Dear dog owners: please stop this.

[Kaitee and Orwell]

Hey everyone- I know I haven't been active on this site for a while because I haven't really had a need for advice lately and I've been busy with school and work. My hard work paid off though and I got a job at Boeing that I start in May. Orwell and I are moving into an apartment for about a year and then we will most likely be buying a house.

I hope all of you are well this holiday season.

Today I'm not really asking for advice as far as Orwell goes, but something happened yesterday that I do need advice on how to approach the issue. I came home last night from work and Orwell greeted me as his usual happy self as if his day was completely normal. My mother, however, was not exactly fine and was still shook up by what happened earlier as she told me the story. She took Orwell for a walk yesterday and they both were attacked by a Bouvier des Flandres that lives in another part of the neighborhood. She said that she and Orwell were pursued for about 10 minutes. She was knocked down on the ground in the beginning, scraped her knee and twisted her back pretty good. Orwell stood over her for the remainder of the time fending off the other dog by growling until a neighbor heard my mom's cries for help and came and was able to bring them to safety in her garage while keeping the other dog out. Orwell was bit at on his behind, but the dog didn't connect because Orwell has longer hair at the moment.

The other dog's owner is an older man who said in passing as he was trying to get control of his dog that he must have gotten out through the window. First off, I'm wondering why the window was even open and without a screen. It is cold right now. If we open windows in our house, we only crack them open. Furthermore, if you know your dog has a tendency to aggressiveness, you should keep your dog secure in the house and make sure they cannot get at other dogs/people. Or, better yet, do not own a dog you cannot handle. I don't have anything against Bouviers (I've met a couple of great ones and my aunt used to own one), but they do have protective tendencies and need extensive socialization as a puppy to understand what is and what is not a threat. A big problem that arose in this altercation was that even the owner of the dog could not get him to stop coming after my mom and Orwell.

Also, this is the SECOND time this has happened to my mother and Orwell. For some reason she is always the one walking him when this stuff happens. The previous incident was with another medium sized doodle who sprinted off his/her porch and went straight for Orwell's neck. My mom was able to block the attack with her leg and trip up the dog without getting bit herself. Luckily that dog was smaller and unable to knock my mother down and they were able to quickly scurry away from the dog and that dog did not follow them past the corner.

So, my question is what do I do if I see this man again who owns the Bouvier? I don't know the person who owns the doodle, but I do know what the man who owns the Bouvier looks like. Should I bring up my concerns to him and if so, how do I do it without being too heated? I will admit that I am pretty livid about the situation and it could have easily resulted in large vet and medical bills. I don't get truly angry about many things, but when it comes to people I love and my puppy, I have a low tolerance for situations that can be avoided entirely. We now don't feel comfortable walking in that part of the neighborhood (we will not continue to go down that way) and I don't think that it is right for anyone to feel unsafe while walking their dog.

[Kate C Pappas]

You absolutely have a responsibility to not only contact the owners but to contact Animal Control so they can begin documenting these incidents. and who knows how many more there might have been. I adore dogs and it's always the owner who doesn't train the dog correctly, doesn't supervise or perhaps has taken on more dog than they can handle.

Doing so will hopefully prevent future incidents like this where the end could be much worse.

Also, I suggest your Mom carry a walking stick for protection.  Good luck, but don't let this go.

Were there any vet or medical bills? If so they should be presented to the Bouvier's owner. He most likely has homeowners insurance.

[Kaitee and Orwell]

I plan on sending him the letter next week. My grandmother recently died so I haven't had the chance to take care of this yet.

Luckily there weren't any vet or medical bills this time, but in my letter I'm going to let him know that he is lucky because it could have easily cost him money. If there were bills, I would be more in his face about the whole thing. I refuse to pay for something that could've been avoided by another party.

[Kaitee and Orwell]

So, I'm currently writing the letter...

Do y'all think I should put my name and/or return address on there?

[DonMarie and Picco]

Good question - I guess that would be what you feel comfortable with.  I would make a copy of the letter.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

No, I do not.  I don't trust others not to retaliate if angry. You could give him a first name and a phone number or an e-mail address, but never your full name or address.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

I agree - First name only, e-mail or cell phone number so they likely won't find your address.

[Kaitee and Orwell]

Hmm... I don't think I'm going to put any contact info on there. My first name is spelled too uniquely for my comfort, I don't like giving out my phone number (talking on the phone is awkward for me), and my email address has both my first and last name.

I just wish there were some way that I would know that he has heard the message and is taking it into consideration.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Kaitee, you could leave another name on your letter?  like Kitty or Cathy??? But with your phone number. That would mean your phone message would need to but have your name but be generic—- “you have reached (your phone number). Please leave a message. “  Screen your calls rather than answer. Hopefully the man would leave a message.