TOPIC:

We have a little dog which is a papillon breed and he's the most beautiful little boy who doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body. He's only about 5kgs and around 13 yo but we're not sure as he's a rescue dog. Last night he was set upon at the front of our house by 2 unrestrained staffies and suffered severe lacerations and puncture wounds. Thankfully the vet said he should be ok. Whilst the other dogs owner was most apologetic, it makes me furious that people own dogs but don't keep them under control, train them properly or teach them to socialise. I'm going to hit this moron with all the vet bills plus I'm going to push very hard for him to be prosecuted by the council for having his dangerous dogs unrestrained in public. The question that springs to my mind is who's at fault here? Is it the dog, the owner or both?

Definitely the owner is at fault BC who is a dead set moron. I think it was only a week or so ago a woman's small dog was set upon by a larger dog in a Bunnings store in Brisbane. It was mauled to death. Dead set I don't know why people need to take their dog to Bunnings except to try out the dog kennel before they buy it, but that's another story. Did the guy give you his details?

Yes mate...I got his name and mobile number and our next door neighbour came out to assist took the blokes rego. I've reported it to the council but haven't heard anything back yet. I just about wept when I saw the condition of our little dog and if the council doesn't sort the prick out in court, I will.

I'm sick to death of aggro dogs and loser owners in the community,

A few months a go I was doing a few laps at the local footy oval and a Ridgeback came running up to me jumped up barking like a mad thing and nipped me on the hand.

It was Off lead , as usual , I shouted out to the bimbo owner , that dog should be on a lead, she said no its fine its allow on the Oval without a lead.

I reported it to the council next day but she really could not be identified, anyway dogs off leads are a bloody huge issue.

Thoughts are with you BC, we have issues out my way too. Which ever idiot thinks they can let an animal with its own brain off a leash and control it is stupid. I have 3 jack Russel's and its amazing when people yell out "my dogs friendly"

All my Jacks see if a staffie running full tilt at it.

I reckon you should be pressing legal charges mate, because I don't reckon your council will do a lot. I have rung mine numerous times and the response I get is we do our best and send rangers out. Unfortunately the rangers work 9.00 - 5.00 and not at times when people are home from work and have their dogs out.

Please let us know how you go

BC, I'm very sorry to hear about the damage and pain inflicted on your dog by the unrestrained pair of staffies.
Hoping that the little fella makes a quick and full recovery.
It would be logistically challenging, but I'd like to see the Government make it compulsory for owners of certain species of dogs to have their canines go thru' non-aggression training before they're allowed in the public domain.
There may be some who argue any dog can turn "rogue".
However, I disagree with such a belief and am sure there's valid data on those species more likely to attack other dogs, animals and humans.
I grew up on a Wheatbelt farm and loved our sheepdogs, but living now in Perth, cats are easier to manage.

Being a dog lover, I can appreciate how angry you are BC. When you get a dog, you don’t get a “pet”, you get an addition to your family - another child as it were. A vicious animal is a reflection of its owner. I had a Shepherd and 2 Rotties. I could take them anywhere among people and they were just sooks. Unfortunately, we haven’t had another for years - hurts too much when they pass.
Go for it BC, the owner needs to understand what sort of commitment is needed when you have a dog.

Up here in York the council has provided a fenced off area of bushland which is a dedicated dog park where your dog can go off leash and socialise. Only dog owners go in there and you know you go in at your own risk, expecting dogs to be running around and having fun, occasional stoushes happen but, you have to accept that. Outside the fenced area it's definitely dog on leash, it's completely irresponsible to not have your dog on a leash when outside the secured area of your own property.

Hope your little fella makes a full recovery BC.

Yeah likewise BC, sorry your little pet went through such a traumatic experience, hopefully he can get over it.
Sometimes the owners of these types of dogs can be just as aggressive. I remember many years ago when my kids were little, I confronted this moron who was allowing his dog to run around a playground without a leash and he threatened to set the dog on me.

Yep....thanks everyone for your kind thoughts. He seems to be on the improve which is heartening. I guess I'm a bit of a tragic as he's had a pretty hard life. He was found wandering the streets of Stirling about 3 1/2 years ago and was taken to the pound which must have been tough for such a little dog. He stayed there for 6 weeks and was just about to be euthanised when my wife saw him on a rescue website. He was scrawny, most of his fur had fallen out due to stress and was in pretty bad shape but for the wife it was love at first site. She brought him home and we nurtured him but he has always been a beautiful little dog even though what has has been through. Hopefully at 13 or thereabouts, this latest setback doesn't shorten his life as he doesn't deserve that. The council came back to me and is taking statements. If they don't take the owner to court I will.