What Should You Do if a Dog Attacks Your Dog
Dog attacks are not just terrifying for your pet, but also terrifying for you as an owner.
Connie and her owner, Amanda, had been taking their routine walk around the park when her dog, Connie was attacked.
Oblivious to the impending attack, Amanda had been strolling along the path when another dog rushed at Connie. To her horror, it leapt on her dog and started its attack.
To find out what happened to Connie, and to learn more about what you should do if a dog attacks your dog, read on.
Amanda frantically tried to pull off the dog, who was biting Connie.
With help from the dog's owner, they managed to separate the pair, luckily without injury to themselves.
After quickly exchanging contact details with the other owner, Amanda immediately called the Roundwood Clinic who advised Amanda to bring Connie in right away.
When Connie arrived at the clinic, she was in pretty bad shape, her gums were pale and her heart rate was really high, she was shaking and in shock. She had sustained serious wounds to the back of her neck, head, chest and even her bottom.
The team gave Connie oxygen, placed her on a drip and gently warmed her body to help stabilise her, shock is a very dangerous condition so it is really important it is treated quickly.
A sample of blood was taken from Connie so that the vet was able to check Connie wasn’t bleeding internally and her liver and kidneys were functioning normally so that she could safely proceed with an anaesthetic, cleaning and stitching her many wounds.
Connie was given lots of pain relief as the attack had not only caused open wounds but lots of bruising. She also needed two different types of antibiotics because bite wounds are highly likely to become infected if not treated quickly.
Four days later, Connie returned to the surgery and needed more pain relief due to the swelling and bruising that had developed from the attack, she also had an inflatable buster collar to stop her licking her wounds which would risk them breaking down or becoming infected. Brave little Connie was able to have her stitches removed a week later.
Since then Connie has been able to return to the park (sporting a rather fashionable accessory - her inflatable buster collar) and is doing well physically and mentally. Dog attacks this severe can sometimes create behavioural problems such as aggression or fear towards other dogs.
The team were amazed by how brave Connie was throughout her treatment, as her wounds, especially to her bottom it was very painful, but she was an absolute superstar for her treatment.
Amanda later found out that the dog who attacked Connie had a history of aggression, and decided to call the police. Although Amanda didn’t want to press charges, her case was referred to the dangerous dog unit - who are currently dealing with the incident.
What Should You Do if a Dog Attacks Your Dog
If your dog is attacked by another dog, there are a few things you should do.
Don’t panic or shout as this can make the dog attack more aggressive and prolonged.
Do not try to separate the dogs as you are likely to get bitten and you can also injure your dog further if the other dog will not let go. It also encourages the other dog to keep hold, just like a tug of war.
Try to keep some distance and distract the attacking dog. You can do this by using toys, food, or by making a loud noise like clapping. Standing over the dogs can make the attack worse, especially if the dog feels threatened.
Once the dogs have separated and are under control (on their leads), try to exchange contact details with the other owner and take a photo of their dog, ask if they have third party insurance for their dog. If the attacking dog owner won’t give you their details, try to take a photo of the dog and its owner.
Also, take the details of any witnesses to the attack.
Call your vet immediately for advice as internal injuries may not be obvious.
If the attack is severe enough, report it to the relevant authorities such as the Police 101 or the dog warden.
Although dog attacks aren’t common, do take the relevant precautions to protect you and your pet. If you have a dog who displays aggression, seek the advice of an expert to make sure your dog is not a risk to others.
Why Insurance is a Man’s Best Friend
In the event that your dog is attacked by another dog, it is important to have insurance to cover the costs of veterinary care.
As an owner, you are liable for your dog. Therefore, if your dog causes injury or damage to another dog, person or property, you may have to pay for those damages.
When buying pet insurance, you should make sure your dog is covered in the case of an attack. You should also consider getting third-party liability insurance, as this may cover costs incurred if your dog causes damage to another dog, people or property.
In Amanda’s case, she was able to have Connie's veterinary fees reimbursed as the other dog owner had insurance.
If you're looking to buy pet insurance, we have a guide in this article, so check it out now.
For more on the Roundwood team, Check out our blog articles here.
