They are called animals for a reason
 

I was attacked tonight while walking my two small dogs one is only 14 pounds. It was a person who walks her two goldens every day the same place I walk my dogs every day. I believe I have been seeing them for about two years. we passed each other with no fanfare from the dogs. I was never so scared in my life never screamed and swore so much. The woman stood about 30 feet away with her other dog and just watched as I screamed and begged her to get her dog Off of us . I was never so scared. . I realize now it was not for her not to come near us for her other dog would have become involved in the fight. The dog actually Had my small dog in its mouth few times and had his mouth around me. Miraculously none of us were seriously hurt . Hey, I just sore neck and shoulder the dogs seem fine. While the attack was happening I saw a car slow down and thought they were going to stop to help but then they kept going. That was an awful feeling. I finally got my dogs up on a bench and was able to protect them and asked someone to come across the street that heard me screaming. Then another friend came along that heard me screaming and helped. Then the woman with the dog came over. I Told her we were OK just go away that I was terrified of dogs I was just scared and I wanted to go. I can't remember but I don't think she apologized once. Or even said a word. My friend brought me to her porch and gave us water. She was the one who realized this dog was not even on a leash. The dog often isn't but I figured since we were passing each other she would have it on the leash. I know goldens are awesome dogs and I well behaved usually. They're still animals please be careful. My little dog is 13 years old. I would be devastated to lose her this way. My 30 pound dog held her own I was proud of her

File a report with the appropriate (Marion, Sumter or Lake) Sheriff's Office.

So sorry that you and your dogs experienced this tonight. Glad that all 3 of you are ok. Our pets are like our children, and I know that this was traumatizing to you and them. Some people just don't get it. To not apologize is unforgivable, my opinion.

The owner of the Golden Retrievers is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

You will actually be doing her a favor by reporting it to the police, as then maybe she will never let them off the leash again.

I have to say, you seem to be taking this a lot better than I would be. :cus:

Thank goodness you or your two little dogs...weren't seriously hurt. :thumbup:

I'm totally in shock and I feel sick to my stomach . I totally didn't realize she didn't have the dog on a leash at the time. I don't think I could sue anybody. Well, it would really have to be something blatant . I have to believe that her non-action was a little bit a shock on her part. I still can't get over that my Ellie would be gone right now. I'm proud of me too . as afraid as I am of dogs that I could protect Them.

Just curious ... where did this happen? I think others should be aware of someone walking a dog, not leashed, that could be aggressive.

Follow up and suggestions
 

Had An appointment to cut the dogs nails this morning. Could not even get them into the office with other dogs there. The vet put my bigger dog on Xanax she was shaking so bad she couldn't even move.
At the time I just wanted the woman to go away and told her such. Now in the light of day I agree that I do not want this to happen to someone else. Should I go to the women's door and tell her if I ever see her dogs off leash with that she's near me or not I will call the sheriff? Or, should I just go to animal control.

I don't think you should talk to the owner. Some dog owners can be in amazing denial about their animals, and it may be more upsetting for you than you expect. I'd call the sheriff's office for guidance. This needs to be reported in case it happens again.

I'm so sorry this happened to you and your pets.

What Village did this occur so others can be on the lookout?
I am so sorry that this happened to you and your pets.

Since your property ( sorry to sound cold ) has been damaged I would report this to the sheriff. No one else should be subjected to what you've been through.

As asked by rayan and phanaticluvr, WHERE DID THIS HAPPEN?

So sorry for your terrible experience. What happen to you and your dogs is why many are afraid. Dog owners please keep your dogs on a strong leash.

This happened in the village of Duval
around the pond

Letting a dog off the leash, not only creates problems with other dog walkers and their pets, but many times the dog can dart into the street. Imagine if you hit someone's dog with your car, you would be traumatized to an extent. The driver might be able to serve and miss the dog, but might end up hitting another car. At the very least they may run into a curb and bend their wheel. Leash laws are there for a reason, and if someone sees an abuser they should call the county sheriff's office immediately.

There are some people lacking common sense. About 3 years ago there use to be a woman riding her bicycle up and down St. Charles Blvd. in the golf cart lane with a dog on a leash. She would have a large dog on a leash attached to the bicycle frame. I thought there was an accident waiting to happen. You got a dog trotting in the cart lane behind a bicycle about 3 to 4 feet from passing cars. I must of seen her at least 5 times. Finally one day I saw her with the dog at the Tamarind Grove post office, and I really let into her about the cruelty to her pet and the dangers she was facing. She didn't take it very easily, but I have never seen her again.

I will join the chorus of going to the Sheriff or animal control. This dog attacked you, it will attack again, next time it could be a child. Do not go to the owner’s home. You will be quite disappointed. Many believe their pets are as pure as the driven snow and you may find the owner turn the tables and try to make you responsible for what happened. Animals are animals, don’t blame the dog, BLAME the owner. Just call the authorities.

I do blame the owner completely!That's why I feel bad about going to the sheriff. I feel bad for the dog. But I know what I have to do.

Please - avoid the dog parks.

Many people confuse natural instinct of dogs "figuring it out" as a "fight". Knowing Golden's quite well - as well as dozens of other dogs of all sizes and breeds in the Dog Park(s) and as part of training to be Guide - Service - Therapy dogs...we simply let them figure it out. There may be some "verbal chatter" (barking) but VERY rarely more (depending on breed - for instance I dont trust pitbulls or SMALL DOGS).

In years of being on the board for a park district that has five rather large dog parks (up north). The most often banned dogs were small dogs (Boston Terriers were #1). Then limiting the number of Huskies and "herders".

I bet you, if you were to ask the owner of the Goldens to keep the dogs on a leash he/she would. And would apologize up and down. Let the dogs sniff each others rears and no more issues.

Out of curiosity - are your dogs neutered and or spayed? That is often the number one cause for such interaction

Oh, and only a pathetic person needs to call the police about a non-issue where the only thing hurt was a small dogs pride and your faith in humanity.

Any reason ?

The owner needs a wake-up call so you should report this person to the police, as animals will be animals and do things instinctively.

If you incurred any medical bills, I would take you case to small claims court.

I've watch court television for the surprising reaction of the people who are accused of wrongdoing and a lot of those pet owners are reluctant to admit they are wrong.

Owners will not do anything unless they are forced to do so. If these attacks are not the first, the dog may be put down. The owner should have their dog under control at all times. It's the law!

I didn't contact the police because I felt like it was wrong. But you are absolutely wrong. It had its mouth around my leg! It had my dogs whole backside in its mouth and was shaking it like a rag! Sniff butts I think not. This lady was picking up poop and not paying attention . as I said in my first post I have been seeing her for two years. She has no control over her dogs they drag her when she has them on a leash. I've had my dogs to eat in 13 years respectively going to Dodd packs traveling for weeks on end in the car in strange places with the dogs. you don't know what the heck you're talking about. Believe me I was as shocked that a golden behave that way.

And yes of course they didn't even come home until they were fixed. As I said in the title of my original post that's why they're called animals. Hardly unhurt . One dog now on medication myself knocked to the ground with a bruised hip wrenched knee and sore shoulder . Aside. From there a little tear to my thin pants.

Railcruiser the potential claim for your dogs would amount to property loss or in this case the costs you incurred taking your dog to the vet as a result of this attack. the potential claims for you are injury due to the bite to your ankle and intentional infliction of emotional distress for the altercation.

The owner of these labs was in violation of the leash laws and hence breached her obligation and is also negligent

I am not an attorney and after explaining the potential I am also not recommending you sue but the fact remains that what occurred is a very serious breach and you should at least report it to the authorities and the authorities should pay a visit to this woman and make it clear that the dog remain on a leash because that dog is going to attack someone else .

There is a strong possibility that this dog may have had previously attacked.

P.S. there are a number of dog owners who have gotten in the habit of letting their dogs off their leash

There are three sides to every story Yours, mine and the truth.

Let me add to the story that we had already passed each other the woman was 30 feet away her dog charged

This message is for the poster "CFrance". Apparently the PM's are messed up. I received yours, but only by downloading to a file. I tried to reply, not able. I then tried to send you a new PM from your profile, could not do that either.

The woman with the bicycle and the dog, I left out of my post that I did say to her, if you feel it's necessary to exercise the dog and yourself in this matter, why don't you travel on all the backstreets we have here in Tamarind Grove. Please just stay off St. Charles. That day she also had a second woman on bicycle and dog riding with her. Apparently from what you PM me, one has quit and the other is sticking to the back streets. At least I probably saved her and her dog's life.

All I can say is that it is better to report this owner to authorities and then ask her to pay the bills you accrued. If she refuses to pay up, take her to small claims court. I have been attacked a couple of times while walking my dog as well. However, I am 6'2 and over 220 pounds and have a penchant for steel toe shoes while walking the dog. Let's just say the attacking dogs never made out very well and I doubt they ever did that again. I know their owners never let them off the leash again when they saw me coming.

Please, please, report this to the authorities! Your experience was awful! , you have the opportunity to prevent it from happening to others. I wish you and your pups the best!

Good for you, Paul. Except in very rare cases, I do not like dogs and I leave them alone but they often want to harass me. A few days ago, I was walking through our neighborhood and a big dog was off leash and was walking through the yards. Since it walked through several yards, it was definitely off its owners property. There were no people in sight and the dog came toward me and scared me to death. I started backing up, and the owner finally came out and called his dog back.

So I have decided to carry one of my metal-tipped hiking sticks when I walk.

Sorry about the PMs, John W. It seems the forum mechanics are a bit awry right now.

I think you did that poor dog a favor--perhaps two dogs.

I can tell you one story where a person did not control her dog and she had no choice but to move. The problem is a report was not filed the first couple of times and the matter got worse and criminal charges ended up being filed. Nip this in the bud for the sake of all your neighbors.

We have her address and will report back tomorrow to animal control. When my husband called the sheriff today he said if they did not break skin on B they cannot collect an attack and they will just go speak to her which is better than nothing. I do have some pepper spray I will carry from now on but I don't have a lot of confidence that it would stop in attacking Dog. I will Carry my husband's cane also . However , I do not think I will go far from my home anymore . As much as I love to walk

My take on that comment was that if OP didn't think it was right to "let dogs work it out," she shouldn't go to dog parks because when the dogs there meet up with unfamiliar dogs they usually work things out themselves without human intervention.

Now, that is just my take on the comment. I am not saying one way or the other if I agree with the statement.

I have once encountered a golden who lived with a lab. The two formed a protective pack and would not allow any dog near them without exhibiting some sort of aggressive behavior. Perhaps that is what has happened here. Again, I don't know. In the case I mentioned, the owners were well aware of the problem and wouldn't even walk their dogs together or within eyesight of each other for the safety of any dog they might encounter.

I don't know what it is about ponds around here that encourages people to let their dogs off leash. With all the wildlife, that's the absolute last place I would let a dog off leash.

If the dog had your leg and broke the skin, it is a law by health officials to be reported. This incident needs to be reported as unproved dogs need to be checked out for the safety of happening again. I am sorry this happened to you and your dogs.

Report it !
 

FIRST: FILE A REPORT. If the police won't take it, which I find incredible since you were knocked down, file it with animal control. Were the police aware that you were knocked down? Most people in The Villages are at risk of a broken hip if knocked down. This is a serious event.

Your report, and a contact with the owner by the authorities, may prevent a future attack on someone else. Just think, if the person who was attacked before you (you are probably not the first victim) had reported the attack, you might have been spared.

As a young deputy sheriff I investigated a dog attack in which the large dog took the small dog in his mouth and shook it violently. In this case the small dog died. Your report may save some future victim.

NOW, as to the post reproduced above. A large dog shaking a small dog in his mouth is not "figuring it out."

I am acquainted with many people who are licensed to carry concealed weapons. I would not be surprised to see them utilize their weapons to protect their pets, their families, or themselves.

FINALLY, one of the most inane statements I have ever read on this message board was, "Oh, and only a pathetic person needs to call the police about a non-issue where the only thing hurt was a small dogs pride and your faith in humanity."

Law enforcement intervention allows a resolution to issues without face to face conflict between individuals.

Fore !
 

A golf club might be more effective than a cane. The weighted head would be more "convincing" than a light weight cane. A golf club also fits into the ambiance of the area.

Carry a putter and a couple of golf balls and know where the nearby practice putting greens are located.

Some dogs seem practically immune to pepper spray (and even tear gas.) I think it has to do with their tear ducts. Also, most pepper spray doesn't reach very far. The thick spray, that comes out more as a stream than a spray, goes farther.

Walk with confidence, not with fear.

Thank-you!!!!!: )

Seriously? :eek:

"Non-issue?" :ohdear:

That is a very good point. When I walk the golf course and see a dog without a leash (as happened at Belle Glade a few weeks ago) I take one of my clubs and carry it over my shoulder. Fortunately, the dog at Bells Glade stayed on his own property, but in Virginia I had to swing it at a dog more than once.

Makes me so angry to hurt an innocent animals when it's the owners that I have a problem with. As much as I am afraid of dogs I don't know;sometimes I much prefer them to some people

Well, when a dog is attacking you, you better make up your mind really quick.