Entire Dog Blog

George Michaud, 71-years old, was injured saving 5-year-old pug Elvis from an attacking Rotweiller.

Michaud regularly walks his neighbor's dog Elvis. On Sunday, the pair was met by a Rotweiller who's human companion had let the dog run loose. The Rotweiller clamped onto Elvis' backside for 5 minutes, a struggle during which Michaud was bitten in the chin (requiring 25 stiches), scratched and dragged protecting Elvis.

Another neighbor was also bitten during the incident.

Michaud's injuries required an overnight hospital stay. Elvis required two and a half hours of surgery, but is expected to make a full recovery provided infection does not set in.

The Rotweiller's human guardian faces charges for letting the animal run loose, but gets to decide whether the animal lives or dies. I hope the animal does not pay for this man's irresponsibility with his life.

I have untold sympathy for anyone who loses a dog. However, the facts of this case have me scratching my head and wondering about the level of care provided to Sharpie (a 2-year-old black flat-haired Labrador Retriever) by Wilma and Russ Tate of Marsilles, Illinois. Sharpie was resuced from the Illinois River last month, and was killed on impact when struck by the car of a hit and run driver this week.

It may just be that the article, which comes from a small local newspaper, does not properly or completely lay out the facts surrounding Sharpie's two accidents. In reading the article, it seems that the dog was allowed to run free and right into danger's path twice in the "several months" she had been living with the Tates. And those were just the two times that made the news.

Like I wrote, I have no way to know whether the Tates were neglectful in caring for Sharpie or whether it's just that the article is vague. Dogs don't know what is reckless or dangerous behavior. Human caregivers for dogs have a responsibility to protect the dogs from the consequences of their actions.

An unnamed Whippet / Great Dane mix was rescued by firefighters after falling 350 feet over a cliff near Mori Point in Pacifica (California).

The dog had been walking the cliff unleahed alongside its human companion when it wandered too close to the edge and fell off. A concerned citizen who had hiked down to check the condition of the dog was met by two North County Fire Authority firefighters, who rapelled down the cliff to assist the dog. A third firefighter than had to rappel down the cliff to assist the concerned citizen!

The injuries to the dog (as well as the untold danger to the three firefighters and concerned citizen) could all have been prevented had the owner cared to take responsibility for the safekeeping of her dog and leashed the animal during the dangerous walk.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals assisted with medical care as soon as the dog reached the top of the cliff. The dog was then transported to Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital for further stabilization before being taken to a local emergency veterinary hospital for treatment, the fire authority reported.

Dogs are smart, but may not realize that "[w]eather conditions and land erosion can make cliffs unpredictable." Every dog depends on its human companion to exercise common sense and care in protecting their well-being.