A Dog Lives - A Dog Dies
Yesterday my two dogs and I were attacked by a neighbor's dog - a vizsla. Every week, Mandy and Toby follow me outside when I put the garbage on the street for collection. It is their one regular chance to explore the front yard otherwise they are restricted to their own area in the back of the house. Our house is on a large lot isolated from our neighbors. I was walking down the long driveway when I heard barking and turned around to see the neighbor dog leap over the fence attacking Toby and Mandy. Toby was too fast and sadly Mandy was too slow. The vizsla had Mandy in its jaws. I put myself between the vizsla and our dogs using a waste bin as a shield. For some time, the vizsla and I squared off with me keeping myself between him and our dogs yelling to get him to leave. Eventually, the owner came out and with some effort called off the dog.
Mandy was scared but I did not see any cuts or bleeding. Coincidentally after putting out the garbage, I was on my way to the veterinary to have Mandy's teeth cleaned. So less than 20 minutes later, Mandy and I were at the veterinary clinic. Mandy started shaking badly while waiting for the doctor. The doctor check Mandy over. Mandy was in shock with her heart racing. We found bad bruises along her neck. Searching further through her long coat, we found a deep puncture wound that was starting to bleed. The puncture went deep into her skin down to the bone. I left Mandy to have the wound patched only to learn a little later that there was more than one wound and it was much more serious. Although the puncture was one inch wide, the damage under the skin went across her whole back. Large areas of tissue became separated and was in the processing of dying. The doctor cut the skin back until she found intact skin. I wouldn't have left her had I known it was so bad.
She is home now and is recovering although she looks a bit like Frankenstein's monster across her back. Mandy has stitches that goes from one side to the other. It looks like a magician tried to saw in her half. The pictures are too grotesque to post.
I reported the incident to Animal Control after leaving Mandy at the clinic. They asked me if I wanted to press charges. They explained that since I was not physically hurt and the breed is not dangerous, they would only issue a citation if I pressed charges. They told me the dog would not be impounded but the owner would have to answer to the charges of a loose dog, property damage (Mandy's injuries) and pay a fine. If the owner was cited two more times they could no longer own a dog. I did not want the dog impounded but wanted an official record because the dog easily jumps the fence. By filing charges, I am thinking the owner will take the incident serious and find a way to keep the dog within its yard. It seemed like the citation was the proper step. The officer took my statement, called the vets to get a report and then later visited Mandy in the clinic to get pictures.
The owner visited me last night. The dog was surrendered to Animal Control and put down.
I see the empty yard when I come home. I then see Mandy and Toby waiting at the top of the stairs. I love them and they are members of my family. Now, I think about the family next door who lost their loved one. I am not sure how to reconcile the feelings.
Update...I have since learned that it was the owner's decision to surrender the dog. Animal Control did not require the dog to be taken just as they told me. This should change how I think about the situation but it doesn't.
Mandy was scared but I did not see any cuts or bleeding. Coincidentally after putting out the garbage, I was on my way to the veterinary to have Mandy's teeth cleaned. So less than 20 minutes later, Mandy and I were at the veterinary clinic. Mandy started shaking badly while waiting for the doctor. The doctor check Mandy over. Mandy was in shock with her heart racing. We found bad bruises along her neck. Searching further through her long coat, we found a deep puncture wound that was starting to bleed. The puncture went deep into her skin down to the bone. I left Mandy to have the wound patched only to learn a little later that there was more than one wound and it was much more serious. Although the puncture was one inch wide, the damage under the skin went across her whole back. Large areas of tissue became separated and was in the processing of dying. The doctor cut the skin back until she found intact skin. I wouldn't have left her had I known it was so bad.
She is home now and is recovering although she looks a bit like Frankenstein's monster across her back. Mandy has stitches that goes from one side to the other. It looks like a magician tried to saw in her half. The pictures are too grotesque to post.
I reported the incident to Animal Control after leaving Mandy at the clinic. They asked me if I wanted to press charges. They explained that since I was not physically hurt and the breed is not dangerous, they would only issue a citation if I pressed charges. They told me the dog would not be impounded but the owner would have to answer to the charges of a loose dog, property damage (Mandy's injuries) and pay a fine. If the owner was cited two more times they could no longer own a dog. I did not want the dog impounded but wanted an official record because the dog easily jumps the fence. By filing charges, I am thinking the owner will take the incident serious and find a way to keep the dog within its yard. It seemed like the citation was the proper step. The officer took my statement, called the vets to get a report and then later visited Mandy in the clinic to get pictures.
The owner visited me last night. The dog was surrendered to Animal Control and put down.
I see the empty yard when I come home. I then see Mandy and Toby waiting at the top of the stairs. I love them and they are members of my family. Now, I think about the family next door who lost their loved one. I am not sure how to reconcile the feelings.
Update...I have since learned that it was the owner's decision to surrender the dog. Animal Control did not require the dog to be taken just as they told me. This should change how I think about the situation but it doesn't.