While on a walk on President Street last week, Eleanor, the sweet dog in the photos above, was attacked by another dog and needed surgery. Thankfully she is slowly recuperating, The outcome could have been much different, however. The other dog, a pit bull,had apparently shown aggression towards other dogs before.
Eleanor's owner Elizabeth contacted me late last week to make me aware of the incident and to give sound advice others. She writes:
Earlier this week my gentle and docile Old English Sheepdog, Eleanor, was attacked and bitten by an aggressive dog on the sidewalk and had to receive surgery--she was lucky to come away alive. The owner of the other dog told me that it was not the first time her dog had attacked another dog and that she was aware her dog was aggressive.Since speaking with other people in the neighborhood and the local vets, I've heard of several incidents of unprovoked attacks by aggressive dogs (frequently pitbulls, as was the case in this situation).It is imperative that these incidents be reported via 311 before a child, older person, or another dog is attacked. If a human is bitten it is mandatory to report the incident within 24 hours via 311. If a dog is bitten, the police can be alerted by reporting an unrestrained or off-leash dog (this can be done online or via 311) and then an investigation will take place. Additionally, if there is an attack, or if you see a vicious dog, call 911 immediately and wait for the police to arrive--it is best not to wait until later to call so thatthey can take a report.I understand that people who own dogs that occasionally become aggressive, including pitbulls, do their best and are often taking in dogs that have been abandoned. However, those owners need to muzzle their dogs if they are aware of any problems, particularly if they are walking them when children are on theirway to school.Thank you to all the kind people in the neighborhood who helped care for Eleanor in the immediate aftermath of the attack--she has appreciated all the attention and seems to feel a bit like a rock star because of it, and is well on her way to recovering.
Lets hope that Eleanor will recover soon. It is indeed important that we make sure that owners of aggressive dogs take appropriate steps to restrain them before they cause injury to others. Thanks for making us aware, Elizabeth.
