Dogs. Advice please

I meant dogs will be dogs not fogs.

I'd have thought that so many dogs running loose together would behave as a pack and would therefore potentially be dangerous to people as well as dogs. I'd be inclined to keep your dogs on the lead when she's about, then if the dogs she's supposed to be looking after come and make trouble you'll be in a good position to say something about it.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I would definitely say something .

Its not good enough - she is supposed to have her dogs under control. But to be fair, your dog should have been on the lead to if you cant get an instant recall from him. You have to be in control also.

The dog walker should be licensed by the local council and will be subject to rules such as control of the dogs under her care and a limit put on the amount of dogs she can handle at one time. She should be insured. I would certainly give her the bill and if she is difficult I would suggest contacting the council, particularly if the dogs look to be out of control.

We see a number of dog walkers and they are very closely monitored by the council.

Bordersgirl57. The dog mess where we go is really bad. People dont pick up. I think we are going to avoid the place in future. Its a shame because its advertised as a nature reserve. Its o ne of the few places that ive felt comfortable letting the dogs off lead because most people do so and are so friendly. I think it was just bad luck . We usually recall the dogs if we see someone we dont know but this woman just appeared as we were talking to another person and of course lurchers are superfast. If I see her again I will tell her because that dog must be aggressive to bite like that.

Definitely say something - your poor dog will be seriously upset by being attacked and could take some while to recover his confidence. It might be worth contacting your local Community Police Officer, who could have a quiet word. The aggressive dog should wear a muzzle in public and not be allowed off the lead.

I agree this is unacceptable. Are there any restrictions on the number of dogs these professionals can take out at any one time. I really can't believe anyone can control six or seven dogs off the lead.
I would talk to your local council and have a word with the woman concerned. Do you know any of the owners of the dogs as they may not realise such a large pack of dogs are being taken out together. I hope your Lurcher recovers ok.

Surely if this woman is running a business, she should at least have public liability insurance.
In some areas, only 4 dogs can be be walked at one time together.

The dog walker should have insurance but that is not the main point. I have seen dog walkers with multiple dogs off lead and in general they have no control over them. Realistically how can they? Six or seven dogs all running about in different directions. How can recall be effective in those circumstances and of course there is the added possibility of them acting against other dogs as a pack.

You should definitely inform the dog walker and give her a copy of the charges you incurred. I am sure that if I was paying a dog walker and this happened with my dog I would also want to know. The only possible motive in taking so many out at once is money and it can't provide a good service as it puts the walked dog and other dogs and potentially children at risk.

On the beach where I walk my dog I have seen and pointed out dog mess ignored by the walker. I have walked my dog the length of the beach and returned to see certain walkers all standing talking never having left the spot with their dogs. The dogs may have been out an hour but I feel sorry for owners who have paid for a good walk for their dogs while they are at walk and don't realize that the poor dog hasn't been walked at all.

I have deviated from your post but I feel very strongly about the danger of too many dogs at once. Not all dog walkers are like this. The walkers who pick up, actually walk the dogs and have recall usually have 3 of less dogs with them.

You should not have to avoid the area where you walk your dog and dog walkers should ensure their dogs are on leads when other dogs are about. Sorry for the long rant but I think you are owed not only monetary compensation but an apology and assurances that the ownerhas been told that his/her dog has attacked another dog while in their care. Good luck with that op. Maybe I should put my tin hat on

At work ...not walk lol

My dog is always walked on a lead unless we know there are no other dogs around. We do plan to take her to a secure field that can be hired by the hour. My last dog was attacked several times when she was on a lead and dogs ran up to her and went for her. I don't really understand the attitude of a lot of dog walkers, I'm afraid. They seem oblivious to the fact that some people and dogs might be afraid of dogs. The dog walker should be insured and should pay for your dogs treatment and the owner of the dogs in his or her care should know what has happened.

I think it would be understandable if you said something to this lady - particularly as your dog had to have expensive vet treatment. It must have been frightening for you and your dog too.

I would like to think I would bring it to her attention but I'm a bit of a coward about things like this so perhaps I wouldn't. It would be totally justified though.

I think you should mention it to the dog walker and let her know of the cost incurred. This should have been mentioned at the time IMO. However, I also think you need to accept some of the blame by allowing your dog to run up to the others. This may have been seen as threatening behaviour.

If it's a nature reserve then I expect other people/families visit.
It's alarmingly irresponsible to not pick up dog mess as it can, in some cases where the skin has a scratch or cut, cause death.
I've no time for dog owners who let digs mess where they will, don't have dogs on leads on public highways or let their leads unravel across half the pavement therefore endangering other people.
I was on a bus yesterday when a man and dog boarded. I could hear him tell the dog 4 times to 'get down'. Obviously not trained to obey.
Personally, aside from working dogs, I can't see the point of them. Many are left at home when owners work.

digs dogs

I would definatly give the walker a copy of the bill next time you see her and report the incident to the local Council,whilst she is running a business she should by law be fully insured,she can well afford this insurance as most walkers charge from £10 per hour for walks and if she is walking 7 then she is making a pretty good income,I would not let this rest as other dogs are at risk.
I do hope your dog is OK now and recovers well .

Dianne the least you should do is ask her to pay the vet bill. She should have insurance, as other posters have mentioned.
Give her a copy of the vet bill and take her name and address.

I wouldn't hesitate to give the dog walker the bill, although your dog should also not be off the lead if you can't recall her instantly, but I do know what you mean about lurchers! I have 3 dogs, they are never off the lead if I see other dogs around, but like you I have been taken by surprise at times, one dog is never off his lead unless in a secure dog walking enclosure because he does come back, but only in his own sweet time, which is not good enough for me, the other 2 are fine, but are kept on leads if other dogs are in sight because I feel more in control that way. I would never walk more than my 3 dogs at one time, I fail to see how anyone can control 7 dogs on or off lead and the sheer strength of 7 dogs would pull over any person, it should not be allowed. I would definitely get in touch with the council re licensing, maybe the dog walker is breaking her license conditions and she needs stopping before a tragedy happens, if not a call to your local PCSO is in order.

I would tell your local council as all dog walkers have to licenced now. Also they are only allowed to walk six dogs at a time. On the leash!
I would present the dog walker with your vet bill as she will be insured (or should be by law) and her insurance will pay
Don’t just let it go. The next dog could be killed

I didn't think anyone could walk more than 4 dogs at once anymore. Or have I dreamt that up. Personally I would give her the vets bill and according to her attitude I would to report her, as srn63 said. It's heartbreaking hearing a dog cry from another dog bite (my small cavalier, on lead, got bit by a known to be a problem, off the lead boxer).

Diane.this is setious.. ouncils have laws as to how many dogs are allowed to br walked! Definitely say something and advise a muzzle for the dog who attacked yours. I repeat this is a serious issue as she could end up in court it.also keep your dog on lead when shes about as posted.

Goid advice from Dillonsgran too

I think that I have read dog walkers should only walk 4 here in Greater Manchester. A professional dog walker will have/should have insurance and that insurance will stipulate how many dogs they can walk and be covered. 7 dogs sounds very excessive to me - beyond controlling ...... and yes, several dogs can behave as a pack as we found out when our gentle soul (dog) was bitten by a chocolate Labrador whose owner was walking 4 at the time.