, is when they get a hold they are so hard to get off.

 

[Thistle]

As always in these situations the dogs suffer because of irresponsible owners. You have met my Staffie and seen her with other dogs, she has been trained to be 'nice' to other dogs, I trust her implicitly. Because of her breed I put more effort into dealing with certain situations and so far she hasn't let me down (she is 8 now).

The poor lady must have been terrified. I hope she contacted your local dog warden and also the police. I bet the local paper would do a report too.

 

[SpringArising]

I bet the local paper would do a report too.

Just what we need, another report of a vicious Staffie in the paper! Don't punish the responsible Staffie owners because of one moron.
I understand that having your dog attacked isn't nice, but what would another news article do realistically? I presume no one knows what this guy or the dog looks like.

How did the lady know it was a Staffie?

 

[Clodagh]

She is sueing the owner of the staff for the vets bills, he is known locally apparently.
She has reported it to the dog warden, who has been very helpful, but the police didn't want to know. It is beyond me what they do want to know about.
Other people have seen the dog and they say it is a staffie, so I don't think that defence will work! Lots of staffs are good and nice dogs, Thistle's for one, but when they fight they are created to be good at it.
She wouldn't go to the paper, she doesn't want to cause trouble she just wants the dog not to attack her dog and it's owner to pay for what it did.

 

[Luci07]

The vast majority of Staffords are lovely dogs. Neither are they time bombs waiting to go off. Focus on the irresponsible owner not on the breed. I don't buy that someone has said it is definitely a Stafford either. I have seen American Bulldogs cited as Staffords, and all manner of crosses. I have a friend with a lovely working cocker. He cannot be trusted near sheep so is put on a lead anytime they are near. Another friend has a Dalmatian who doesn't like bigger dogs, so she is put on a lead when they come across one. My point is...a responsible owner doesn't hide behind a breed type, they train their dog and if that dog will not behave in certain situations, then you take action accordingly. Ignorant man..and more worryingly, if he is known locally, then his dog has done this before...