Nightmare walk for other half

Oh was on the park with Gordon yesterday on his long lead, when an old guy with a GSD And Lab off lead approached, the GSD was muzzled , I know this dog he's huge and gone for Gordon in the past. so both dogs approach Gordon and start going for him. Oh was trying to pull them off and Gordon was trying to get away, but OH said they were going mad, then Gordon started to attack them we both think as a last resort as he couldn't get away, pinning down the Lab by the throat and grabbing the GSD'S face until OH managed to pull him off. The old guy said his dogs had gone for Gordon because he was on his lead . Now i'm wondering where you stand in this situation if your dog is on the lead but retaliates if attacked and hurts the other dog ??. I'm so angry about this and worried about the impact this will make with Gordon socializing with other dogs. Why don't people just keep their dog on a lead if unsure how it will react with other dogs

I think you need to report this owner unfortunately his dog should not be off lead and allowed to approach other dogs if aggressive. In regards to laws, I think anybody could see that your dog was under control and on lead, defending himself from being attacked. Really sorry this has happened to you!

This is so unfair Tracy. People really should be made to train their dogs or perhaps it's the owners that should be trained. Accidents happen but from your post it seems as though these other dogs have been in trouble before.

As regards the law, I am almost certain that the law would be on your side as Gordon was under control and simple defending his self.

Thanks for the replies, I am going to report the owner to the park keeper, I know he has been reported before!!, I don't want the dog banned from the park as it's a really old guy who owns him and he might not be able get else where to walk him, but the owner needs to keep him on a lead!!. It really annoys me when people just let their dogs run over, this is the 2nd time this has happened with a GSD, it's not the dogs but wish the owners would take some control instead of letting their dogs run riot

That's a really commendable view, Tracy, but I would question whether this chap is a suitable person to be walking these dogs. They sound a handful for a younger person, never mind an old man. The owner's age shouldn't have any bearing on his responsability towards other park users.

I think you're right to report him and maybe request that the park keeper insists that both dogs are kept on lead and both are muzzled.

And no, there is no way an on-lead dog can be in the wrong against two off-lead ones.

Hope Gordon's ok!

Its very simple Tracy, Gordon was on lead and in the eyes of the law "under control" if someone wants to let there dog approach offlead they do so at there own risk. People should really learn to control there dogs better and maybee grow a brain cell themselves. two dogs will pack up and seem very intimidating to a dog on his own so no wonder he went defensive, i would do the same tbh and its a reason i keep my two on lead all the time and not let them
approach a dog on its own. dont worry your oh or gordon did nothing wrong or unexpected at all. in fact gordons protection instinct probably kicked in to look after your oh in the face of two strange dogs

I would agree in reporting it as well

I'm just sorry this happened to you somepeople just shouldn't be allowed to be responsible for dogs. I hope a law comes in which makes people go to training classes, that would be much more useful that the current waste of time laws we have!

I agree with everyone above though Gordon was under control so he did nothing wrong

Thanks for the replies it's put my mind at rest, I was worried about his reaction with other dogs in case he took a backward step with his socializing, but just come back from the park ( different one ) and he's played lovely with his two friends ( both spanials) I'm going to report the guy with GSD tomorrow when we go there for walks, if this had happened to a smaller or older dog god knows what would have happened!!

That's disgusting to think a dog being on the lead justifies that behaviour in any way what so ever, what absolute rubbish. I'm so sorry you had to put up with such a thing, if it hadn't have been you it would have been someone else, even guide dogs have been attacked.

I wouldnt worry to much as dogs live for the here and now. its easy to think they will regress at any opertunity but for most dogs its not the case at all. dogs that have been abused or repeatedly subjected to dog on dog violence may well become ultra alert but for the most part a well socialised dog will know the difference between fun and danger and act accordingly.

Id report as well whos to say the dogs arent aggressive to humans as well