Sunday 30 January 2022

Not everything goes well in Shangri-La.

 


Yesterday morning, whilst walking with Billy, I experienced the first real act of aggression from both dogs, and their owners; not something one expects in our usually extremely peaceful, and friendly, 'Rest Park'.

Two men were walking with their dogs, both of which were off leads. The men were both of similar ages (around 35), and both had smallish dogs; one black, the other brown.

Suddenly I heard terrific growling and barking as the brown dog attacked the black one. The owner of the black dog kicked out at the brown one, whose owner rushed towards where they were fighting, and prized them apart.

Owner of brown dog then started shouting and swearing at the owner of the black dog for having kicked his dog. Owner of black dog shouted back 'your effing dog was attacking mine, what do you effing expect me to do'; etc, etc. I'll spare you the worst of it.

The argument escalated to where fists were proffered, and pugilistic stances adopted. Luckily a lady dog-walker stepped in, and the two men parted whilst still effing and blinding at each other as they walked away. For a moment I thought they were going to begin throwing punches; it was quite dramatic.

I witnessed all this from a distance of about 30 metres. Never a dull moment, eh?

31 comments:

  1. No wonder they had bad tempered dogs.

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  2. I hope Billy was not too disturbed by the experience.

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    1. He took no notice, he was running around with his chums.

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  3. Dogs can be so influenced by their experiences with other dogs but as Billy was a casual observer, hopefully nothing.

    Dogs fighting is not a not a nice thing for any of us to see, but it is part of dog behaviour.

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    1. I was quite shocked, that park is such a peaceful place (normally).

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  4. Brighton is home to "lots and lots of extremely nice interesting people". Now I wonder who effing said that?

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  5. Ye gods and little fishes. Sounds as though someone should have dared to tell the owners to keep them on a lead.
    Hope you don't meet them too often for Billy's sake. The woman who stepped in was brave

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    1. I suppose it was a classic encounter; not unlike road-rage. Tempers rose and calmed very quickly.

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  6. Nothing that a woman couldn't sort out.

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    1. Correct if it were going to come to blows it would have done so immediately. Probably just a lovers tiff.

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  7. Aggressive dogs and aggressive owners, not a good mix.

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    1. I wonder who taught the dogs to be aggressive?

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  8. Best to stand well back from that kind of nonsense.

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    1. All calm again today, and neither dogs in attendance.

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  9. It was a brave man who prized apart two fighting dogs. Credit where credit is due. It was also a brave woman to step between two fighting men. The owner of the black dog knows it for a fact. His dog can be unpredictable and aggressive. He should not be off lead in the dog park again. I would be watching for that.

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    1. There are often up to about 20 dogs all running about and playing together. This was the first time I'd seen anything like this. There's one dog who wears a muzzle, so I presume he could be trouble.

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  10. I tend to think along Rachels lines - takes a woman to sorr out this sort of nonsense.

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    1. She MAY have been with the man with the black dog, but I don't know for sure.

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  11. Our Portuguese Water Dog is the sweetest natured love bug you'd ever want to meet. With a proper introduction, he loves other dogs. Yet he has been known to turn into "Cujo" when strolling past other leashed dogs in the neighborhood. My husband and I were both mortified one too many times. (We tried enlisting the help of a trainer... it didn't work.) He was also with a pack of dogs under the supervision of a trained dog walker for four years. We've tried everything! We now take him for hikes on a friend's acreage where there is no risk of dog encounters. Your post made me laugh out loud...in commiseration for the other embarrassed dog owners out there.

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    1. En route for the park, Billy often lurches towards Cyclists and Joggers. He really doesn't like that they come-up so silently behind him, so I keep him on a very short lead if see one approaching. He's been OK so far!

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  12. Aggressive dogs should not be in public places. My normally dog loving rural town has experienced dog incidents too. Dog owners have recently been reported and required to appear before the Select Board for a "dog hearing." Sanctions are determined and legal requirements are issued.

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    1. Aggression from dogs is a tricky subject. As with Pitbulls, and crosses, they can be totally charming for years, then suddenly go crazy with no warning, or apparent reason.

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  13. Just a note that muzzle wearing dogs are not always so dressed to keep them from fighting/biteing, it could be to stop them picking up and eating rubbish food etc that has been left on the ground.

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    1. I think you're being a little kind to muzzle-wearers. I think the majority wear them for aggression reasons. But, of course, a certain number might be being prevented from eating nasties.

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  14. My parents had a dog back in the 80s. Sweet, gentle, loved people. God help you if you were a Samoyed. He hated those dogs. I nearly die of shame when he lunged at one in the park. We didn't know of his dislike or that there was even one in the area. Three weeks late, different Samoyed, same reaction.

    He got on with Afghans, Elkhounds, Bearded Collies, whatever mixed breed that came his way.

    Samoyed, were just not tolerated.

    Oh, and muzzles? We had a muzzle for one dog because our neighbour claimed he was a problem barker. We had a problem neighbour, spraying water through the fence at the dog, dropping "tidbits" over the fence, howling at the dog until the dog reacted. Totally miserable human.

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    1. Dogs seem to have very particular relationships with different species. Billy has no interest in fellow Border Collies, but loves playing with Whippets and Greyhounds. Maybe he just loves their speed.

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  15. oh dear! I would have turned away and walked off as fast as I could. I don't like confrontations and hate to get involved. Aren't dogs supposed to be on leashes?

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    1. No, they're all free in the park, and all get on very well. It was for that reason that the confrontation was so shocking. I have a feeling that the two men involved (and their dogs) will not return.

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