I want to share an incident that happened recently. My one-year-old nine-pound dog was brutally attacked by two beagles while we were out trying to find my neighbor’s dog which had run away.
She ran up to their fence to play with them and they pulled my small shih-poo’s head through. They attacked, biting and shaking her head until she was unconscious.
She was hospitalized for 24 hours in a coma, and then passed away after having a seizure due to massive head trauma. My four-year-old daughter witnessed the attack and has had nightmares every night since, as have I.
What makes matters even worse is the complete lack of remorse from the owners of the dogs who literally mauled her until she lost consciousness and stopped moving. I have been around dogs all my life and I cannot believe the attitude these people have. It was private property so the police won’t do anything but the dogs actually pulled her head through the fence and attacked her. I was on the other side trying to pull her back through but the dogs were stronger, and they did not stop their attack until she was unconscious. I believe they thought she was dead, as did I.
The owners said it was her fault and their dogs were protecting their yard. If they were protecting the yard a bite would suffice, not a lethal assault. I know the dogs were fenced in, but if they are vicious enough to do this I feel the owners should have to put a sign up on their fence warning anyone walking by. If these dogs are not nice or social with other dogs they should not be left outside, loose in a yard, especially if the owners are not home. We knocked on their door when the attack was happening and no one was there.
My poor little puppy did not deserve for this to happen to her. She had just turned one in May and was the sweetest most lovable dog I have ever known. She loved everyone and thought everyone wanted to play, and although that has been the case up to now, these dogs did not want to play and it cost her her life. We are all heartbroken! Everyone who knew her loved her. How do you explain what happened to your two-year-old son when he asks you, "Where's Ellie," and then goes through the house calling for her?
Jennifer Franks, Bettendorf
(Quad City Times - June 6, 2013)
