Two birds with one story

This provides further evidence that muzzling is a horrible idea and only encourages people to not walk their dogs and that a pit bull ban only changes the breed of dog in the headlines because you've done nothing to solve the irresponsible owner problem (Toronto has a pit bull ban).  This story sums up two things in one short story.  Thank you Canadians.

http://torontosun.com/News/TorontoAndGTA/2006/12/29/3059325-sun.html

Pair of boxers maul dog

Muzzled victim defenceless

The two snorting and snarling boxers charged without warning, gnashing at a muzzled dog as owner Robert Smol kicked the vicious animals with all his might.

It happened Christmas Eve at a park in Etobicoke, said Smol, who was walking Scout, his 8-year-old-German shepherd-border collie mix at the time of the attack.

The boxers, who weren't on leashes, rushed Smol and Scout without warning.

"All of a sudden ... they just started mauling him," said Smol, 44, a teacher. "My dog is helpless because he has the muzzle on. It was a very vicious attack. I'm surprised they didn't turn on me."

Smol has a lot of experience with aggressive animals.

OBEDIENCE TRAINING

Scout has bitten Smol and his wife and has to be muzzled and leashed to protect strangers. The dog has had obedience training and wears a choke collar on walks, Smol said.

"We do not take any chances with our dog because we know he has a history of aggression," Smol said. "Responsible dog owners know how to deal with an aggressive dog."

As the boxers bit Scout's back and rear end, Smol booted them to stop the attack. Smol hollered at the dog's owner to help save Scout.

"I was screaming at him telling him, "Get your dogs. Control your dogs,' " Smol said.

BLEEDING

After a couple of minutes, the boxers stopped their onslaught.

"(Scout) was definitely bleeding but he was able to walk," Smol said.

Panicked, Smol called his wife, a nurse.

Margie Petrik showed up with blankets to keep Scout warm until they could get him to the vet.

Petrik talked to the dogs' owner, getting his name and confirmation his pets had had their shots.

She didn't call police to report the attack.

"I don't think that's the answer," she said. "It's education and understanding what you're getting yourself into (with an aggressive dog)."

After nearly $2,000 in vet bills, Scout is recovering at home.

"What if this was my 8-year-old niece instead of my dog?" Smol said.

Comments

[steven davies]

The purpose of obedience training is to teach dogs to behave properly with people around them and become a well- mannered companion to you.But unfortunately not everyone think like that:(
sorry for Scout