Uncontrolled dogs, or irresponsible owners ?

Tobi Hughes·
Madeira News
A message from one of my readers, with a photo of her dog
I would like to highlight an increasing problem of dog attacks on other dogs, as my dog and I have just been assaulted by three dogs on my local Levada in Loreto.
The woman, who I believe was Scandinavian, had a fourth large dog on a lead (because it was aggressive) and her three other dogs were off the lead.  My own dog was off the lead and when he saw the dogs he stopped in his tracks and stood very still and alert, clearly alarmed by what he saw and their energy.
When I got to him and looked ahead, I immediately picked him up, put him on my shoulder and crossed to the other side of the Levada.  I too sensed that the energy of these dogs was not good.  They charged at us barking and growling, crossed over the levada and were jumping up on me trying to attack my dog. One of the dogs was large and I was very frightened I would be knocked over. – I’m 69 years old. The woman had no control over these dogs whatsoever and could only just hang on to the large dog she had on a lead.
She should not be out with four dogs that are in “pack mentality”, off the lead and completely out of control. If I hadn’t picked up my dog they would undoubtedly have attacked him.  They were clearly all rescues and some people think the more dogs they can rescue the better, but you can’t walk that many dogs all together and make them behave.
Dogs which are in any way aggressive to other dogs, children or adults should be muzzled and kept on a lead.  My own dog, little dog is friendly and obedient, trustworthy and has earned his right to be able to run off the lead.  Her dogs have most certainly not and she should be made to walk them one at a time, on a lead.
There was an incident two days ago with a woman walking her 14 year old Yorkshire Terrier in Luga do Baixo and it was attacked by a medium sized dog off the lead, belonging to a Polish man.  The poor little dog was shaken so badly that the skin of its neck was ripped open, exposing the muscle beneath and although it’s thankfully going to survive, the poor little thing and her owner will be terrified every time they see another dog in the future.
Something needs to be done about this issue because it’s grossly unfair to the dogs who are psychologically sound and harmless.  They have a right to be out walking, without their lives being in danger – AND SO DO I.

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Tobi Hughes

15 Responses

  1. Suggest you photograph the errant dogs concerned and report the occurrence to the GNR, they will deal with it. So sorry to hear this has happened to you.

  2. I think that these free spirit people, who do not train their dogs or expect anything of them will never ever change. They do not see anything wrong with their behavior or that of their dogs. The old addage, “walk softly and carry a big stick” might also apply. In these situations I sometimes reach down like I’m picking up a rock, then cock my arm and most dogs run when they see you take control. If you show weakness, the dogs will be emboldened to continue. It is against the law for people to walk their dogs without leashes on public walkways. Have your phone camera ready and film it and submit it to the local police. If you know the offender’s address or license plate number the police will get involved. You will need to go on the offensive here if you want anything done. Sorry, but that is how it works with the lawless and free spirits. I am a dog owner, but my usually manageable pup sometimes acts out when I least expect it. Thank God for leashes.

  3. I do absolutely agree. Not only working as a Pet Sitter but also being actively involved in rescues here on the island, I NEVERvwalk any of my clients dogs, my own, fosters or rescues off lead. The only exception is, when I am completely out in the sticks somewhere in the mountains where I can overlook the scenery and I can recall the dog.

    We‘ve been attacked severel times in different situations, last incident not long ago. We passed a gate that’s usually closed, but this time it wasn’t and a huge dog came straight onto my 2 small rescues and started to bite one of them. I could only prevent bigger damage but grabbing the collar of the attacker, twisting it and cutting off his breathing. He also bit me in his rage. All witnesses by the 3 owners, who were neither able to understand what just happened nor called the dog back. They only came out when I already had control over their dog to got him away. Apologies followed and I was assured that the dog had never bitten. But that’s not how it works and I explained to them how dangerous it was and that they had absolutely no control over the dog and obviously couldn’t leave their gate open. I called the police and reported the incident because that’s the only way these owners can learn their lesson. It’s not the dog’s fault, it’s the owner’s, that’s the sad thing about such situations.

    Of course, the vet’s bill for treating my rescue’s bite wound is still outstanding, even though they were asked to pay. Unfortunately, these people really have to be reported, otherwise nothing will change.

  4. I agree with most of the things said. But you should never pick up your dog or take it on your shoulder when other dogs are attacking. That is very dangerous for the dog because then its belly will be pointing downwards, where the other dogs’ teeth are. It is also very dangerous for the dog owner. Normally these are territorial attacks, that is, the attacking dogs want to chase away a strange dog. If the dog runs away and retreats, everything is usually fine. But above all, I can’t defend myself or my dog if I have him in my arms. Let the dog run and go towards the other dogs. Shouting at them, wagging your arms, and if necessary, use a stick or stone.

  5. This is predominantly an issue with foreigners walking unleashed dogs or local street dogs. The first is controlled by obedience to the law of leashes, the second is being aware and taking action. Street dogs have usually had a hard life with humans so shouting and going towards it usually does the trick. Favourite flat walks, MdM front, Tabua etc have become a dog walking haven, unfortunately sometimes spoilt by unleashed dogs, especially at the cafe areas

  6. A few years ago my brother’s small dog , who was walking off the lead , was pretty much disembowelled by two out of control dogs , he did not have time to run away.
    My sister in law had her hands bitten trying to pick him up.
    We have 2 dogs that walk in our area in the Uk and they have bitten my neighbour’s dog.
    I carry an extendable martial arts baton in my pocket. It is light but rigid when extended.
    I agree report it, but take measures to defend yourself and your dogs.

  7. Well that did happen to me last time I was in Madeira in hiking in a levada without any space the small trail with view to the cliff and the levada attached to a mountain and a foreigner women with 3 dogs in a lead barking with aggressive behaviour towards my family . I was trying to across the trail with my family I was oblige to ask the women to take the dogs out of trail and go in the levada against the mountain for my family across safely the trail no space for any mistakes . KEEP THE DOGS OUT OF THE TRAILS AND DONT LET THE DOGS LOOSE IN THE LEVADAS CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS .

  8. All dog owners should abide by the same rules. Your description of your dog (friendly and obedient, trustworthy) is clearly subjective and your claim that “he has earned his right to be able to run off the lead” is not your call. Rules must apply to all not just those who you find annoying.

  9. All “owned” dogs should ever be
    1) in the closed yard of the owner
    2) on the leash in the hand of the owner/sitter
    3) free in special fenced dog yards
    Dangerous dogs should be forbidden, or at least be forced to wear a muzzle.
    Coming from Germany, I am absolutely astonished, that almost every dog is just a thing and not a pet. No training, no behaviour, always barking without a reason. A real pest. The smaller, the more annoying.

    1. Michael
      Other thing the owners need to stop saying my dog harmless and doesn’t bit is at all when many times the can bit can happen did happen to me the owner said doesn’t bit but did .

  10. I am the lady whose little Yorkie was badly bitten and shaken in Lugar … and I am glad to say thanks to the wonderful treatment she has received at the Madeira veterinary Hospital, and lots of spoiling at home, she is making good progress. Whilst the comments regarding my little girl were no doubt passed on with all good intentions I would like to add that I have had no aggression towards my little one in all her 14 years (10 of them here in Madeira). I only knew at the time that the other dog was not on a lead … my two were … and I only knew the owner/dog walker had a foreign accident .. we have spoken since the incident and I know he realizes the dog should have been on a lead as he admitted it was sometimes aggressive to other female dogs. It was a rescue dog … abandoned .. rescued but tied up .. and now finally adopted again. Poor animal … It was mentioned in your article that me and my little one will be terrified of meeting other dogs in the future … not so … as soon as she is able we will be enjoying being out again. I would add though.. if you don’t know the history of any dog you adopt, keep it leashed until you know it can be trusted … but love it … he/she is a member of your family.

  11. The only dogs I’ve had as an adult are all from animal shelters. Many of them considered “unadoptable” due to health or behavior issues. I’ve had up to 6 dogs at a time, in the U.S. I walked them in 2 groups, all on leashes and harnesses. ALWAYS. ALWAYS. ALWAYS. Three of my little dogs were attacked on Christmas Day by a very large, off-leash dog, whose owners were shouting, “don’t worry, he’s friendly” as he barreled toward me and my little dogs. He attacked them and could have killed them. I was on a trail 30 minutes from my car and another hour to the vet. Two of my three little dogs were bitten and had to be seen by a vet, who, thank God, came in on Christmas Day to treat my dogs. Fortunately, the owner of the large, out- of-control “friendly” dog paid the vet bills. Here’s what I know about dogs: they are DOGS. You cannot always reason with them or recall them. You just never know what may distract them or set them off. Notice how even police, military, drug-sniffing dogs, etc., ARE ALWAYS ON-LEASH. And these are probably the best trained dogs in the world. KEEP YOUR DOGS ON-LEASH IN ANY PUBLIC SETTING!!!

  12. A dog is a dog and not “my little girl”. Sounds like mistreatment in the other direction…

    1. In this case Michael, I assure you she is my little girl … all my family have their ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ … and I can assure you they are all adorable….family members!

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