This was posted to our list with permission to cross-post--
Susan Schrank wrote:
I just wanted to tell you the entire story about this
attack before you hear any other version on the news or in the paper.
Today, Sunday 3/25/07, I attended the Space Coast Kennel Clubs All Breed
Match in Melbourne, Fl (near Cocoa Beach). A woman was viciously attacked by
an Akita. Facts:* This was a RESCUED Akita that had been abused in its
previous home and had a history of aggression. The owner brought the dog to
the show to see if it would have any aggression issues. She asked several
people to come at the dog to see if it would become aggressive! (they wisely
refused) While she was talking to a group of people, she had the Akita on a
loose lead and was also holding another dog. She was not paying attention to
her dogs so she did not notice the Akita posturing to attack another dog in
the group. The Akita suddenly attacked the other dog. The owner of the other
dog tried to break it up and put her foot out to stop the Akita. The Akita
grabbed her foot and dragged her
and she began screaming. The dog mangled her left foot so badly that it
literally was hanging on by nothing but a small piece of muscle and was
facing sideways in a spiral. I and another registered nurse went to her aid
as the dog let go because it had her shoe in its mouth. We immediately
elevated her leg and applied a tourniquet with a dog lead to prevent her
from bleeding out and going into shock. Then we splinted the entire leg to
prevent the foot from literally falling off. The paramedics arrived and took
her to the ER. The dog was taken by Animal Control. It is absolutely
incredible that anyone would bring a dog with a history of aggression to a
dog show with children and other dogs around that could be attacked. It also
was amazing that the
owner actually asked innocent bystanders to rile the dog to see if
it would attack!! Then, on top of it, she had this dog on a loose lead and
was not paying attention to its behavior. This is such irresponsible dog
ownership that words alone cannot describe. The amazing fact is that her
young daughter is a junior handler, so this owner is not new to dogs! Please pass this story on. We must reinforce at matches that dogs be kept close to
the owners side and observed by their owners at all times. People tend to get lax at Matches and it can end tragically!
Fondly,
Susan Judy Manley -
Vistah
Thanks for the info.
So, this was a match, not a "show".
And the dog was not a show dog, but a "pet" adoptee. (Note again the "abused" assumption - but do they ever think maybe the dog was abused BECAUSE of its "history of aggression"? The assumption is always that it's some human's fault.)
I'm not sure I'd go along with the "tight lead" theory. Tight leads mean tension, in all forms, and that could make the dog more likely to act out if he thinks you're tense. Really loose, as in 15-ft lead, no; but I don't think she should be choking the dog unless he actually did something. Ask Cesar Millan. ;-) But in any case, she should've been paying attention and not had another dog with her, really. Too much distraction from the aggressive dog.