A message to all Dog walkers

[Joker2nd]

Last Thursday while we out, 2 people were walking 4 dogs on Baceli coastal road. As they were walking past a residential site, with residents on the site including a 3 year old child, enjoying the pool etc, they witnessed the dogs chasing my 2 year old cat across the complex, without any leads on. 1 of the dogs chased him up a small tree, ripping off his tail completely. My cat then fell off the tree. Before anyone could stop the dogs, All the dogs attacked him. He died in the arms of my neighbor. The people then put their dogs on leads, and carried on walking. The little girl was screaming the dogs have killed the cat. Very traumatic for her. We have managed to get phone numbers and their first names, have texed but no response. The police have been informed and can trace their address from phone numbers. We are too upset to talk with these people. But what if this had been a child. The police have told us that all dogs should be on a leash around residential areas, or will be fined. We love all animals, but this has very upsetting for both of us, R.I.P. Soots.

[kayc]

I had a similar experience in early June when walking my small dog (on leash always) - we were attacked by a loose German Shepherd. He charged us out of nowhere, knocked me off my feet and I went crashing to the pavement. While I tried to regain my bearings and get on my feet, he proceeded to savage my tiny dog. It was only by the grace of a kind man passing by in his car who stopped to get that dog off of mine. I scooped her up and ran for our lives - literally!

I sustained a small brain haemorrhage which led to stroke like symptoms and also fractured a couple of my lower vertebrae and spent a week in the hospital here in Lefcosia. The event still plays in my nightmares. My dog sustsained bruises and trauma but fortunately no lacerations. She's ok now, and I am still recovering - having to learn again how to walk as it messed up my balance and coordination.

I filed a police report and was told my case would be followed up and that they would contact me or enlist my help to identify the dog - however that never progressed.

The homeless dogs can be dangerous if alone, but in a group very dangerous. The owned dogs that get let off their 24/7 chains are more so dangerous as they are frustrated by their confinement. My small dog's yelps only increased the rage in that attack dog, and I shutter to think what a toddler's high pitched jubilant voice would have encouraged in that dog's actions. Many children gather at that park to play on the playground equipment and I do worry for their safety to this day!

Sorry for your horrible experience and it will likely have a long lasting effect on that little girl who witnessed the attack.

[Joker2nd]

Thank you for sharing your story with us,and wish you a speedy recovery for the future. Hope all dog owners take notice of this experience.

[leester polfus]

Hi Joker2nd.

Please can you tell me which residential site this was.

Thanks

[Joker2nd]

The site was crystal bay breeze 2 just past what used to be Emilies .

[sammydavis]

I feel I must reply to this as not for the first time my dogs and I were 'mobbed' by dogs not on leads walking with owner, one of those dogs was a new rescue dog to the man and it was jumping up at me and my dogs and by the time I got back to my car, my arms were covered in blood from scratches.

Whilst I do admire people who rescue and care for stray dogs,( as I have done) they will be unpredictable at first and need restraint, if not the others. When I asked the owner why he didn't carry leads, he promptly said 'I do' and produced one from his pocket - then said 'but it's not necessary'!!!! I was too upset and tired from my dogs pulling me all over the place (I always put my dogs on their leads when I see someone else nearby) that all I could do was lambast him for being bl....... arrogant! His new dog followed me back to my car and this was some way from the owner. I met someone later who said the same man had also allowed his dogs to 'mill' around hers causing her problems too.

I often come across Cypriot ladies and one elderly gentleman who are quite scared of dogs on the loose - even on their leads. I find the above attitude strange and very selfish when it is so easy to slip a lead on one's dogs when coming across other people and dogs. I appreciate dogs need a run but it is easy to look to the distance to at least try to see if anyone else is around.

[Joker2nd]

Thank you for your story, it is nice to see that other owners of dogs/bitches etc are very supportive to this problem.

[sophie]

Other than on extremely rare occasions when someone has left a gate open or ajar, my four are NEVER off their leads once we are outside our gates. Its not rocket science and I simply do not understand why people can be so thoughtless. These people must need their heads examining. Obviously there are owners when one word from them stops their dog in its tracks, but sadly they are few and far between.

[sammydavis]

It is nice to know that others think as I do. I find it a strange attitude of superiority in those who don't bother to put their dogs on leads ie "MY dogs don't need it as they are very well trained and come when called" BUT they don't! They are dogs and dogs love other dogs, either to play with or unfortunately, fight. Some of us are getting progressively shaky on our pins (!) and find it difficult to deal with a lot of dogs milling about our legs and it is strange, not to say, very selfish that the other owners can't see and appreciate this fact. I wonder if their own elderly relatives were involved, would they still be the same? All we dog walkers love dogs, or we wouldn't bother with them; as often said, it is not the dogs fault but bad, unthinking owners - and again, not all walkers love dogs.

[RAZR63]

Last Thursday while we out, 2 people were walking 4 dogs on Baceli coastal road. As they were walking past a residential site, with residents on the site including a 3 year old child, enjoying the pool etc, they witnessed the dogs chasing my 2 year old cat across the complex, without any leads on. 1 of the dogs chased him up a small tree, ripping off his tail completely. My cat then fell off the tree. Before anyone could stop the dogs, All the dogs attacked him. He died in the arms of my neighbor. The people then put their dogs on leads, and carried on walking. The little girl was screaming the dogs have killed the cat. Very traumatic for her. We have managed to get phone numbers and their first names, have texed but no response. The police have been informed and can trace their address from phone numbers. We are too upset to talk with these people. But what if this had been a child. The police have told us that all dogs should be on a leash around residential areas, or will be fined. We love all animals, but this has very upsetting for both of us, R.I.P. Soots.

This is shocking news and if the police do not do something about then it needs to be put on social media and then they might take note. I know that you are extremely upset but did you take any pictures? I have cats and dogs and dogs and do not allow my dogs to chase our cats and certainly do not encourage them to chase other cats. I too love all animals but it is clear that these dogs have not been properly trained and their owners should face the consequences!