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I regularly run along some local paths which are quiet most of the time other than the occasional dog walker.
On 3 occasions recently I've encountered a pair of very aggresive Alsations (along with a friendly Spaniel and Labrador) being walked by their owner.
The first time I saw them I was fortunate enough to be jumping over a stile and one of the Alsations was on the other side. Now I've been running for long enough to have a good idea of what dogs are going to bark and just make a fuss and what dogs are intent on inflicting damage. This was one of the latter. Fortunately the owner was a few yards away and he comanded it to stop, lie down etc and it did as it was told.
I let it go however on 2 more occasions I have turned a corner to be confronted by this snarling dog and each time I have stopped in my tracks and a couple of seconds later much shouting of instructions and the dog duly does as its told.
The 3rd occurrence was tonight when I commented politely that I was concerned the dog was going to bite me next time.
A short (non heated) argument broke out him telling me that as the dog didnt bite me all was OK and by the way its an ex police dog and me countering with the observation that next time I will not be so lucky if he happens to be more than 10yds away.
He (not in so many words) agreed it would bite me and I suspect he walks these paths because they are quiet and he is less likely to encounter other dogs/people.
Should I a) avoid the paths, b) take my chances that he will probably always catch the dog before it bites me, c) report it to the police?
Report it.
If you report it to the police, it'll just be his (the dog's that is) mates investigating though won't it? Probably let 'im off they will innit!
b) he has always got the dog to do what he has said before so i would not worry as it is a trained dog and listens to its owner!!
What if the owner has his back turned or is distracted?
then you take legal action against the owner!!! assuming he does bite you!!!
Google for the nearest Dog warden in your area and give him the time and location and your concern. ex-Police dog doesnt mean it wont bite. The new owner might not be completely familiar with the dog.
All the best but contact your Dog Warden asap as it wont be a leg/dog interface with an Alsation, more of a face, arm or neck interface.
Legal action afterwards is OK however given that in my opinion this dog will attack I may need to pre-empt it.
If it was just a bit arsey or a nasty small dog I wouldnt be concerned, or not enough to be tempted to report it anyway.
Thanks for the dog warden tip Hora.
Legal action post-event is great but there a few dog owners in our local park wondering where the attacking dog owners ran off to. I've given chase to one Staff-owner who legged it. Some people wont hang around afterwards knowing they'll be facing a fine and their dog being put down.
The sad thing would be you avoiding the area because of a stupid dog owner(s)- thats not on.
Definately report it. Police dogs are trained to bite - I still have the huge scar where one bit me when I was 3.
MrsT
MrsT - shouldnt go TWOCing then should you?! 😉
I'd not bother reporting it - I mean what are you going to say? "Hello Mr Policeman - theres a dog that seems agressive but the owner stops it in time...er....can you err... thanks IGMC"
Sticky situation, but I'd probably continue riding it myself, but I'm often willing to risk pain for small gains which isnt smart!
I'd not bother reporting it - I mean what are you going to say? "Hello Mr Policeman - theres a dog that seems agressive but the owner stops it in time...er....can you err... thanks IGMC"
Your right however I think if the Police got involved and paid him a visit the sight of this dog bouncing off the walls along with 3 other large dogs would raise alarm bells.
He has controlled it on each occasion by getting hold of its collar and shouting loudly or getting between me and it. His control is tenuous and involves repeatedly shouting at the top of his voice, not simply "down" or "heel" etc. Makes me wonder why it is an "Ex" police dog!
Take one of these with you
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Have you considered trying to give commands to the dog yourself? Most dogs if well trained (which I would expect from an ex police dog) will respond to most commands if delivered in an authorative manner. Maybe it's worth asking the owner if he has a complete stop command for the dog, that he wouldn't mind you using, or next time you see them, ask the owner if you can try getting the dog to stop and lie down yourself (once he has it under control)
Just a thought....
Surfer, theres a walker with a American Mastiff and a fully grown male Boxer who struggles to control his dogs where I walk. He walks them OFF the lead and his recall his very hit and miss. I'm going to speak to him when Im in the park next and mention claw hammers.
My dog's taken to barking at people in the dark (occasionally). She looks scarey but is a wimp. I wish someone would smack her on the bonce. Might stop her doing it in future!
tinker - surely if a police dog responded to anyone but the trainer (especially the person it is trying to chase) it would render it a particularly cr*p police dog?
Coffeeking - understand your point, but all dogs can be trained to adapt, otherwise rescue dogs would never find homes if they never responded to anyone but their original owner. And what do you do if you go away and get a house/dog sitter - do you just accept the dog will not listen to anything anyone else says?
Having owned a number of dogs (including breeding GSD's) they're easy to train to accept commands from most people - that's why I suggest maybe talking to the owner to get his input and him on side.