Hi Jo,

You have handed this whole situation calmly and constructively. I am so glad that your dog made a full recovery and that you were able to speak to the owner, it sounds as if you found some closure.

Sensitively, you did not push the issue of Vet bills being paid for, but I think this is important, not for the money, but for the owner to recognize the impact of their actions (so that there is more chance of them rectifying these behaviours in the future). Thank you for such a lovely thread,

Tigermum x

Dear Souza

Thank you for all that very useful information - I reported it all at the time as I was concerned for the welfare of other dogs who may innocently approach this dog completely unaware of the potential consequences and will send an update. I agree Winkie would certainly help - my own dog went to her puppy socialization classes and I would highly recommend her.

[quote="TillyandMoo"]My dog was attacked by a Staffie today along Northcote Rd. That dog needs a muzzle too but the owner accepted no responsibility whatsoever so I doubt the dog will be muzzled. I hope it doesn't attack a child next time.[/quote]

Dear Tilly & Moo - Hi! I'm so sorry to hear that your lovely dog was attacked on Northcote Road. I hope he is OK. I would also encourage you to send an email report to Mr Mark Callis, the Wandsworth Dog Warden stating:-

1. Date, Time & Location on Northcote Road

2. What Happened?

3. Description of the Dog & Owner

Given the terrible attitude of the owner - who I note denied all responsibility - we can be sure that this dog is going to attack other innocent dogs in the borough.

As I mentioned in my post [above] to JoJo - by emailing a report to Mark Callis, the Wandsworth Dog Warden - each incident empowers him to apply for appropriate legal powers to require this dog to be kept on a lead & muzzle at all times when out in public.

The email for the Wandsworth Dog Warden can be found in my message [above] to JoJo. it might be worthy copying your email to Northcote Safer Neighbourhood Team: northcote.snt@met.police.uk

Dear JoJo,

1. I'm so sorry that your lovely dog had to experience this nasty attack by the black lab. I'm so pleased that he has recovered from his injuries.

2. Dogs - like humans - can display increased nervousness after such an attack- & if this happens - I'd strongly recommend some sessions with a good dog behaviourist to help your dog feel relaxed around other dogs again.

3. My lovely dog & I attend Socialization Classes with a super local dog trainer/behaviourist called Winkie Spiers [www.winkiespiers.com]

4. And the owner of the labs should definitely take her black lab to a good behaviourist such as Winkie - otherwise further attacks will be inevitable!

5. Although not a legal stipulation, the owner of the labs should have offered to pay at least 50% of your vets' fees - as a gesture of good will - & to show that she understands the seriousness of her negligent behaviour.

6. I would send a report to The Wandsworth Dog Warden, Mr Mark Callis. This is not 'telling tales' - but very important. If this dog attacks other innocent dogs - each report submitted to Mark empowers him to apply for appropriate legal powers - such as an order that the lab is kept on a lead & wears a muzzle at all times when in public places.

7. If you don't report this serious incident to Mark Callis, he will be unaware of the history of this black lab - and the owner can claim her dog has never done this before if future attacks occur.

8. Given that the black lab lunged at you when you met up with the female - I'm pretty sure there are going to be further attacks on innocent dogs.

9. Mark Callis, the Wandsworth Dog Warden can be contacted on the following email: dogcontrol@wandsworth.gov.uk

10. It would also be worth copying your email to Wandsworth Parks Police:-

Patrolling mobile: 07500 95 94 42

General enquiries: 020 8871 7532

Email: parkspolice@wandsworth.gov.uk

11. And please never hesitate to dial 999 if you or your dog need emergency assistance in any situation while out walking

I saw this post had been included in Annabels email round up and by complete coincidence I found the owner on the Common this morning!! I approached her (with my dog in my arms) and explained exactly what had happened to my dog that day and how serious an attack it was. Her dog was still on the lead and not muzzled - and even tried a lunge at my dog in my arms while I was talking to her - so there is no doubt in my mind that this owner needs to take responsible - and immediate - action so that she and other dog owners can continue to enjoy the freedom of our Common. And I really really hope she does! She was shocked at what had happened to my dog, and very concerned and I just hope she gets the support to help her dog when out in public places. She also has a golden lab which I hadn't spotted on the day. I explained the Yellow Dog charity as well, although given her dogs behavioural issues, I feel that is only the starting point. Dog scraps are what they are but a dog with continued behavioural issues - and a clear intent to injure other dogs - must have them addressed which she did indicate to me she would do.

So sorry to hear what you have gone through with your dog.

I think you also raise a really good side point on the yellow dog post. You mention it could act as a warning to children to give a dog more space. We have a dog (and children) and it puts the fear of god in me how many children bowl over and grab my dog without asking me first if I have stopped anywhere on Clapham Common. I am actually very happy to let children pat her if they ask, and she is completely submissive and just rolls over on her back for them to tickle her tummy. But the issue is she may have been a dog that doesn't like children and if they don't ask first, they don't know.

Also, I have to leave her sat outside the play areas on her own, and parents will stand and watch their children approaching her without attempting to stop them at all, when really the adults should know better as they have no idea how an unknown dog would react.

My dog is fabulous with children, but I would never trust any dog with my children unsupervised by the owner. I think all dogs should be given a bit of space by children they don't know. It doesn't apply to your situation at all, but maybe is a chance to raise a side point, before someone is posting about a dog attack on a child.

[url]http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/devil-dog-crimes-up-by-a-half-in-london-10304614.html[/url] The Evening Standard reported on the rise of dog attacks last night. Did you ever find the owner?

Dear jojo

I think you have been incredibly reasonable considering what has happened to your dog and all the worry you have been through.

Thank you for bringing it to so many peoples attention and pointing out this great scheme from www.yellowdog.co.uk.

Muzzling your dog is the kind thing to do for them and everyone around them and nobody should feel they are being unkind or failing your dog in any way.

Everyone else please notice a muzzled dog and make sure you and your dog give it space and steer well clear.

Thank you for all your kind responses.

An update: my dog has made a full recovery and is enjoying the park once more.

I haven't found the owner however thanks to NVN so many people have read this post that I am hoping it has been seen by her or someone who knows her, assuming she is local.

I have discovered an amazing charity called [b][u]Yellow Dog [/u][/b]www.yellowdoguk.co.uk where your dog can wear a yellow bandana or muzzle to show other owners that their dog needs some space. This looks to me like a brilliant scheme - and could give a dog owner more peace of mind when taking a nervous or potentially aggressive dog out in the park and they don't want other dogs or children to approach their dog - or approach with caution. This helps everyone and can conceivably prevent an encounter that could easily end in the death of a dog or an attack on a child.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gxK2HUH0X0

I know that some people might think this is an odd suggestion, but have you considered taking the poor little thing to see a dog osteopath. Friends of mine experienced something similar, where the attack left their pup badly shaken but without visible injury and they visited a pet osteo. It helped to calm the pup down and recover from the shock. Might be worth a try.

Thanks Sydneymummy - that was quite a distressing situation (made me realise it could have been a very different outcome) but useful site to know about. I am fairly confident that given the amount of people who have seen this post that someone has recognised the description either of themselves or someone they know. The owner definitely seemed local, with a child of nursery age (given it was a Monday morning, possibly in afternoon school) and a toddler. I don't think the dog was a true Lab - more of a cross - it had wider set eyes and a strong wide jaw - but was the size of a lab.

I hope anyone who has a dog with aggressive tendencies and considers themselves responsible will learn from my experience and take measures to protect all park users be it dogs, children or adults from their dog. It all happened in a matter of seconds and probably would have ended in the death of my dog if it hadn't been for a fairly substantial halter which stopped the top jaw piercing his neck.

I am very sorry to hear about the attack on your dog; I hope he's OK and that he recovers well and very quickly. It's a terrible ordeal to be put through.

If you haven't already, it might be worth also posting on Streetlife (www.streetlife.com). I have found that site to be very useful in providing tips and recommendations but also for alerting people to issues and for tracking down dog owners, an example being:

https://www.streetlife.com/conversation/28ir8uryt09hr/

I wish you all the very best and hope that you're able to find the owner of the dog.

My dog was attacked by a Staffie today along Northcote Rd. That dog needs a muzzle too but the owner accepted no responsibility whatsoever so I doubt the dog will be muzzled. I hope it doesn't attack a child next time.

God, this dog sounds like a nightmare. It shouldn't even be on the Common - let alone let off the lead to attack other dogs. Owners must take responsibility when they have vicious dogs. Let's hope it doesn't attack someone's child.

yes the vet was concerned about that. I think the owner believes it wouldn't physically hurt another dog but we now know that is definitely not the case. It bites and is potentially dangerous. I have been contacted by people who were on the common at the time thanks to this post so I am really hopeful either the owner or someone who knows a family who has least 2 very young children and a rescue dog that is kept on lead will see this.

My dog is very sore and lacklustre and i am confident will make a full recovery but it has been a tough week.