dog park bite:(

[Sally]

So yesterday morning i put duncan's coat on and took him to the dog park nice and early to meet up with some friends and let them romp in the fresh snow....Mind you i'm not usually a fan of going on the weekends as i feel that there are a lot of "less experienced" dog owners there on weekends. But we figured it'd be quiet.

Everything was fine. Duncan was digging and fetching a stick and having a good time. We were actually just about ready to leave and then someone gave him a dog biscuit which of course he couldn't refuse. So while he was munching on it a pit bull named roxy came to sniff his butt and i guess see if he wanted to play. He looked over his shoulder and growled. He of course wanted to finish his cookie (and protect it). She immediately attacked him. It happened so fast. He was pinned and i heard him yelp. Ugh! But the owner grabbed roxy quickly and they took her out of the main dog run into the smaller pen. They asked if Duncan was ok. I looked at him and he seemed fine. Mind you his coat was on. I figured if she bit him i'd see the coat was ripped. We left and it was a normal afternoon. That evening i noticed blood on his coat on the inside...i brushed it off for a second thinking maybe roxy's tooth got caught on the coat and bled. Um NO! Upon inspection i found a large flesh wound. My poor Dunkeroo had been bit and I didn't even know. So i rushed him to the vet. They cleaned it out and put a staple to close it up. He had to get a shot of antibiotic and a rabies booster.

I am so mad at myself for not inspecting him sooner but even more mad that after speaking to others apparently roxy has bitten 2 other dogs. The owners are a sweet young couple who rescued her and are trying to give her a good life but i think the time has come to acknowledge that she is better off not in the park. Or at least she needs some assessment/training...

In the meantime, Duncan is sporting a shaved patch on his back. I've been making him wear a tshirt to cover his boo boo because he can scratch it with his back leg.

We talk about first aid a lot here and how to clean wounds etc. I think my $200 was money well spent to know it was taken care of correctly. I have peace of mind. I think about how i would have tried to put neosporin on it and not thought to remove the fur there first. I know my limits! 

Anyway, just wanted to share. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm sorry this happened to Duncan. I hope the wound heals soon.

I agree with Jane, food is an absolute NO at a dog park. It's not allowed at most, for very good reasons.

And somebody needs to address all of this with Roxy's owners. Three bites, she should be out. It's fortunate that nobody filed a report, because she'd be put down. I'm sure her owners don't want that to happen, and it would be a kindness to them, not to mention Roxy, to speak to them about it. It might save her life.

Big hugs to Duncan.

 

[Sally]

yes. you bring up a good point. One of the bites was actually to an owner but it was because he scooped up his dog and she was still lunging for the dog but got his arm instead. And the other dog i'm not sure if it was a full bite puncture but it was definitely an attack. I wasn't there to witness. But these owners of roxy are actually members of our dog park association and so the president was able to pull their email address that was on file so i've reached out to them to discuss the matter. Once the vet bill issue is resolved the association will reach out to them to probably and unfortunately let them know Roxy can't come back. 

His wound is already looking better today. He's mopey so it must hurt a bit. I'm hoping fresh air and some squirrels will brighten his day this afternoon...

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

You were smart to know your limitations on taking care of this yourself. Puncture wounds can be serious and unless you are very knowledgeable in wound care and signs of infection, it's just not worth it to take the chance with not going to the vet. I have a very "wait and watch" policy with my two, but we are medical people, have a lot of medical supplies and even medications on hand and have a great vet that lets me call and ask what I can do at home before bringing in if I am ever in doubt. No I'm not an animal medical person, so I will always defer to the vet when something looks like it is just not right or too much for us to care for. Knowing you limits is very smart. You did good. So sorry you both went though this though. This at least will now be dealt with and stop others from being attacked.

[Christine & Shelby]

Sorry this happened and so glad it wasn't more serious.  Sounds like Duncan will be just fine.  Be sure to get him out around other dogs quickly so he doesn't have time to let fear of being bit grow.  I agree... take the owner the bill and address the fact that you know Roxy has a history.

Sending well wishes...

[Sally]

Thanks guys for your input and well wishes. i love this DK community. 

[Dori & Rua]

So sorry about Duncan.  That's too bad that the owners keep bringing their dog to the park after she has bitten twice before.  Our dog park says the same thing...no food or toys.  At Rua's daycare, they are not allowed to have food/treats.  When someone brings in birthday treats, for example, they are not consumed there, but are sent home with each dog.

[F, Calla & Luca]

So sorry to hear about Duncan. The responses about food gave me food for thought-ha. At our doodle romps there is usually people food and treats for dogs. We have never had one bit of trouble with this but then all the dogs are usually doodles and very good with other dogs.

[Sally]

oh i agree. if all the dogs are good dogs the biscuits, toys etc wouldn't be a problem. I've been to the park when it is just duncan and 4 or 5 of his pals that we've been with since the beginning and we've had no problem with treats or toys. And here i was so proud that we went thru the entire spring, summer and fall without a single TICK!  Who knew it would be a much larger predator biting him:( 

food for thought....haha!

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Ooochhhh...So sorry this happened, but good job mummy for catching it before it got infected. Strange thing, on our dog park, there is a huge sign that says NO FOOD...I guess before of this very same reason. Obviously yours does not have one, so I suggest, if you intend to keep on going to the park, you get someone to put up a sign before, this happens again. Hope your boy recovers soon....

[Lorraine Bromley]

This is exactly how I got a little nip that drew blood at Christmas time as my sister introduced dog treats to the four dogs in the house! Human caused this NOT the dog. The dog is doing exactly what he is supposed to do and is expected behavior. The bite is more traumatic to us humans than it is to the dogs involved. The young couple could be approached to see if they would be open to using a muzzle while visiting based on their dogs past bite involvement. They may appreciate buying one versus the vet bills incurred by the bite of thier dog. Giving them some appropriate documentation on the use of muzzles for rescue dogs may also help to continue with their obvious attempt to rehabilitate this dog. (any dog would behave this way though not just rescues) OPEN communication and education are the key to a good outcome here.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

oh poor Duncan, hope he feels better soon

[Becka]

Sally, something similar happened to Sadie a few weeks ago--a dog that she plays with frequently grabbed her a little too hard and held on, causing a scrape but thankfully no punctures. $150 later (and a week of no going to the park, which we both missed), I try to make sure that we go at times that her mouthy friend is not there. He's a sweet dog but plays too rough and Sadie isn't the first dog he's injured. Sadie also wore a shirt--there are a couple of pictures of her in it on my DK page. I hope your pup feels better soon! I agree that you should probably try to talk to the owners and ask them not to bring Roxy back until she's had (a lot) more training.