Just gotta have a little rant about people who let big aggressive dogs run off-leash in public places. Took my doggo for a walk, which she loves, and we were going along great till we went down a lane to a little beach that is never very busy. I did not know there were 2 dogs there until they came tearing up the beach and jumped on her. It was a melee and I couldn’t even land a good kick. End result is she’s got a bite on her leg. They took off a patch of skin about 1 x 1/2 inch. So, not big, but of course it bled.
The owner packed her dogs in the car & took them home, leaving her 2 friends to cover. I didn’t even know she’d left until we’d checked over “my” dog. One of the friends did a quick bandage job and drove us the short distance home.
I’ve patched her up as best I could. She didn’t want to let me saline-wash it, and these people have no peroxide, no Polysporin, no antibiotic nuthin. So I just sort-of tried to bathe it and have got some gauze taped around it, which she is mostly leaving alone. She’s been out walking around, and is seeking pats at the moment, so she’s OK.
But F$*^# it, just letting your dog run loose and not making any effort to grab it when it starts showing interest in another dog or person…!!! I don’t recall even hearing her say “sorry”, just scolding the dogs about how bad they were and “you are going home”.
I’ve reported it to the dog constable and the owners will be back tomorrow. Mrs Homeowner was very kind on the phone and reassured me it wasn’t my fault and says she’s not too worried, but still – it’s the first accident in my spotless sitter record; I take a lot of pride in people trusting me with their home and pets, and feel like I let them down.
Anyway, after the rant at least one practical question, for those with experience with dog bites: yes I googled, but are open wounds a bit less likely to get infected than punctures?
Yes, a small superficial abrasion is not as worrisome as a puncture wound. Sounds like you did a great job patching it up! Well done!
I agree with you about dog owners who allow their aggressive dogs off leash. Horrible. Frustrating.
Not your fault. Good job letting the Owner know asap, and good they will be home tomorrow. What more can you do? Extra cuddles for the dog until the Owners get home!
I live in Vancouver, B.C. and a little dog was recently mauled to death by a larger dog in a park- it was a terrible tragedy. It was in the news as the owner of the large dog just took off and many people came to the rescue of the owner of the dog that died. I truly hope the owner owns up and accepts responsibility for what happened.
It’s terrible that you and your sit dog had to go through that.
I definitely worry about irresponsible humans and their dogs. I’m always on the lookout and consider what I would have to do to protect a dog in my care, or my own dog.
Like I’m currently sitting a small pup and saw some bigger ones eyeing her yesterday. I scanned for cars or structures I might have to rush her on top of if another dog charged at her, so she’d potentially be out of their reach.
It’s not just off-leash dogs. Sometimes I see people (including kids) walking big dogs that they couldn’t control if triggered.
So sorry this happened to you! And to another owners dog!
Seems like you did everything right. It is probably different legislation in different countries, but it is usually important to be able to file a report to police and/ or insurance. So a description of events, name of dog/ owner that attacked if possible or a description - photos if one can remember mid-Events (car of other owner, of wound…) could be helpful. What one is able to can count for something. These dogs have or will often repeat.
A friend of mine was walking her daughters little dog, and when they met their neighbor, the neighbors dog suddenly tried to attack the little one. My friend took up the dog to protect it and the dog attacked my friend (it can be collateral damage) so my friend was hurt and hospitalized.
These attacks can unfortunately come out of the blue even for a family dog. The big problem is the size, not only do they Maybe see them as prey, but it doesn’t take much for the frail little dog to die.
I have never used it, but a tip a petowner used when attacked was grabbing the little dog and putting it in a garbage container that was really close. Very resourceful!
I don’t know that one type of bite is less likely to become infected than the other, but keeping it clean and dry is important, and I would recommend to the HO that they take pup to their vet just to be safe.
Years ago one of my Goldens (on lead) was rushed by a Rottie (not on a lead) who got him on the ground and was biting his head.
I got the Rottie off him via some strong kicks and the owner finally showing up.
My dogs muzzle was bloody and I did as you have done, cleaned it really well and wiped it with peroxide and took him to the vet. The vet actually found a small puncture wound I hadn’t seen.
He was put on antibiotics and we watched it closely for any signs of infection.
Sorry this happened to you–I’m glad the dog you’re watching seems to be doing OK but watch for signs of swelling or redness or if it becomes hot to the touch.
It depends on so many factors (the potential for infx). Bottom line for you and the poor pup : Watch for excessive swelling ( a bit is normal under these circumstances), redness at and around the wound site (if skin colour allows you to visualise this), pus, weeping at site, fever , anorexia, change in behaviour and changes in gait/weight bearing (again, a little is normal but a significant change is worrisome). These are all signs or possible infx.
You did everything right here and I’m glad that the HO appreciates your accountability and response. I hope that you and pup heal well . Your stress is to be considered here, too !
My poor husband is prone to random dog bites (not from dog sitting), so we are very aware of the number of unleashed dogs in the world.
Once in Peru he had to get rabies vaccinations. Most recently he acquired a €550 ambulance bill because he called the police when the owners walked away and wouldn’t provide vaccination information.
Such a bummer! Please leash dogs!
It astounds me that it’s so common for potentially dangerous dogs – dangerous to other dogs, other animals or even humans – to be running around free. There are a few countries (you know who you are, Europe… ) where I’m nervous of taking walks alone, even without my canine charges, for fear of being rushed by an uncontrolled dog. I know there’s nothing we can do… But it’s still nasty.
The fear is horrible for my husband.
He seriously wants to carry a taser to protect him, but I’m concerned that in many places the law is that you have to prove your life was in danger to protect yourself. Stray dogs in Asia, South America being more concerning, but a serious attack can happen anywhere.
A taser is considered a weapon and in some places requires a license to carry. Maybe look into bear spray or other repellents. Or carry one of those long, heavy duty flashlights that could be used in defense.
So the owner has been fined $100 and the dogs have a “strike“ against them and must be kept on leashes when out in public. [Yeah, like that will happen if she thinks they have a beach to themselves.] If they get two more strikes then “something will be done“. This doesn’t seem like much and in those other two “strikes“ they could maim or kill someone else’s pet.
The homeowner tells me that the dog is still about the same today so I guess no obvious infection yet. Hopefully she will not have to see a vet because that is a whole day’s travel. [Really, middle of nowhere.]
It shows how important it is to file a report. If one doesn’t attacks like this can occur over and over without anything being the consequence of it for the owner. I can imagine especially for International sitters who might not be informed of laws, authorities locally, having booked travel etc it could seem a better option to just don’t come back. A thought that hit me now is that owners who has burned out their local network also could be more likely to choose petsitters from other areas? Maybe too dramatic, but…
Rant away. Had same happen this week. Two large dogs came hurtling towards us and piled on my dog who was on a lead. We were sitting on a bench at the time so managed to scoop him between my legs & under the bench to protect him. My legs got scratched to pieces & the bruises that have come out look like I’ve fallen off a bike at speed. My husband went to pull them off and got nipped. Nightmare. The owner rocks up saying oh sorry didn’t realise you were there. People who can’t control their dogs shouldn’t be allowed to keep them.
Puncture wounds are what you really have to be careful of. If it’s surface it should be ok but I would have probably asked to take the dog to the vet regardless especially if you don’t know the vaccination status of the other dogs.
Not sure what country you’re in but I’m guessing British Isles/UK? Really good that you reported it. I would have taken the owners info and registration. Based on the way they left like that, I think she knew she effed up.
This happened to us. Our sitter was out walking our dog and three large off lead dogs attacked them both in a park. We were livid as was our sitter. Our HS did everything he could to protect our dog and we gave him 5 stars. These situations are absolutely messed up and I honestly can’t stand irresponsible owners.
Canada.
I did get the owner’s info, in order to report it. Small community where everyone knows everyone, so I just told the dog constable and the owners “it was _____'s dogs” and they knew who it was.
Also as noted, a trip to the vet is literally all day, and since the owners were back the next day, we’d have been going in opposite directions on a ferry.
As of last week, Mrs Homeowner said it was healing well, so, hopefully it continues to do so.
So right! It should be a given that if we’re in a public place and see an unmuzzled dog coming towards us, whether we ourselves are with dogs or not, we can have 100% confidence that those approaching animals are not in any way aggressive or troublesome. You see comments like “My dog isn’t keen on men” or whatever… But that dog is still taken out in public, off the leash, where men (or whatever) have the effrontery to be. To my mind, you should keep the dog closely tethered to you until it’s able to interract safely with anyone it might meet.
Also, I work outdoors and I’m astounded by how many dogs there are out and about which will bark crazily at anything that interests/spooks/annoys them… OK, they’re not sinking their teeth in, but quite a few people are nervous - or even phobic - of dogs and having one near you suddenly start barking its head off can be really scary.
I’ve been so lucky ; all the dogs I’ve sat have been charmers. But that should be the norm.
