What should I have done? -> Updated

[Naio]

A pitbull got my cat this morning. Cat is in the hospital and dog owner gave them his credit card. I finally have a minute to breathe, and am trying to think what I could have done differently, for next time.

I was in bed at the time, and groggy when I got up. I couldn't figure out how to get the dog off my cat. And the cat kept getting away, and then getting caught again. I didn't have a firearm. I threw rocks at the dog, thinking the distraction would help cat get away. That works with cat on cat. I forgot that I had pepper spray in the rig. That may have helped although it doesn't shoot far and the animals were in brush, not visible.

Dog owners, cat owners, what is the way to go in this situation?

After about 15 mins of searching I found the dogs owner and got her to get him off. Then I dragged her dad and his credit card to the ER with me.

But is there any way I could have got that dog off my cat sooner? I am not as strong as a pit bull, nowhere near.

Maybe I should have sprayed them with a fire extinguisher, or a hose. That might have taken as long as finding the owner, though, to get stuff to where the animals were.

I feel like I failed my cat.

[Go_Dogs]

DonNH wrote:

myredracer wrote:


Maybe someone needs to sue an RV park big time to get them to change.

I didn't get the impression that this happened at an. RV park.
In any case, I'm not in favor of suing the park for the actions of irresponsible dog owners. That would result in parks becoming less dog friendly.

Yup, if someone won a lawsuit like that-no more dogs. Then, kids would be banned if someone sued for rough-housing, etc. Let the campgrounds post the rules and enforce them. Keep on eye on your own pets and kids. A campground can be full of dangers-so common sense prevails!

[GypsySeniors]

I agree DonNH!!!

[DonNH]

myredracer wrote:


Maybe someone needs to sue an RV park big time to get them to change.

I didn't get the impression that this happened at an. RV park.
In any case, I'm not in favor of suing the park for the actions of irresponsible dog owners. That would result in parks becoming less dog friendly.

[myredracer]

Sorry to here about a dog attack like that and hope your cat recovers okay. Was this in an RV park with a leash rule? If so, I'd be pointing my finger at the RV park too. Definitely call animal control and the police when this happens - that's what we've been told to do by them.

Our dog was attacked by an off-leash bulldog 2 years ago, contrary to the CG rules. Fortunately the owner was close by and grabbed the dog quickly and ours did not get hurt much but it could have been. A friend of ours got his private jewels chomped by a bulldog in the same CG around the same time and had to go to hospital to gets stitches. The dog's owners hightailed it back to Canada and escaped with the cops just behind them. We think it was the same bulldog too. Has the CG stepped up enforcement of it's leash rule? Nope. We've almost given up reporting off-leash dogs to the office.

We carry bear spray attached to the leash but don't know how well it would work when the time comes. I often think we should carry a walking stick around with us.

Maybe someone needs to sue an RV park big time to get them to change.

[Naio]

Update:

Thank you all so much for your kind words and good wishes :).

Kitty is getting better each day. He's walking gingerly now (better than previous hobble), getting up and down from couch with effort/falling, but he chooses to do it. Dragging his tail when he walks -- vet says may be nerve damage, and it may heal in 6 months or so. Definitely still needs pain meds.

He's beginning to get over the emotional trauma. Today, for the first time, he took his morning nap on the couch instead of in his hiding place. He spooked and hid for hours when someone knocked on the front door yesterday, though.

I brought his mom inside yesterday to see him. She was very anxious, though, because indoors is not her territory. But then once she was back outside she meowed for him, wanted him to come out. When I feel he is up for it, I will rig up a collar an leash and let him out on the porch with her for a little bit. Anyway, at least she knows he is alive and accounted for.

I talked to cops and animal control. Turns out the dog owner brought the dog back to the shelter where she got him right after the attack. Not clear whether the owners will pay the remaining vet bills without legal action. Maybe.

[Charlie_D_]

Get the Vet to run his card again. That would prove whether his card is truly maxed out. If he disputes the charges placed on his card the card company will contact the Vet. The Vet can then explain things to the card company.

[newway]

Even if there's not collusion going on, the owner needs to make sure the paperwork gets filled out properly every time. Retraining, administrative penalties, someone gets fired -- the owner can do all these as needed to make certain it doesn't happen again.
what is a baby squirrel called

[2oldman]

GypsySeniors wrote:
Please don't let him outside again...make him be an indoor cat!!!!

Easier said than done, especially since he's been an outdoor cat.

I feel the OP's pain on this one. It could be a long hard recovery, especially if kitty has to wear a cone. So sorry.

[Naio]

Dog Folks wrote:

Naio wrote:
Regarding police, animal control and courts, how would I address the fact that the guy who took responsibility and partially paid the vet bill is the father of the (adult) woman who owns the dog?

He lives in another state and was just visiting. He said that he was paying because 'She is a student and has no money. It's her graduation present.'

My inclination is that he said he was paying, so I should go after him. Also, I do not know the daughter's name, although I know which apartment building she lives in.

Get it reported to animal control/police. It is their job and expertise to investigate.

You may have hurt yourself by waiting so long after the incident. The longer you wait the harder it is to investigate.

Report this TODAY!

Ok, thank you.

[Dog_Folks]

Naio wrote:
Regarding police, animal control and courts, how would I address the fact that the guy who took responsibility and partially paid the vet bill is the father of the (adult) woman who owns the dog?

He lives in another state and was just visiting. He said that he was paying because 'She is a student and has no money. It's her graduation present.'

My inclination is that he said he was paying, so I should go after him. Also, I do not know the daughter's name, although I know which apartment building she lives in.

Get it reported to animal control/police. It is their job and expertise to investigate.

You may have hurt yourself by waiting so long after the incident. The longer you wait the harder it is to investigate.

Report this TODAY!

[Naio]

Regarding police, animal control and courts, how would I address the fact that the guy who took responsibility and partially paid the vet bill is the father of the (adult) woman who owns the dog?

He lives in another state and was just visiting. He said that he was paying because 'She is a student and has no money. It's her graduation present.'

My inclination is that he said he was paying, so I should go after him. Also, I do not know the daughter's name, although I know which apartment building she lives in.

[Dog_Folks]

puttd wrote:
Animal control and police. Get a copy of the intake form and all vet records and go directly to small claims court.

Include breach of contract to the claim of wounding your animal.

X2

[puttd]

Animal control and police. Get a copy of the intake form and all vet records and go directly to small claims court.

Include breach of contract to the claim of wounding your animal.

[Naio]

GypsySeniors wrote:
So happy your kitty is home and on the mend.Please don't let him outside again...make him be an indoor cat!!!! And don't let the dogs owner walk away from his responsibility.Good luck and God Bless!!!

You know, the first thing kitty wanted to do when he got home was go outside. He can barely walk -- hobbles a few steps and then flops over on his side. But he hobbled over to the door and looked up at me.

I told him, 'No way. It's gonna be a long time before you go out there.'

His mom, though, she is too shy to come in the house. I want to let her know he is home and ok. I might rub a rag on him and give it to her to smell or something. When he comes out from under the couch.