greysrgreat
Junior Grey Lover
Bently (racing name Dreckly) & Holly (racing name Ears Comer)
Posts: 160
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Post by greysrgreat on Nov 18, 2013 13:42:48 GMT -5
Hi Folks, first time really posting anything but thought this was worthy. I was out walking Bella (aka Cbar Specialist) in our neighbourhood, like I have been doing for the last 4 years, and like so many other times a dog came running out from a property ( the garage actually). This has happened many times throughout my walking adventures, Bella is fine with other dogs, so normally when dogs run up to us, sniff and such, they run back home or owner apologizes and calls dog back. To my horrified surprise this dog didn't do any sniffing, it ran past me stopped to look at her for a second and then jumped on her, I did everything I could do get that dog off of her, as well as the owner was doing what he could, when it was over Bella was an absolute mess... I rushed her to the vets, they looked at her right away, she stayed for the night so they could do surgery on all of her wounds. The surgery went well, glad she got through it. But its going to be uphill, suspect some nerve damage to front leg, going to have to make her a "fur" coat. To those of you who new Bella "Special" will know what a sweet disposition she has, she is absolutely lovable. The dog who attacked her was an American Bulldog, the actual owner has been away since september , his wife and 5-7 month baby girl are looking after him, and it was the father in law who had been walking him and was just going to let him in the house. The father in law came to the vets to find me and give me contact info, shots were up to date, the mother came the following morning with cash to cover the initial vet visit, without me asking. So in a nutshell, they have been cooperative, but Bella is still suffering, our 10 year old grey shouldn't have to , but it happened. How would you handle this situation? I told the owner in as nice as I could, I felt that she should have the dog destroyed, it attacked without provocation, and if I wasn't kicking at it and the other owner working to seperate him for Bella I don't think he would have stopped. I am so thankful I did not have my 9 year old daughter with me, I have to live in my neighbourhood for many more years, obviously don't want to cause them alot of grief as I assume that they must feel a little bad. Should I call the SPCA and have them charged? Or just report it to the SPCA so they have it on file? I told her if it was my dog, I would have to have it destroyed, too much damage in too short a time. She is talking with her trainer, the dog is 6 years old, why do they have their trainer on speed dial? Your thoughts and support please Pics are too large to load but the animal hospital called her Frankenstein if that gives you an idea. BTW her dog had no injuries...
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xtrawld
Grey Lover
Both thirsty....can't wait for their turn....
Posts: 625
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Post by xtrawld on Nov 18, 2013 15:10:28 GMT -5
First of all prayers to your Bella. That sounds so horrifying. You will have a long road in healing her up - but she will heal. There will be mental and physical scars though on both of you I am sure. Were you injured?
I have heard of unprovoked attacks on greys before. Then again, there are several unprovoked attacks period because people refuse to keep dogs on leash. While it is a nice gesture (and something they SHOULD do) that they are paying for her care, hopefully her ongoing care (because there will be more) I'm thinking that it wouldn't be a far step to get them charged and let authorities deal with the problem and the owners. Sure, they are showing good will for caring for your pup, but who is to say they will take any action on preventing this in the future to someone else? It's not for you to decide if the dog should be destroyed, but it is up to you to decide about whether the owners (or the caretakers in the owners absence) are negligent (as in deciding to press charges or not). The authorities can decide the fate of the dog pending investigation - whether it be put down or rehomed or whatever.
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Post by lancer on Nov 18, 2013 15:53:10 GMT -5
im glad to hear they showed up and paid for her care unasked. im not surprised the bulldog had no injury they have very thick fur and very tough skin by breed standard alone. i know this because i too own an agressive bulldog. she loves my hounds but HATES strange dogs. she never used to but after we adopted the greyhounds she became very protective and slowly over time got progressivly violent to other dogs especially if they got to close to us or the hounds. shes fine in the house with other dogs but on walks is very tense when she sees other pups. granted we know she does this so A) she is NEVER off leash. B) we always let people know if they want the dogs to meet that she sometimes "bullies" other dogs. and its at their own risk but we dont suggest it and C) we know she needs extra training now that her personality is changed so we have been taking her to classes. Anyways, she attacked a lab in our neighbourhood who was offleash and ran towards us (i know the situation is kindof in reverse of yours) but my bulldog attacked the lab because it got too close to us, her and the hound and she did some damage to this lab, he needed stiches. the owner told me i should put my dog down because it was such a monster and called animal control. i won my case (because my dog was on leash) but i dont know what i would do with myself if i had to put her down. outside of strange dogs shes so loving and good with my kids and great with my hounds. she just doesnt like dogs that dont belong to her pack. maybe these owners arent as aware of their dogs problem (even though they should be) especially if they want to own such a powerful,stubborn breed. (and dont i know it!) but what if this was the first time their dog did that? what if it was sometheing about your greyhound the dog didnt like? and i know what happened was horrible and your poor greyhound i hope recovers mentally and physically. it seems like it was an accident or maybe the father in law didnt know the dogs as well as the real owners which obviously doesnt help the situation. i remember the first time my dog did that and we were just as surprised as the other owner because it had never happened before and it happened after her 4th birthday! prior to that we used to take her to the dog park and have doggie playdates at an indoor dog arena. i dont want to tell you how to do something or what is right because the definition of what is right is subject to a persons beliefs and especially in this case their experiences. but if theres a way to maybe report the situation where animal control will fine them for having the dog offleash or a way to ensure that the dog is leashed or they get mandated training classes? (im not sure how they would go about doing that) but ultimately the choice is yours and any advice we give to you is also subject to our beliefs and perspectives. with so many different people on this form theres bound to be a vast variety of opinion and i can tell you from past experience we dont all agree with eachother. good luck. so sorry about your baby girl. give her hugs and lots of love from us hoping for a speedy recovery
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Post by lovinfroggy on Nov 18, 2013 16:31:11 GMT -5
My heart breaks for you and especially Bella. How absolutely terrifying. I hope Bella recovers quickly. We have had two incidents in our neighborhood involving bulldogs off their leash. They didn't attack Frog, but did come after her aggressively. One of those times, Frog terrified, wiggled out of her martingale and collar. She was off that leash and running. Every time she tried to come back the bulldog ran her off. I'm not a calm person when it comes to these situations and I know I unleashed my fury on the owner ( seriously, how stupid can someone be). I had to tell him to leash his dog so that Frog could come back. I have zero tolerance for people who allow their dogs off leash in busy areas such as my own neighborhood and it's a poop storm if they come after Frog. The cruddy part is that it isn't the dogs fault for what happens, it's the owners/caregiver. They should be held accountable for their actions. I have another story which involves my mother getting attacked by a pitbull. My mom was taking her cat to the car when a pitbull came after them. The owner had the dog off leash, was far a way from the dog, and it wasn't muzzled. My mother did what came naturally and protected her cat. Fast forward and there was a trial to have the man evicted from the apartment building they lived in, and the dog was surrendered for evaluation. If they deemed the dog ok for readoption they would do so ( and he was). The owner had to pay a fine, was evicted, and lost his dog. While I would hate for an animal to suffer for it's owners stupidity, I also think it needs to be addressed. For the pit, it was the third attack involving him, but my moms attack was the most severe. It's a tough call, and again I feel for you. Please keep us up to date on Bella's recovery.
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Midge
Grey Lover
Posts: 891
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Post by Midge on Nov 18, 2013 19:55:28 GMT -5
Omgosh, poor Bella, poor you! So sorry this happened.
So hard to say what I'd do in your situation. At the very least I'd report it to the SPCA so they'd have a record of it. I'd also request, through the SPCA, that the dog be muzzled in public.
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Post by rajandhisfamily on Nov 18, 2013 19:55:58 GMT -5
I'm so sorry and wish Bella (and you, too) a speedy recovery! You definitely have to do what you feel is right. If that's calling the authorities, then that is what you need to do. You are Bella's advocate, so do what you feel is best for her.
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OwnedBySummer
Hound Nut
"Summer" (aka Coach Standifer)
Posts: 1,392
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Post by OwnedBySummer on Nov 18, 2013 20:08:25 GMT -5
I'm so sorry! Heal fast, Bella! I would also report it -- for all you know, this wasn't the first attack (no matter what the owner's may or may not say) and it could happen again, to you or someone else. If it was a child and not Bella, this would automatically get escalated -- I feel that attacking a dog is the same. There's something wrong with a dog which wantonly and randomly attacks another dog.
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Post by rubylottie14 on Nov 18, 2013 20:41:48 GMT -5
I would most definitely report the incident. As others have said this dog might attack another dog/adult/child in the future. The owners certainly need to keep the dog on a leash and muzzle it. I think the owners also need some kind of help/education so that they learn the best way to handle their dog and keep other dogs and people safe. Left to their own devices I worry that they will carry on as they have been and another traumatic attack will happen. Sadly people don't always learn the lesson you'd hope they would. I would not leave this to chance.
You could well be doing the dog a favour by reporting the incident. His owners might then handle him better, or possibly the dog be rehomed to people who are more responsible.
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greysrgreat
Junior Grey Lover
Bently (racing name Dreckly) & Holly (racing name Ears Comer)
Posts: 160
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Post by greysrgreat on Nov 18, 2013 20:51:23 GMT -5
Thanks all for your thoughts and suggestions - you echo a lot of what we've been thinking.
For anyone who's gone through something like this, did your dog not eat for a few days? We know that with the pain meds and antibiotics (she's on Tramadol and Clavamox), the trauma and the pain, her appetite is likely affected but she doesn't have much weight to lose!! Is 3 or 4 days 'normal'? She's normally on a raw diet and is turning her nose up (literally!!) at anything other than water and a bit of greek yogurt.
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Post by newtothis1 on Nov 18, 2013 21:03:24 GMT -5
Most definitely report it to the SPCA. They will take the appropriate action. The vet may have already reported it. This is such a terrible thing to happen to poor Bella, please keep us all posted on her healing. It will be a long road but with your love and support she will get through it.
You need to feel safe in your neighborhood, so please report it to the SPCA if the vet has not already done so, you may be doing a huge favour for other dogs in the neighborhood as well.
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OwnedBySummer
Hound Nut
"Summer" (aka Coach Standifer)
Posts: 1,392
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Post by OwnedBySummer on Nov 18, 2013 21:27:18 GMT -5
I wouldn't hesitate to just feed her something she likes, even if it's not normally part of her diet. It won't hurt for a meal or two.
ETA: Not something so strange she'd then have to deal with an upset tummy or diarrhea, though, I didn't mean that.
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whovian
Junior Grey Lover
River (a.k.a Iruska Cool Chic) has claimed me as her "friendbeast"
Posts: 171
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Post by whovian on Nov 18, 2013 21:50:13 GMT -5
It's not the same drug at all, but River was on Rhuemocam after she broke her central metatarsal and she had a decreased appetite for the first few days. She even threw up bile on the second day. We were worried that it was a reaction to the pain medication, as it is an anti-inflammatory drug, which is fine for humans but notoriously hard on dogs' stomachs. As per vet instructions, River was on a diet of just plain cooked lean ground beef and rice for a few days. The vet called it "doggy soda crackers" - easy, bland food to digest on a troubled tummy.
You could try that, but I would read the warning Labels on your brands of pain medication and see if a change in appetite is listed as something you should contact your vet immediately about. Just in case.
I am so sorry that this happened to you and Bella. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Hugs to all.
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OwnedBySummer
Hound Nut
"Summer" (aka Coach Standifer)
Posts: 1,392
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Post by OwnedBySummer on Nov 18, 2013 23:09:08 GMT -5
Tramadol is a narcotic-like drug and it isn't always handled well by greyhounds. How many days of non-eating are you at now? You might want to speak to the vet about a different pain medication. If you go on the Greytalk forum, you can search for things (like the pain killer Gabapentin, which a lot of people seem to prefer using) or even post a query. There is also a Greytalk FB page.
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Post by Heather (& KC) on Nov 19, 2013 6:58:30 GMT -5
I'm so very sorry you and Bella have experienced this and going through this. This is a huge fear of mine and I'm just devastated for you. I'd absolutely report to the SPCA and the police. It's unacceptable and as others have said, it could have been a child. You're very lucky it didn't turn on you as well.
I'd call the vet about not eating. She's traumatized and likely in pain.
Hugs to you and Bella as you get through this.
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Post by Mag's Mom on Nov 19, 2013 8:42:17 GMT -5
I am so sorry to hear about this terrible attack on Bella. I would check in with the vet too (can't hurt.. the vet probably wants to know this anyway). I also would report it to the police and the SPCA. As mentioned above, the next time it could be a child. Sending prayers to you and Bella.
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