I am so mad and so upset   .... Jerry & Jennifer are 6 months old today, and have just been to their first show, which they thoroughly enjoyed.  It was such a lovely afternoon that I thought they deserved a nice run in the park, as they hardly had  used up all their energy at the show. 

Our park is sort of in 2 halves, the ordinary park bit first, with kids area, flower bed area, tennis courts and big grass football pitch type area.  Then, the top half is "Bluebell Wood"  lovely old chestnut trees, lots of bluebells (almost finished now) and wild flowers  and an old folly in the middle.  Nice winding paths to walk around but still a bit wild and natural.  The undergrowth is at its most lush just now, and is about 2ft high.  As we walked down the path to rejoin the grass area Jennifer was about 6 ft ahead, and was invisible for a split second, due to the bend on the path and the height of the undergrowth, I then heard a terrified shriek, followed by continuous scream, and she hurtled back into my path with a Staffy cross just about to close its jaws on her!  She was, quite simply, frantic with fear and threw herself onto the gound as it grabbed her.  I think I froze for a moment, and then as it appeared to be trying to rip her throat out (blood and foam all over) I grabbed and twisted its choke chain, as its owner a young boy of about 13 appeared, saying,  "God shes a feisty one, listen to the noise!"  I explained, through gritted teeth, that she was screaming in terror, and he would have to hold his bitch so I could pick the puppy up and see how badly she was hurt.  Of course, he fumbled the chain and the bitch lunged for Jennifer again, just as I scooped her up (one handed, as Jerry was still under other arm!

I had to yell at the kid to keep hold of the dogs collar till he put it back on its lead.  He commented "she is only a puppy too, 10 or 11 months old".  I had noticed that the bitch was very, very full of milk (her boobs looked very hard and sore) and he said she had just had a litter!   I checked Jennifer out, who was floppy and trembling, but could stand up, and wiping most of the blood off her throat saw it was intact, but her ear and lip were bleeding. 

The boy did have the grace to come over (having handed his bitch over to another boy with him) and ask if she was OK.  I asked if his bitches litter were still at home, and he said yes, not yet 3 weeks old!  I tried to explain( calmly but without much success) that he had to keep her on a lead in public, if he had to take her out, as she would be being very protective right now, and react unpredictably  - his answer, "she's always like that, a real fighter!"

Jennifer managed to walk back to the car, tail clamped right down, shying away from anyone she came near to.  Checked over throughly I realised her lip and tongue were both torn,as well as a small tear on ear, but most worryingly her bottom jaw is very loose, moving about half inch either side with ease.  So, consultation with vet, and dislocated jaw diagnosed, Jennifer dosed with antibiotic and painkiller.  I have one sore, scared, puppy, and I am MAD, MAD, MAD!!!! :(   :(

Thing is, I cant actually do anything - this bitch is not to blame, only the silly boy and his stupid parents (I feel I have every right to call them stupid letting a bitch of this age have a litter, and allowing it out with a child while nursing!)  I cant call the Police as she was very much of the PB type - a big btich (red) long legged and with a head somewhere between staffy and great dane in type.  I couldnt bear to be to blame for her and her babes to be taken into custody and PTS.  And I feel stupid and irresponible for not doing so, what if she attacks another dog and hurts it more badly, or even a child!  But she doesnt deserve the awful measures of the Dangerous Dogs act - why cant someone enact a STUPID, DANGEROUS, UNFIT OWNERS act?

So sorry for unburdening at this length, but I needed to share my anger.

bye
Gwen

Oh Gwen, that's awful! It's people like that who caused the DDA to be enacted in the first place - why are some people so stupid? And to think these people have bred.

O Gwen - big hug for Jennifer - hope she's ok
I can understand your anger and frustration with idiots like this :( :( :(

Gwen I am soooo sorry.  It must have been awful but I do think that you should contact the police.  With irresponsible owners like that, another dog is bound to get hurt!  I agree that it's not the dog's fault, it's the stupid owners, but if pts is what she has to be, then who knows what the alternative future awaits the poor bitch??!! :(  Sometimes, it's the best (if awful!) option!!  So sorry. 
Hope Jennifer's OK!

aww bless poor little jennifer hope she is ok after her horrible ordeal, i quite agree with u about stupid owners .....

Gwen - I think what happened to you is every puppy owner's fear.   I do hope poor little Jennifer is okay.

However, I think I could argue with you about notifying the police about the bitch that did this - you say that she is young, has 3 week old pups -which have probably been bred to be even more aggressive than she is - and this will be the first litter of many.    She hasn't got much of a life at the moment, has she, poor thing?   

do hope that this hasn't scared Jennifer too much.

REgards
Margot

Hi Gwen,

I agree with Margot actually. I WOULD report them, I mean just the lads wording

>>>"she's always like that, a real fighter!"<<<, 

Says to me the dog while a nuisance to you, may  soon become an "accident waiting to happen|" 

I mean I used to have had a Staff who was not struck on other dogs but did she go offlead where we may meet other dogs -NO- If the bitch's attitude to other dogs is as the lads seems to be saying, aggresive. Then no way should she have been off lead.

Sorry about Jenifer.

Karen   

The trouble is, if you don't report it the next dog this bitch attacks could be killed, it sounds very much as if the owners of this bitch actually encourage her feistyness :rolleyes  If thats the case there's a whole litter at home just waiting to grow up!!!

Hope poor Jen recovers ok  big hugs to both of you

Dill

First, thanks for the sympathy, when she feels a little better I will share all your posts with Jennifer.  Secondly reporting the incident.  I KNOW it is the right thing to do, and the sensible thing to do.  But I HATE the DDA, and to think of that litter (and bitch ) being held somewhere in quarantine (sort of) for 2 or 3 years, then PTS - I am a coward, and I cant do it!  If we had a just, merciful act, then I might be able to.  So, I full agree with all you say, but I havent got the courage to act on it.  Just hope and pray my words my have sunk in and she will be kept on a lead!  I hate to think of the number of pups she may shurn out in her poor lifetime.

I was puzzled by the boys use of the word "feisty" but someone has just told me this is being frequently used in fighting circles - jsut makes it worse!

bye
Gwen

I do understand how you feel Gwen but the fact remains, if this bitch is linked to dogfighting then its what the DDA was originally intended for :(  If she isn't actually linked to dogfighting then she is still a danger to other dogs.  Is there a Dog Warden you could discuss your concerns with??  At least he/she could ensure that the bitch only goes out wearing a muzzle, leashed and in the company of an adult ;)

I'm so sorry for your poor baby and hope that she won't be psychologically damaged after her physical wounds have healed.
This happened to one of my boys when he was a pup and now he is fear aggressive. I don't walk in places where we are likely to meet other dogs nowadays. This sort of thing is just happening too often, I know we have to socialize our pups, but with my next dogs I am going to avoid dog parks and get them socialized with friend's dogs and at classes, parks are just too risky IMO
Hope she gets better soon and isn't in too much pain. Thoughts and prayers.

That's just awful - I feel so sorry for you!

I use the word "feisty" all the time, though, and not about my dog, but my little niece!  I wouldn't have been surprised about the use of the word, if he'd been calling her game I would have been thinking "pit dog", as that's what they were bred for.

I agree, though, it's people like that who give all bull terrier breeds a bad name.  The fact that she had a litter so young, was out of control in a public place and with a young child is b****y awful. 

Do you know where the people live?  If not, even if you report it to the police it would be unlikely to come to anything.  The dog could even be a Staffy, just a bad example of one.  Caught between a rock and a hard place, I don't envy you!

If you know where they live, post a letter to them saying what happend.and say that if you see this dog of lead in public again that you will report them.Or If you think it is safe to you could speak to the adults in the family.they may not be aware of the dogs behaviour.My freinds dog is a saint when out with OH, but with her he goes for every dog it meets.(she never lets it off the lead).

Thaks again for all the good wishes for Jennifer.  She has perked up a very little, had a warm drink, and is not longer shaking.  I didnt ask for a name and address as I already knew I would not be able to take further action (as I said before, moral cowardice in this respect), I think it was maybe a subliminal resposne - if I dont know who they are I cant be talked into reorting the dog!

Yes, she may have been a very bad example of a Staffy, but looked much, much more Pit Bull/Am Staff.  And I also considered the press "feeding  frenzy" -even though it was a puppy attacked, not a child, the PR for bull breeds would not have been good!
Will find out tomorrow the full extend of the damage to Jennifers jaw.  Good thing is the jaw does not seem to be casuing her any pain.

bye
Gwen

hi gwen
very sorry to hear about your poor puppy hope she is ok and you too

take care
georgina

I am 15 and I have handled Rottwillers, Dobermans, German Shepherds, Staffies(both English and American), a Shar Pei, a Great Dane, and of course my own Gordon both in the show ring and normally. BUT I have ALWAYS been under control of the dog, it also helps I am quite big (5'6 and 135 lb).  Unexperienced children should never be allowed to handle powerful dogs without adult supervision.

I know what you mean by angry. The same kind of thing happened to me. One time about a year and a half ago, I was out with Penny and Lucy for a long walk, we were about 1.5 km away from any town or house and about a hours walk from our house(this was in Russia).  Penny and Lucy were both off leash, and Penny was a little ahead of me, and Lucy was beside me.  Suddenly this Pit Bull (it wasn't any Staffie) came round the corner pulling this 9 year old boy, I called out to Penny to move to the side and she did.  But the PB lunged, and as all Bull breed owners can testify, you have to be strong to hold him, the boy couldn't hold him.  The dog went for Penny and grabbed her stomach, I ran over, straddled the PB (all through this Penny was screaming, blood was everywhere and the boy just stood there crying), and I don't know how I got Lucy's leash around it's throat but I did, and there was no other way to get the dog off Penny but to choke it.  Well eventually the dog opened it's mouth to breathe and I pulled it off Penny. The boy was still crying, Penny was still screaming, Lucy had disappeared, and I didn't know what to do.  I finally got the PB tied to a tree and I got the boy's address, luckily Penny could still walk.  I gave instructions to the boy to walk the other way after I was out of sight.  Lucy appeared half way home, we rushed to the vet and got Penny stitched up.  The next day I went to the boy's house and talked to the father, apparently my dog caused the problem and his kid was always in control of he dog, and yes they did go to dog fights.  Well since there is no DDA in Russia and the dog didn't attack a person they did nothing and dog fighting is legal in Russia.  Penny is fine with other dogs now but boy was I scared that day.  After you have had a dog attacked, for the next year you become both very protective of your dog and for the rest of your life you get angry at irresponsible and unfit owners.

I hope your puppy won't have any lasting mental scars, and all of us here send lots of love, (((hugs))), and kisses to Jennifer. You are right, if they inacted a Stupid, Dangerous, Unfit Owners act it would solve most problems.  I can see your dilema(sp?), and good luck with whatever you choose to do.

                                                                                                                           Kate

Gwen, I know you don't want to do it, but report what happened to the police. As you said yourself, you don't know who they are so you can't report them. But you CAN let the police know what happened. That way IF they bitch does it again the police have something on file.

My dogs were attacked several years ago. Yes, I did know who owned the dog, and yes, I did report it to the police. However, I did state that I only wanted the dog to be muzzled in public. I also went to see the owners of the attacking dog. They paid for the vets to stitch up 2 of my dogs without asking too many questions. This dog had attacked before, several times, but no-one had had the courage to stand up to these people before. The dog was muzzled every time I saw it after that and many people came up to thank me for doing what they couldn't.

I do hope your fright (and obviously little Jennifer's) doesn't stop you from going to the park again.

Lots of {{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}} for you both.

This is my worst fear ever and I'm so sorry Gwen that you have had to go through this (and others who have told their stories here). Sadly where I live Staffies are the 'in' dog at the moment. They are being kept by people who really don't have love for dogs but see them as a fashion accessory (don't know if they are fighting them but I pray they aren't) - people who do no research into the care or training and quite frankly are behaving irresponsibly. I saw a boy just the other day using his dog to terrify a bloke - I wanted to call the police but knew they wouldn't respond with an urgency and without knowing where the idiot lived there was little I felt I could do but it made me so angry.

Anyway, my point for posting is this, as much as we don't want to make the dog suffer because of the owners, how long will it be before the dog goes for a child/person? What then? The dog would be pts and the owners would think nothing of getting another and behaving the same way.

Having said all this my 'teenage tearaway' ran off after a staffie in the park tonight and they ran around for ages (until I could catch her!) Luckily this staffie (like many I'm sure as I know there are plenty of responsible owners out there - let's not blame the breed) had a lovely temprement (sp.)

Take care

Ali

Report it to the dog warden and police - depending on where you live, the dog warden will take it seriously or the police will, but it is rare that they will be in touch with each other.

Report it because another dog may get seriously hurt, if not killed from its injuries.  Owners get away with such things because most dog owners don't report attacks on their dog.

HI Gwen so sorry to hear about Jennifer. hope she is ok now and that the pain meds are working.

if i was you i would get in touch with the police, the thing you have to think of this can and will happen again (if it has not happened before) and if they are breeding a dog like this than they might be breed 2 litter's a year of 6 pup's with the same type of temperament as there mother and we don't not need more dogs like this on the street.  i would not want this bitch PTS but something must be done to stop more dogs like this being on the street and if than means that 1 bitch has to be PTS then so be it (i know it sounds harsh)

hope Jennifer is ok soon

I'm sorry to hear about your poor little dog. I think the authorities should be told. That dog may really do something serious one day. I know you don't know who it is, but they should know anyhow. Maybe they can keep an eye out.

Take care. I hope you can get your pup around some really sweet, trustworthy, calm dogs so she can overcome any fear she may develop now. I'd try to saturate her with that if possible.

Carrie

Hi Gwen

Hope Jennifer is okay - but - report it!  At the very least to your local dog warden.

She is a young bitch who is going to get more powerful and if children are allowed to take her out now and can't control her it can only get worse, especially if they keep some of her pups.

If she does get found and removed from their care IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT it is solely due to the owners irresponsibility.

They should also be responsible for your vet bills - Sunday call outs are not cheap, nor, I imagine will be treating her jaw injury.

Thanks again for all the support and sympathy.  Jennifer managed to eat some breakfast, and is taking her medication beautifully, but is very, very nervy and unhappy.  Hopefulyl lots of TLC will help.  I didnt ask the boy for his address (I think becasue I knew I could not face reporting them)  if this was any other  breed I would probably have reported, but as she very much fitted the "PB Type" it would not be matter of them getting a ticking off and the bitch being seized and re-homed - they could take her and the pups under the Act, keep them for ages god only knows where, and then have them destroyed -  the owners deserve anything the court could throw at  them, not the dogs!  I know what you are all saying is right, I just cant face being the one to do it.  And I think, to be honest I may also be a little scared of reprecussions.  Peopole who have animals like this, kept in this way, are not people I want to get on the wrong side of.  I certainly dont want to put my dogs at risk from revenge attacks.  Selfish and cowardly, I know, I know.

bye
Gwen

Oh Gwen! :(  Glad that Jennifer if coping. 
It's easy to say things but different to actually do the same, I know.  But d'ya know, I honestly feel (and I'm sure that many will disagree with me) that the bitch and her pups would be better pts than the life that these ignorant folk are planning for them!
I do certainly understand what you say about repercussions though.  Having worked for some time as a Therapist, I know that there are some humans on this planet who don't understand respect, reason and logic!!
I wish a had a magic wand!!

Im sorry, but would you not feel alot better knowing that no more dogs OR people were going to get harmed?? I sure as hell would feel awful if it attacked another dog and maybe a child (you do not know the dog) knowing i could have done something. If not reporting it then try and find out where the owners live and go and see the situation for yourself. Have a word with the owners and say that if they do not muzzel the dog then you will report it, or tell them that you have reported it and the police and RSPCA are keeping an eye on them. But for goodness sake i would not just brush this under the carpet.

I can only hope I never see the dog again in my life!  I dont know the dog nor the boy who was with it.  certainly not locals in our little park.  Yes, I would feel terrible if I found it had attacked again, but I would also feel dreadful at it being seized!  If the DDA was a sensible, useful  law intent on punishing the owner and rehabilitating the dog (if possible - I know it is not possible in all cases) I would not hesitate.  But I COULD NOT knowingly place even this bitch, and her litter, into the jaws of the DDA.  A quick PTS for the bitch might be appropriate, I dont know, but she would not get evaluation and attempts at training.  She, and the pups, would be locked up, the subject of possibly years of legal wrangling, and THEN pts, after a miserable life!  Last year I saw a PB type, in "care" awaiting the legal wrangle.  He hadd been in his "cell" at the kennels, approx 3'x9', for all his life since he was 4 months old (he was over 2),  he could not be walked (he was a PB type, so the kennel policy was not to walk, even in a muzzle) he could not be allowed dog socialisation (for obvious resons) so he was alone, just waiting for a decision.  It would have been much, much kinder to simply destroy him when he was seized.

So, thanks again to everyone for all the good wishes for my little Jennifer, we ae on our way back to the Vet to see what can be done with her jaw.

bye
Gwen

<<< But I COULD NOT knowingly place even this bitch, and her litter, into the jaws of the DDA. >>>

But you're happy to sit there and knowingly let someone elses dog, or maybe even your own dog again, or god forbid a child, face the jaws of this dog again? Some people never cease to amaze me!

I'm sorry your bitch had to suffer this and I hope she recovers from the affects of the attack, but to be honest, I can't believe your attitude.
This is not somebody's well bred pet that did this, it's a vicious dog in the hands of idiotic people....you can bet your life this will happen again.
I really don't care to read what the DDA will or won't do, this dog needs reporting if only so that the police know, when it happens again because it will, that it's is not the dogs first attack....Maybe it's not even it's first? Maybe someone is sat just like you complaining about a dog but doing nothing about it? Maybe your dog could have been saved a mauling?

Until you do something about this dog, you have no right to feel angry! Angry is the next person or animal attacked who finds out something could have been done about this.
JMO!

I have to say that I fully agree; as I mentioned in another thread a while ago, it is all very well coming on here and ranting but what does this achieve?  What are you going to DO about it?

Your inaction could result in a tragedy; how would you feel then? Could you look at yourself in the mirror?

I have always been of the opinion that you either put up or shut up I am afraid.

I know that sounds harsh but until and unless you are prepared to take action against the behaviour you deplore then you have no right to complain!

It is your social responsibility to report this, no one else's.

The same analogy can be applied to lots of scenarios.   I am sure you have opened the newspaper or watched the news at some point in your life and tut tutted and asked yourself or someone else "why did not someone do something?".............................

You have an opportunity to act; don't miss it.

You have absolutely no right to be angry if you are not prepared to act responsibly.

here here (lol i dont know if that is the right spelling but you know what i mean)

I dont post very often but I would have to agree with the others. Could you live with yourself if this dog attacked and killed a child or another dog. I know I couldnt. If you contact the police maybe they will give you some anonymity in view of the fact it could be a pitbull. They at least would be aware of the situation. Also the local dog warden is a good first point of contact. Anyway I hope you get the courage to report these horrible people and best wishes to your very lucky puppy.

its nothing to do with courage.

everyone has said their piece and given advice and she has maintained her stance and made her decision. why not leave her alone?

so what if its a APBT type - doesn't mean its any more likely to attack a child?

That is a bit harsh, Gwen is obviously very upset about the incident which is something we all fear when walking a young puppy.  I think she is entitled to her opinion on the DDA.

Gwen, I do feel it is worth mentioning to your local dog warden though.  You will not be naming names as you don't know them, but if this type of thing has happened before or happens in the future they are aware of it and they can act accordingly.

So sorry to hear this, I hope she gets over it.

Sandra

We have been trying to give advice, but Gwen bless her keeps talking about not harming the dog, but whats more important.

Bullying her into doing something she doesn't want to do won't help either.

gwen - you do what you feel you should do. I probably wouldn't report them either.

Sorry to hear about your baby gwen. I really hope she gets better soon :)
It sounds as if that boy and his parents know nothing about dogs and should not own any living creature in their life time. I really do hope they are not planning on keeping these puppies because I dread to think what they will become in their hands.

If Gwen doesn't want to report the dog then thats fair enough. :)
It was Gwen's Jennifer that was attacked, and Gwen was telling us her friends on the board, what happened to her dog, not asking to be lectured.

Also as Gwen rightly said sometimes it is wiser to remain silent, and maybe this is one of those times.

The choice is not ours, live with it.

Karen
  

so someone is not allowed to come on a message board and have a moan about an incident with friends unless they are prepared to DO something about it? what a boring board this would be if people weren't allowed to come on and chat with an objective and an outcome.

just leave gwen be :) she's made her own mind up.

Gwen I can see where you are coming from - however maybe just a word to the local dog warden that there is a staffie bitch who is a bit "feisty" in the area in which you encountered her might just mean that the dog warden takes an interest in the area - and his/her presence might be enough to warn off the owners of this bitch.

Hope Jennifer is progressing okay

Regards
Margot

NO ONE is bullying her, she will do what she feels anyway, but coming on a public forum infront of other people that are intitled to their own opinions is fair as well. If she wanted advice from friends she could have e-mailed or PMed them but clearly to come on a public forum then she must want other peoples advice. Just because she feels the way she does does not mean everyone should agree. No one is bullying, but she never stated that people with other views different from hers should get lost. :)

If she has made her own mind up then fine, but dont expect the whole world to agree.

Zoe, Gwen e-mailed me and I sympathised and supported her. I have asked how Jennifer is this morning, and asked what the vet had to say. Gwen did not post for advice, she posted for moral support in a frightening situation. There is nothing to be gained by banging on about reporting this, Gwen has said she doesn't wish to go down that route. Please stop pushing her.
Dawn R.

Hi everyone, first, thanks again for the support, and even thanks to those wanting to give me a right telling off!  However, I didnt come on here for advice about the issue, just to share my awful experience with like minded people.  Of course all of those who feel differently are quite entitled to your opinions, and to harangue me about them, but while I can understand exactly where you are coming from, I have already stated my position.  I wouldnt, and ultimately couldnt (as I didnt ask for details) report this bitch and her owners.   Thing is, I am not responsible for these peoples actions, and I obvioulsy have an underdeveloped sense of public responsibility, as my dogs safety and my own peace of mind  come top of my agenda in this matter.  Perhaps those of you pushing for action have little knowledge of this type of person, or idea of the reprisals they might enact?  It would be all to easy for anyone to find out who I am (not a lot of people have Am. Cockers in this area!)  And leaving this purely selfish aspect aside, I still could not be the moving force to have the bitch and litter seized.  So, sorry, you are entitled to your thoughts on this matter,  and I of mine, but I sincerely hope you will never be placed into a situation  where you have to make this decision for yourself.

Interestingly I have also had this conversation with friends/customers etc at home and on the phone, and opinion between them seems to be split 50/50 between those who have my own reaction, instantly and without thought, and the others who think, and then say they would report.

Jennifer, for those interested, has an appointment with an Orthopaedic Specialist in the morning, to see if the Jaw can be repaired.  Will keep you updated, for those who are interested.

bye
Gwen

Hi Gwen

Fingers crossed that the specialist will be able to do something for Jennifer, and that she gets over her trauma with no long term effects.  Please do keep us posted on how she gets on :) 

Lesley

Thats fair enough, you do what you feel is right. I have not tried pushing anybody to do anything just simply stated what i thought was right imo. My dog attacked a JRT a while back but im not a 12 year old, there are reasons why i believe my dog did this and he has been fine ever since, i have done everything from when he was able to go outside to socialise him but unfortunatly the unthinkable happened. I know I'm not a irresponsible owner, i do everything 'by the book' for my dog but it still happened. Since this happened my dog wears a muzzel where ever he goes, even though he has shown no aggressivness towards other dogs i will not put anybody else at risk. The owner of the other dog talks to me all the time, there is no ill feeling and she apprieciates everything i have done to try and 'put things right'. I just feel that if it were the other way round for me and i was in your situation i would hope i could be as reasonable as this lady is with me. Do you know 100% that this dog was a fighter? yes there are some daft owners around who get there dogs pregnant and dont bring them up properly but maybe this person is a bit more understanding than youthink?

I am not pressuring you, this is not what i want you to do i am simply giving you the reasons for why i posted what i have done.

I hope your girl is ok now, im sure she will be fine with time :)

HI Gwen.
I have been in this situation with a local bulshy owner of a nasty  boxer,who insists on walking hi unrully dog off lead,which has attacked not only mine but several peoples dogs in the area.
When confronted he simply told us to shut our F*****g mouths or he wouls set the dog on us.
I did after deliberation contact the Dog Warden only to be told that there is no law against dog to dog aggression,and until it actually did bite a person there was nothing we could do as regards the safety of our dogs.
she did however say to report the incident to the Police as it needed an incident number incase it bit a person,but as far as our dogs safety goes theres nothing they can do she said.
Like you everyone has been afraid to report him cos he is a horrible person himself with a bad attitude,and i dare say they fear recriminations too.
Even if she wrote to the man she said there was no law they could impose and by the sound of him he wouldnt care.
Give youre little girl big hugs from us all and i hope she will be ok.
The last dog of mine to be attacked was my 9 year old golden who hasnt a bad bone in her,so i know how you feel even more so with her being a baby.

Jonelle

We have been trying to give advice, but Gwen bless her keeps talking about not harming the dog, but whats more important.

You think that is not an emotive statement?? Whats more important to WHO? You or Gwen?? She is absolutely right. How would you all feel having guilt-tripped her into reporting it her house gets set on fire or a brick goes through her window. She was looking for a bit if sympathy and a bit of moral support- not a lecture on what other folk who are not in the situation think is right or wrong!

Very sorry :(

I think I would report it due to the fact that if there is a next time it could be a dead dog or a dead child. Not to mention the irrespnsible breeding of the litter which maybe just as agrressive (fingers crossed they are not) and  they too may kill something or someone :( I would make them pay for the vet care and the stupidity of allowing a dog that is know to be aggressive off lead and incontrol of a child. People should not be allowed to get away with things like this,a nd if people are going to be quite about it then sorry but you too then are just as much to blame if this dog attacks again... :(

Do hope your little one is ok and wish you the best :)

Christ there are some sanctimonious threads here.

I for one would probably not report this, knowing the type of people that own this type of dog and their likely reaction.

I dont think some of you live in the real world.

She is gonna do what she wants anyhow, the choice in the long run is hers, what she choses is what she lives with. We/me can only say what I/us would do if it were me/us.

Yes I do live in the real word, I for one would report it if it was my dog that was attacked, cause I would want to make them pay for the irrisponsible behaviour in hopes they learn from their mistake...Would it be different if the dog was killed???? If I don't know the person I would just tell the police/dogwarden that just so it is out there incase there was another attack..Who know's maybe this dog has been reported once already...You never know...Lets say that was a person that attacked another person I for one would say let them go to jail...Maybe even if these people are talked to will let them be more aware. maybe they don't know that their child had the dog off leash and the dog attacked another dog..You never know until something is done about it. Where I live you have alot of pit/rotties ect you name it, people use them as a trophy and meaner the better. I even had a couple threatening to have their pit beat up my Taz till they found out what his breeding was, wasn't even a thought for me I wouldn't let Taz fight...Thats the thing YOU have NO IDEA what these people are like. Who know's maybe they just don't know much about dogs, didn't know she should wait to have pups and all the ins on breeding, maybe they are very nice people and are not aware of how their child is treating the family dog....The child was 13 I believe who know's maybe they were at work and had no idea the child even had the dog outta the house...there is alot of who know, what ifs, but know one really knows. You can't just assume the worst in people because of the breed of dog they have.

Hi again everyone, and thanks to Chloe, Dawn, Timhere and everyone else for sticking up for me!  Dollface, I think you said previously you live in the USA, the situation here in the UK about Pit Bulls is very different.  They are illegal, and the might of our Dangerous dogs act would be visited on the Dogs more than the owners.  It  was a gut reaction Law passed very quickly and without proper consultation at a time when there had been several bad attacks on  people by a few breeds. I would have reacted very differntly, probably, if I though the sanctions would come down on the owners.  So this is one reason in the UK you can be fairly sure than anyone owning a Pit Bull or very obvious Pit Bull type is not on the straight and narrow, just having
one who is under a year old should be impossible, legally, they all had to be registered and neutered years ago, so no more could be legally bred, and it is illegal to import them.  Also, the boys reference to his dogs being a "good fighter" and saying my pup was 'feisty' suggest familiarity with an admiration for the fighting world, if not participation.   And apart from not being able to face being responsible for the bitch and pups being seized and held for years, under the powers of the act, I value my own dogs safety (and mine too).  I would not be prepared to put to the test that this was a nice caring family, who just happen to have an illegal breed, mated criminally early, and who ther son declares to be a good fighter.

And please, everyone, who has suggested telling the police and they could keep my details secret!  Did you read the story in the papers a couple of weeks ago about the ppor guy who was a  star witness in a very serious drug dealing/murder case, the police very kindly sent the defendants solicitors this guys full name and address, leading to him being persecuted and having to change his name, give up his business and relocate!  Lets face it, anyway, all I could say was my dog was attacked on Sunday afternoon, describe the dog, I dont know the owners name, address, even the town they come from!  How much notice would the police take?  (Not that I am changing my original position, just introducing a note of reality into THIS situation).   A dog being bitten is hardly high on their list of priorities, and even if I gave my opinion it was a Pit Bull type they are harldy likely to start a search for it.  I had to report a dog stolen a few year back, and rang all the local police stations daily to see if she had been handed in or reported, on almost every time I rang no record could be found of my original reports!  Dogs dont rate highly on the plice must-do list!

So lets just agree, as a socially responsible person, I should have asked the boy for his name and address (would this be before or after I was tending to my wounded, hysterical puppy?), insisting he accompany me across the full length of a football pitch to my car so I could write the details down, attended by his straining, pulling bitch who still was intent on murdering my puppy.  This scenario would have helped my pups hysteria no end, wouldnt it?  I could then report the matter to the police, and assuming that the boy was moronic enough to have given me a real address, face up to having to give witness statements, turn up at a police station to identify the dog, the boy?  My name and  address would be accessible to them as a complainant, and even if there was some way it could be witheld someone would just have to visit the park a few times to find out where "the lady wth the Am. Cockers lives?"  So I could probaly look forward to a few pleasant (not) reminders at home not to put my nose in other peoples business.  I could then bask in the knowledge that due to my public spiritdenss the bitch and litter were in solitary somewhere, the pups growing without a chance of leading a normal life, and after possibly years I could congratulate myself on the fact they were eventually PTS!   I could make this situation even worse by taking civil action against these obviously civilliy responsible folk to recover my vets fees! 

BUT - I couldnt face putting any dog through the DDA, remember the mantra "There are no bad dogs, only bad owners"?  And I think my dogs would be at much gerater risk of attack from the owners if I reported them,than meeting up with the dog  again.  So, I DID NOT GET the details.  And having thought about this a bit longer, and leaving my stance on the DDA and being scared out of it,  my prime concern at the time was to get my puppy tended and calmed down, to put this off to settle name and address formalities would have plummed the depths of callous behaviour.

bye
Gwen

Hi Gwen,

Just wanted to say I work for the police and I would try to help you if you called me! But I appreciate the decision is obviously yours, just didn't want you thinking we're all heartless...

Hope Jennifer is ok xxx