Just taken the boys out on their morning walk, arnie is now 6 months and up till today had never had a bad experience, met lovely dogs and behaved beautifully. Walking down a long track I saw a lady with 2 dogs both off the lead so carried on since she made no attempt to call her dogs in. Otto, my older boy met them first and soon moved on however, the 2 dogs then surrounded Arnie. I walked passed and called Arnie on, he tried to move pass but the yellow lab cross attacked him. Arnie was screaming, not fighting back at all. I ran back to pull him out the way and shouted at the owner that he was only 6 months old. She did apologise but in my anger I shouted that her dog should not be doing that to a puppy. She said that she had apologised, as if that makes it all right, I told her she should keep her dog on the lead. Now I am quite a passive person but this really upset me. It can't be right that a older dog attacks a young puppy!!! Can it????

I had the same thing happen to me a few months ago with a dog that was of "Pit Bull Type".  Well it was a man that had it and he was with a child.  I am also 99% very calm, never shout, don't swear much, but boy I was like the She Devil.  I've never heard me say some of the things I said to tht bloke before, but there again he deserved it. 

You are absolutely right to be outraged.  However, both of you should have put your dogs on lead when you saw each other.  You cannot assume anything about other people's dogs, no matter what they do (or don't do).  Many dog owners are (sorry to say it) stupid or ignorant or just don't care.  So, just because they don't put a dog on lead, don't assume that means they are friendly.  You should still have recalled your dogs and put them on lead. 

And yes, the woman was out of order too and should have put her dogs on lead, especially if she had an inkling they might show aggression. 

The dog came out of nowhere and I tried to get my dog on a lead but you try getting between a Pit Bull and a 6 month old puppy who is absolutely ****ing herself !

Sorry, wasn't replying to you SWD - to OP - didn't make that clear.

This makes me sooo mad.  Why do people not keep their dogs on leads if they don't have proper control over them.  The problem is they think they DO have control over them when the dog just completely ignores them.  I'm so sorry for your poor pup it's a horrible experience when another dog attacks.  No amount of apologies make up for a nasty bite on your dog.

My dog does attack other dogs so he is always on the lead but the amount of fights that have occurred because dogs off lead run up to him and the owners don't call them away despite me asking them to do so.  I now muzzle because of this but at least that seems to keep people away and at least my dog can't do any damage.  Hope your pup was OK.

CG

Funny how when something you love is hurt or in danger we women suddenly turn into wonder woman isn't it?  You are perfectly right to be angry, you are protecting your own. But I agree with onetwothree, trust no dog that you do not know, always lead your pup/dog when coming across others, and remember other owners are not always consceincious, and do not care about protecting other dogs, and do not have dogs that will recall. I always meet more badly trained dogs than well behaved, never forget that!

Agree with everyone above, and also feel sorry for your pup having a bad experience.
Would just like to add one thing. I know exactly how angry/frightened/upset one gets when these things happen. But. When we, the owner, also begin to behave and sound upset, this can sometimes be worse for a young dog than the experience in itself. However upset I get, I always try to sound my normal, cheerful self, in case I make things worse. I don't get to tell the irresponsible owner what I really feel, but at least I don't worry my dog by behaving in a frightened way. Besides, most people don't seem to care, whatever you say, or however much you explain things to them :-(
Hope you'll have some encounters with nice, friendly dogs as soon as possible, and this should hopefully soon be forgotten
Karen

The man that I had a go at did actually care and apologised profusely for his dogs actions.  Whether he stopped allowing his dog off who obviously was raring to attack is another matter as I've never seen him again!

aww poor pup what a horrible thing to happen to him .
I had a simular thing happen to me just last week with one of our boys hes just 12 months old now . some stupid lady with her dog off lead mine was on  ,the dog charged and snapped at my boy and what did she do to stop him throw a ball and ignored me totaly . yea it worked but what if it dident

While i don't doubt that the dog should have been on lead, don't forget that dogs are animals and often do something to surprise you. It could be that that lab has never attacked a dog before, unlikely from the sounds of it, but all aggressive dogs have got to start somewhere. I had no idea my spaniel was aggressive until he one day he went for a cocker spaniel, he had never done it before, so how could i know that he would do it? Better to be safe that sorry and put dogs on lead or keep them away from others unless sure of their temperament.
I hope your pup is ok.