Just took dogs out and as we were returning to the car there was a man and woman with 2 dobermans off lead - now these 2 dogs are known locally for their aggression so I managed to get mine on leads very quickly. The man wa doing an alpha roll on the one that he had and before he got it on the lead it lunged at me biting me on the back of my lower leg. Ok it is only a superficial bite as I manged to leap out of its way but the man got very nasty with me saying it was all my fault and it was because his dog had seen mine off lead and that it was lunging for my dogs!!!I assked why the dogs were so aggressive and he replied 'because they are dobermans! I suggested that he should at least muzzle them - he told me to go forth and multiply

Another dog owner who I know quite well witnessed this incident and has advised me to report this guy to the police but I feel a bit bad about doing thisas their is a likelyhood that the dog will get taken off him.

What would others do?

To be honest, a friend has 2 Weimeraners, Mum and son, the son has bitten 3 people now, he is 18 months old, the first 2 he bit were people who knocked on the door, so after that they locked him in the garden when people knocked instead of addressing the situation. The 3rd person he bit was a man cycling through the park (the dog was off lead so no lessons were learnt after the first 2 incidents) This man reported them to the Police and they came round their house to speak to them about the dog. They said as it was the first time he had bitten anybody ( ) little did they know, and that the dog was not known to them, they asked them to be more vigilent and make sure it doesn't happen again.

I know exactly how you feel, you are an animal lover and don't want to see anything happen to the dog, BUT, this mans attitude towards you, a woman on her own out walking, is no wonder the dog is the way he is, he seems to think it is acceptable behaviour and just because he is a Doberman should mean nothing at all, I know many a lovely Doberman. He needs a knock on the door to be 'educated'. The Police knocking on my friends door was enough for them to go out and buy a muzzle and for the husband to start serious training with him, they also had him castrated and he has settled down.

That dog could easily bite a child, he obviously has no control over it.

A difficult one Trisha. Plenty will say report him but like you I'd feel bad if his dog was taken from him. In saying that the dog will be taken from him sooner or later if it keeps up this behaviour.

Ideally I'd suggest that the police have a word with him to tell him that he must keep his dog under control or else but I don't know whether they'd agree to do that and no more. Is there any way that you can "test the water" before taking action? Are you on speaking terms with any of the police?

After reading helen's post I have to agree with her, the police will probably just give him a warning first anyway. You could tell the police that he needs to be told his responsibilities.

I had an incident when we first got the Border Terrier, twice infact, the same dog. We never go to parks, but as I live opposite one it was nice just to take Paddy round there for lead training. First time the dog, a Staffie, big one, flew over and grabbed him by the throat and was shaking him. Second time, I saw him coming and picked the pup up. I then had the Staffie hanging off my back trying to rip the pup out of my arms, the idiot owner just stood there laughing, saying "put the pup down, he won't jurt him" (short memory)
Had Murphy the Deerhound jumped on a womans back trying to rip her dog out of her arms, I am pretty sure not only the Police would be on my doorstep, but the husband too. Now I am left with a BT that has aggression problems of his own, it always makes me wonder if it was a result of being attacked by the same dog twice.

Robb wrote:


In saying that the dog will be taken from him sooner or later if it keeps up this behaviour.
It sure will and how would you feel if you heard he had seriously injured a child. I am sure if he hasn't been reported before (and the liklihood is he hasn't, or he wouldn't be so blase about it) then they will have a word and threaten him with a destruction order if he doesn't comply. Good idea about testing the water, maybe speak to the Police and ask what would happen in these circumstances before giving any details of dog or owner. This will spoil your walks in future if it isn't sorted.

The bit that worries me is that if I had taken my granddaughter with me a I often do she could have been bitten on the face as her face would have been at the ame height as where the bite is on my leg and then I would have not heitated to report him. The way I see it is that it is not the dogs fault - this man is so arrogant - he even said that it was a good job I had fat legs as the dog couldnt ink it's teeth in further!

I do know a policeman quite well so as Robb suggests I will have a word with him

I have also been to our local hospital to have the bite checked out as I have diaabetes and it is now logged with them

The bit that worries me is that if I had taken my granddaughter with me a I often do she could have been bitten on the face as her face would have been at the ame height as where the bite is on my leg and then I would have not heitated to report him. The way I see it is that it is not the dogs fault - this man is so arrogant - he even said that it was a good job I had fat legs as the dog couldnt ink it's teeth in further!

I do know a policeman quite well so as Robb suggests I will have a word with him

I have also been to our local hospital to have the bite checked out as I have diaabetes and it is now logged with them

Its good that you know a Policeman Trisha as the man definately needs to be warned.

Sorry to hear of your bite,and the dilemma therein... sounds like there are some right numpties down your way....
Not much to add,as the advise given is I feel the best...hope the leg gets better soon..

Like others have said report him - either to your police friend or
the dog warden,
if his dogs are like that and hes happy with them biting someone,
then sorry but he dosent deserve to own dogs at all.

Trish , hope the legs OK.

If the guy had shown any remorse I would have walked(limped) away happy in the knowledge that he would not allow it to happen again.

As it is, it sounds like there's nothing to stop it happening again. It's difficult say why a dog is agressive. Saying its just because it's a doberman is a complete cop out. In cases like these it's always the animals that pay the ultimate price, when it's usually the owner.

If it was me, I would report it. As you say, it could be a child next.

Hopefully he will just get a stiff talking to and will take the hint and get muzzles for his dogs.

Trish, let us know how you get on please

Oh I am so sorry that this happened to you,hope the leg heals quickly.I agree with others advice but it also sounds like the man himself has no manners in the way he spoke to you,he was very insulting...I am afraid the dogs attitude was probably brought on by being brought up by such a "delightful owner"

Hello houndy,

What for bad news.

Hope the best for you and a punishment for the Doberman holder.


Regards
Joerg and Yoki

We had neighbours like this once, and actually had to move house because of their attitude. Try asking the police to warn him, after that you would have to make an official complaint. As someone else said this could turn out to be a very dangerous situation. Its very sad that people dont take responsibility for their dogs behaviour, its always the human's fault...