Had a horrible experience today. I've been considering not walking Nellie in public for a while (she goes to work 5 days a week, so I only need to worry about "ordinary" exercise at weekends), as she has been so nervous of late, and this does seem to incite aggressive responses in otherwise non-aggressive dogs. :(

But yesterday I took her on a very quiet route where we saw no-one, so I had a very happy and relaxed little dog.  I took her on the same route today, but we came across an elderly couple stood chatting, with two german shepherds and a JRT, all off lead and meandering around.

Nellie was obviously on a lead (she can be nervous aggressive herself), so I called out to the couple that she wasn't friendly - the respective owners courteously called their dogs back to them, and I took a very wide circuit around them all to continue on our way.  But one of the shepherds unexpectedly took a step towards her for a sniff, causing her to give a squeal of panic and rush round my legs to hide.  This piqued the interest - presumably the prey drive - of the JRT, who promptly rushed at her, then the other shepherd joined in.

Within seconds Nell was shrieking in terror with the JRT, larger than her, attacking her head.  She ducked away and it latched on to her shoulder, snarling and trying to shake her, and the two shepherds were excitedly nipping and snarling at her on both sides.  She was now a little black rabbit in the jaws of 3 dogs which had become a pack.    I managed to get hold of a chunk of jack russell somehow in one hand, but wasn't strong enough to break its hold on her.  I got a leg between them firmly enough for it to let go, and I got bitten through my jeans - got some grazes and a deep black bruise - but it just re-attached itself to her lower back instead.  Me and the other owner were frantically trying to grab its collar, but two terriers going at it are too small and fast to get hold of.  I finally got another big handful of skin over the JRT's back, yanked it off my dog and just threw it away from us.  I had a split second to pick Nellie up before it came back for her - she had pooped over herself in fear by now, so I was smothered in it.

The woman owner was flapping a bit ineffectually and asking if I was alright, and the guy kept saying, "I'm sure there's no real harm done" but I was quite hysterical with anger and fear myself and just ignored him while I checked Nellie over.  I wasn't even aware of my own bite at this point, had a vague pain in my leg but never even thought to look at it or mention it.

I agree that this wasn't a territorial or aggressive attack - my theory is that Nellie ignited the prey drive of the JRT by squealing and cowering, and he was trying to get hold of her accordingly.  The shepherds were just drawn into the excitement of the "kill". Nellie often does this to small dogs herself, hence always keeping her on a lead.  She has no puncture wounds that we've found, but he was so firmly attached to her she must have bruises as bad as the one on my leg?

I was in no frame of mind to stand around discussing it, so with the guy continually repeating that he was sure she was fine, I just said shortly "I'm sure you're right" and walked away.  Nellie was covered in dirt and sh*t and shaking like a leaf.  I phoned my husband in floods of tears and asked him to drive up and pick us up.  We took her home, immediately checked every inch of her skin with a torch (finding nothing), then bathed off all the poo.

My bite is really hurting now....no danger of infection as the skin is only grazed, but its badly bruised.  I gave Nellie some arnica, and other than being a bit clingy and a bit over-sensitive to noises tonight, she seems okay physically.  She might be a bit stiff tomorrow.

Sorry to come here and ramble on at length, but I can't sleep for turning it over in my mind - what I did wrong, did I over-react and cause the situation to escalate, could I have done something differently. 

I think my only option, as long as she is so nervous as to behave like a prey animal, is to only walk her on the roads where other dogs are obliged to be on leads.  Otherwise I'm going to end up being one of those awful owners who snatches their precious dog up off the floor whenever another dog gets within 100 yards of it..........

Thanks for listening....just wanted to straighten it out in my mind, but would of course be very grateful for all your views.

Somewhat traumatised Susie :(

Susie, poor you and your Nellie!!!! Whatever her problems, she and you should not have to walk in fear of attack and it's awful that this will just reinforce her terror. I think you've been very calm and considered given the dreadful circumstances--you must have been terrified.

People can be unbelievably insensitive. One of dogs, a very bright natured and confident young boy, was attacked by an Akita several months ago (both were on leads, but the Akita was fully grown and my dog was a puppy barely a quarter his size), without warning the Akita leapt sideways, broke his owner's grip of the lead and dragged my screaming puppy at least 4 or 5 metres. I lost any sense and dived in to get my dog. These people grabbed their dog and legged it, without so much as a word to see if mine was ok.

At the very least these people should have handed over their details in the expectation of a bill arising from a visit to the vet for Nellie.It certainly wasn't for them to suggest no harm was done, and I think he's been very discourteous to say the least. Our sympathy--I hope you have a better day tomorrow and that your own injury heals quickly.

How scary for you.  I'm glad no serious harm was done.  Keep up with the Arnica for her, but also for yourself.  It will make a huge difference for you as well.

why do people walk their dogs off the lead and not bother paying attention!  ok yes its nice for them to have exercise off the lead but if theres a chance they an come into contact with other dogs then it should be a no no.

I hope shes OK! I have only ever had this happen to me once and I must say I would do what ever it took to defend my dogs! None of mine would attack another dog and I wouldnt stand by and watch any of my dogs be attacked!

How dare he say no harm done! regardless whether you only had a frieght or your arm was ripped off (god forbid), No dog should ever attack another or attack a person! Sorry But this typeof thing really really annoys me!

I hope yu both are ok and are feeling a bit better! Make sure you report it to the police! even if nothing is done today it may help someone if it happens again and more damage is done!

Thank you all for your kind comments...I'm very grateful for the support, and a little reassurance that I didn't do something terribly wrong!  I can be a bit emotional over my dog at times and I know that isn't helpful to her (weak leadership and all that cobblers :)), but I try really really hard to stay calm.  I could just feel myself getting desperate - if I couldn't break it up soon she was going to get badly hurt, things were definitely escalating - and I think I screamed at the woman and begged her to help me.  I know I yelled "effing dog" when I threw the JRT away from her by its skin.

After the event, hubby has made me feel like I over-reacted - I was extremely upset by the time he collected us, I think it was the adrenalin but I was sobbing (very unlike me, I'd like to think I'm quite poised :)).  People are so quick to say that they "didn't really mean it".  Hubby says that as I only have some minor scrapes, and Nellie doesn't appear to have a mark on her, the JRT didn't mean any real harm (you know, "if he'd meant it she'd be dead" mentality).  Okay, I only have a minor bite and she has no puncture wounds, but I SAW that dog latching on to her.  My dog is a working terrier and I've seen her kill prey - I know what a terrier in prey mode looks like, I'm not stupid.  When I think what could have happened, I feel sick all over again.

Anyway, thank you all again for being supportive. :)  As for reporting it......do I need to?  And should I take her to the vet for a proper check up, what do you think?

Oh poor you and poor Nellie! They should certainly have been apologising and not saying 'no harm done' - you have a bite, and Nellie was so terrified she poo'd herself and is surely now even more scared. What a horrible thing to happen! :-(

Really sorry to hear how both of you were frightened and hurt and think it would be best to organise some sort of game at home on the days you do not take her to work. A game of hunt the biscuit or fetch the toy may well get her more exercise than a walk and it would be much more fun for both of you.

Sounds awful! I don't think you did anything wrong at all.

>I think my only option, as long as she is so nervous as to behave like a prey animal, is to only walk her on the roads where other dogs are obliged to be on leads.  Otherwise I'm going to end up being one of those awful owners who snatches their precious dog up off the floor whenever another dog gets within 100 yards of it..........

I'm afraid to say that I think I would be one of these people if I had a small dog (my Dobermann has been attacked several times and I've often wished I could just scoop him up!). I know that people say that it is the worst thing to do. People with small dogs often pick them up when they see me and my Dobermann walking towards them, even though I call him back to walk by my side and call out that he is fine with other dogs if I see that the other owner is looking worried. Can't say I blame them as there seems to be so many nasty dogs around these days and a small dog could be killed in an instant.

>She has no puncture wounds that we've found

Puncture wounds can be incredibly hard to find. My previous Dobermann was attacked by 5 Golden Retrievers (a dog walker was walking them all together despite the owner later saying that he had instructed her to walk them in pairs and not to walk any of the males together). We checked him over several times and found nothing (despite obviously being very short coated!). It wasn't until about a week or so later when several thick circular scabs came away from his neck and shoulder area that we realised that he had sustained more damage than we had thought.

Hope you and Nellie are feeling better today x

:( That doesn't sound a nice experience at all. My main gripe in situations like this is other owners not being aware or putting their own dog on lead if yours is, or being able to control them. I am sick of this myself, since I rehomed my rottie he has been attacked 3 times on lead, all dogs were allowed to run up to him and attack him - I also know these owners from walking my GSD previously and what is more upsetting is all 3 owners know that their dogs are male aggressive, yet they still just let off lead for the entire walk, regardless of who they come across. It's not fair on those of us that try to the best for our dogs. I

I hope you are okay now, and to be honest in this situation I would pick my dog up (if I could!) in situations arising like this again. Is there anywhere you could walk like around crop fields etc where you could see in plenty of time if anyone was coming and change direction?

Very sorry to hear that :-( aaaaaw just awful..

I too can't stand it when dogs are walking off lead or the owner gives them all the lead so they can meet n greet while I am pulling mine back- T-Bone always try's to nip the dog when it gets in her face, one of these days she is going to- almost hanging her to pull her back cause this dog is right in her face and I don't want a fight- why can't owners see that!! Grr!!... I don't care how well a dog is trained you just never no, its a dog and should always be leashed...

Hope you both are feeling better...

Thanks everyone.  Yes, we are feeling much better....Nellie seems perfectly alright, although I do keep checking her for new scabs and closely monitoring her behaviour for signs of impending fever. :)  Hubby said she was to her normal stroppy, bossy self at work yesterday....she rules the roost there, she has 2 standard poodles in her command and they do her every bidding!

I can't decide whether to feel angry with all the dozy owners who don't bother putting their dogs on a lead when mine clearly is (in Nellie's off lead days, before she developed her spiteful side, I ALWAYS clipped her back on if I saw another dog was on a lead), or to feel that I'm the one expecting too much of other people because my dog is nervous.  If I demand that others put their dogs on a lead to pass mine, won't I be criticised for bringing a dog out in public who clearly can't handle it?

I reckon home agility or flyball is the answer. :)  We have a large-ish garden, more than enough room to set up a little circuit for her.....

> I ALWAYS clipped her back on if I saw another dog was on a lead)

I do the same with our nervous dog, who has got worse after various attacks. The 'my dogs are fine' as I put ours on lead when out walking, now gets the response 'Good, but there is a bigger picture than just your dog!'. I have followed a number of posts on here where dogs have been ruffed up/attacked, with the good advice about how to respond but in the heat of the moment most of us just attempt to deal with it.  Experience from the majority of attacks leaves me in despair, the lack of responsibillity from the other dog owner, sometimes even what comes over as pleasure that their dog has behaved in such away. A friends dog had a spinal injury some months ago and her attitude to dogs charging in as radically changed, and there to me is the problem. Until you have experience of a dog with temperament or health concerns, most people don't give a thought about the other dog or the effect theirs might have. Best wishes to you and Nellie and no I don't think you are expecting too much from other people.

or to feel that I'm the one expecting too much of other people because my dog is nervous.  If I demand that others put their dogs on a lead to pass mine, won't I be criticised for bringing a dog out in public who clearly can't handle it

No, I do not think you are expecting too much!

I would never permit my dogs to go up to a dog on lead unless the owner came over and said there was a reason for it (one that runs off or perhaps has had an operation and needs to be exercised on lead) The behaviour of these owners is an utter disgrace, you are not at fault. Then to be making stupid comments like they did, well, I cannot begin to tell you how I feel about that. If you ever do see them again I would take them to task, you should feel, and have every right, to feel very angry towards them. Hope your little girl is feeling a bit better today.

Hmm, yes, I'm sure you're right....I don't really know why Nellie is like she is, she has been attacked a few times but she's launched a couple of attacks herself.  She's on a lead as I can't trust her not to beat up a smaller dog (they don't come much smaller than her, but even so, she has been known to lunge at the faces of bigger dogs). :(  This recent attack was definitely the worst, I don't suppose there'll be any going back now....she'll be turned against "strange" dogs for the rest of her life probably.  Such a shame.

I'm a bit worried about my own reactions now.  Although I was calm enough to separate the dogs and ensure she wasn't badly injured, I was crying quite hysterically at the end - which made me look like a totally emotional idiot over-reacting, plus it rendered me incapable of getting angry and giving them a piece of my mind. 

If I change my approach and ask other owners politely to please put their dog on a lead, and not allow them to approach my dog, and they mess it up and my dog is attacked again....I don't think I can be responsible for my actions.  I'm frightened I'll completely lose the plot and thump someone, thinking of it happening again makes me see red and black spots in front of my eyes, seriously. :(

Hubby has told me to carry a large stick to ward off other off-lead dogs, but as I'll be anxious not to touch somebody elses dog - lets face it 90% of the time they don't mean any harm - I'm wondering if an unbrella might be a better bet?  Opening it in the face of a dog which is approaching too fast might stop it in its tracks......

Firstly I think you shuld report it! Too many people irresponsible people allow their children to walk their dogs because they cant be bothered, and the next time it could be a child with a small dog on the end of a lead who is "attacked", which could be nasty especially if the child panics and tries to pick their dog up!

Secondly the law states no dog is allowed off a lead in a public place UNLESS in a designated dog park (and there is only 1 area where that allowed in a 40 mile radious of mine). So in reality anyone walking the streets with a dog off the lead can be prosocuted! So No I think you have the right to ask anyone to put there dog on a lead! You maybe a bit bitched about but its better than your dog being bitten, I those who know me know there is nothing and no-one I would allow to put one of my animals in danger and those who dont think I dont knwo how bitched about I am lol, there was one day my mate was over the park talking to a woman, and she was saying how a woman walks her dogs over there and because she dont let them off the lead how she complains  and make their lives a misery cos there dogs dont get enough exercise  (if there dogs need more exercise they should get up earlier and walk their dogs not cross the road and let them run around a field for 15-20 min), My mate just started laughing and said I think your talking about Samara, the woman didnt know what to do lol! My opinion is if a dog is on a lead its safe all round they have extendable leads so theres n reason for a dog to be let loose!

I wouldnt carry a stick or brolly! Tis could be seen as intentional i somehting accidently haappens! If you feel better about having something with you carry a rape alarm or better yet a pet correction spray! its going to scare your dog as well but better a frieghtend dog than a dog attacked and and seriously hurt or worse! I carry a rape alarm, never used it though but if one day the owner isnt close enough to get their dog  and lisen to me rant I know I have it to hand the idea is the noise scares them off enough which give you and your dog time to get safe!

ment t say I really think putting a brolly up in its face may provoke an attack! think about it! IF this was done to you how would you react!

I had a dog that was so terrified of other dogs after being attacked several times that I become one of the nutters that walks their dogs at 2 in the morning by torchlight. I used to set the alarm and go out for a walk every night and do you know there were many occasions when I met other people walking for the same reasons as me, so I still didn't manage to avoid other dogs, and at that time everyone thinks they are safe and lets their dogs off lead thinking no one is as silly as me, so in fact it used to be more dangerous for fights with all these nervous and aggressive dogs running loose in the dark.