The way I read it, the dog attacked other dogs, not a person. That said, yes it could attack again. It's so out of character for a Golden to do that I have to wonder why, and I would probably knock on the owner's door and talk to her about it. I suspect she is as traumatized as you are. I would not call animal control until after I talked to the owner and got a sense of her take on it. I would also present her with the vet bill and if she didn't write me a check on the spot I would sue her ass.

IMHO had the owner tried to help you or asked about your pet's condition or health, maybe came to speak with you afterwards, i would not go the authorities. But since the dog's owner didn't seem to care at all about the harm her dog caused, you should absolutely contact the police. this is not something only a "pathetic" person would do. Someone must tell this inconsiderate jerk (at best) that their lack of concern for the welfare of others, be they human or our "furbabies", is actually something that could result in charges for them and all the way to confiscation of the animal that has shown itself "unsafe".
I know that in all probability that the dog itself is not to blame for the attack, it is the person who raised, trained and controls the dog. all the more reason to let the authorities handle it.
signed, a very loving dog-person

Sorry to hear of your ordeal. I just want to relate this story to all small dog walkers. While walking my two pups, one a mulipoo and the other a yorkie, we passed by my neighbor who had her dog, a golden retriever, on a leash. My yorkie was attacked and her neck was broken. It happened so fast. You're right, they are still animals and cannot be trusted in all situations. Needless to say, I'll never get over losing my little Willie that way. Still heartbroken.

All dogs belong on a leash period!!!!!!!

OhioBuckeye
 

Well I hope the Villages don't just brush it off & I don't think they would have any problems finding the lady that owned the Labs because not everyone owns Golden Labs. The Villages push dogs have to be controlled by the owner. Hope they do something very drastic to this lady, she was breaking the Villages bi-laws. We'll see how the Villages handles this!

Your story quickly brought tears to my eyes

NO!

According to rules in The Villages, dogs must be ON A LEASH when they are off their owners property. Simply 'controlling' a dog is not good enough.

I don't claim to know this for a fact, but it's my understanding that leash laws are enforced by each county.

Sumter County Code 4-10 states that "all dogs must be confined on owners property at all times or under direct control or on a leash when off the owners property."

Killing the attacking dog with a golf club wasn't mentioned. I totally agree that it's not the dog's fault.
But a golf club would offer protection against an aggressive dog that was off leash.
If an aggressive dog attacked my little dog, I'd certainly whack it with a golf club.
As a dog lover, that feels sensible to me.

:evil6: You have a weird sense of humor. I find your post funny, but I betcha others won't.

Section 2.23 of your Declaration of Restrictions states "Birds, fish, dogs, and cats shall be permitted. Each owner . . . shall be responsible to keep such pet on a leash."

ON A LEASH

They are called animals for a reason
 

Heheh. Good luck with enforcing that in the case of a well-trained dog on its owner's property and under his/her direct supervision. The restriction as stated doesn't even make allowance for a dog being off-leash in the house. :)

Owners may think they have their dog under direct control by using voice commands.
And it's quite possible that experienced dog owners can totally control their dogs by voice commands.
It is also possible that less experienced dog owners are under a false assumption when they think their dogs can be controlled
in any situation by voice commands.
When you're walking your dog, please use a leash. Always. No exceptions. It's the right thing to do.

I believe I fall into the former category. I can totally control my dog with my voice. But I also always have my dog on a leash when walking her along the streets.

Don't confuse owners who have control of their dogs with those who disregard the rules and have no respect for their neighbors...two different groups.

The two groups are not that different.

A person could have perfect verbal control over their dog, but if they let their dog off a leash they are showing a complete disregard for the rules and have no respect for their neighbors.

About leashes.
 

OK. I didn't have any trouble finding a leash for a bird because they have them for both smaller pet birds and even for raptors like falcons, hawks, and eagles.

But, I'm still having trouble with the concept of having your pet fish on a leash when going out for a stroll.

:clap2:

I really wish I could afford to keep a Flamingo. They accommodate themselves easily to a leash and it would be a real conversation starter to walk one around the town square. An Ostrich would be a bit much, but then you could ride it rather than walk.

:wave: