Forums

On the 30th of april i too my two dogs Bertie 11yrs weimaraner cross and Titch 14yrs chihuahua cross for a walk to a bit of grassy area by old railway track not are usual walk my two dogs are resue dogs had them both over 10yrs. In the distance i saw a man with a dog which was a pibull off the lead although i turned and quickly headed off the opposite way it was to late the pitbull ran after us with the owner running after it with a large stick i picked Titch up but Bertie was two big the pitbull got hold of my boy round his neck and houlder area and sunk its teeth deep and would not let go for over 10mins the owner of the pitbull beat it with the stick also getting my boy in the face which filled his mouth with blood he also punched heell out of his dog but it wasn't letting go My poor boy screamed in agony i was hysterical and although i tried to get it off my Bertie i was restricted as i hHad Titch in my arms. Although the owner said sorry when we eventally got it off he refused to give me his name and address and i couldn't argue as the pitbull was pulling to go back and attack Bertie again Bertie was terrified and also ripped open down to his muscle i just had to get us all away and Bertie to a vet. Bertie was kept heavely sadated overnight andhad surgery the next day he came home the following day but he was in extreme pain and whimpered day and night he would not eat and every time he drank he thre up it was totally devestating. On fri 5th may i took him back vet to be sadated and have drain removed they ran blood tests as he was throwing up and not eating the vet called me in and said he had kidney faliure and as his wound was breaking down would need grafts and surgery every week for the next two months and with his kidney faliure would not be able to have pain relief and advised me to have him put to sleep i reluctently agreed they brought Bertie from out the back into the consultation room he thought he was coming home and walked straight over to the door to go he hated the vets but instead me and my sister held him while his life came to a end.I have never felt such devestation in my life i have experienced a wide range of emotions guilt being a big one i wish i hadn't taken them down there that day i feel i walked him into the lions den i question wether i should of took him to another vets for a second opinion as he was difficult patient at vets and it was a nightmare to get a muzzle on him to be treated he was always so full of fear when he went to the vets which he would become aggresive but he was only ever like that at the vets he was a very loveing dog otherwise i have asked myself did they encourge me to have him put to sleep for those reasons. I don't know every day i relive the horror of that day i know it will be something that will haunt me for ever. The police came and took a statement and the owner will be procecuted if he's found for having a dangerous dog off the lead and unmuzzled. I have spent many hours driving around the area looking for this man so i can follow him and get his address to pass on to the police. He's just getting on with his life but for me iv'e lost a family memeber in a horrific way and i'll never get over it. My poor Titch wittnesed his best buddy being savaged and he has been affected. I only thankgod that my 3yrs old son was at nursery at the time and not with me. I took on a new dog two weeks ago Her name is Tammy 2yr whippet cross and i love her already she has helped comfort me but she by no means is a replacement no dog could be but i have the bbeginnings of a new beautiful bond and friendship and she has helped my Titch he looked so lost before she came and she is brilliant with my son. I now carry to pots of loose pepper every time i take the dogs out just incase and i drive out for dog walks but i am constantly on edge. Ibelieve Bertie sent me Tammy but i hope he knows how much i miss him how i think of him all the time and how sorry i truely am that i let him down i will always feel guilty that i could not protect both my dogs that day. I only hope anyone who reads this that you never lose a pet in such a horrific way no pet and owner deserve to be parted in this way xxxxx

My heart goes out to you Lisa, and your sad story has made me cry. Bertie and Titch obviously loved their walks, and to meet a dog whose owner took no responsibility for its actions is a terrible thing. I know from my own experience of my beloved cat Toffee, who died in December, that we go over and over things - if only - should we have done this, should we have done that. We love our pets so much that when they die they leave part of themselves with us. Bertie loved you and you did everything you could for him, and that day was a terrible day when there was nothing you could do to fend that dog off. How can I say to you to forget what happened because it is not long ago, and is still very raw. Bertie sent you Tammy and she is now a companion for Titch, who must have felt the loss and also felt your sadness and heartache. I'm thinking of you Lisa - I share your pain; the love you shared with Bertie is still with you and one day you will meet again. Take care Lisa - hugs to Tammy and Titch - and RIP Bertie - so much loved and remembered forever. Bless you xx

Hi Lisa, that sounds horrific and so traumatic for all involved, i'm so sorry to hear what happened, I understand that you blame yourself, I feel the same way about Maizie - if only i'd done things diffrently. Truth is we cannot control these things, you did the best you could under the circumstances. Bertie will have known that. I hope the owner gets caught, these people who dont take responsibility for their pets and their actions should be locked up, I'm so sorry you had to go through this and I hope that Tammy brings you and Titch some comfort xxx

Look up the pet bereavement service, I called them this morning and they were a great help, might help to talk things through? xx

The details for the PBSS are here: http://www.theralphsite.com/index.php?idPage=21

Thanks for your kind words and advice Penny, Claire and Shailen xxx Bertie will always remain in my heart and mind i know its not a nice story to have shared, i just wish it never happened! Many thanks (((hugs))) xxx

Hugs to you Lisa. It is a hard and sad time for you, and my thoughts are with you. Some of the lovely poems on this site are comforting, and as you say Bertie will always remain in your heart. We are all here for you Lisa, understanding completely your sadness and feelings. Take care and feel free to get in touch again if you need to talk.