Remain calm. This is particularly true if a dog is roaming a neighborhood with lots of kids or other animals. I always tell people prevention is better than cure. For example, failing to leash a dog in a public park. Whatever the demeanor of the dog, its best to remove yourself, your dogs, and/or your kids from the situation as quickly as possible. Scope the Walk Zone. Leashing your dog during walks is a key to letting him know that you’re his master. Calm is the key. It’s important to remember that not every dog you see running around off-leash is a killer. I was walking my dog on a leash, and my neighbors dog was off leash in a semi public area and approached me and my dog suddenly. Unless the dog in question is chronically off-leash, talk with the owner before getting the police involved. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Say I'm walking in the park with my dog on its lead and an unleashed dog runs up to my dog and attacks it and has it in a death-grip (with its jaws around my dog's neck or something). A Dog Trainer Answers the Question: What Makes a Dog “Good” or “Bad”? What to Do When an Off-Leash Dog Approaches Your Leashed Dog Unless the dog is actively charging, remaining calm and acting like nothing is out of the ordinary usually does the trick. It’s far better to have a plan and to be able to implement it than to be shocked into a state of inaction when this event happens. If you are on your own, and the dog seems friendly, take a quick peek at his collar to see if his home information is on it. However, in the end, dogs are animals driven by instinct, so an unleashed dog roaming the neighborhood is cause for concern. She takes her highly trained dogs with them everywhere dogs are welcome because of their exceptionally good manners. If you have an iffy dog in the neighborhood which is constantly off-leash, consider getting a self-defense spray. taking my dog for evening walk,leashed,on a dark grassed area,when an unleashed dog came bounding to mine,jumped on him,and mine naturally defended himself,the owner said his dog was being playful,and accused me of having a dog not under control,which was rediculos,as he was on a lead,and i think anyone who had someone else jump at them in the dark would defend themselves,this … We help these over-anxious dogs learn to trust their handler, and we rebuild their faith that they can walk safely in their own neighborhood. Even my well-trained dogs, Radar and Echo, must abide by leash laws. Screaming or yelling at the dog, dragging your dog away quickly, and running are excellent ways to kick another dog’s prey instinct into gear and cause, at the very least, a bite. (Photo by Tica Clarke Photography). Before you decide on walking your dog,... 2. Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. I want to stress that this sort of incident should be handled the same way no matter what kind of dog you encounter. What to Do If Your Dog Is Being Attacked by Another Dog 1. They should be made aware of any dog that is allowed to roam free because, unfortunately, even the kindest, gentlest dog can end up in a bad situation if he isn’t supervised. Keep moving and stay focused on your dog’s body language. If the dog continues to follow you but remains friendly with you and your dogs or kids, treat it like it’s no big deal. It’s far better to have a plan of action in place before you ever step outside your door with your dog than to create a plan during an emergency. Leash laws are in place to protect dogs and people, and off-leash freedom should be exercised only with reliable dogs in designated and protected areas. About Us  -  Advertise with Us  -  Contact Us  -  Write for Us  -  Privacy policy. Release the Leash. A dog was on a leash; The attacking dog has a history of dog attacks; The breed of the dogs; An owner took any preventive measures to limit an attack; There are other facts that show you acted responsibly. In a civilized society, members do not simply pick and choose which laws apply to them. Sometimes, it just isn’t a big deal. The unleashed dog's owner will be at fault in all cases. unleashed and gets into a fight with a leashed dog, the law will probably protect the leashed dog. If you have to stop an incoming assault from an off-leash dog, you can yell “SIT!” at the oncoming dog (sometimes it works) and then throw your meat treat on the ground near that dog and do a quick, calm U-turn and move away. such as an off-leash dog. Keep moving on a walk instead of stopping and chatting with others. Aug 6th 2015. This cruel attack left a beloved pet dead and a family grieving. State police at Fern Ridge cited Ralph Graber, 57, of Albrightsville, after his unleashed dogs attacked another dog at 4 p.m. Dec. 25. There are self-defense sprays available designed specifically for dogs. If you have a phone, call 911, or ask a passer-by to call the police. You will likely be responsible for any medical and veterinary bills resulting from a dog fight. Dogs can feel trapped by that lifeline. Nine-year-old Dino, who was on leash at the time, was first attacked by an unleashed dog. For example, there are some neighborhoods that almost have a mascot in a roaming dog or a dog that walks itself. You’ll know when it isn’t. Unleashed dogs aren’t a cause for panic in most cases. This is purely a case-by-case, at your discretion decision, and it’s more relevant to people who live in rural areas or are familiar with their neighborhood’s dogs. I cannot even count the number of dog owners who are shocked that as their dog is being harassed by the off-leash dog, the owner of stands there, saying nothing, and doesn’t help to put an end to the situation. Unfortunately, many dog owners ignore leash laws. The dynamics between a leashed dog and off leash dog are different than if both dogs were leashed or both were off leash. . © 2019 Belvoir Media Group. Illinois Animal Attack Attorney for Unleashed and Roaming Dogs Lawyers for Dog Bite Injuries Caused by Dogs Running Loose in DuPage County and Kane County. Speaking with the owners first lets them to correct any issues that led to their dogs’ escape without escalating the situation further. A professional (find one through The Pet Professional Guild) can help you train your dog to trust his environment and handler when he is on leash. These dogs calm and acting like nothing is out of the ordinary usually does the trick would... 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