by The Dog Blog
Tuesday, November 23 2010
There is often news of dog on dog’s attacks in the local press; a recent one in this very publication about a Rottweiler attacking another dog has led me to make a few observations.
I can only remark on the facts given but several things made me very concerned both from comments made and the way that the situation was handled.
Firstly dogs are not supposed to be off lead in a public place so both owners were not in command of their dogs. If they had been on leads to situation would not have occurred.
The comment by the Kennel Club’s Caroline Kisko is very sensible. In my many years around dogs I have found that Rottweiler’s in general are not a dangerous breed and are the most gentlest of canines..
The comment that it could have been a child who was attacked is not the right thing to say as it is inferring the dog is dangerous. Dogs do not as a rule naturally attack people, young or old unless provoked.
When out with a dog always be aware of dangers to you and your dog. Be considerate ot other people who may not like dogs and above all do not let your dog wander up to other dogs off lead as you are not in control of any situation that may arise.
Elaine Everest is a journalist and author specialising in canine topics.
Dogs do fight other dogs, the little dog came off worse because it was little, and this is natural. The smaller dog did go over to the larger dog, why did the owner of the smaller dog not restrain it at that point? Both owners were in the wrong as they were not in control of their dogs.
Kicking out at a dog is not only cruel but downright dangerous. The dog could have turned on the person kicking it and bitten them. It is an offence to harm another dog and the RSPCA now have written evidence that the owner of the smaller dog intentionally attacked a dog intending to harm it. All this large dog knew was that it was being hurt and this would have fuelled the situation with the larger dog most likely fighting back even more.
Yes, the owner of the Rottweiler should have given their personal details and offered more help but we do need both sides of the story before passing judgement.
Above all we do not need scaremongering stories pointing the finger at a breed and saying children could have been hurt when this was simply two owners in the wrong as their dogs were off lead that led to a fight.
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