dog attack

[yagagriswold.livejournal.com]

I thought the community might want to know that I was attacked by a dog near the Lexington Street playground this morning. It was one of two medium-sized (probably around 50 pounds, I'd guess) dogs held on leash (though just barely) by a blond woman, 40 years old or so.

I was passing them on my bike, after having stopped and asked the owner and another dog owner if I could pass them. Once they acknowledged me and moved their dogs to one side, I rolled slowly by them. The dog lunged at me and took a bite out of my leg, breaking the skin.

While the cops were there, the dogs lunged at several other people, actually grabbing the arm of an older man who was walking by.

I understand from Animal Control that both dogs will now be quarantined for ten days.

I hope no one else has to experience this. I *like* dogs, and this was scary.


Edited to add: April at S'ville Animal Control was true to her word and faxed me the vaccination certificates as soon as she had them. The dogs are up to date on their rabies vaccinations. Thank you, April!

Comments

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Oh, no! I'm so sorry that this happened to you. Glad you were able to enlist Animal Control in coping, and I hope the dogs' human will be able to get them the help they need in learning to respect strangers.

[lyonesse.livejournal.com]

omg, how horrible. *hugs* and i hope those dogs get some real help.

[smoterh.livejournal.com]

I've been attacked by a unleashed dog on the path, however it was on the Cambridge side (between Mass Ave and Alewife), and luckily I escaped without injury.

Also, for the past 2 years I've been contacting the Aldermen, the Mayor and the Police Dept about the unleashed dogs that hang out around Lexington Park. Although they sympathize, nothing is ever done about this.

[freedmam.livejournal.com]

Very sorry for you. Glad you are ok. Random thought...does this woman have to pay to have her dogs boarded at Animal Control? Does she have to pay any kind of fine? It would make me mad if No was the answer.

[wardv.livejournal.com]

Also, for the past 2 years I've been contacting the Aldermen, the Mayor and the Police Dept about the unleashed dogs that hang out around Lexington Park. Although they sympathize, nothing is ever done about this.

This is not true.

I used to spend quite a lot of time at the Lexington park. I have, on numerous occasions, seen the animal control people stop by to check for unleashed dogs and their owners.

Is that enough of an effort? I'm not sure - I still often see dog owners who let their dogs run free. I don't know what the fine is for not keeping your dog on a leash, but it does not seem to be much of a deterrent. Perhaps it should be raised.

[ron_newman]

Very scary. What happens next -- do you wait N days and then they tell you whether you need to get shots?

[yagagriswold.livejournal.com]

Apparently, they're letting her quarantine them at home. I don't love this idea, but they didn't ask me.

This is part of why I thought I'd post this. I'm skeptical that she's actually going to keep them in the house for those ten days.

[yagagriswold.livejournal.com]

Animal Control is supposed to fax me copies of both dogs' vaccination certificates.

[bombardiette.livejournal.com]

What kind of dogs? I'm so sorry that happened!

[smoterh.livejournal.com]

You're right.

There has been efforts. After I've complained I would see cops cruising the area for the few days following the report.

I guess what I tried to say is that the problem with unleashed hasn't been reseloved despite the city's efforts.

The fine for an unleashed dog is $25

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

that's tough :/

of course, my initial reaction as a dog lover and former dog owner is 'boarding them at animal control! nooooo! won't help at all!' but of course, then rational brain kicks in and,
a.) i wouldn't own the types of dogs to attack people or things
b.) actually, what is the point of home or animal control quarantine, what is this supposed to accomplish? is it simply punishment for the owner and, if there are further offenses the dogs may be put down?
c.) logically, how can this ever be enforced? (keeping her dogs at home) it's not like they're going to have an officer posted outside her door or something.

in any case, that is really scary and i'm glad you're (relatively) okay.

[visage.livejournal.com]

b.) actually, what is the point of home or animal control quarantine, what is this supposed to accomplish? is it simply punishment for the owner and, if there are further offenses the dogs may be put down?

My assumption is that the quarantine is to make sure they don't bite anyone/anything else until test results come back for, for example, rabies.

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

The quarantine is presumably to see whether the dog develops symptoms of rabies, which would mean that yagagriswold would have to get rabies shots. It's unlikely, especially in the case of a domesticated dog that's presumably had shots to prevent rabies, but better safe than sorry.

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

gotcha. not sure how my brain missed that one, wow.

in that case, i do definitely find it strange they'd be 'quarantined' at home.

[thelauraism.livejournal.com]

I see the dogs every single day unleashed during morning rush hour on the bike path.

[darxus.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you got cops / Animal Control involved.

[brunchish.livejournal.com]

Can you describe the dogs (breed/colors)? I live in the area and would love to know which dog requires extra distance.

I love dogs, and like to think that I'm being paranoid while walking with my son (in a stroller) but this kind of story scares the hell out of me.

[grateful1311.livejournal.com]

Correction, the fine for an unleashed dog is $50.

[grateful1311.livejournal.com]

bikergeek, you are correct. Dogs & cats who bite/scratch humans or other animals are quarantined for 10 days to be sure they do not exhibit any signs of rabies.

On the subject of quarantining animals who have bitten/scratched at the Animal Control facility:
1) We do not have the resources to do this, and:
2) The state law states that we can only take the animal for quarantine if the animal's owner is found to a) be unable to follow the guidelines of the quarantine or b) there is a reasonable suspicion that the owner's animal will not adhear to the quarantine.

Please feel free to call us at 617-625-6600 ext 2190 or email at Aterrio@somervillema.gov for more information on animal bites and quarantines.

[real-green-tea.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a really scary experience! I hope you are ok, did you get medical attention? Puncture wounds can get horrifically infected and it is best to get them checked sooner than later, even if it feels completely ok.

Any dog can get sick with a contagion or have a brain tumor, it's not necessarily normal for that breed or even that dog to get aggressive. Sometimes it's an owner's first warning sign that the dog is sick, when the dog attacks a stranger out of the blue.

[smoterh.livejournal.com]

I do too. Every time something like this happens I write a quick and polite email about unleashed dogs to Ward 5 and 6 Aldermen and the Mayor. I hope (fingers crossed) if more people would do this and highlight this problem, maybe one day something would get done about this.

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

i second the thought for followup medical attention (don't mess around with that), and of course, bill the dog owner for the trouble.

#

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Me too.

[nungnung.livejournal.com]

Thirding the medical attention. I was mauled by a dog recently, and put off going to the hospital for 24 hours. By the time I woke up the next day, my wound was insanely infected and over 2 months later I still have tenderness and inflammation, and will have permanent scarring. I don't think getting treated sooner would have helped much, but it may have made a difference in the infection level if I had the wound properly cleaned instead of doing it myself at home.

So sorry this happened to you. I know how traumatizing it is, even for a dog lover (I'm one, too), and even if the dog is not large.

[yagagriswold.livejournal.com]

I did see my doctor. Thanks!