[sabrina]

My niece had a horrible experience yesterday while out walking her whippet . she only got him last Friday so he is still being walked on the lead. A man walking 2 staffies along with his kids lost complete control of his dogs and they have more or less torn my nieces dog so badly that he may not recover. One of his own dogs bit him and he ended up in hospital in a right state. He has phoned to see how my nieces dog is and offered to pay any vet fees. So far £600 but vet says it will be around £800 and more with ongoing treatment. Turns out he had only got one of the staffies the week before and already knew it was a bit of a problem with other dogs. I have told her to inform the police. Why he would take on a dog like that when he has children is beyond belief.

[Old Shep]

That's awful I do hope the whippet recovers.   If he'd only had it that long it should have been on a lead, just as your niece was doing.

[harmony]

Obviously there is dialogue between your niece and this chap so she can maybe talk to him about what he intends to do with the dogs. Obviously he got bitten too so that should make him think and that could easily have been someone else. Maybe sooner than later.


I hope the whippet recovers and that he does indeed pay the bill. Does he know the potential cost?  I would be surprised if the vets will bill him after all your niece is the client and responsible for payment if the other chap reneges.

[devonlady]

This has always been a terror of mine, Whippets are so delicate, skin like tissue paper, I hope he recovers and that your niece gets over the upset.

[BrimwoodFarm]

Oh goodness, how horrible for your niece and her poor dog. I hope he pulls through.

I've taken on two rescue staffies and both have been fine. I agree with Scarlet...it may have just been a horrible accident, and the fact the new dog had integrated with his previous one probably lulled him into the belief that the potential aggression towards other dogs wasn't as bad as he thought. Still, if that had happened to me I'm afraid I would have the aggressor euthanised because even it was acting in proactive defense it bit the owner too.

What a horrible situation...please keep us up to date on the progress of that little whippet.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Oh dear, this sounds terribly bad. I know I shouldn't say this but a staffordshire terrier, surprise, surprise The same breed who killed that child in England a couple of weeks back. Personally I would inform the police and dog warden about this and also inform them that he had children with him at the time and any one of those could have been seriously hurt. In my own opinion the culprit dog needs to be destroyed, as it is a danger to not only other dogs/dog owners but also to the man and his children. I sincerely hope that your nieces dog pulls through soon and that everything is dealt with all well and above board. All the best and can you please keep us up to date how the poor dog is doing. I hope your niece is ok!

[Bramham Wiltshire Horns]

Oh dear, this sounds terribly bad. I know I shouldn't say this but a staffordshire terrier, surprise, surprise The same breed who killed that child in England a couple of weeks back. Personally I would inform the police and dog warden about this and also inform them that he had children with him at the time and any one of those could have been seriously hurt. In my own opinion the culprit dog needs to be destroyed, as it is a danger to not only other dogs/dog owners but also to the man and his children. I sincerely hope that your nieces dog pulls through soon and that everything is dealt with all well and above board. All the best and can you please keep us up to date how the poor dog is doing. I hope your niece is ok!

sorry to hear about your accident

water buffalo alot of this is down to the way the dog has been raised, we cant demonise the dog just because its a staffie
my inlaws have had staffies over 40 years and never had trouble from any of them infact my bedlington terrior annoys the life out of them and they dont bat an eye lid,
its no coincidence that most staffie owners are teenage chavs that miss handle the dogs as a social status its,
if you look at the incidents where children have been killed or injured the back ground story dont usually relate to elderly people owning the dog!

[sabrina]

Having gone through the experience myself with one of our own dogs, ( staffie cross ) I know it was nothing to do with how she was raised. She just turned into a complete nutter age 3. I think its more to do with breeding these days. Far too many people just breeding for the money with no care into if the dogs or bitch should be bred from in the first place. the update on my niece's whippet is he is doing as well as can be expected. Getting his wounds dressed every day at the vets. She put pictures on facebook which look horrible.

[Blondie]

That sounds terrible and heartbreaking as a greyhound owner, I know just how thin skinned and delicate the sighthounds are.

Fingers crossed for a swift recovery

[pharnorth]

And sadly too many dogs being given a second or third chance that just are not suitable for domestic lifestyles. Friend of mine had to hand one back this week. After several weeks of trying to settle the dog into their home, beach walks, park walks impeccable approach to training and patience. Not novice dog owners. It had gone for other dogs more than once while out and bit my friend as she tried to calm him down. Husband took it back next day. Now will the dog home try to rehouse it again?  I wonder......

[SallyintNorth]

I hope the whippet is ok

Staffies were always renowned as fabulous family pets, fantastic with children, until the danged American Pit Bull arrived over here and were outlawed.  Since then, a lot of Staffies no longer look like the Staffies I remember from my youth (growing up in Staffordshire, where they were very prevalent), and many have a lot of the Pit Bull characteristics.  In my opinion.

[Steph Hen]

Sounds like the staffy owner is trying to do the right thing, and I hope whippet make a full and speedy recovery, but for me police and if it were my dog euthanasia - there are so many lovely dogs out there and I am sick of hearing stories about dogs round here biting kids in the parks and attacking other dogs. I'm sick of seeing dogs on leads with their shouting owners hanging onto the other end while their dog strangles itself barking and pulling to get at other dogs or bikes in public spaces.

[Penninehillbilly]

How is the whippet doing Sabrina? I hope he's OK.
A friend had Staffies,  i have to say,  they were lovely tempered, (not my sort of dog, but can't fault these 2), however, as others, I'm really concerned about the dog concerned here, not just for other dogs, but the children as well.

[sabrina]

Not doing too good sad to say. Still attending the vet every day but the poor dog has become very depressed. I think by what Kara has been saying there is infection in his wounds. She has not said anything about what is happening with the staffies. My brother, her dad  retired policeman has made it clear to her about telling the police. Like others he is very worried about the children .

[Eeyore]

How is your Neice's dog doing Sabrina?  I'm sorry, I've only just seen this post.


It makes me mad when people let their dogs off the lead and don't or can't keep control of them.  I have always rescued my dogs and most have been very friendly.  My little Scottie girl I have now doesn't like strange dogs or strangers and because of this we never take her to places where there are lots of other dogs and when we go out for walks she is always on lead.


I do hope the dog has pulled through his injuries.  I found Zylkene really good for dogs when they are depressed or stressed.  When my little westie passed away, my little scottie boy (her friend) became ill and after lots of tests at the vets they put it down to him grieving and being very depressed.  Zylkene helped along with taking him to lots of new places for walks and getting him  new friend.