My baby is in the Vet. hospital tonight. Attacked by another dog

[Solly Mack]

He was outside for maybe 5 minutes (in his own yard) when we heard the most horrible of yelps and a big thud. Out we rushed, only to see our neighbor standing over our dog, who was on his backside and unable to get up.


My baby can both jump and climb fences, as well as dig his way out of anything, so we tether him per regulations to keep in inside his own yard.

Our neighbors 120 pound German shepherd was running loose in our yard. The neighbor, against regulations, walks his dog without a leash, though he always carries the leash in case MP's come by (army post). Seems his dog got away from him on their return walk.

The neighbor says "the dogs were fighting" but then says, his dog ran over to my dog and jumped on him ....but he doesn't know if his dog actually bit my dog (He had) and he "just can't understand why my dog can't get up". But we never heard "fighting " sounds..we only heard the yelp and the thud.

We wonder how my dog sustained such injuries if his dog merely jumped on our dog...the vet said my dog almost had to be jerked in some way or that the bigger dog was shaking him. The neighbor claims his dog jumped on top of mine and then it was over because he got them separated...but he never said anything about shaking or jerking the tether.


I say possible neck/spine damage because the vet won't really know know until tomorrow. My baby is being held for observation and will have xrays tomorrow. The vet did say it's about the only thing that could explain the injuries if it's not a stinger(pinched nerve). He has a single bite to his paw that's not serious...but that in no way explains the injuries.

His left side is not working. His back leg is stiff...no ROM whatsoever. His left leg is totally limp. The vet said there was a chance he would be fine by morning. That you never know with neck/spine injuries...or that it could be much worse. But that the next 48 hours were the most critical and we'd know more later.

I'm angry. I'm hurt. I feel guilty. I won't sleep tonight.

The neighbor wants to pay for everything. My husband had to talk to him because my anger was too great. He's also worried we will report his animal. It wouldn't be the first time his dog has been reported if we do.

another thing: we did consider that our dog may have caused the injury to himself...yanking against the tether...but he was laying on top of the tether where it goes into the ground and it's a 20 foot tether. To run and yank himself that hard, he still would not have snapped back 20 feet. Maybe he could have...I just don't see it. He's never done anything like that before. He knows his boundaries. Yet either my dog was shaken by the bigger dog or my neighbor yanked my dog by the neck (to pull my dog away from his dog)...or my dog managed to gather enough speed to yank his own-self back 20 feet...but that doesn't mesh with the story the neighbor told. I just don't know.

anyway..thanks for listening. I'm a nervous wreck.

[physioex]

1. I am sorry to hear about your sorrow......

You and yours will be in my thoughts...

[Solly Mack]

3. Thank you.

I've had him since he was 4 weeks old. He's 7 now..

[Dookus]

2. oh crap

I'm so sorry. I hate stories like that. What kinda dog is your baby?

I HATE people who don't leash their dogs. I'm a total dog-lover, but fuck it, people, keep it on a leash!!!!!!!!


on edit: Have that shepherd put down if you can. And I say that as someone whose favorite breed is German Shepherd - but a dog who will attack like that is a danger.

[Solly Mack]

6. He's a Basenji

He's 7. The vet told me to call back by 8 AM (CDT). I'm ticking the minutes off now. I'm hoping for the best.

Thank you, Dookus!

[JSJ]

4. your pooch may just be experiencing shock n/t

[Solly Mack]

8. The vet ruled that out

though he did say it was possible when we first called the emergency service number and spoke with him..but once he examined him, he said it wasn't.

[Pachamama]

5. OK- you just freaked me out...I literally thought you were referring to a

BABY....I had this horrible image of a child under 3 being mauled by a neighboring dog....phew...glad that wasn't the case, but meanwhile its the other kind of baby....I hope she/he is okay...how awful...what kind of dog? How big is she/he? I don't want to scare you, but my dog had to have a skin graft on her leg after being hit by a car and even with no broken bones, the cost was $6500.00....granted, that was Marin County, CA prices, but the injuries you just described could cost you that and then some....

I hope your dog will be okay...and your bills low...

[Solly Mack]

9. He's a 45 pound Basenji

Tonights visit was 120 bucks. Not too bad..but it may go up depending on the damage..I'm hoping for the best outcome.

on edit: I'm sorry I freaked you out. :hug:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

7. I am so srry to hear this

Have the vet examine him for teeth and jaw marks...xrays of his neck will demonstrate a bleeding pattern more likely to be caused by teeth or the collar...if he can definiteively identify the scarring (cappilaries bleeding and bruising WILL show on xray) then you neighbor's dog SHOULD be put down..unfortunately your neighbor is an asshole who will have caused the destruction of his own dog, but once a dog tastes blood...it isn't the end of it...he'll do it again.

I am so sorry for your angst. :hug:

[Solly Mack]

10. He has a bite on his paw. That's all the vet found.

They plan to X-ray him tomorrow morning. He got shots tonight..anti-biotics and cortisone. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks Teena! :hug:

[Dookus]

13. Thanks, good wife

I know you love dogs even more than I do, but dogs that attack have no business among people and their well-behaved pets.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

14. just a shame we can't put their ignoramus owners down with them

I hate seeing that happen

[Solly Mack]

16. I don't want to see the other dog put down for his owner

That would really bother me. It's not the dog I'm angry with, it's the owner.

Caesar, the shepherd, is a beautiful animal. He was once a K-9 unit dog. That might explain his aggressive behavior...I dunno. Not sure if Caesar "failed" at being a K-9 dog (whatever that means - couldn't find bombs, I guess) or that he was booted for behavioral reasons.

[Dookus]

19. I'd hate to see it too

I love dogs, and I especially love German Sherpherds. But an attack dog is an attack dog. You said this wasn't his first encounter with another animal.

I'm sorry, but I have zero tolerance for dogs that attack (without being ordered to do so). Your dog could just as easily have been a neighbor's toddler.

[Solly Mack]

21. This would be his 3rd encounter in 4 years w/ another animal

Well, 3rd that I personally know of

The whole still just breaks my heart. I love animals...3 dogs, 2 cats and a guinea pig. My basenji grooms the guinea pig and the guinea pig lets him :)

The cats feel I've brought a large mouse into the house just to intimidate them. They run from the guinea pig.

[Donkeyboy75]

24. I know how you feel.

I have to abandon my little guy for four months because my vet screwed up the procedures necessary to take him overseas. :cry:

They really do brighten up your life. Let us know what the vet says!!

[Dookus]

25. well

It really saddens me to say this dog shoudln't be allowed around "polite society". I would demand the owner find another home - preferably one that is isolated - or else be put down.

[Solly Mack]

26. He'll have to find another home. 3 reports and the dog has to leave

housing. 3 attacks and they put the dog down. We live on an army post.

I know other reports were filed, just not sure how the other incidents were classified.

Thank you , again, Dookus. It's been helpful to talk about it.

[Donkeyboy75]

22. Even worse are those who raise them to attack.

In this case, it does sound like the German Shepherd is a problem (I think Solly said this isn't the first report that would have been filed). Unfortunately, the popularity of this breed has led to some greedy breeders producing dogs with horrible and/or unpredictable temperment.

[Donkeyboy75]

20. Sorry to tell another story, but my MIL was saved by a K-9 dropout.

My in-laws had just adopted a white German Shepherd who was a police dog reject (they got it because my FIL was a cop at the time). Commander - the dog - was a reject because it wasn't aggressive enough towards its trainers...wouldn't jump on them, knock the gun away, etc. But Commander had gone through all the training.

When my MIL was seven months pregnant with my wife, she heard someone break the front window to their home. FIL was working. She stood up quickly and passed out. The dog, laying on the white couch, was unseen by the intruder. When my MIL comes to, she finds that Commander attacked the guy, knocked him on his ass, and wouldn't let him move. Turns out the guy had a gun that the dog knocked away as well. The cops responding to the call were astounded that the dog actually performed his duties...and this being almost 30 years ago and an attack on a cop's house...I wouldn't have wanted to be the burglar.

OK, your post reminded me of the story, and I guess I'm trying to take your mind off things. Good luck tomorrow!!! :hug:

[Solly Mack]

23. Good story!

Thank you, again! :)

[jukes]

45. Donkeyboy

Great story! i've met many K9's when i was on the job. fantastic animals. they've finally made it a felony tantamount to assaulting an officer to attempt to harm 1 in this state.

fearless & loyal partners; loving companions @ home.

[Dookus]

18. exactly...

it's the fault of the owners, not the dogs. But alas, the only legal solution is to put down the dog.

[mirandaod]

11. I hope your dog will be ok.

Please let us know when you get more info from the vet.
My little terrier was attacked by a dog when we were out walking. It was so frightening, and my friend actually got bit by the other dog while we were rescuing Sam. There is NO excuse for letting a dog off the leash, and that guy should be fined heavily. The shepherd should be put down if the owner can't or won't take control of it.

[Solly Mack]

12. Thank you!

I'll give an update as soon as I have one.

I hope Sam was OK after his attack!

My tummy just churned when I saw my baby so helpless. I held him all the way to the vets.

[montana_hazeleyes]

28. I hope your little guy will be ok.

I know the anxiety you are feeling. When my little precious budgie had to have surgery for a tumor I was besides myself until I knew he pulled through and was okay.

I'll send my good hopes towards you tonight.

[Solly Mack]

31. Thank you!!!!

I will also be beside myself with worry until I know he's going to be OK.

I love budgies! I'm glad your baby got better!!

[Donkeyboy75]

15. Is it possible the Shepherd got a piece of your dog's tether

when he was jumping on your baby? That would account for a sudden jerking of the neck. Happened to my guy once when I was walking him in the neighborhood. Got the same yelp, too.

Here's hoping he'll be fine. Dogs are tough little bastards. :hi:

[Solly Mack]

17. That's possible and Thanks!

He could have easily done so. :hi:

[roguevalley]

27. If your dog has a spine injury, find a way to confine him for a couple of

weeks. We have this kind of problem with our dachsies. Don't be too scared, honey. They can bounce back. Email me privately if you need to discuss what they tell you with someone who knows. Hugs to you and your little baby.

[Dookus]

29. true...

animals adapt really well.

I posted here recently about a neighborhood cat I fed who had an embolism (at 10 months old!) and now he's walking. He was totally paralyzed 5 weeks ago.

The vet said he likely suffered damage to the spinal chord from the embolism. He's almost fully recovered.

[Solly Mack]

30. Thank you so much!

I'll let you know what they say and I do greatly appreciate your offer. :hug:

[Swamp Rat]

32. So sorry...

:hug:

[Solly Mack]

33. aww..thanks!!

:hug:

Hugs make it better...they truly do!

[arwalden]

34. Dear Solly

This is absolutely horrible. I can't begin to imagine how sad and angry... and HELPLESS you must feel right now. Try not to feel guilty... all of this is due to someone ELSE's negligence.

Our pets are our family, our "children" and I know how much you must love your fur-baby and how protective you want to be. Your dog is obviously well cared for and loved very much... I'll be thinking about him today and I hope everything turns out well.

Keep us posted and let us know how things turn out.

Love,
-- Allen

[Solly Mack]

37. Thank you, Allen.

Your post brought the tears on again...but in a good way this time. He is definitely my child and the one dearest to my heart of all my 4 legged children.

I'm still awake and waiting on 8 o'clock to (finally) get here. I'll be calling the vet back at that time. I'll do an update as soon as I know anything.

Thank you!!!! :hug:

[Nlighten1]

35. Your neighbor...

sounds like an asshat. Hope your dog gets well soon.

[Solly Mack]

38. Thank you.

I'll know more in 28 minutes...calling the vet as soon as it opens.

[jukes]

36. that's very sad

really hope your doggie is ok.

shd be reported, but they'll punish the shep, not the owner.

lying jerk.

[Solly Mack]

39. Thank you!

All the words of kindess have helped me through a very hard night.

[Solly Mack]

40. UPDATE: it's bad

Vet called before 8. I knew it was going to be bad news since he called me before I was supposed to call him.


No change since last night. He recommends we seek a referral to K-State. They have a team of neuro-surgeons at their vet school. The vet is doing a standard x-ray as I type. He thinks we will need further testing... Myelogram (running dye) and possibly an MRI. He didn't really want to do the x-ray as the injuries are beyond his skills as a surgeon. But he's also someone we trust so he is doing the x-rays and he said he expects to find a break in the neck or a lesion in the neck region.

We are headed toward major surgery he feels. He also said it's iffy with such surgeries and the chances are 50-50 that it will even do any good. He also said K-State will tell us the same...there's no guarantee my baby will ever walk again. Not even with surgery. That my baby's quality of life would be "not good at all". I asked him to be honest with me...no matter how painful..and he was..


So we are waiting on the x-ray results. From there we go to K-State for further testing and see what, if anything, can be done for my baby. I have to do all I can for my doggie.

There's more that he said about options.. but I can't even repeat those words to myself...much less type them out. I'm not ready for that.

My heart is breaking.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

41. Awww...man

I am so sorry ...this past year has been so stressful for you and now this...I'm holding out hope

[flamingyouth]

42. Aw, Solly, I'm so sorry

I have a vague idea about what you're going through, having had critically ill cats before, but never due to anything like this. My heart hurts for you today. Please know that you're in our thoughts. I'm so sorry for your pain.:hug:
Lisa

[arwalden]

43. Solly...

My heart breaks for you. I hope my words--our words--of support help you to face and cope with the difficult days ahead.

Love,
Allen

[Nlighten1]

44. Time to get a lawyer.

Hit this guy up for all the vet bills.

[jukes]

46. i'm so sorry to hear this

cursered down to see if you had news. there are no words of comfort for this. i'll continue to hope, light 3 josses, & pls know your friends here care.

update whenever you're able, pls.


:pals:

[Donkeyboy75]

47. I'm so sorry to hear that...

my thoughts will be with you today.