This evening I was relaxing, scrolling through the news online and checking out dog pictures and videos on social media, when I came across a story that just made my blood run cold. It was posted by an acquaintance who lives one town away from me, and detailed how her husband had gone out that morning for a jog with their Australian Shepherd Zazu; they take a six-mile run together on-leash, four days a week. One this morning’s run, however, not a block from their home, Zazu was attacked by two Rottweilers, who were loose, with their owners nowhere to be seen.
The police were summoned, the dogs caught and impounded, Zazu rushed to the emergency veterinary hospital, but his wounds were too serious and he could not be saved. A neighbor, who heard the tumult and witnessed the scene, identified the dogs as belonging to a couple who lives nearby. They are older, she told the police – and one of their adult children who also lives there breeds the dogs and sells puppies for extra income. Usually, the dogs are never taken out of the yard – but they do get loose from time to time.
Loose dogs in the neighborhood
Personally, I don’t think there is a place in society for dogs who kill. And while no one is perfect, and everyone has had a dog who has gotten loose before, when you own large, powerful dogs (especially more than one), you have a greater-than-average responsibility to see to it that your dogs can not escape the security of your yard. I hope the owners of these dogs are held responsible for Zazu’s death, and I hope the dogs who murdered Zazu are not released back into the custody of their owners – or, perhaps anyone else.
I know that’s harsh. It’s not the dogs’ fault that they were inadequately contained. It’s not their fault that their owners failed to socialize them adequately, so that they saw a leashed dog as prey or an interloper in their neighborhood, as opposed to a potential playmate. It’s not their fault that they have been denied the stimulation of an active dog like Zazu, locked up with no exercise, reduced to a life of breeding and reproduction, over and over.
It’s not fair. But it’s not fair to Zazu and his owners, either, that two very powerful, aggressive dogs were in a position to kill. What if the dog they attacked had been being walked by an elderly or frail person? The person might be dead, too. What if the dog they attacked was being walked by a mother who also was pushing a stroller with a baby inside? I shudder to think of it.
People who keep dogs in a socially impoverished environment, for the sole pupose of breeding puppies to sell – that’s even worse. This type of person is literally the backyard breeder in the derogatory trope.
I am hoping that the dogs are designated as dangerous and steps are taken to make sure they can’t be a threat to anyone else in the community. And my heart goes out to the owners of poor Zazu; his dad will be forever traumatized by the memory of the TEN MINUTES he struggled to save his dog as Zazu was being fatally mauled.
What steps can Zazu’s owners take?
I asked someone I know who is an animal control officer in a different community: What should Zazu’s owners do? She said, if there is any kind of record of the dogs being loose before, or any previous complaint made about their aggression, the local animal control could take steps to get a dangerous dog designation for the Rottweilers. If there is any sort of record of the dogs doing this before, or even just being picked up for running loose before, she would press the local court for the dangerous dog designation.
But if this is the first record of any complaint about the dogs, then their owners are likely to be fined only for the dogs “running at large,” asked for proof of licensing and rabies vaccination (and possibly fined for lack of same), and charged for the short impound; all that Zazu’s owners can do is sue for Zazu’s final vet bill, including cremation.
Obviously, I love dogs, and don’t relish the idea of any dogs being euthanized. But large, aggressive dogs in the hands of owners who can’t or won’t contain them? I can’t imagine living and walking my own dogs in that neighborhood.
Do any of you have any advice for Zazu’s owners? Have you ever been in a situation like this?
I live in a community with a bunch of chained loose, and otherwise not socialized dogs. I have been advised by other trainers to carry treats and spray shield. Throwing treats at the other dogs may be enough to distract them if you see them early enough. I have also heard of trainers carrying spray shield. My understanding is that spray shield is strong essential oils that you spray on the ground which interrupts the dog. I don’t think any of these things would work after a dog is starting to attack. Personally, I treat the dogs in the neighborhood that I don’t know as dogs who could potentially harm or disrupt my dog. I try to avoid them before they notice us.
Throwing treats and spray shield are pretty useless when an aroused dog is bent on attacking you or your pup. I carry pepper spray and a small taser.
This is so sad. It happened to my mom years ago she was walking her very docile doberman and a pit bull got out of its yard and mauled my moms Dobie, it was Thanksgiving day and we took her to the emergency vet and they were able to sew her up but she went downhill and passed away about two weeks later. It was terribly sad.
I have seen multiple stories on facebook in the last few months of similar happenings. Some pulled the poor min schnauzer right out from his fenced in yard. We travel and I have to walk my min schnauzer in strange places all the time. I am getting myself a very strong pepper spray that is made to stop bears. The one I am getting is in the shape of a gun so you don’t get “blow back”. Do some research and get something to protect your pup and yourself!
I’m so sorry Zazu was so brutally attacked by these loose Rottweilers. I’ve been bitten by a Rottweiler who sent me to the ER with a broken hand and 30 stitches. It took me almost 4 years to settle a lawsuit against the horrible, irresponsible owner. Now when I walk my dogs I carry a taser, which is legal per my attorney, to safeguard me and my dogs. Be safe. ☮️💟
As a Whole Dog Journal subscriber, I’m a little dismayed that so many people want the dogs in question put down without even mentioning the possibility that they could be re-homed with a responsible individual and be loving companions. I admit that in extreme cases it might not be possible, but I don’t think the article established that just because a loving pet was lost. I think about the pits that Michael Vic abused who are now loyal, loving family members. My last two dogs have been pit bulls, and I can’t imagine a better dog breed when well managed: loyal, affectionate, playful, and protective. I know someone will tell me it’s just a matter of time before I get a dose of reality and I have “an incident” because pits are unpredictable, but I’ll keep being cautious, like I would with any dog, responsible, engaged, and having a great relationship with a supposedly vicious dog breed.
Cory
Thank you Cory, I couldn’t have said this better myself.
Many of Michael Viks dogs ended up being put down.
“Of the 51 pit bulls rescued from Vick’s property, two died in care shortly following the raid and one was humanely euthanized after being deemed “too emotionally and physically damaged” to save. The remaining 48 became the first dogs to not only survive a dogfighting ring, but be given a chance at life after their rescue.”
https://www.thedodo.com/michael-vick-dogs-the-champions-1652308280.html
Of the 51 dogs that were confiscated from Vick’s property, only a few were put down. It was the first time that, because of his notariety, that 22 rescues decided to band together and prove that the dogs from fighting rings COULD be rehabilitated. See this story in the Washington Post on the 47 dogs that were given a second chance: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/sports/michael-vick-dogfighting-dogs/?utm_campaign=enews&utm_medium=email&utm_source=luminate
The majority did not. It’s researchable. But even if they had, consider that they were actually trained to kill/maim, abused and made mean and fearful and yet many (me) or some (you) were able to cope with their past horrific existence and become loving members of a family. All I’m saying is the rotty’s shouldn’t be judged by you (or me). They should be evaluated, not judged. Too many people with experiences instead of experience and knowledge are condemning these dogs and whole breeds.
Hi Cory,
Several of Michael Vic’s dogs were euthanized. But, the majority were placed in loving homes.
Having said that, pit bulls are a wonderful breed (I had one) as are all other breeds! It is never the dogs fault it is the irresponsible dog owners!
Sadly, I recently experienced my ‘super’ submissive black lab being attacked. We live in Colorado and hike all the time. This dogs owner was running on the trail and the dog was a mile ahead of her. My dog was nicely saying hello to another dog, when in a split second this other dog came out of nowhere! With a pack mentality, for no reason, grabbed my dog by the neck and would not let go! My dog screamed, so did my husband and I. The owner finally arrived and tried to stop her dog. My dog never growled or tried to retaliate at all. People on the trail ran over, screaming, throwing water on the dog, etc. My husband literally pried open the dogs mouth, getting bit himself. The woman’s response: “She has never done this before.” My reply: Well she has now! Put that dog on a leash!”
Although our dog needed 2 layer of stitches, we are so lucky he is alive! The dog went in for the kill! I still cannot blame the dog. I blame the woman.
Please, owners, take the time to get to know your dogs…
Such a sad situation!!! Really brings it home to ban the deed and not the breed!!! I’ve been in their situation, I was returning to my car from an event downtown in my city. I was accompanied by my mobility Service dog. A young German Shepherd charged across the street and tried to attack my SD. I yelled, screamed, and kicked at, and pushed that dog away from my SD. The owners were outside, but it was a child that came to try to get the dog. We were lucky and my SD wasn’t injured. However, he was very wary for a while of any Shepherd looking dogs after that.
When humans don’t provide appropriate care and supervision for their dog(s) one way or another the dog (and offer others as well) pay the price. I live in a relatively safe urban neighborhood but still there is always the danger of a “close encounter” with aggressive dogs. I carry “Halt” (pepper spray) but I’m aware of the limitations in using it effectively. Fortunately it hasn’t been necessary to test it and I would only use it as a last resort.
I think it’s unlikely the owner of the Rottweilers will claim them since they would be held liable for the damage they caused. If unclaimed these dogs will ultimately be put down (NOT “euthanized”) but could be kept confined in isolation for months or even years if there are legal proceedings. If the owners of these dogs can be located they are the ones who should be punished.
So I have tubes of pepper spray as had to move to location where two dog owners let their dogs run loose to potty. I carry the pepper spray on me and use against stray dog a few feet before it gets to my dog and me.
We have two minpins when I walk them I carry pepper spray. I will not hesitate to spray any animal that appears to be aggressive. If owner is around I ask them to get their dog and inform them if their dog comes at my dog I will spray them.
I cannot even describe how I am feeling after reading this. I am crying for Zazu’s owners and I am so mad, my blood is boiling. Loose dogs are a pet peeve of mine. That description isn’t enough, but I can’t write the words I really want to. My own little Yorkie was attacked twice, once by a Husky who was loose in the FRONT yard of a house I walked by. My Beanie was only about 3 and she was tiny, and I am sure the Husky thought she was a rabbit. Before I knew it this dog was over her with its mouth on her back, and there was NOTHING I could do except scream, while my poor little dog was screaming. The owner’s came flying out and grabbed the Husky. I was sure Beanie was going to be punctured and full of blood, but all she was full of, was the Husky’s spit. It must have realized that Beanie wasn’t a rabbit and didn’t clamp down on her. My Guardian Angels were watching over her. The STUPID owners couldn’t even hang onto the dog and it almost got loose again. Needless to say, I never walked by that house again.
The second time, I was walking her with my friend who has a very large Shepherd/Mastiff mix dog. Big, goofy dog who loves my little Beanie. We walked by a house and a hound from hell Pitbull burst out of the front door, attacked Chara first, who fought it off while my friend was punching and kicking it and then it saw me with my dog on my shoulder. The dog jumped on me to get at Beanie and managed to basically scrape her back leg with its teeth. The owner came out with her 2 daughters and they could NOT contain this THING. Everyone was screaming and finally the THING was grabbed and pulled back into the house. We went back to my friend’s house and I put Beanie down and she couldn’t walk and her leg was bleeding so I took her to the ER hospital. The doctor was amazed that my dog escaped more serious injury and that I wasn’t mauled.
Against my boss’s (who was an attorney) advice I went back to the house and told the woman that I wanted her to pay the vet bill. She told me that had “found” her dog on the street and the dog had been mauled by another dog, so they just took it in. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I just looked at her and again said I want you to pay the vet bill. She started yelling at ME, saying your dog is fine. By that time, I was literally seeing “red” and I had to stop myself from punching her in the face because all I could think of and hear was my dog screaming as the THING was jumping on me. I just told her she would hear from my attorney and left.
Again, my Guardian Angels were watching over us because I know that we all were lucky. I had nightmares for weeks after this incident. Beanie’s injuries healed and I was reimbursed for the vet bill, but she never recovered from this mentally. She is extremely frightened of dogs and manifests that by acting very aggressive whenever she sees a dog, barking and going crazy on the leash to the point where I end up apologizing to whomever goes by me with their dog. Beanie does have a couple of dogs she is o.k. with, but that is it.
Why do people think it is o.k. to just let their dogs off leash or not contain them properly!!
Very sad. I feel badly for my small dogs. I’d love to walk them down trails like I used to with my big dogs, but rarely do, it’s not worth the risk. While a big dog may survive an attack, in most cases, a small one won’t. There are just too many irresponsible owners out there that think their dog should be able to go free … whether they have control over them or not.