I didn't want to just go to the police as I thought it would be a good time to point out that I was not given any form of apology, I was told that Becky would "keep an eye on it" and that was that. I made small talk, trying yet again to be polite, and asked if NI were simular to Huskies in that they have a tendancy to roam when off lead, I am not stupid enough to have forgotten within the space of several mins that Inca wasn't a Husky - not that it was remotely relevant to my complaint. I would also like to point out that the two huskies that Becky is making referance to, regularly play with a large group of dogs, including mine, labs from the area, alsatians, and we have no problems with the huskies, the only problem I have had with ANY dog in the area was over the field, with Inca - Tara (my eldest dalmatian) was on the lead, as was Inca, when we bumped into Becky's OH and Inca launched at Tara and bit her ear, she didn't draw blood, but needless to say Tara wasn't impressed. I didn't do anything about it, as like I say, it was more of a shock for Tara than physical hurt, but I have made a conscious effort to keep my dally's away. Whenever your son walks the dog Becky he panics when another dog is anywhere near, either over the road or near her, as he cannot hold her back. He tells Scott and Craig to ensure that Harley (their puppy) stays inside. In fact, several people I have spoken to know of Inca and say that she has a reputation of being agressive. I came to speak to you Becky, as I wanted to do it quietly and in as polite a manner as I could, Zuba, it worries me that you would not take responsibility for your dog biting another, regardless of the circumstances. If my dog had bitten another, the first thing I would do would be to get the dog checked over by the vet to ensure that there was nothing physical that could have changed her behaviour, but as I have heard and seen, that Inca does have agressive tendancies then I am assuming that this would not be the case, the second thing that I would do, before taking her out again, would be to purchase a muzzle. You've told your son to walk your dog around a different route? He cannot control that dog, she is a handful for him even when there are no other dogs around, I have seen him be dragged across the road on several occassions, even before the incident with Blue I have commented to Lottie that Inca shouldn't be walked by him. If he does walk him simply on a different route, then you should be aware that if you go left out of your road, he will meet the huskies, and if you go right, he will meet a newfoundland and a very strong big bouncy lab, I don't think the discussion would be about bite marks on any of those dogs, I think it would be about how seriously injured Inca would be if she started on any of those. I am amazed that so many of you think that Inca is blameless, it worries me to hear that so many would also not accept responsibility! Blue had an appointment at the vets later, as the bite has developed a lump and obviously requires antibiotics. The first thing I said to Becky was that Blue was off her lead, and I was not entirely blameless, but quite frankly, why shouldn't my dog be allowed outside off her lead outside my house without being bitten? Put yourself in my position, your dog, your very submissive baby puppy, gets bitten and then you hear of a thread claming that I shouldn't have made her aware of the incident, how do you think you'd react?! - I am not gramatically incompetant btw, the library computer won't allow me to leave gaps inbetween lines now for some reason. Lorna.

Thank you for your reply Wysiwyg, Blue is feeling rather sorry for herself this morning, but is better than she was last night. Although the bite isn't bleeding now, there is a lump there so I am taking her to the vet to ensure that there is no infection.

Yes, I can confirm that Lorna had said to me before any of this happened that Becky's son shouldn't walk Inca as he gets dragged about and doesn't know how to deal with coming upto another dog.

I would agree with the muzzle - Tara has been known to be grumpy (probably down to age) with the puppies and the first thing Lorna did was get her checked by a vet and make sure she was ok with other dogs.

although the fact that Blue was offlead is an undeniable fact and that she ran upto Inca, she didn't offer any aggressive behaviour and I have to say that Lorna is incredibly responsible around her dogs. She understands that dogs will be dogs but does her best to prevent her elderly and grumpy dog from upsetting any other dog and I think just hoped that Becky would offer an apology and do the same thing.

I have to say as well that if either of my dogs bit an offlead dog while they were on leads, I would still take responsibility, pay for any vets fees (on seeing a receipt of course) and purchase a muzzle for them as well as getting them better socialised so I do agree with Lorna on that part.

Many thanks Lottie, I appreciate your response and support.

Lorna I am really sorry to hear that your little pup has been hurt I hope she's okay

beckyc your son should not have been walking the Inca alone, what would happen if a full on fight broke out and he got hurt due to another dog defending themselves against Inca's actions?
I am not having a go but I can see things from all points of view, your son was not in proper control of Inca - no 14 year old should have that responsibility, with any dog of any size.
If it had of been one of my dogs that did this I would insist on paying for any veterinary treatment that the pup needs to put this matter right, for the sake of the pup and for the sake of the dog responsible for the bite. I would be doing everything within my power to protect both of them and to ensure it never happened again.

After reading this thread and after careful thought I decided I had to post.

I owned (once upon a time) a Bearded Collie x, a lovely dog who the whole family loved. But she had a problem, she bit other dogs, it would start off with her herding instinct coming to the fore and then she would nip to begin with and then when the other dog retaliated she would go for the full blown bite.

Now I decided that although Sox was always on a lead when out walking that for other dogs safety it was advisable to muzzle her as well, because I couldnt control other peoples dogs and whether their owners leashed them or not.

As far as I was concerned it was up to me to be the responsible owner and be prepared for any eventuality.

I can see to sides to this

Firsty your son should not be walking any dog alone, he is way to young and is not his fault one bit, nor the dogs! I suggest you dont allow him out with the dog on his own anymore, as this will happen again!

On the other hand lorna you should have control of your puppy, because even if your puppy is submissive other dogs will not care and you dont want to have another attack on poor inca, which may have an affect on her when it ocms to other dogs now!

Simple really, if everyone had control over thier dogs and adults walked them not children then none of this would of happened

Lorna i really hope your puppy is well and there is no further problems x

Sorry to hear that Blue's bite is a nasty one Hope she is ok.

I would say that Becky's son shouldn't be allowed to walk Inca alone now until he has full control over her. I would also expect an apology if my dog was bitten - whether on or offlead.

I still think though that Blue shouldn't have been off lead and running up to Inca - that is Lorna's responsibility and therefore I don't think that Becky should be expected to pay for any vet fees. Just as you wouldn't expect a car owner to have to pay vet fees if the pup had happened to run in front of a car?

I do hope the two ladies concerned can sort this out amicably though - after all, we all love our dogs and try to do our best.

I didnt say I expected anyone to pay vet fees, I just said it's what I would do as a way of saying sorry.

I don't know how old the puppy is - but what puppy has 100% recall? They are still learning the basics. I agree the blame lies with both parties - but to expect a 14 year old to be in full proper control of a dog is wrong.
To expect a young pup to have 100% recall would be wrong
Puppies will be puppies, most and I would expect Dally's to be great ecape artists especially a puppy thats full of mischief, it was an accident, one that could have happened to anyone of us here who has a puppy.
I would feel as upset as Lorna is if it had been one of mine, especially if it was found that a child was in control of the dog that had lashed out at the time - It should never of happened, full stop and probably wouldnt have if an Adult was walking Inca at the time

I think I would do this also
How old is the pup? do you know if it was a dog or bitch?

I would not allow my 16 year old son to walk my dogs as its to much responsibility for him, I also worrie that if one of his mates ran up and jumped on him or generaly mucked around that the dogs would see it as a threat and react badly,
I did feel the thread was posted in a looking for help/advice manner not whos right whos wrong JMO the way I read it the NI owner seems to know she has a problem and was just looking for answers,
I also think the dally owner has been more than pleasant in her approach to the situation. My freind had a similar thing recently and the other owner called the police, she was very nasty about it and even though my freind payed the vet bill she still is up in arms about it,