Basenji Bite

[Lowriders in Ohio]

I am completely horrified to report that Cyrus, our basenji, bit another dog on our walk tonight.  We were walking down a street in our neighborhood, and a fluffy little dog ran out of its yard across the street and came up to our dogs.  I pulled the dachshunds back, and they did not attack the little dog.  However, the little dog ran up to Cyrus, and Cyrus grabbed him by the throat and bit him.  My husband had to pry Cyrus' jaws off the dog's neck.  The owner came running out of her house, but it was too late.  The little dog was bleeding from the neck. 

We feel TERRIBLE!  I am going to leave a card tomorrow with an apology and our contact information in case they need help with vet bills.  I wish I could have acted faster to grab the little dog, but I never thought he/she would run into a pack of 4 dogs like that.  When they are out in public together, our dogs are very packish, and they are not very receptive to other dogs.  Individually, they can make new friends.  Again, feeling AWFUL!

[peterparker]

Yikes, that's not good. My Eddie bite a lovely lab on the nose once. I felt horrible. After that I was a lot more cautious when walking him and warned people walking their dogs that he was not friendly. They always gave him his space, and I would always stop and hold Eddie while the dog passed. Needless to say Eddie never got the opportunity to frolick at the puppy park like Parker does.

[janetleej]

I am sure you feel bad. BUT... your dogs were on a leash. The dog rushing into your dog's faces, was off of his property and not on a leash. In my book, you are not the irresponsible one in this story. The owner of the small dog is irresponsible!

I run into this all the time. I have big dogs, who need their space. A dog running up into their faces is not a good thing.

Janet

[David C.]

My Max-angel was mauled twice by a Basenji.  First time the Basenji put some puncture wounds on his left rear leg.  Second time, she ripped open his abdomen (indicating that Max was on his back in a submissive posture), that required 7 or 8 surgical stitches to close.   The owners, naturally, paid his medical bills.   

[Lowriders in Ohio]

Overwhelmed by feelings of guilt, Cale and I went and knocked on the owner's door to check on her dog.  We were very relieved to learn that the little dog was up and running around.  She cleaned the dog's neck and put antiseptic on it.  The owner said she will probably take her dog to the vet tomorrow just to get checked out.  I assured her that all of our dogs are up to date on shots.  The owner explained that she has an electric fence, but her dog was not wearing the collar.  She said the dog has never left her yard before.  I left our phone number and address just in case.

What a relief that the little dog is ok!

[David C.]

Sorry, I missed the part that the other dog was off lead and off property.   While I would definitely feel bad that my dog hurt another dog, the other owner was clearly in the wrong.

[JetEd73]

I am sure you feel bad. BUT... your dogs were on a leash. The dog rushing into your dog's faces, was off of his property and not on a leash. In my book, you are not the irresponsible one in this story. The owner of the small dog is irresponsible!

I run into this all the time. I have big dogs, who need their space. A dog running up into their faces is not a good thing.

Janet

BINGO!

I know ya feel bad but thats just because you have a big heart. I'm certain you did everything you could to stop the incident but this really wasn't an attack, your dogs did what came natural, they defended themselves. However 2 people and 4 dogs your outnumbered and your abilities are limited.

Electric fences are a poor poor poor replacement for a real solid fence. They don't and won't really stop a determined dog from leaving the yard and they don't stop stray dogs from getting to your dog. Electric fences suck. It's just the second crappiest way to control a dog.

The fact that you offered to pay vet bill shows your kind heart and responsiblity. I've meet your pack, you got a good, well behaved crew and I have no doubt that you've done right by them.

I still miss Sammy, and I'd take Oscar in heart beat too....but that would be the end of my fostering days.

I'm placing my third foster this weekend in Kentucky, I'm going to miss the little bugger.

When they are out in public together, our dogs are very packish, and they are not very receptive to other dogs.  Individually, they can make new friends.

So you already know what the issue is, that's pack mentality, protect other members of the pack. I'd garner a guess that is exactly what Cyrus thought he was doing, his job, protecting his pack.