| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Arachnid |
Posted - 29 Apr 2013 : 09:10:06 AM
This is just one of the dog bites Spider sustained on our hack yesterday. People please be careful there are some very irresponsible dog owners out there. This dog chased us relentlessly until I fell off and then continued to chase and bite Spider as he fled across the downs. I am not being too dramatic to say we are both lucky to be here this morning. The dog owner tried to walk off (once he'd eventually caught his beast) without apology. I do now have his name and address and I will report him to the police.
In the meantime Spider is on bute, anti biotics and flamazine. He isn't lame but he was very shocked. Well, me too. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| TAE |
Posted - 13 May 2013 : 10:56:05 AM
Callisto I like that, Standard poodles can be so clever and good at reading horses.
My girl would never go in the field with my sister in law's horse, wouldn't go within 3 meters of my old mare, who wouldn't hurt anything on purpose but was thick and clumsy.
But would walk into my young arab stallions legs and would stop him from moving by standing on his hooves, the poor boy did some amazing contortionist acts to avoid treading on her. |
| Kes |
Posted - 13 May 2013 : 09:05:50 AM
That's a good idea, tell people straight off that your horse with metal shoes can and will injure any size of dog, maybe that would incentivise people into catching their dogs a bit quicker, or in Saturday's case, actually make an effort!! |
| Callisto |
Posted - 13 May 2013 : 12:33:20 AM
With Buzz I ask people to catch their dogs because I'm afraid he will kick them (if they are in front of him there is a strong possibility he will jump on them/bite them, it's only if they run at him from behind that he might bolt), if people think their dog is going to be attacked by a large thing with metal shoes they tend to make a much greater effort to control the dog.
My mother's standard poodle will not go in the same field with Buzz, yet he runs underneath Lily (and between her back legs  - this is when she is stationary and tied up in the yard, not when she is mobile). |
| Kes |
Posted - 12 May 2013 : 2:54:48 PM
^^^^ the fall didn't knock your sense of humour then!!!! 
But more seriously, as this thread is indeed very serious, only yesterday morning, we turned a corner around the river Adur as we came off the towpath to be confronted with a man walking a small terrier-type, the dog was trotting merrily towards us with requests of 'please can you put your dog on a lead/ catch your dog please'..to be met with 'I can't'. I know I'm not the only one who think this just isn't good enough  |
| Arachnid |
Posted - 12 May 2013 : 2:52:45 PM
'I am also very pleased that Spider's wounds are healing nicely and that this attack hasn't left you avoiding rides/ areas.'
If I avoided everywhere I've fallen off I wouldn't make it out of the yard  but thanks, I do trust Spider its dogs I don't trust. |
| Callisto |
Posted - 12 May 2013 : 01:51:25 AM
That's a great outcome Julia, I'm glad you two are back out and about and enjoying yourselves (and that the dog will be restrained rather than destroyed). |
| Suelin |
Posted - 11 May 2013 : 10:27:44 PM
That is a good outcome and I am so glad that both you and your horse are psychologically unscathed. Well done to you both.
Let's all hope that the dog owners keep to their end of the bargain. |
| Pasch |
Posted - 11 May 2013 : 9:58:04 PM
Very good outcome and well done for riding back in the same place! |
| Honeyb060674 |
Posted - 11 May 2013 : 7:12:43 PM
I've only just seen this, how awful for you both. Too many dog owners are either irresponsible or just completely oblivious to their animals behavior & what effects their stupidity can have.
So pleased you're both ok & it sounds like the police had the sense to deal with it accordingly |
| garnet |
Posted - 11 May 2013 : 5:53:59 PM
That seems like a good outcome for everyone. Well, as good as possible given that you and Spider are still shaken and wounded, but at least your fees will be paid and the dog owner is put on notice that if there is a next time the outcome won't be so happy. Hope you are both feeling better now. |
| ali bali |
Posted - 11 May 2013 : 3:19:41 PM
Great outcome, well done Julia for achieving this and also for going back and facing the demons! And extra treats for brave Spider, glad the horrible incident seems like it can be put behind you both. Alison |
| Kes |
Posted - 11 May 2013 : 2:12:40 PM
I think this is the best possible outcome and I am pleased it has been dealt with swiftly and to the maximum extent, and also not ending with the dog being destroyed and the owner buying the same animal again.
I am also very pleased that Spider's wounds are healing nicely and that this attack hasn't left you avoiding rides/ areas.
I should point out to others reading this that today, less that 2 weeks after this awful ordeal, Julia and Spider went through the same field. Spider behaved as the true gentleman he is and didn't put a hoof wrong  , and to Julia  as this took real determination and faith in her horse. |
| Arachnid |
Posted - 11 May 2013 : 2:00:35 PM
I've just heard from the police and they have persauded the dog owner to sign a civil agreement to the effect the dog is kept muzzled and on a lead at all times in a public place. It is not to be given away and if it changes ownership the police are to be informed. It is not to be in the charge of anyone under the age of 17. If any of these conditions are breached the owner will be prosecuted under the dangerous dogs act. The dog owner has a agreed to pay my (substantial!) vets fees.
I am happy with this. The police have in the end taken it seriously. Dog has not (yet) met a nasty end and actually everyone else is safe as long as dogowner takes it seriously.
|
| Goldenmane |
Posted - 09 May 2013 : 08:47:03 AM
So glad Spider is doing well (after a horse of mine was attacked by a dog I thought she would be petrified of dogs but she was fine!) I had to laugh at the bute/apple comment, you'll be on polos, applejuice and bread next! Good luck with the other issues.
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| Arachnid |
Posted - 08 May 2013 : 9:16:01 PM
No news this week except that the South Downs National Park sent me a polite email pointing out that it wasn't feasible to insist that ALL dogs were on leads given the land doesnt actually belong to them.
Spider is doing fine and is on gentle work this week so as not to tear his healing wound - although since I laced a couple of 'snow white' apples with bute he won't take as much as a carrot from me as I have proved not to be trustworthy! |
| debs |
Posted - 08 May 2013 : 9:15:58 PM
Tell them your going to the press..... |
| zaminda1 |
Posted - 08 May 2013 : 8:40:33 PM
We had issues with a neighbours dog. It used to jump over the gate and attack people. We reported it to the police, as did our neighbour. It then went for a postie, and they reported it, to be told they had no previous knowledge of a problem dog living at that address. WTF, she even spoke to the same PC I did. Something was later done about it, after it bit a special constable when he was talking to her about her behaviour! (like dog like owner!) The dog was not put down, but it went to court and she had to pay compensation to our neighbour for biting her.
We had to make a serious fuss, and quote the dangerous dogs act act them repeatedly.
Keep making a fuss!! |
| Judith S |
Posted - 08 May 2013 : 7:40:51 PM
Oh goodness only just seen this post.... what a horrible thing to happen!!!!
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| ella |
Posted - 08 May 2013 : 7:19:15 PM
The BHS is gathering data on horse attacks, please report if not already done:
http://www.horseaccidents.org.uk/ |
| lulu |
Posted - 08 May 2013 : 10:44:10 AM
Also should have mentioned the dear old Argus they did a bit on my old mare when she had her accident on the Downs. |
| lulu |
Posted - 08 May 2013 : 10:42:44 AM
Agree with others on here who have said keep pushing it with the police, why should this chap get away with it. Very glad to hear that Spider is feeling himself again. How are you? |
| ali bali |
Posted - 03 May 2013 : 8:53:29 PM
Go Julia, very glad to see you are taking a stand! And also very glad to hear ponio is feeling very well! |
| Suelin |
Posted - 03 May 2013 : 4:15:44 PM
Keep stamping your foot love!!!! They are duty bound to follow this up if you make a complaint, so keep on at them and make them miserable if you have to! Don't mean to sound as if I am bullying you, but like Callisto, this kind of thing makes my blood boil. I hate to see innocent folk fobbed off with excuses
Very glad that your lad is recovering well. Hope that you are okay as well and that your heart rate and blood pressure have returned to normal now. Take care. |
| Callisto |
Posted - 03 May 2013 : 10:06:32 AM
I know of a case where an 11 year old girl's pony was attacked by dogs, she fell off on the road and broke her pelvis, I hope things don't have to get that bad before the police treat incidents seriously. People die as a result of such incidents. How would the policeman feel about hitting the ground at speed from a height if he was on a horse attacked by a dog? Makes your blood boil.
On a positive note, so glad to hear that dear Spider is recuperating well |
| Arachnid |
Posted - 03 May 2013 : 09:32:45 AM
So I've given a statement to the police. There was some muttering about 'community resolution' which I'm pretty sure means talking to the owner about his dog which I'm not at all interested in doing. I've spoken to four different policemen so far. One of them told me all about how his dog didnt like horses either. I suggested that he probably kept it on a lead then. I can see why the BHS are frustrated with the the treatment of dog attacks. Anyway, waiting to hear back from them regarding a concrete plan. Everyone seems to agree that the resolution of the plan should be that the dog is muzzled and kept on a lead, for eternity if need be.
Meanwhile Spider has bounced back and is tearing around the paddock like the little rocket he is. Cuts are healing well and the chiropractor has pronounced him very well indeed so thats good anyway. He has taken to snorting at the farm dogs so I do hope he doesn't bolt when hes sees a dog on the downs, but I think I'll just have to suck it and see.
Thanks everyone for all your kind words and helpful advice.
Julia and Spider |
