How to handle a dog attack?

[Rob, Stacy, Garmisch & Wembley]

My mom was out walking her 6 pound Yorkiepoo last night and a loose black lab ran across the street and grabbed the yorkie in his mouth and shook him like a rag doll.  My mom is 72 and is not much of a match for a big dog, but she said the owner ran over, got his dog and left.  She ended up taking the pup to the emergency vet to get treated for multiple puncture wounds and had drain tubes installed.

Having never been in this situation I'm wondering what the proper way to handle this is?  Is the owner of the attacking dog responsible for any vet costs?  Should it be reported to Animal Control? 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Great List, Jane.

Always good to read. Re-read. Read again.  Still, knowing all this, I would have a hard time not panicking.

I do have a can of Spray but these attacks happen so fast by the time I would get it out of my pocket, precious seconds are lost. 

SPRAY SHIELD-Animal Deterrent Spray.   Looks similar to a can a mace, but is safe to use during an event like this one.

Your poor sister is in shock.  Send her an email. Even though you are talking with her by phone, write things down for her.  She obviously is having post traumatic stress.  If things to do, are written down, it will be a good guide for her to follow.

[Rob, Stacy, Garmisch & Wembley]

She said that it happened so fast she tried to pick him up, but the lab had him in his mouth before she could get to him.  So I don't think it would have helped in this situation, but I think this is good advice.  I'm going to send a puppy care package and put in some of the spray shield recommended below.

[Christine & Shelby]

I 100% agree with reporting the attack.  If she can remember where it happened, they can do some questioning to try and determine the owner.  This is horrible and I hope her dog recovers quickly and that she is able to put this behind her too.  I just don't understand how someone could see this happen and just walk away.  

[Rob, Stacy, Garmisch & Wembley]

She found the house and knocked on the door.  The person looked at them, then locked the door and refused to answer.  But at least now they know the address and can file the police report...

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

seriously?? That's just awful. File the report. Sue them for damages. GAh! I hate people like this.

[BG and Gavin]

This it totally outrageous!  Dumb humans.  No wonder their dog bites!  I don't know what its like in your area, but if the police have been involved and a dog has been deemed a danger, it costs a great deal more to buy his city license each year. 

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

Definitely file a police report.  My grandma's bichon was attacked by three pits last year (thankfully it wasn't my grandma walking him) and they would not let Benji loose and one started attacking the walker.  Benji survived after surgery and months of recovery.  It took several court appearances but the owner of the dogs has been fined to cover the cost of the vet and medical bills.  She's also not allowed to own a dog for two years.  While the punishment was not enough, at least it is on the records.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Jack was attacked by a Giant Schnoodle last year some time I can't remember exactly, it was a nightmare, the blood curdling screams he let out to this day make my eyes sting with tears....

I did the wrong thing the first time it happen and I did not report it to the Animal Control, it was a neighbor. I didn't even charge her what the total vet bill was, I was very honest and told her I had insurance... She paid the 100 deductible, Jack had his hip ripped out of socket so it was a serious injury.

I talked extensively with the owner about the money she would have had to pay and to please use that money for training, take the dog to the vet to see if something is wrong, etc, She did nothing.

When I was in the hospital, my other neighbors were out walking Jack for me and again the dog broke free from the house, and came after Jack.... This time my friend got Jack up so nothing happen, but she reported it to the animal control, she was fined a fee, ordered to pay another charge, court fees and she had to get rid of the dog.

The owner is totally responsible for any and all vet charges, medications and special foods that the dog needs as a result of the attack, including paying gas money to go to the vets..

I am sorry for your mom, My mom is 70 and she is terrified of bigger dogs and is afraid something is going to happen to Molly...

[Rob, Stacy, Garmisch & Wembley]

Thanks for sharing I'm getting her to call Animal Control as well, as they were going around the neighborhood they talked to someone who lives on that block and she said there was another attack recently and the dog didn't make it.  So I'm sure Animal Control will have a record of that if it's the same dog.

[Bonnie and Kona]

This is all completely nauseating. I cannot imagine how terrifying it must be to have your little joy attacked while you are standing there helplessly. 

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

I'm so sorry to hear your Mom and Yorkiepoo had to go through this.  I know first hand how traumatic this can be for both.  My little guy was in shock for a few days after he was attacked.  One thing I did was use puppy pads in my garage for him to go potty on.  He was to scared being outside that he couldn't relax enough to go potty.  It's good that your mom reported it.  I hope everything turns out okay. 

[Jersey, Jasmine, Jypsy and Diane]

When I had my pet sitting business, I had this happen to me twice. Neither time was it caused by the dog I was walking. I took the dog to an emergency vet and sat there with the poor little dog for three hours waiting for treatment. When I returned home, I went to the biting dog's owner (their neighbor) and handed her the vet bill. She did pay and found out later that this was the third time that dog had attacked other dogs and even chased a mailman onto the top of a car to get away from it. Never heard what happened to the biting dog.

The other time was between a doberman and an akita that I was walking. The doberman ran off it's porch and attacked the dog I was walking. The akita won the argument. The woman with the doberman wanted me to pay the vet bill. I explained to her that it was not my dog and it was on the leash the whole time when her dog attacked it, unprovoked. The woman was injured by her dog trying to pull it off of the akita. It was really scary for all involved.