Ready for another Rufus update? I thought so!
Our boy went to the animal hospital for surgery today, and all went wonderfully! The vet said that he managed to stitch up the entire rear wound, and about 80% of the front wound. If the sutures hold up (read: if we keep Ru from noshing on them or tearing them with too much activity) then he may be able to get by without a third operation!
So, sentimentality and dignity and such aside, I put his BiteNot collar — thanks, JB Pets! — on him when I got him home. Uncomfortable though it is (well, “though it looks“), I’m willing to take that over panicking every time I leave the room that he’s going to lick his wounds and tear his stitches. And, following Greyhound Jane’s advice, I’ll also put his nylon muzzle on him along with a little duct tape when I have to go out for lunch or anything. Thanks, Jane!
Meanwhile, the owners of the attacking dog just sent a letter claiming, contra the police report, that Rufus was being walked in their yard and that the Akita “proceeded to defend their property.” Which is to say, they’re trying to get out of paying the bills, although they are “willing to share some of the responsibility for the bills you incur once all necessary treatments for the incident have been completed.” Emphasis theirs.
Sigh. I should note that neither owner was home to witness this attack, and it occurred 3 weeks after their Akita came out of the yard and attacked another dog.
So, I’ll get my lawyer on that. As is, I haven’t even sent ’em the bills from CVS, RiteAid, Stop & Shop, and Wayne Pharmacy (two paws up! if only they had a website to plug) for all the bandages, gauze pads and other supplies that we’ve had to use to keep Ru’s wounds protected.
I told the vet about this claim of theirs, and he said, “He was in their yard, ON HIS LEASH?” He also reiterated his claim that he’d never seen muscle torn out of a dog’s leg like that, and still doesn’t get how my boy was able to walk on it.
Oh, and he thinks his latest bandage-job is going to last three days! Bwah-ha-ha!
I told him his last one didn’t reach the six-hour mark; he slit his eyes and said, “Well, if your dog’s leg was just built upside-down, this bandage would work fine!”
welcome home, dear Rufus! – this time for keeps, I hope – no more surgeries – we’re all pulling for you – nuzzle, nuzzle –
Rufus you are an amazing doggie!
I would think that the right to defend your property would be better facilitated by having an effective fence, rather than by a dog with a questionable knowledge of boundaries…I keep visualising an Akita wearing glasses and scrutinising a map to work out where his block of land starts and ends.
Obviously their right to bear attack dogs beats your right to walk safely in your neighbourhood without being mauled. Looks like you’ll be prying that money out of their cold, dead hands.
How does he cope with kids walking through his supposed yard?
Oh, “he’s great around people.”
Great news about Rufus!
Ann and I feel we could put together a pretty hefty petition from neighbors who would vouch that the Atika is a menace not wanted in the neighborhood. Judge might declare it not relevant in the intial hearing. Does your attorney think it might be helpful at some point in ridding the neighborhood of the scary monster?
Bob F. (Timber’s owner)
Thanks! I’m HOPING the Animal Control officer will be able to get the Akita out of our neighborhood, following the court appearance in July.
But I’ve thought about going door-to-door, too. One look at the photo of Rufus’ wounds from a week after the attack would probably be all it takes to get the neighborhood on board.
“……dog with aquestionable knowledge of boundaries…I keep visualising an Akita
wearing glasses and scrutinising a map to work out where his block of land starts and
ends”.
Tina, I love this, can I use it at the court hearing?
Thanks,
Bob F. (Timbers owner)
Sure you can Bob…Maybe it’ll get the case over the line ;)
Go for it Bob…I hereby grant you full permission to use my words.
And if that doesn’t work tell them that they’re out of order and the whole freakin’ system is out of order ;)
hi gil! i’m ypur neighbor with the three dogs- chivers(rottweiler),pepper(lab),and duke(shepherd).i’m sickened that king has an irresponsible owner. he is the one who should be prosecuted, king needs caesar millan and a decent owner that could rehabilitate him. i also believe strongly in real chain link fences- that certainly keeps the dogs in and other animals out! if there is anything i could do to help-please let me know.
we all wish rufus a speedy recovery.