Dog bite

Yeah I agree nymaureen, having always had big dogs I am always aware of our surroundings also.. in fact probably a little neurotically so...lol! I live in a very residential area were there are tons of houses, side walks, side streets, kids and dogs...... bikes riding past, roller skaters, walkers, runners and such, I honestly do try to take Gibby when its less busy...just a lot less trouble and the walk is more productive as we don't have to keep stopping and moving out of the way, with less going around. I too protect Gibby from himself if you will. I don't know what kind of dogs this girl was walking..... could have been a little peek a poo or yorkie or a St. Bernard..they didn't say....but since the police were called on it I assume a bigger dog. People tend to forgive the small dog bites.

Perhaps the successive dog bite does not have to follow the same immunization procedure as with the first time bite by a dog. If the previous bite is not past 6 months then one may be administered with a couple of injectables to get over with that. _________________________________________________ Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet.

 I have had numerous dog aggressive dogs, and a dog who was aggressive towards men. It was always my responsibility to control the dog, and my responsibility to tell others not to approach my dog. When we had people choose to approach or allow their dogs to approach, at that point, if my dog became aggressive, they had made a choice to interact or allow their dog to interact. That in my opinion should be on them. In the case that I knew my dog might bite if approached unexpectedly from behind, and that was likely to happen on my walk, I'd probably muzzle the dog. If I had three, then I couldn't control the dog who needs the extra training.

Around here in the parks, most of the joggers and bikers will call out and tell us when they are approaching. We walk in a large group often at the park, and usually whoever is at the back will shout ahead to the rest of the group to tell them someone is coming, or if they are approaching the other way, the person at the front will call to the people at the back. We can have groups of 10+ dogs at times. We'll  just pull all the dogs to the side while we are passed.  They aren't required to do it, and we technically aren't required to sit our dogs on the side of the trail for them. However, a little common courtesy on both sides goes a long way.

Yep,a little common courtesy goes a long way..on both sides. It would be interesting to know if this lady knew her dog was aggressive or not..if she knew he was...its a totally different story..although it still is no reason for a runner to come up close behind someone with 3 dogs. If the lady had no idea, if the dog just got startled and lunged....then I feel extra sorry.... When I was working at the vet clinic, a customer turned friend ( because we both have Great Danes ) was walking 2 of her danes together. This lady has several danes and every time she gets another ( at puppy age ) she takes them right to training...and always walks her dogs...you might see her every day in PetSmart keeping them socialized, one dane or another but usually only one at a time. But at night she would walk a couple of them together to get them walked. One night one of the dogs ( the younger more spirted one ) decided to go after an dog that an old man was walking. When Tiger ran, the other Dane went right along...and Vivian got dragged. Tiger actually bit the dog...just barely but did bite. Vivian was shocked and scared to death....she socializes her dogs always..feels its one of the most important things you can do..actually studied to be a trainer. But things happen.

It has been found that more than 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dog every year and Children are, by far, the most common victims of dog bites and are far more likely to be severely injured. I think certain steps should be initiated to avoid dog bites, ranging from properly training and socializing pet to educating children on how - or if - they should approach a dog.