Daughter Jumped by Two Staffies

[Vantage]

I've encountered more violent humans than dogs.
Maybe humans should be leashed and muzzled.

 

[Electric_Andy]

I've encountered more violent humans than dogs.
Maybe humans should be leashed and muzzled.

Yes and that's why prisons exist.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

The police came round and sat down with us. I’ve sent the photos and the ball is in their court.

I am impressed. They knew the score as soon as they saw the photos. One was a dog handler so could understand my description of the behaviour of the dogs.

They were personable, introduced themselves by their first names, amused my daughter and didn’t ask for coffee or donuts once. Their presence has really taken the edge of our experience. Man I wish government recognised how important it is that we need to fund the forces.

This echoes our experience, too. Sadly in our case the owner was never found, despite the Police's best efforts. I expect it will be different in your case, though.

 

[Milkfloat]

When my daughter was 3 (8 years ago) she was 'nibbled' on the ear (enough to draw blood) by a very boisterous collie in our local park. The dog just came right up to her, climbed up to her face (not very high) and bit her ear and refused to let go until I squeezed its jaw. To be fair to the owner they were fairly concerned and immediately put the dog on a lead and apologised. Although the little physical damage soon healed, it put my daughter off enjoying the park for many years, she would have to be coaxed to go and if she saw a dog would try to climb up into my arms. When she cycled to school, she would wobble all over the place trying to get away from any dog, or just slam on the brakes and refuse to move. It took a few years of us spending lots of time with Guide Dogs to get her over this fear and she only really overcame it when her cousins got a puppy and she spent a lot of time with it.

So although physical scars may heal, the mental ones may last for a while. Think of it from a kids perspective, something the size of a big horse as compared to an adult coming over and biting you - not exactly a positive experience.

 

[Dave7]

I am still in shock so excuse the waffle and disjointed layout of this thread.

Off on a Sunday walk with my very small 9 year old daughter. We entered a field and almost immediately a large black staffie charged over aggressively and confidently. It immediately jumped up at my daughter and carried on doing so making gurgling, growling noises. I was just telling her to stay on her feet while I was trying to get between the dog and her. My daughter was getting more and more terrified and confused. I was yelling at the owner to call the dog off but it was ignoring him. It was only when I got loudly assertive with him and ordered him to get his dog on a lead* did he come near us. He clipped that first dog on. Then the other dog joined in which just seemed to make the situation worse. This second dog was more aggressive and it’s fir was standing on end. I was yelling at the owner to get the dog off us.

Once we were all separated I was now wound up, telling the owner if he can’t control his dogs they should be on leads. My daughter was also visibly terrorised by what happened and I said to the owner the very least he could do was apologise. Instead he called me a t#sser, f#ck you spastic, f#ck you w#nker etc.

That’s when I took out my phone and started taking photos. This just encouraged him to swear at us but he did turn on his heels and left the field.

What happened was illegal and I rang 101 immediately. I have been given a crime number by text and that’s it for now.

I am so horrified. All I can do for now is put all our clothes in the wash and get Sunday roast ready. She has had a shower and just wants to lie in my bed and read.

* ‘Leads’ being great thick chains attached to studded collars. I think you get the picture.

I have just seen this thread and (without reading any responses) have to say how sorry I feel for both you and your daughter.
I was 10 when an Alsation jumped up on me.....I have never forgotten the fear I felt.
I do so hope the police do a) get the person and b) actually do something.
Again.....I have not ready any of the responses but remembering how I was affected you might consider some sort of counselling/advice.

 

[Dave7]

Sorry I have to disagree with this, if you ban allowing dogs to run free then you are just going to build up more problems, dogs need exercise they need to burn off energy. I raley put my dog on a lead except walking down busy roads, but I don't need to as she is well behaved & been trained properly. As has been said in multiple posts, in probaby 99% of the cases the problem is not the dog.

Serious question.
I am not and have never been a dog owner. What if you KNOW your dog has the potential to snap at or bite some one (or another dog). Surely it has to be on a lead at all times?

 

[Slick]

I don't feel being attacked by an uncontrolled animal is unfortunate nor do I feel it affects my judgement, especially as I've encountered numerous instances of aggressive behaviour from this type of dog - I realise there are many variations - towards people and other dogs.

Wikipedia makes comments which seem to back up my view:

"Jack Russells are an energetic breed that rely on a high level of exercise and stimulation."

"Because the preservation of this working ability is of highest importance to most registered JRTCA/JRTCGB breeders, Jack Russells tend to be extremely intelligent, athletic, fearless, and vocal dogs.[9] It is not uncommon for these dogs to become moody or destructive if not properly stimulated and exercised, as they have a tendency to bore easily and will often create their own fun when left alone to entertain themselves.[49]"

"Jack Russells can be stubborn at times and aggressive towards other animals and humans if not properly socialized."

"While socialised members of the breed are friendly towards children, they will not tolerate abuse even if it is unintentional.[16]"

I suppose it really boils down to whether or not one believes "unfortunate events" and the level of their severity are acceptable in society. I think they aren't

The Wikipedia thing is just an extrapolation of the behaviour I already posted and if you think your judgement hasn't been affected by your experiences then you probably should speak to a professional about it.

 

[Slick]

Serious question.
I am not and have never been a dog owner. What if you KNOW your dog has the potential to snap at or bite some one (or another dog). Surely it has to be on a lead at all times?

A dog should be under control at all times but not necessarily a lead. If you think it has the potential to bite someone it shouldn't be allowed out in polite society.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Serious question.
I am not and have never been a dog owner. What if you KNOW your dog has the potential to snap at or bite some one (or another dog). Surely it has to be on a lead at all times?

Not necessarily but it should be muzzled in that instance, or destroyed, there are lots of dogs that can be safely allowed to run free under control

@Slick got there first

 

[Dave7]

A dog should be under control at all times but not necessarily a lead. If you think it has the potential to bite someone it shouldn't be allowed out in polite society.

But why, if it has the potential, can you not walk/exercise it BUT on a lead.
eg you live in a flat. You have a companion dog ut you know it is 'snappy'. It still needs walking.....so walk it on a lead.

 

[Slick]

But why, if it has the potential, can you not walk/exercise it BUT on a lead.
eg you live in a flat. You have a companion dog ut you know it is 'snappy'. It still needs walking.....so walk it on a lead.

A snappy dog should be in the hands of a real handler, not living in a flat. Probably the biggest reason it is snappy.

 

[Dave7]

Not necessarily but it should be muzzled in that instance, or destroyed, there are lots of dogs that can be safely allowed to run free under control

@Slick got there first

Last autumn. I went for a walk around the local lake. BRAND NEW coat on. 2 people walking a Lab which runs over and jumps up on me. Not aggressive. They shouted "dont worry, he's friendly"But it cost me x £s to have my BRAND NEW coat cleaned because some moron didnt control thier "friendly" dog.

 

[Slick]

Last autumn. I went for a walk around the local lake. BRAND NEW coat on. 2 people walking a Lab which runs over and jumps up on me. Not aggressive. They shouted "dont worry, he's friendly"But it cost me x £s to have my BRAND NEW coat cleaned because some moron didnt control thier "friendly" dog.

Neighbours massive big lab tries to jump up on me all the time no matter how hard he tries to tell it not to. He just can't control it but loves it with all his heart. I just take the dog by the collar and get it to sit and he does, much to the annoyance of the neighbour. You just have to handle them.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Last autumn. I went for a walk around the local lake. BRAND NEW coat on. 2 people walking a Lab which runs over and jumps up on me. Not aggressive. They shouted "dont worry, he's friendly"But it cost me x £s to have my BRAND NEW coat cleaned because some moron didnt control thier "friendly" dog.

Problem is there is no restrictions on who can own a dog, no requirement for training, at the end of the day they are a wild pack animal & they need to know their place in the pack. Lots of people have dogs as surrogate children which they are clearly not.

 

[Glow worm]

Last autumn. I went for a walk around the local lake. BRAND NEW coat on. 2 people walking a Lab which runs over and jumps up on me. Not aggressive. They shouted "dont worry, he's friendly"But it cost me x £s to have my BRAND NEW coat cleaned because some moron didnt control thier "friendly" dog.

I had similar happen to me the other day. Quietly minding my own business sat on a tree stump, having a rest during a long walk and a dog, (thankfully not a big one) covered in mud, runs up and jumps all over my jeans. I'm then completely filthy and the owner thought it was funny.
I really feel for you OP and hope they track the idiot down. Unfortunately, as it now seems to be the law in the UK that you have to own a bloody dog, its only going to get worse. I don't know what the answer is but leads at all times in public places seems a good start, ban dogs from all nature reserves/ SSSIs and beaches. Oh and letting dog owners know their homes reek of dog!