Dog attacking another dog

[LLASY]

My Labrador Bitch has a huge dislike for a small terrier that lives in my village. There have been 3 occasions now when she has been off the lead and actually chased this dog but with out going into great detail about the circumstances, on Xmas day whilst out with my daughter she saw her in a field and made an attack on the poor thing. I hear you all saying "Dog should be on a lead" but her problem is only with this particular dog. The owner came to my house 3 days after this event and issued me with a vets bill which I have paid in full. She is now hell bent on getting my Lab destroyed, she has reportred me to the police and the Dog warden and seems as if she will stop at nothing. I have suggested that we try to socialise the two and even offered to ring her each time I go out in the local area but she just poo pooed these ideas. I have assured her that this will never happen again as I now take the dog away for walks, but she is still determined. How do I stand with this? Surely my lovely Dog will not have to be destroyed because she says so? She is the most placid natured Dog Just does not like this dog.

[jules77]

Dont quote me on this but if a dog has been proved to be dangerous and not under proper control a court can issue a control order forcing the dog owner to keep the dog on a lead or muzzled at all time. It is only in very extreme cases that a dog will be destroyed. If your dog injured a person the courts have the power to imprison you and disqualify you from owning a dog for as long as they think necessary. Have the police or the dog warden contacted you yet, if not I suspect they will give you a verbal warning and ask you to keep your dog either on the lead or muzzled.

If it were my dog though, I would be inclined to keep it on a lead at all times, as now it has attacked a dog, even though you believe it to be placid, if it does it again, it may be a different story.

[leelapops]

LLASY, I agree with jules. I know you say your dog is placid, and that she only takes issue with that one dog, but as you have unfortunately found out, that one grudge could lead to your dog being severely restricted or destroyed (although I hope it doesn't come to that).

I am assuming you didn't see this dog before your own dog did. If this dog lives locally, you may well have to keep your dog on a lead at all times, or take her elsewhere for her walks, as you have already begun to do.

Although your suggestions are reasonable, I don't blame the terrier's owner for refusing-from her P.O.V, it must look an awful lot like you can't control your dog, and so she probably doesn't want to put herself or her dog at risk again, especially on purpose!

Legally I am no expert, but jules' response seems about right. If you explained to the Police the measures you are taking to ensure your dog is not a danger (as this is how they will judge it-"dangerous" or "not"), you may receive a verbal warning with conditions.

In terms of parting with your cash, do you get a receipt from either this woman, or from the Vets' if paying directly? It's just worth considering, because if there's no evidence of payment, she could easily say you haven't contributed.

[Silvercat]

I too have to agree with everyone else on this one. A dog should not be walked off the lead unless you have absolute control over it at all times. Its not good enough to say, its only the one dog it does not like. That little dog is probably much loved by that lady and if I was her I would feel the same way too. If it was the other way round, you would not be happy either.

Hopefully, the owner will calm down eventually if you are seen to be taking all possible steps to prevent your labrador attacking her terrier.

[DONNA1458]

Also concider using a muzzle.... try her
http://www.pet-supermarket.co.uk/erol.html#1X0

also go around to this ladies house (without your dog) and show her that you have bought one of these and will be keeping your dog on the lead at all times with the muzzle.

[LLASY]

I do appreciate all your comments and I do realise that Ebony should be kept on a lead which is what I have been doing. My original question was asking how do I stand with this lady insisting on the dog being destroyed.

[DONNA1458]

There is information here but how about doing what I suggested in previous post to minimise the risk of any action being taken by this lady.

[DONNA1458]

http://search.lycos.co.uk/searchframe.html?url =http%3A%2F%2Fwww.defra.gov.uk%2Fanimalh%2Fwel fare%2Fdomestic%2Fdogs.htm&query=dangerous+dog s+act

[LLASY]

Thank you Donna this is very useful, particularly the paragraph about dogs worrying livestock. I have seen this particular ladies dog chasing sheep in a field and totally out of control. This could be my lifesaver. I take on board about the muzzle but what ever I suggest to this woman she is not interested. Believe me I will do anything I cannot go through this anguish again.