Jackdoodle Was Attacked & Bitten by Another Dog This Morning

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I am so shook up I can barely type. We were out on our a.m. walk when suddenly this dog got out of his yard and attacked JD. I had to drop his leash, he was trapped. JD put up a fight but he's handicapped by his ruptured disc, and he fell. The other dog was over him down on the ground, I was screaming and trying to kick the other dog, I don't even know exactly what happened, my brain just shut down and it's a blur, it all happened so fast, but the dog was off of him by the time the owners came out. I was mostly worried about JD's back and didn't even know he was bitten until we got home. He has a puncture wound with a tear under his eye (thank God he missed the eye itself) and a big scrape across the top of his head. We're just back from the ER. They cleaned it and gave me pain meds and antibiotics...just what he needs with his IBD. I may not give him the pain meds, but I have to give him the amoxicillin, which is certain to upset his stomach. And I have to apply warm compresses to the wound under his eye several times a day for a few days so it doesn't scab up too fast. I am so upset I'm shaking. That dog got out of that yard so fast and so easily, they may as well not even have had a fence. 

Going to pick up his amoxicillin now. Poor JD. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I have a can of this spray.  SprayShield, animal deterrent spray.

http://www.smarthome.com/6202/Spray-Shield-Animal-Deterrent-Spray/p...

However I have never used the spray, it claims to have no negative side effects to the animals in the long run.

No, I do not carry it with me as I seem to have a false sense of security.  But, once again, I got it out.

It looks as if it is also sold conveniently at HomeDepot

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Joanne, I'll look into it. I just think it would be hard to spray the one without spraying your own dog. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I agree. But, in this situation, and since the product says it is safe for the dogs, I would rather have the dogs sprayed than bitten and medically treated.  I understand though how you feel.

I'm thinking my brush with the Coyote/ Wolf Hybrid right now.  I'm thinking we  have been attacked just about every time we have been in public this year.  It is changing Spud's attitude sometimes.

I'm keeping this on my desk and hopefully in my pocket on walks. 

Hell, I might even make the mistake and spray myself. UGH. I am kind of clumsy sometimes.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I  have pepper spray (regular) that I carry too (haven't used) but I have a feeling that any of these sprays are not as simple to use as they seem.  They could be disastrous on a windy day and also you have to spray at just the right angle and just the right distance. I don't think I would be sane enough to remember all of that during an actual attack.  I read some where that you should give the spray a "test run"  to get a feel for how it works before it's needed in an actual attack. I haven't done that either! They might be handy under the right conditions but often dogs come out of nowhere and are top of you before you even see them. Also I read on the Pepper Spray website that the depending on the intensity of the attack, the dog may block the pain from the spray and it will have no affect.  :( But if the alternative is doing nothing...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I keep thinking I want to carry a lightweight pole of some kind. Not even to hit a dog with, more to fend him off, keep him away, back him off, that kind of thing. 

[Pat and Traveler]

I've seen Cesar Millan using a tennis racquet--sort of a sporty look, but jeez, that would be awkward to carry around!

[Charlotte and Bo]

Maybe you could carry a cane.  No one has to know you don't need it :-)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The way my knees feel some days, maybe I do, lol! 

[Adina P]

How horrible!  So sorry JD and Karen :-(  Is it time for a new route in the morning?  Did the owners SAY anything to you about it or at least look horrified?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Adina.

JD and this dog have a history of disliking each other. The other dog is one of those that lowers its head and fixes other dogs with a stare when you pass on the street. The owners are walking along facing forward, and the dog is swivelling its head to stare at your dog behind them. When they walk by our yard, JD will run to the fence and bark, so I think they feel that he is just as much a troublemaker. The husband made the comment "they just don't do well together" as we were walking away this a.m. (Ya think?????)

So it's almost like they think the two dogs are equally to blame, like kids who don;t get along and squabble when they're together. But the thing is, JD hasn't attacked their dog, let alone bitten him. 

[Becka]

It sounds like they're in denial about their dog's aggressiveness. I hope that they step up and offer to help--I'm so sorry to hear that this happened to you and Jack, and I wish him a speedy recovery.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Becka.