[Lovey2]

Normally I hate the usual skepticism on this site, but on this particular thread, seems like we are all ready to have the dogs put down, the owner bankrupt, and no need for the actual "first hand" telling. How we know the dogs were abused, or not trained is beyond me. I'm VERY sorry for Lucy, and hope she recovers quickly, but also reserve judgement on the other pet owner and his dogs. They all must have been fairly close to each other..."several feet" is not that much when you're talking large dogs. Maybe all involved should have been more careful here?

[vernettm]

Originally Posted by marlinguy

My friend and neighbor owns a standard poodle , Lucy, which is the sweetest, most well trained dog I have ever seen. Everyone stops to say HI! to Lucy. Yesterday, another neighbor joined Lucy and her owner for their usual 4 mile walk from our village (Hillsborough) through The Village of Lake Deaton and return. On this particular walk they saw another owner walking his two, large, black Labrador retrievers. When the Labs saw Lucy they launched a vicious unprovoked attack on Lucy badly mauling her. They attack was so vicious the owner could not control them, was dragged to the ground and dragged several feet before he turned loose of his dogs to continue the attack. My two neighbors grabbed the Labradors by their collars and managed to pull them off of Lucy. Luckily they did not turn on them. Lucy was taken to the vet for treatment of numerous puncture wounds and is recovering. Had Lucy been a small dog like many owners have most likely she would have been killed almost immediately. So, Dog Owners, Beware. I ride my bike in that area, I won't any more.

And the owners of the vicious dogs, not only were not responsible pet owners, but disrespectful human beings. Poor Lucy is suffering because of the carelessness of the owners of the black dogs. Thank God that Lucy was not a little kid, who could have been killed.

[CassieInVa]

Well I'm not sure what you mean by all involved should have been more careful? The person walking Lucy, the standard poodle was just walking their dog. I'm not sure what else they could've done? It is not cool that dogs would maul another dog like that. Especially on leash. I was thinking of what I would do if this happened to me. My dog is small and I could pick him up , but that might mean that the two dogs would start mauling me to get to him. Very frightening. I think if you have two large dogs end they are even a little aggressive, you should not walk them at the same time together or have some better way to restrain them to protect others .

We were walking our dog in a grassy area here in the villages and another dog owner with a small cute dog came up to us, said her dog was friendly, and started to chat and at the same time her friendly dog either bit or tried to bite my dog Sue basically was ignoring him. We couldn't be sure if he broke the skin. Of course she said apologized and said wow, he has never done that before. Our dog is super friendly and goes to the dog park on a regular basis and is socialized. Some pet owners are just not responsible.

[Debfrommaine]

Originally Posted by Lovey2

Normally I hate the usual skepticism on this site, but on this particular thread, seems like we are all ready to have the dogs put down, the owner bankrupt, and no need for the actual "first hand" telling. How we know the dogs were abused, or not trained is beyond me. I'm VERY sorry for Lucy, and hope she recovers quickly, but also reserve judgement on the other pet owner and his dogs. They all must have been fairly close to each other..."several feet" is not that much when you're talking large dogs. Maybe all involved should have been more careful here?

Well written and thought out.

[twoplanekid]

I would walk my two Rottweilers on a twin leash and watch people move to the sidewalk on the other side of the street. On ice or snow, they could make me slip as their traction was much better than mine. When outside of their fence, they were quite friendly to all except cats, rabbits and squirrels.

[Topspinmo]

So sorry for Lucy, she will probably be traumatized for life and will probably never trust strange dogs again?

My dog was pet rescue and foster dog (giving up several times) she is 17 had been mauled. Records shown this, she even had tooth removed from her skull. My dog is always on leash, she is predator focus due to her breed. Due to her history I have to be on the defense at all times. Somebody walking dog coming towards us I move to the other side of the street for her safety even though she wants to greet with her tail wagging.

IMO most do not understand their dogs. When I see nap raise on back of big dogs and they taking an aggressive stance they are not in friendly mode and I give them space or distance.

Another thing I don't understand why people would have two (or more) large dogs on majority of crackerjack lots sizes. Even CYVs no more that large dog run. But, that's me. Once our pet gone we won't get anymore.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by CassieInVa

I think if you have two large dogs end they are even a little aggressive, you should not walk them at the same time together or have some better way to restrain them to protect others.

We were walking our dog in a grassy area here in the villages and another dog owner with a small cute dog came up to us, said her dog was friendly, and started to chat and at the same time her friendly dog either bit or tried to bite my dog Of course she said apologized and said wow, he has never done that before. Our dog is super friendly and goes to the dog park on a regular basis and is socialized. Some pet owners are just not responsible.

I agree with CFrance that dogs can have a "pack" mentality. If one dog is aggressive, the other can pick up on that aggression. If an owner isn't physically strong enough to restrain two dogs, the dogs should be walked separately.

In Cassie's case above, even small dogs on a leash can be more aggressive because they know they can't run away, and they can feel threatened. This is why most dog parks stipulate "only unleashed dogs" once inside the park. So please be careful when walking your dog on a leash and chatting with friends that have a dog. I trust my dogs implicitly, but I wouldn't allow them to socialize on a leash.

[leftyf]

Originally Posted by capecoralbill

I am pretty sure that PEPPER SPRAY is legal in Florida, I think Harbor Freight sells it.

Use the wasp spray that sprays 20 feet, it's cheaper and throws a lot bigger spray than pepper spray. Also, it will stop any dog. I carry it on my bike in the water bottle holder (I have 2 holders). For some reason, I have never had to use it. When the dogs see me standing there with the spray can they stop and never get close enough to spray.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

My dog was pet rescue and foster dog (giving up several times) she is 17 had been mauled. Records shown this, she even had tooth removed from her skull. My dog is always on leash, she is predator focus due to her breed. Due to her history I have to be on the defense at all times. Somebody walking dog coming towards us I move to the other side of the street for her safety even though she wants to greet with her tail wagging.
IMO most do not understand their dogs. When I see nap raise on back of big dogs and they taking an aggressive stance they are not in friendly mode and I give them space or distance.

I'm sorry you say you won't be getting any more dogs. You sound like a knowledgeable and sensible pet owner.
As far as owning a large dog in The Villages, we have a 70 lb rescue, Lollipop.
There is a private dog park on ten acres where dogs can exercise off leash and socialize. We go there daily.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I agree with CFrance that dogs can have a "pack" mentality. If one dog is aggressive, the other can pick up on that aggression. If an owner isn't physically strong enough to restrain two dogs, the dogs should be walked separately.

In Cassie's case above, even small dogs on a leash can be more aggressive because they know they can't run away, and they can feel threatened. This is why most dog parks stipulate "only unleashed dogs" once inside the park. So please be careful when walking your dog on a leash and chatting with friends that have a dog. I trust my dogs implicitly, but I wouldn't allow them to socialize on a leash.

So true about the leash. I was taking our golden to the pet area at a hotel last week when we met up with an "attack poodle" of about 20 lbs. The owner had two dogs. The other one was fine. He said, "It's only because of the leash, ma'am. If he were off-leash, he would be fine."

I used to walk him down a certain street, but we would meet up with a guy walking three doxies. They would go after Crosby with intent to kill. I think it was fear aggression, but nonetheless, we changed our route. No need for his dogs to feel, or mine to be, threatened.

If we see another dog coming toward us on a walk, we cross the street. You never know.

[TheVillageChicken]

If the Animal Control Manager designates the dogs as dangerous animals, which is pretty much a given since they engaged in an unprovoked attack on a domestic animal, here is what the authorities could do about the situation.

[goodtimesintv]

Originally Posted by Lovey2

Normally I hate the usual skepticism on this site, but on this particular thread, seems like we are all ready to have the dogs put down, the owner bankrupt, and no need for the actual "first hand" telling. How we know the dogs were abused, or not trained is beyond me. I'm VERY sorry for Lucy, and hope she recovers quickly, but also reserve judgement on the other pet owner and his dogs. They all must have been fairly close to each other..."several feet" is not that much when you're talking large dogs. Maybe all involved should have been more careful here?

I didn't see anything here that wants "the dogs put down", and "the owner bankrupt".

I think everyone wants that owner to be fined/sanctioned so he either learns to control his dogs or gives them to somebody who can, so that OTHER dogs and people do not get mauled, and are warned about the location!

As for "no need for the actual 'first hand' telling", that's not going to happen, and we don't need "first hand telling" when a responsible person alerts the rest of us about the location of vicious dogs that have attacked passers-by.

Waiting for "first-hand telling" is ridiculous when an alert/warning is warranted.

[golf2140]

Dogs are unpredictable, that's why they should be kept away from the squares. I am a dog lover so don't jump on my frame.

[EnglishJW]

Originally Posted by BS Beef

I'm astonished the police would do nothing. Even if you look at it in a sterile environment it should be damage to personal property (poor Lucy). I understand they were on a leash but the Lab owner failed to control them. And if absolutely nothing else animal control should have been contacted and brought into the situation.

We had a very similar experience in New Jersey with our little Yorkie. My wife had him in her arms and on a leash when two pitbulls attacked. Our dog was bitten around the face. The bottom line is that the police would take no action against the owners unless the dogs had bitten a person. There were no city or state laws that applied. The city's animal control office did record the incident but would not take any action unless in was a third incident!

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by golf2140

Dogs are unpredictable, that's why they should be kept away from the squares. I am a dog lover so don't jump on my frame.

This attack has nothing to do with dogs on the square.