Dog attack - how would you react?
Discussion
"Attack" is a dramatic word, but fits this IMO.
I was walking home from dropping my daughter at nursery, and a neighbour's leashed dog ran up to me and bit my leg. Fortunately between the owner pulling of the lead and slippery jogging bottoms, all I have is a small scratch and torn trousers but otherwise unhurt. Owner was apologetic at the time and I was a bit shocked so I walked on home. I've not met the neighbour before.
On reflection I'm not happy. If it was my daughter the dog attacked the outcome could have been very different. We have to walk that way every day. The owner has been apologetic and said their dog is going to go to training classes. Personally I'd want the dog muzzled in public while it behaves unpredictably but the owner has been dismissive and said they will "consider all options".
I'm not a 'dog person' and have no idea if that's a reasonable ask, or how upset I should be. I'm within my rights to report to the police, maybe I should to drive the point home and establish a paper trail for future incidents, maybe I'm overreacting (no harm, no foul?).
What's the 'right' response to this?
I was walking home from dropping my daughter at nursery, and a neighbour's leashed dog ran up to me and bit my leg. Fortunately between the owner pulling of the lead and slippery jogging bottoms, all I have is a small scratch and torn trousers but otherwise unhurt. Owner was apologetic at the time and I was a bit shocked so I walked on home. I've not met the neighbour before.
On reflection I'm not happy. If it was my daughter the dog attacked the outcome could have been very different. We have to walk that way every day. The owner has been apologetic and said their dog is going to go to training classes. Personally I'd want the dog muzzled in public while it behaves unpredictably but the owner has been dismissive and said they will "consider all options".
I'm not a 'dog person' and have no idea if that's a reasonable ask, or how upset I should be. I'm within my rights to report to the police, maybe I should to drive the point home and establish a paper trail for future incidents, maybe I'm overreacting (no harm, no foul?).
What's the 'right' response to this?
A bit of an update:
Owner has been in touch again. They've had a recent painful bereavement in the family, which they believe has put the dog on edge. They acknowledge that this isn't an excuse for the dog's behaviour but perhaps an explanation. I think this morning has shocked her as much me and she's had a chance to process events. She's said they will get a muzzle for the dog. I appreciate dogs can be very perceptive, so I'm accepting of the explanation.
I'm loathe to pile more worry on a family in mourning with a police visit and it sounds like between classes and a muzzle it's a proportionate response.
Owner has been in touch again. They've had a recent painful bereavement in the family, which they believe has put the dog on edge. They acknowledge that this isn't an excuse for the dog's behaviour but perhaps an explanation. I think this morning has shocked her as much me and she's had a chance to process events. She's said they will get a muzzle for the dog. I appreciate dogs can be very perceptive, so I'm accepting of the explanation.
I'm loathe to pile more worry on a family in mourning with a police visit and it sounds like between classes and a muzzle it's a proportionate response.
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