My painful last memories of Will

9:04am Thursday 18th October 2012 in Letters By Reader letter

My painful last memories of Will My painful last memories of Will

ON a walk with our dog, Will, we were both attacked by another dog.

Will would have been 16 this December, he was almost blind and deaf and ‘creaking’ a little on his hind legs but had a real zest for life. We were at the back of Rainford Cricket Clubhouse, heading for the iron bridge, at around 7-7.30 am on Tuesday when I noticed a dog racing towards us and didn’t like the look of its body language, so I was forced to hastily picked Will up: this dog was a Staffordshire bull terrier.

l spun round several times trying to protect Will and prevent this animal getting a grip. This dog bit Will and Will screamed; at one point this dog seemingly had Wills leg in its grip. I shouted loudly “can someone get this dog on a lead please.”

By now it had my jacket sleeve in its mouth. It tried to bite my legs and as I had Will in my arms I also tried to shake the dog off my legs. At one point I almost fell over but somehow managed to stay upright.

A man and a boy (of around 5 years old) appeared; seemingly the man was the owner. He reacted when he saw the dog was not only trying to assault my dog but in the process was assaulting me. This man was unable to restrain the dog immediately.

Eventually the owner got the dog and handled it by its collar. Unbelievably he did not put the dog on a lead. This was despite me asking him more than three times PLEASE put that dog on the lead. I could see that this powerful dog was potentially about to break free.

This man fumbled for what can only be described as a slim piece of rope to handle the dog which was extremely ready to ‘go’. At this point I burst into tears at what had happened and what could also have happened if I had fallen over….

Next morning, Will woke us at 3.50am and we sat with him in our bedroom. We didn’t take him to see the vet immediately after the incident as there were no visible signs of hurt except a red and slightly bloody stomach where the dog managed to do some damage.

The vet administered anti-biotic injection as he considered there was a threat of infection from this dog’s assault, he was also given pain killing injections as he was clearly bothered by something. By mid-day Will was clearly in distress and the call to the vet was a very painful one especially as Will was, by now, screaming in pain. The journey to the vet also seemed like an age and one which I will sadly never ever forget - listening to him screaming.

In short, within the space of a few hours he’d seen the vet twice, the second time was his last. Who also knows how much longer Will would have lived as he was a ‘good age’, but it was like losing our teenager as we were together for 15 years.

Good age or not it doesn’t help the pain of losing him. I am very sad that Will didn’t make it for another walk and I feel very sadly robbed of our last ever walk in the most awful memory of his last couple of days I could ever imagine.

To the owners of bull-breed dogs I urge you NOT to let your dog off a proper lead; I urge a muzzle for this dog whenever out in public. I speak with experience with bull-breeds and other dogs. Dogs are PACK animals with certain traits when, if activated - and it doesn’t take much - can be lethal.

Dogs really are miracles with paws... they are fabulous but owners please be aware, your dog may be a house angel and great with kids but they can be ‘street/field devils’. Every dog owner has the ‘right’ to a safe passage when they take their dog out; I can never have that day back with Will.

Rest in peace Will …. A very sad Rainford resident.

Comments(35)

joecos says...
12:38pm Thu 18 Oct 12

Very sad , the Staffie gets a lot of criticism , but i reckon 9 out of 10
times its the owners that are to
blame , but very frightening for
this lady , and a terrible end for
lovely pet . You sound like a real
animal lover , so go on give a good
home to another dog .

Report this post »

anthonywilson says...
4:27pm Thu 18 Oct 12

Really sad to hear about this.
Unfortunately there's too many irresponsible dog owners out there and it was a massive mistake when the dog licensing scheme was dropped years ago. Hope you think of the good times you had with Will and the good memories and not this.

Report this post »

kjd161 says...
5:16pm Thu 18 Oct 12

Simple answer to the dog problem. All dogs, irrespective of breed, should be on a lead when outside. When they are allowed to have a run, they should be muzzled. Hey presto, no more savaged dogs, and more importantly, no more attacks on people. This doesn't do anything for attacks by dogs in their own homes, sadly, but at least no one walking outside gets hurt.
No doubt this comment will be severely criticised by some people. I expect that. But standing by wringing your hands gets us nowhere, just waiting for another headline.

Report this post »

Saintinexile says...
5:26pm Thu 18 Oct 12

It's not 9 times out of 10 . .it's 10 out of 10. These stupid people go out and buy a "status dog" to be fashionable(and staffies ARE a status dog, although a poor man's one). These idiots must honestly believe that people look up to them because they have a "hard"dog.These animals have been bred and inter bred over many years and are NOT wonderful family pets as some owners will have you believe, if they were, then they would not have a reputation, and be sought after by these knuckle dragging, trackie wearing, excuses. Either stop these cretins having dogs, or, sterilise them(the cretins) and maybe future generations will be able to think for themselves, and make pet owning decisions that aren't based on what they see on MTV

Report this post »

kjd161 says...
7:11pm Thu 18 Oct 12

Saintinexile wrote:
It's not 9 times out of 10 . .it's 10 out of 10. These stupid people go out and buy a "status dog" to be fashionable(and staffies ARE a status dog, although a poor man's one). These idiots must honestly believe that people look up to them because they have a "hard"dog.These animals have been bred and inter bred over many years and are NOT wonderful family pets as some owners will have you believe, if they were, then they would not have a reputation, and be sought after by these knuckle dragging, trackie wearing, excuses. Either stop these cretins having dogs, or, sterilise them(the cretins) and maybe future generations will be able to think for themselves, and make pet owning decisions that aren't based on what they see on MTV
Hear Hear.

Report this post »

frankly says...
7:53pm Thu 18 Oct 12

hear hear AGAIN..Well put

Report this post »

shaun1977 says...
10:10pm Thu 18 Oct 12

My heart goes out to the lady who lost her dog in that way. The owner of the offending dog should know what temperement his dog has and there for acted accordingly to protect others.
But as a Staffordshire bull terrier owner myself I am tired of reading all the bad press about staffies. To some extent I have to agree with some of the comments about people buying them as status dogs but if they are trained in the correct way they can be one of the most loving and loyal pet ever and I wish people would research the history of this breed as I did and then may be they would learn to love them. And many of the people who buy them for the status wouldnt feel so hard.I happily trust my dogs with my children Any dog can react the way the one in the letter did because of the lack of training but I bet it would not get as much bad press as the Staffordshire Again my heart goes out to the lady

Report this post »

pitbullboxing says...
10:19pm Thu 18 Oct 12

Not wonderful family pets? You are extremely poorly informed. I agree with the all dogs on leads and licensing best way all around. No such thing as a bad dog only a bad owner It's tragic that the SBT has been adopted by the sub humans but that is not the dogs fault. Breeding is a problem and it's a shame for the like of the decent breeders that use proper black country breeding that there are so many half wits out there making a bad name. They are not everybodies cup of tea , but that doesn't mean that everybody who has one is a bad guy. Not every sheep dog is owned by a farmer or every Labradour by a blind person! Horrendous story , and I really feel for you , just try to concentrate on all the good times your bull terrier gave you and ignore the devil dog naysayers.

Report this post »

pitbullboxing says...
10:25pm Thu 18 Oct 12

I've been bitten by most other breeds of dog but never by a SBT. Another thing I would like to mention is it is not just a poor mans dog , I know plenty of people with lots and lots and lots of money who have SBT's. Bit silly that post really saint in exile. Unless you live in a cave that is , then I would forgive you.

Report this post »

joecos says...
3:31am Fri 19 Oct 12

Saintinexile wrote:
It's not 9 times out of 10 . .it's 10 out of 10. These stupid people go out and buy a "status dog" to be fashionable(and staffies ARE a status dog, although a poor man's one). These idiots must honestly believe that people look up to them because they have a "hard"dog.These animals have been bred and inter bred over many years and are NOT wonderful family pets as some owners will have you believe, if they were, then they would not have a reputation, and be sought after by these knuckle dragging, trackie wearing, excuses. Either stop these cretins having dogs, or, sterilise them(the cretins) and maybe future generations will be able to think for themselves, and make pet owning decisions that aren't based on what they see on MTV
So everyone that owns a Staff. is
stupid , i thought i was being a bit
harsh saying 9 out of 10 . There are thousands of very responsible Staffie owners If you want
to keep fit just try attaching a Staff.
to your belt & go jogging , they love
it . Also if you want further proof
of how well behaved a Staffie / Pitbull can be watch the ` Dog
whisperer` on tv . Cesar Milan
has about 4 they are lovely dogs .
( Not sure you can get this in UK).

Report this post »

Don't talk wet says...
10:22am Fri 19 Oct 12

I have met many Staffordshire Bull Terriers who have had terrific temperaments. My own dog was half Staff and I would have trusted her above other Jack Russell/Collie type dogs I and my family have owned before.

It's irresponsible and ill-informed owners that propegate bad feeling towards these dogs. Everytime i see an advert for Staffie pups my heart sinks because I know some trackie wearing Chav will take it in and have it until they get bored of it, and have caused some lasting psychological damage.

Report this post »

Saintinexile says...
4:45pm Fri 19 Oct 12

pitbullboxing wrote:
I've been bitten by most other breeds of dog but never by a SBT. Another thing I would like to mention is it is not just a poor mans dog , I know plenty of people with lots and lots and lots of money who have SBT's. Bit silly that post really saint in exile. Unless you live in a cave that is , then I would forgive you.
And how did they make lots and lots and lots of money? Breeding SBT's and flogging them to knuckle dragging trackie wearers. And you've been bitten by "most other breeds of dog", really? what are you, a vet? or very very unlucky? I'm a grey haired old git and I've only been bitten once in my life

Report this post »

Saintinexile says...
5:03pm Fri 19 Oct 12

Oh and I never said that they were a poor man's dog. I stated that they were a poor man's status dog.That is. . they are a cheap option for chavs who want to look hard

Report this post »

pitbullboxing says...
6:21pm Fri 19 Oct 12

Err well one of them is a captain in the army and another rents commercial properties. Bit of a tit really aren't you.

Report this post »

pitbullboxing says...
6:27pm Fri 19 Oct 12

...and just to ask - what would be a rich man's status dog? if you call £800 pound cheap that is! That's the price of most SBT'S these days.

Report this post »

frankly says...
8:21pm Fri 19 Oct 12

pittbull
£800 maybe for full p/bs, not interbred that these nerds have..those that pay 800 as you say, will no doubt care for their dog and give it proper training..Then their are the other types, need i say more

Report this post »

pitbullboxing says...
9:06pm Fri 19 Oct 12

That's not the dogs fault though is it and still it's a massive generalisation that somone who pays less may not care for their dog or be a responsible owner. My friend got one from a rescue home and the only time he may drag his knuckles in when he is tiling a floor. Did a **** fine job in my kitchen , the wife is made up!

Report this post »

chasmcn says...
12:21am Sat 20 Oct 12

Like pit says its the owners that make bad dogs ,i have met some great SBT and some nasty ones all down to the owner, i have a border collie which if you read up on has probably bit more people then any other breed .When you have dogs you have got to work them boredom is there biggest fault which is actually the owners fault .What i find frightening about this dog is the 5year old child having a bad tempered dog like that in the house dread think of what will happen .

Report this post »

pitbullboxing says...
9:33am Sat 20 Oct 12

Ah chas , we do have something in common , after my last staffy died ( I've had four) I moved on to a border collie! I tell you what - the staffs were easier to train! But she is a love. Have a nice weekend mate.

Report this post »

sunshineandshowers says...
6:19pm Sun 21 Oct 12

Hi I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your lovely pet it must hav ebeen heart breaking and very frightening at the time. I am concerned however that there is a house in this town that has a vicious dog with a five year old in it. History tells us that this is a very dangerous thing and the owner of this staffie sounds unfortunately like the irresponsible type else he would have a lead for a start. I hope for the childs sake he has seen sense and found it a new home.

Report this post »

pitbullboxing says...
7:52pm Sun 21 Oct 12

Sometimes dogs regardless of breed don't like other dogs. It doesn't mean it's about to attack a child. This witch hunt needs to stop.

Report this post »

pitbullboxing says...
7:52pm Sun 21 Oct 12

http://www.dogbitecl
aims.co.uk/dangerous
-breeds.html

Report this post »

mattmxl says...
10:43am Mon 22 Oct 12

At the end of the day, its only a dog isn't it?! In the grand scheme of things, they are insignificant little creatures. It's bad on the letter writer though who not only lost a companion but was attacked herself.

I understood that if a dog attacked a human, it could automatically be destroyed. Is this no longer the case or something?

Report this post »

pitbullboxing says...
11:49am Mon 22 Oct 12

Not insignificant to the lady in the letter. What a jack ****.

Report this post »

mattmxl says...
11:55am Mon 22 Oct 12

I did say that it was bad on the letter writer if you read it back. I'm talking in the grand scheme of things when I say dogs are insignificant little creatures.

Report this post »

pitbullboxing says...
12:56pm Mon 22 Oct 12

Police dogs , mountain rescue dogs , guide dogs , sniffer dogs , therapy dogs , cadaver dogs , disaster dogs , avalanche dogs.......and so on. What is the "grand scheme" by the way? The nature of the universe?

Report this post »

sunshineandshowers says...
10:01pm Mon 22 Oct 12

In my experience, and I have had a dog all my life, a biter will bite and whilst they may primarily attack other dogs they will also nip out or worse at humans. Child could be at risk if they provoke which kids do very often albeit unintentionally

Report this post »

mattmxl says...
10:19pm Mon 22 Oct 12

pitbullboxing wrote:
Police dogs , mountain rescue dogs , guide dogs , sniffer dogs , therapy dogs , cadaver dogs , disaster dogs , avalanche dogs.......and so on. What is the "grand scheme" by the way? The nature of the universe?
Dogs that work for humans, the way it should be for insignificant life forms.

The grand scheme is life in general. We eat dogs! They know their place, making them insignificant to humans in the grand scheme.

Report this post »

pitbullboxing says...
10:20pm Mon 22 Oct 12

Absolute rubbish. I had a staff and he HATED other dogs , no problem I just kept him on a lead. Never ever one sign of aggression to humans. Once he was really ill he hadn't eaten or drank for days so I took him to the vets. On the way home a group of kids ran over to see him (he was a bit of a local legend) prodding him and pulling his ears. He obviously wasn't in the best shape in fact he was very weak. Do you know what he did? Wagged his tail and started licking them. 15 years , not as much as a growl towards a human. There's a group on facebook that one of the kids made for him because they grew up with him and we used to tie him to the kids vehicles on the field and he would pull them about for hours. Real devil dog eh.

Report this post »

pitbullboxing says...
10:23pm Mon 22 Oct 12

mattmxl wrote:
pitbullboxing wrote:
Police dogs , mountain rescue dogs , guide dogs , sniffer dogs , therapy dogs , cadaver dogs , disaster dogs , avalanche dogs.......and so on. What is the "grand scheme" by the way? The nature of the universe?
Dogs that work for humans, the way it should be for insignificant life forms.

The grand scheme is life in general. We eat dogs! They know their place, making them insignificant to humans in the grand scheme.
Very good Matt. Very Good.Tell your Mum I said Hi.

Report this post »

mattmxl says...
10:45pm Mon 22 Oct 12

She has missed you! Lol.

Report this post »

pitbullboxing says...
10:49pm Mon 22 Oct 12

Ha! Take it east man.

Report this post »

pitbullboxing says...
10:50pm Mon 22 Oct 12

or easy!

Report this post »

mikeperry109 says...
1:12pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Try running through Taylor Park and count the number of dogs off the lead. How can any owner be sure that the dog will not attack another dog or human?. Are owners prepared to be responsible for vet's bills, hospital care and compensation - I doubt it?.
All dogs should be on a lead at all times unless muzzled - and failure to comply should mean criminal prosecution. I speak as the co-owner of 2 boxers, both of whom have been attacked while on the lead.

Report this post »

pitbullboxing says...
1:41pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Lead at all times Mike. It's the only way.

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree