So I guess I'm gonna call the Sheriff's Dept tomorrow. Why? I was bitten by a fucking dog.
It started out a damn nice day. Good weather, so I took advantage of it for an 8 mile run around the lake. During my run I get attacked not once, but TWICE, by UNLEASHED dogs!
First occurrence was around 3 miles when 2 very wet and muddy UNLEASHED dogs approach me with their owners behind. They proceed to pounce on me wanting to play. I get clawed, muddied, while I'm trying to tell their irresponsible owners to LEASH THEIR FUCKING DOGS AND LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!
They proceed to maul me/muddy me/claw me for a bit until their losers get them under control.
BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!!!
Around mile 5, I get passed by a driver in a van. About 1/4 mile further up the road I see the unoccupied van and the driver, with his German Shepard further up the road. I continue my run and as I approach, before I know it...The dog has his teeth on my right hand. I grab it's muzzle and put it to the ground while the owner leashes the fucking mutt. I shout "Why don't you have that FUCKING DOG LEASHED?" His retort? "You didn't give me enough time."
Whu? Like it's my responsibility? I don't think so. I gave him "The Look" and he understood I meant business and immediately became apologetic. I asked for his vets info and he gave it, but I'm calling the Sheriff's Dept so they pay him a visit. What if this dog got hold of a child, ya know?
What a day. At least I finished my run though...blood and all. Heh.
While I agree with you in that the owner was in the wrong and should have obtained control of his dog I wouldnt exactly say you were "attacked".
Sounds like you were dealing with a friendly dog who saw you running and decided it was time to play, running up on you and "mouthing" your hand. Shepherds do this.. as they are herding breed. They instinctively herd and corral.
If a dog "attacked" you and bit into you you're not grabbing its muzzle and putting it to the ground so easily. No way...if that dog intended to attack you you'd struggle to free yourself from its grip and would be taking a trip to the ER with torn flesh. Don't think K9 dogs would be quite as effective if they were so easily subdued as you describe. You're not superman dude.. that dog could have fucked you up had it intended to.
That dog might have put its mouth on your hand as you were running, but it certainly didn't bite you. If a german shepherd intentionally bites/attacks you your hand would be fucked up. The dogs in both of your instances had no intentions to hurt you... but yea definitely, still doesn't make it right and they should have been on leash.
I agree with your rant, but think you overreacted after not accepting the owner's apology...potentially ending the life of a friendly dog because of a honest mistake in which the dog had no part of.
For future instances.. because not all people are responsible dog owners.. maybe you should slow your pace when approaching an off-leash dog to deter this type of behavior. I know its not your responsibility, but might be in your best interest to prevent further occurrences. I mean.. this happened to you once.. and then you do the same thing 5 miles later? Why not maybe take a different approach when seeing an irresponsible dog owner up ahead? ... yea, yea, yea... you shouldn't have to.. but do you want to be "attacked" again?
Have you ever came across unleashed geese and had a similar experience?
PS - my dog will do the charging bark thing to people he knows very well & loves. A deep (vicious sounding) bark is not necessarily a sign of aggression...far from it with my dog. Must be his way of saying "HI - here I am", but I could definitely see how it'd scare the shit out of people who don't know him.. thus I keep on leash when out and about.