I feel so bad

[ladypanther]

My dog Maggie, a 4 1/2 yr old dalmatian..prolly lab mix, with no history of aggression.....got into a fight with a daschund. The daschund had puncture wounds to his neck. Was put down...recommended at the emergency vet clinic (closest one here..in the next county) as surgery would be extensive and expensive..I would guess poor odds.

-I live in the country in a rural county. Even so, don't let Maggie run loose a lot due to the danger to her. Maggie has always been friendly to people and other dogs. Only fight I have seen is over a dog treat. Pretty normal.

-She had to have been provoked to this extreme. I read that daschunds are statistically more aggressive to strangers and other dogs than are rottweilers.

-Location looked like the daschund likely ran out of his yard to the road where Maggie was walking. Must have been aggressive can't imagine what else could have provoked this reaction. (Maggie did not go into his yard looking for a fight).

-Neighbors called sheriff's department who came to my house, that's how I found out that the dog was seriously injured. Deputy was very hostile and even threatening to me. I was cooperative, concerned, and surprised...explained the good history. He kept acting as if I was a serial killer. His tone really pissed me off.

-I talked to the owners as they were leaving with the dog for the clinic. Called them later and found out they put the dog down. Feel terrible for them and for the dog. I told them I was very sorry and that I would talk to them tomorrow.

-No more running for Maggie.

-Would you let a daschund, or any such small dog, run loose in an area where there are several big dogs out all the time? (One of which went after me when I was walking Maggie this morning.)

-I fear the pain that might be sent my way.

Overall....I feel just awful about it. Sometimes little dogs go after big dogs...have seen it...looks crazy, which some little dogs are. Still feel sick about it.

Day started out so good with hopeful football news. Now just sucks.

[jasonluckydog]

Just terrible to hear. If you have a relative or a friend and you love your dog take it away immediately as your dog might be ordered to be put down...Tell the cops the dog ran away. I never let my dog leave my yard for stuff just like this but it could turn out ugly for you. When things calm down bring your dog back if possible.

[ladypanther]

Just terrible to hear. If you have a relative or a friend and you love your dog take it away immediately as your dog might be ordered to be put down...Tell the cops the dog ran away. I never let my dog leave my yard for stuff just like this but it could turn out ugly for you. When things calm down bring your dog back if possible.

I do love my dog! Just read through the county ordinances. Worst case...she is declared a dangerous animal....which i would appeal because we do not know that she was not provoked ( a requirement for that declaration). Then i would have 30 days to show she was confined. House will do I would think.

I know this dog....she had to have been provoked....but still be terrible about the outcome.

I don't think they will take Maggie. Officer Barnie Bully said he would call animal control if I did not go talk to the other dog's owners.....which of course I would have when I found out about the injuries and who they were. I was being nice...resent the threat.

Bet he lied...will call them anyway...will get a notice tomorrow to prove vaccinations...which are up to date.

[wattchano]

I take it there are no leash laws in your area. If so, I don't see where fault could me found.

[SCMunnerlyn1]

If they order your dog put down .. My response to them is ordering them to suck my left nut .. and then giving the dog to a friend and saying it ran away .. Police are useless in these times , the dog came looking for a fight and got owned , simple vet bill to you or they can leave you alone entirely .. should go no further than that.

[Chaos]

Sorry to hear LP, like others have said give your dog a vacation until things calm down.

[Grammer]

cats > dogs

[PhillyB]

i would just like to say that you know you live in the country when your officer's name is barnie bully.

(and sorry about the dog... hope everything works out)

[ncdrifter]

Sorry to hear this LP. As the old wise sage said, " This to shall pass"

[4Corners]

cats > dogs

you're one of those types of guys, eh?

[ladypanther]

i would just like to say that you know you live in the country when your officer's name is barnie bully.

(and sorry about the dog... hope everything works out)

That was actually my nickname for him...based on his behavior. And, thanks.

It's unfortunate but I wouldn't worry about it. Animals get in fights every single day and I doubt they could prove that your dog did it anyways.

They saw it (but not the beginning). Were very descriptive of my dog...I would lose that argument.

The officer said, when one dog is bigger, the bigger dog is the problem if smaller dog is seriously injured. Talked with the family today...they said their dog was 15 lbs.

I spent 45 min standing in the living room of their trailer this evening apologizing. There was heavy smoking going on...and an oxygen tank in the corner. they told me the same gruesome details and how they felt over and over. I told them how sorry, devastated, and shocked I was by the incident. I broke down and cried as I apologized to the [about] 9 yr old boy they said was the dog's owner. They continued repeating the same details. Their need was to beat me up. I took it and tried to find new ways to apologize. As I was leaving (hard to be able to break away) the primary speaker did say that she appreciated me coming to talk with them...that most people would have not done that.

In my world, everyone would do that. They needed to beat me up for a while. Then said there were no hard feelings...

Maggie has lost her freedom forever. I wish I knew why this happened. I am sure Maggie was not the instigator, but damn. This was bad.

[SOJA]

I'm really sorry to hear that, I myself had a similar situation a couple years back.

My family owns both a dachshund and a german short haired pointer (skinny not quite big as a lab, but easily bigger than a dachshund). What you say about dachshunds being aggressive is very true. I've had them bite me for just walking in their yard, then again all dogs are different and mine has never bitten anyone.

Anyway we don't live in the country, but a residential neighborhood, where backyards run together. Well one day while my german short haired pointer is in the yard, a neighbor from down the street's dachshund got out of her fence (due to their child leaving the gate open). Well this dachshund comes into our yard and scares/intrudes on my dog's territory which causes my dog to snap at the dachshund. Now one of the neighbor's boys (in high school) runs over and hits my dog. My mom sees this happen and runs out to get my dog back inside.

I, a senior in high school at the time, get home and hear the story. I of course immediately go over there to berate him for hitting my dog. However, he isn't there and I have to talk to his unruly father.

Long story short. Everyone loves there dog, everyone thinks their's is the best in the world. However, even the most mild-mannered dogs can do crazy things when put into a situation that scares them. I'm 99% the dachshund scared your dog and she reacted out of fear, not malicious intent. However, its hard for a family to lose a dog like that, and they are of course going to take their anger out on you.

I'm really sorry about the whole ordeal, and hope that something good can come out of it.

[ladypanther]

I'm really sorry to hear that, I myself had a similar situation a couple years back.

My family owns both a dachshund and a german short haired pointer (skinny not quite big as a lab, but easily bigger than a dachshund). What you say about dachshunds being aggressive is very true. I've had them bite me for just walking in their yard, then again all dogs are different and mine has never bitten anyone.

Anyway we don't live in the country, but a residential neighborhood, where backyards run together. Well one day while my german short haired pointer is in the yard, a neighbor from down the street's dachshund got out of her fence (due to their child leaving the gate open). Well this dachshund comes into our yard and scares/intrudes on my dog's territory which causes my dog to snap at the dachshund. Now one of the neighbor's boys (in high school) runs over and hits my dog. My mom sees this happen and runs out to get my dog back inside.

I, a senior in high school at the time, get home and hear the story. I of course immediately go over there to berate him for hitting my dog. However, he isn't there and I have to talk to his unruly father.

Long story short. Everyone loves there dog, everyone thinks their's is the best in the world. However, even the most mild-mannered dogs can do crazy things when put into a situation that scares them. I'm 99% the dachshund scared your dog and she reacted out of fear, not malicious intent. However, its hard for a family to lose a dog like that, and they are of course going to take their anger out on you.

I'm really sorry about the whole ordeal, and hope that something good can come out of it.

Thanks...I really appreciate what you said. I have had this dog for four years...know her. Have taken her to work (I work with adults with developmental disabilities...sometimes a challenging group). She is always great with the residents and is a favorite. She has always been great with other dogs. She had to be provoked. That will not help my pocketbook nbut I do appreciate the support.

[ladypanther]

I am still so rattled by all of this. Problems sleeping and eating. Co-workers have commented. Trying to integrate that sometimes life just sucks.