The worst walk

[edzbird]

Horrible horrible walk this morning. OH had Coco, I had Meg. We were walking in single file along a narrow pavement. Spotted a lone woman walking towards us. OH stepped into the road, I said "No. this will mean Meg passes next to the woman" so we remained on the pavement to "force" her into the road. I shortened Meg's lead. The bloody dog jumped up anyway and caught this woman with her claw, taking a fairly alarming gouge out of her arm (I actually thought she'd bitten, thank heavens she didn't). The woman was understandably livid and I apologised. She said if she has her way the dog will be put down. She pulled out her phone & called her hubby to collect her (and bring Savlon) then called the police. Obviously we waited. It was then she said that "this dog had jumped up and scratched her with it's claw". I admit to being more than relieved at this declaration. She was talking to the police who must have thought she was a bit OTT, she said "well it's bleeding and now I've got to go to A&E!" Hmm.
The police then asked to speak with me, she handed me her phone..the first thing he said was "Don't worry, this does not sound like dog attack, you'll be fine" He asked me a few questions like was she on a lead, was it a very narrow pavement. TBH the policeman sounded "doggy" and understanding and I think she was a dog hater/fearful. Doesn't excuse what happened though.

As she made a complaint, the police will follow it up with either a home visit (please, NO) or more likely a phone call. I've really let Meg down today. Next time we are caught in this position I will cross the road, even though there is no pavement. I will protect my girl and I will protect other walkers. I was very shaken today.

 

[kateincornwall]

Oh Sue , I am terribly sorry , what an awful thing to go through . As it was a claw, not a bite , I doubt very much that the Police would take any action . You must be going through the wringer with this , you haven't let Meg down , it was a very unfortunate accident , an accident Sue . Sending virtual hugs for you xxxxx

 

[Jacqui-S]

How awful for you Sue - such a shock. I can imagine you are a mixture of angry and scared right now.
I'm glad the police were understanding.
It seems that other than crossing the road every time you meet someone that this is going to be difficult to avoid. Would it be normal for Meg to do this?
You poor things. As Kate says, it was just an accident, don't beat yourself up.

 

[JES72]

I am so sorry this happened and that you’d be very shaken by the incident. Sending hugs and gin

 

[HAH]

Oh @edzbird , I’m so sorry this happened. What a horrible experience, sounds like the police will be sensible and hopefully you’ll feel better once the dust has settled. Many virtual hugs xxx

 

[Boogie]

Hugs

 

[snowbunny]

No wonder you're shaken and scared, and I understand why you feel you've let her down, but you haven't. You took what you thought was reasonable precaution and, as Kate has said, it was just an accident.
I'm sure that nothing will come of it, with the woman admitting it was a claw that did the damage.

Have a hot bath or shower, pour yourself a stiff drink and have a relaxing evening with cuddles from your beautiful dogs.
x

 

[Boogie]

No wonder you're shaken and scared, and I understand why you feel you've let her down, but you haven't. You took what you thought was reasonable precaution and, as Kate has said, it was just an accident.
I'm sure that nothing will come of it, with the woman admitting it was a claw that did the damage.

Have a hot bath or shower, pour yourself a stiff drink and have a relaxing evening with cuddles from your beautiful dogs.
x

This.

 

[Jen]

Oh my god! What a ridiculous woman. I’m actually infuriated. If I saw something like that happen I would be appalled and would probably have to be like “did you actually just ring the police because a dog scratched you? ”.

You haven’t let Meg down at all, Sue. Stanley could just as easily do something like that in tigger mode and it would never enter my head to cross the road when we saw someone.

It was an accident - with a person who wasn’t a complete bellend nothing would have come of it. You would have apologised and everyone would have carried on with their day.

Sending lots of love and hugs to you and both your beautiful babies xx

 

[Bruer]

Big hugs x

 

[Selina27]

 

[Atemas]

I don’t think you have let Meg down - it was just very very unfortunate. The woman seems to have over reacted but maybe that was shock. I am surprised she called the police but I never cease to be amazed at how people can be. Try not to beat yourself up about it - I know easier said than done. You have a plan for the future.

 

[chrisc831]

 

[Aitch]

Goodness! How can you say you've let your dog down??? You most certainly haven't. That could have been any one of us with our dogs. Dogs do this sometimes. The silly woman just wanted to stir up some attention for herself.
Just settle in for the evening with your lovely dogs and relax. It will all come out alright I'm sure.

 

[SwampDonkey]

So sorry Sue XXX

 

[Oberon]

Anyone would be shaken up by this, but I’m sure it will all turn out to be ok, as in nothing will come of it. It wasn’t a bite. It’ll be treated as an accident. You apologised, you stayed around.....you did all the right things. And you know more about what kind of evasive action will work next time, so you can be confident there won’t be a repeat.

While calling the police was a bit OTT I can understand that the woman got a big fright and was in pain. People react with high emotion when that happens, which I don’t think is all that odd. I wouldn’t blame her for that reaction (which you aren’t doing, Sue).

 

[SteffiS]

Totally agree with @Jen .
What an awful woman, fancy ringing the police! They don’t even have enough police to deal with serious crime, what was she thinking .

You’ve worked so hard with Meg @edzbird you certainly haven’t let her down, no one can make the right decision every time and this was just an unfortunate occurrence that you will be able to learn from.

 

[Natalie]

I love your reply @Jen . And many of us could indeed have that dog that when a bit excited jumps up at someone, Monty did it last week for the first time in months and months.
And yes people do over react when they are scared.... But I do wonder that once she's calmed down this evening that calling the police was a bit unnecessary. Thank goodness you got a sensible officer.
Please don't feel bad @edzbird . Tomorrow is a brand new day and you have not let anyone, or any dog, down at all. You are a brilliant and strong dog mummy

 

[Stacia]

A friend of mine had just re-homed a Dachshund and it ran after a women who was flapping and screaming and caught her trouser leg. The woman called the police who duly came down but thought the dog was fine. The woman insisted it went to court, but the court thought the woman had over reacted and all was fine. So I am sure it will be for you. I do feel deeply for you though, not a pleasant experience for you, deep breaths and a good slurp of alcohol and remember 'worse things happen at sea' xx

 

[edzbird]

Thanks everyone for your calming words. Off the alcohol until Monday....had a lovely orange juice to settle me...didn't work. Really really want GIN.

Am I bad to hope she waited for HOURS, clutching her tube of Savlon, at A&E?