Dog attacked my dog - advice please?

[Jeanie]

My dog was chasing her ball in a field last week - when a Staffordshire Bull Terrier suddenly hurled across the field and attacked her. By the time the owner had wrenched her dog off - my poor dog was in a severe state of shock, bleeding with a major wound to her leg. Staffy owner was concerned, gave me her name/number and confirmed she would pay vet bills. Took my poor dog to the vet. She was sedated, wounds washed out, pumped full of antibiotics and required 12 stitches.

Rang the staffy owner who agreed to pay the bills. Admitted her dog only attacks if there is a toy involved.. Anyway - having spoken to some other dog owners, it would appear that this staffy has been responsible for several attacks on other dogs - I encouraged the staffy owner to come and see my dog, in the hope that if she saw the injuries and how it had affected my dog, she may be more aware of how horrible it was - but she avoided that. Asked if she had tried a muzzle on her dog - she said she'd tried it - but it was 'traumatic' so she gave up. I ended up sending her some photographs of the injuries my dog had sustained along with a letter begging her to reconsider having her dog muzzled. She replied, saying she would walk her dog on the lead from now on.

Anyway - what do I do? Do I contact the authorities (police? RSPCA?) - I don't any trouble for the woman - but I do want to make her realise that her dog cannot continue to attack other dogs. Thankfully, my little Misty is recovering - and she's healthy and robust. What if there was a next time and it was a puppy?

Should the staffy owner should be pressured into muzzling her dog - Am I being overly dramatic?

Any advice?

[colliegirl]

I believe that Staffs and other bull terrier types should be muzzled by law.I know of a few people who have had their dogs attacked by Staffs,and indeed one was a small rough collie puppy that had just started to go out.Luckily,the puppy survived the vicious attack,although his ear was mauled.The three lads ran off after managing to free the dog's grip.My dog was also bitten on the neck by a Staff a couple of years ago,though I think his long fur saved him from serious injury.I muzzle my dog in public as he is not fond of strangers or other dogs.I feel I am a responsible dog owner.Unfortunately,many people are not.I find a lot of 'macho' type men get these dogs to prove their machismo.I'm not stereotyping all Staff owners,but there is definitely a movement of shaven headed,tatooed,aggressive macho types that like the image a Staff gives.Muzzle them!They were bred for fighting!

[agent4]

Erm colliegirl have you ever owned a STAFF ?

[agent4]

To be honest your both to blame i have 3 Staffs and keep them all on the leads at all times. Sorry but if another dog trys to start anything with mine while there on the leads i will let them go.