Dog Attack!!

[permitwriter]

Our 30 lb., 12-year-old border collie mix was attacked today in the campground by a much larger (and meaner) unrestrained dog. Thankfully, she’s ok. Her name is Chelsea. There was just one puncture wound on her shoulder. The vet shaved her, cleaned her up, put in one staple, and gave her an antibiotic & painkiller. They said there was no muscle damage.

I was just walking her around the campground like we have many times when the other dog came running up to her. They sniffed a little, one of the owners was running toward us screaming, a smaller dog was coming also & everything exploded. It all happened so fast. I tried to get Chelsea out of there, one owner tackled the big dog as the other owner arrived. But the big dog got ahold of Chelsea and wouldn’t let go. But we are so, so, so blessed that it barely had ahold of Chelsea and both owners got the big dog under control right away so it couldn’t do much shaking. I think her leash helped to protect her because it was damaged. It could have been much, much worse. The owners had 3 dogs unrestrained in direct violation of campground rules (and those rules exist in pretty much every campground). Their third dog was pretty big also, but it didn’t seem interested in fighting. The owners apologized but I didn’t say anything and got out of there quick.

Chelsea doesn’t seem to be bothered by it, but I’m still shook up 8 hours later and am afraid to walk her around the campground anymore. She’ll really miss that so maybe I’ll just stay close to our motorhome. I reported it to campground management. They seemed genuinely concerned and said they would take care of it.

We’re at Goose Pond Colony resort in Scottsboro, Alabama. We’ve been here before and always walk Chelsea around the campground (and most other campgrounds).

I guess this is a cautionary tale on both sides of the ball. That big dog is a huge liability. Had it turned on me and I was seriously hurt, the authorities would have destroyed that dog and the owners might have been sent to jail. It always must be kept under close control. I guess those of us with smaller dogs must be ever vigilant and ready to defend ourselves.

[R.Wold]

My 105lb German Shepherd (on leash) was “attacked” by a loose 10lb fluff ball. It too happened fast. I was so worried about the little dog, but Ol Grandma Lalka just pinned the errant pooch on the ground with one paw and held it there til I could pick it up and return it to the owner.

The owner was apologetic and the little dog had a mouth full of German Shepherd hair, but luckily no harm done. A few years ago, when Lalka was having pups, it probably would have ended differently, but she has mellowed. So big or small, it’s always a risk to let dogs run in a camp ground.

[Old-Biscuit]

OP....
I do hope you got the 'bad dog owners' names and have presented them with the VET BILL

Gotta hit them where it hurts ---in their wallet
Maybe it will be a 'learning opportunity' (lesson) for them!

Also file a report with the The Scottsboro Police Department
phone number is (256)574-3333.

BE PROACTIVE!

[NLOVNIT]

THREAD WARNING!

This is a divisive topic. Discuss calmly & within our Community Rules. Absolutely NO post about guns or shooting anything will be tolerated!

Lori-

[Unplanned Tourist]

Originally Posted by R.Wold

My 105lb German Shepherd (on leash) was “attacked” by a loose 10lb fluff ball. It too happened fast. I was so worried about the little dog, but Ol Grandma Lalka just pinned the errant pooch on the ground with one paw and held it there til I could pick it up and return it to the owner.

The owner was apologetic and the little dog had a mouth full of German Shepherd hair, but luckily no harm done. A few years ago, when Lalka was having pups, it probably would have ended differently, but she has mellowed. So big or small, it’s always a risk to let dogs run in a camp ground.

Nice looking dogs. About the 10 pounder, you just can't fix stupid.

[George Schweikle]

Not to paint all small dogs with the same brush, but a similar thing happened to us years ago in a state park campground when two small dogs broke free of their owner's grip on their leashes and attached our leashed male GSD; reaching up and pulling clumps of hair. Our dog could have made short work of the little critters but fortunately did not. The owner was very apologetic, got her dogs under control, and gave us her card for contact in case there was any medical issue.

In this case, the other dog's owner was acting properly, but her dogs had other thoughts. Go figure.

Originally Posted by R.Wold

My 105lb German Shepherd (on leash) was “attacked” by a loose 10lb fluff ball. It too happened fast. I was so worried about the little dog, but Ol Grandma Lalka just pinned the errant pooch on the ground with one paw and held it there til I could pick it up and return it to the owner.

The owner was apologetic and the little dog had a mouth full of German Shepherd hair, but luckily no harm done. A few years ago, when Lalka was having pups, it probably would have ended differently, but she has mellowed. So big or small, it’s always a risk to let dogs run in a camp ground.

[R.Wold]

I’ve found that a lot of small dogs dont have any idea that there is a size difference or that it matters. Some of those little critters will open up a can of whup on anything..... Fortunately for that one, Lady Llaka treated it like an errant puppy, and not a threat or it would have ended differently.

[puttin]

Campground personnel must have a zero tolerance for biting/attacking. The place we go to does this. Within 30 minutes the owner of a biting dog was asked to leave. Some people think their dogs behave better when not leashed and it's less trouble for themselves, but you never know. All the attacks I've seen at our park have been uncontrolled dogs. I saw a pit bull pick up and shake a much smaller dog almost to death once...very disturbing.

[puttin]

Originally Posted by R.Wold

My 105lb German Shepherd (on leash) was “attacked” by a loose 10lb fluff ball. It too happened fast. I was so worried about the little dog, but Ol Grandma Lalka just pinned the errant pooch on the ground with one paw and held it there til I could pick it up and return it to the owner.

The owner was apologetic and the little dog had a mouth full of German Shepherd hair, but luckily no harm done. A few years ago, when Lalka was having pups, it probably would have ended differently, but she has mellowed. So big or small, it’s always a risk to let dogs run in a camp ground.

Beautiful dog!

[YC1]

After getting attacked twice we carry flashlights that have a siren button and if need 50K volts.

The last time our leashed dogs were attacked the campground owners booted them within the hour.

I just cannot figure out why some rules do not apply to dolts.

When a young teenager approached our cockers leashed I asked them to stop for a second. Giving my wife the leashes I walked up almost nose to nose with the young man and asked if he was "uncomfortable". Of course he said yes. I then backed up while explaining that he is five times the height of this little dog and you want to go nose to nose with him. The dog is not comfortable with this either.

So always ask the owners and let the dog sniff you first. Move slow. Any dog can trigger. I have the scars to prove it.

[BCam]

I just don't understand dog owners who allow their dogs off-leash in campgrounds. And, generally it's not that they're so well-trained that leashes wouldn't be necessary were it not for the rules. Not only is it dangerous for other dogs and people, it's dangerous for their dog as well. That ball of fluff was very lucky.

[Talloaks]

Originally Posted by permitwriter

I guess this is a cautionary tale on both sides of the ball. That big dog is a huge liability. Had it turned on me and I was seriously hurt, the authorities would have destroyed that dog and the owners might have been sent to jail. It always must be kept under close control. I guess those of us with smaller dogs must be ever vigilant and ready to defend ourselves.

You are amazingly gracious about the whole event, which should never have occurred. I'm with Old Biscuit on this. The owners of the dog that attacked need to be held accountable. Bad behaviors don't typically change if there is no accountability, so I would encourage you to think of all the other innocent dogs and owners you may help protect from future careless incidents by pressing the issue a bit.

[Mod Edit]

Hope for a full recovery for your Border Collie. They are wonderful dogs.

[TXiceman]

I have a real aversion to any dog off leash. Our standard schnauzer has been attacked 3 time, well now 4 times by a larger dog off leash. The last time I was knocked down and wound up at the emergency room with a cut elbow and numerous bruises and pulled muscles. Abby was fine, but we were off the road 3.5 weeks until I was healed enough to hook up the truck and trailer. 8 weeks later and still need a cane to help out. The dog getting out was purely accidental, so in this case you cannot blame the owner.

Since we seem to seek out the irresponsible dog owners, I now carry a 5 foot long walking stick that makes a great weapon. I hate to hurt a dog due to an irresponsible
owner, but I will defend myself and my dog.

If you are going to own a dog, please be responsible and leash them or confine them.

Ken

[DGBPokes]

Many years ago, my wife was walking our medium size dog at a nearby park, on a leash. Our dog was attacked by a large mean Shepard. My wife attempted to break the attach and was bitten. Our dog died a few hours later, my wife went to the ER and was hospitalized in isolation for some strange infection.

A friend was her insurance agent. Cost the insurance company hospital cost, and we got a check for $4K. Her insurance company told her to put the dog down or they would cancel her policy.