Feeling guilty about a dog.

[amg35]

We were walking today and we were on a busy street when I froze because there was a stray pitbull. At first I thought she was with someone, but then she was sniffing people as they walked by and it was obvious she was alone.

She seemed scared, but not mean that I could tell, but I honestly didn't want to try to get near her. Then this other couple came forward to try to call her and they said she was pregnant. It was obvious after they said it.

The dog started walking into the middle of a busy street and we all yelled for her to come back and I ran out to stop traffic, but she did come back, thank god. My heart was racing. We ended up leaving because the couple was trying to catch her and I was still nervous because the dog looked so scared and I hate to admit it, but I was afraid of her. The couple seemed to be not afraid and there wasn't much more I could do anyways, the dog didn't seem to want to come to anyone willingly.

I feel guilty because if it wasn't a pitbull, I feel I would have done more, what, I don't know. I did go home and call the humane society to give a description of where and let them know she was pregnant. Not sure if that will help. Very big city.

I keep picturing her walking into the street and I feel sad, but I'm not sure what else I could have done. Couldn't take her home, I couldn't even approach her.

I'm hugging my dog right now.

 

[CathrynRose]

You know, I'll be honest - I own a pit bull, and I would be leary to go up to any stray dog. Any of them, Shepherd, Boxer - hell, even a Lab, because you just don't know.

But I would have still done it. I have an extra leash in my car, for this - but always remember that you could whip off a belt, and use that as a leash and collar, just by pulling it through - KWIM?

If you were able to call it over to you, and it didn't slouch, or tuck it's tail GENERALLY you're okay. But again - you never know.

And you said there was another couple there, so I'm sure they were able to do something.

I hope that everything works out well for her and her pups. And you did the best you could.

 

[amg35]

You know, I'll be honest - I own a pit bull, and I would be afraid to go up to any stray BIG dog. Any of them, Shepherd, Boxer - hell, even a Lab, because you just don't know.

But I would have still done it. I have an extra leash in my car, for this - but always remember that you could whip off a belt, and use that as a leash and collar, just by pulling it through - KWIM?

If you were able to call it over to you, and it didn't slouch, or tuck it's tail GENERALLY you're okay. But again - you never know.

And you said there was another couple there, so I'm sure they were able to do something.

I hope that everything works out well for her and her pups. And you did the best you could.

Her tail was tucked under, that's what was making me nervous. I didn't have anything on me to make a leash, my belt was attached to my coat so that wouldn't work.

Ugh, I hate myself right now.

 

[hereyago]

I am a huge dog lover, but if I dont know a dog, don't care if it is a small dog or big one, I am leary. BUT: at least you tried to help her. There is no shame in that.

 

[CathrynRose]

I'll tell you - this is one of my biggest fears with Charley. Charley is an 85 pound powerhouse of a pit bull. (my husband and I joke that he must do push ups while we're at work. Crunches too! We have no idea why he has the physique he does. He's a lazy bum! LOL!)

If GOD FORBID Charley got out, would anyone help him? No one knows he's not going to bite their limbs off, and he looks like he could.

I have him microchipped, collared with tags with 3 different phone numbers, and even his old shelter tag - just so we have every base covered. AND when we take him in the yard, or walk him at night - we put one of those (normally used for fore heads for people, if running, or working on something so you have a spotlight off your head) we put that around his neck, so he has a light on him, too.

But would this make any difference? I dunno.

 

[minkydog]

Don't hate yourself. The first rule of rescue is don't put your own life in danger. And you have no idea whether this dog was dangerous. She may very well be a sweet dog, but a lost, confused, scared dog, sweet as she may be, can certainly defend herself if she felt threatened. I'm sure you didn't want to tangle with a pit bull today.

Personally, I would NEVER approach a pit bull. EVER. EVen if it was standing on leash with his proud owner. People can tell me how great they are all day long and it would not sway my mind. They have a bad rep for a reason.

IMO, you did nothing wrong. If you feel guilty, then I say it's false guilt. You didn't drop her out there at the corner, her former owner did. There were two other people there who were actively helping her. Nothing more you could do. It's a sad situation, that's all.

 

[CathrynRose]

Her tail was tucked under, that's what was making me nervous. I didn't have anything on me to make a leash, my belt was attached to my coat so that wouldn't work.

Ugh, I hate myself right now.

Don't beat yourself up! I can tell you right now, that if my husband and I saw that (as the other couple did) and were not scared (as the other couple was not) we wouldn't have stopped until we got her. So I'm positive that couple took care of it.

AND - if there were too many people creeping in on her, that may have freaked her more. Dogs can sense fear, so you let the people who felt confident taking charge, do so. KWIM?

 

[amg35]

I feel like crud. I just got scared, but you're right, if someone didn't help my dog, that would break my heart. He seems scary because he's big, but he's a teddy bear.

Should I go look for her? No clue where she would be, she's pregnant, would she stay around the same place? Bring food?

 

[CathrynRose]

They have a bad rep for a reason.
.

 

[amg35]

Don't beat yourself up! I can tell you right now, that if my husband and I saw that (as the other couple did) and were not scared (as the other couple was not) we wouldn't have stopped until we got her. So I'm positive that couple took care of it.

AND - if there were too many people creeping in on her, that may have freaked her more. Dogs can sense fear, so you let the people who felt confident taking charge, do so. KWIM?

I'm hoping you are right. They didn't seem scared at all. My boyfriend is sure they took care of her.

I'm such a sap when it comes to dogs, that's my problem.

 

[CathrynRose]

I feel like crud. I just got scared, but you're right, if someone didn't help my dog, that would break my heart. He seems scary because he's big, but he's a teddy bear.

Should I go look for her? No clue where she would be, she's pregnant, would she stay around the same place? Bring food?

I really honestly imagine those people didn't give up. I wouldn't have. Unless it took off and ran too fast for me!

I'm sure they helped.

 

[JessicaR]

I'm hoping you are right. They didn't seem scared at all. My boyfriend is sure they took care of her.

I'm such a sap when it comes to dogs, that's my problem.

It's not a problem its a blessing. Don't worry I bet those people helped her! It sounds like they did.

CR - I have the same fears with my dogs who also look like their on doggie steriods! I tell my husband all the time just looking at them is enough to make you run the other way, but they are marshmallows.

 

[pixiewings71]

Don't hate yourself. The first rule of rescue is don't put your own life in danger. And you have no idea whether this dog was dangerous. She may very well be a sweet dog, but a lost, confused, scared dog, sweet as she may be, can certainly defend herself if she felt threatened. I'm sure you didn't want to tangle with a pit bull today.

Personally, I would NEVER approach a pit bull. EVER. EVen if it was standing on leash with his proud owner. People can tell me how great they are all day long and it would not sway my mind. They have a bad rep for a reason.

IMO, you did nothing wrong. If you feel guilty, then I say it's false guilt. You didn't drop her out there at the corner, her former owner did. There were two other people there who were actively helping her. Nothing more you could do. It's a sad situation, that's all.

of course they do, it's because people who have NO clue about Pits own them, then the dog isn't raised "right" and it gets aggressive, then it does something like kill my cat, or chase me.....yes, that is the case with my neighbors, the first Pit killed my cat, they were not allowed to have him back. Now they have another one, that's the one who chased me. Pit Bulls are AMAZING dogs, they are loyal, loving and protective. But if a potential owner doesn't have the time or guts to be the alpha it's a bad idea to have one. That's why we don't have one, we don't have the time we would need to devote to one.

OP I'm sure the dog is fine, I'm sure the people who were calling her either got to her or the animal control people rescued her. She will be well taken care of and her pups will be as well. BTW, I too am a huge sap, my 2 cats are rescues and one of our dogs is too.

 

[samshane]

I am sure the other people stopped and helped... I had a similar situation when I saw a dog that had been hit. Four other cars had stopped to help... I had my 7yr old son with me and I didn't stop and I felt so guilty about it. I thought I should've stopped - but there were people already there tending to the dog, and with my son I just felt it would've traumatized him as well.

Now - if no one had stopped - I would've. We picked up a stray running around in a busy road once because no one stopped. Brought him to the shelter (we had 3 dogs already) posted an ad in the paper and found his owner (thankfully).

Please don't beat yourself up - but I know how you feel.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You cared, and that's more than many people would do. Don't beat yourself up over it. You went with your gut and that's always a good thing. I hope the other people or the people you called can help her.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

You did try to help, and I don't blame you one bit for being sensible enough to be leery of a stray dog.

Pitbulls, regardless of what is said here, do have a very bad reputation. They are subject to inbred violence and unless the breeder knows exactly what the bloodlines carry, that will be perpetuated in the next litter. Period. End of story.

I was at an outdoor festival yesterday and there were any number of leashed dogs there, with their owners (of course)!

Some of them were huge (mastiff for example) and the thought crossed my mind that if one of them got loose, we'd all be in for a real time of it...

I'm not a huge fan of dogs I don't know. I have been bitten too many times as a child to trust any strange or unknown dog.

Chasing a potentially pregnant dog seems foolhardy to me. Better to call the people trained for that purpose (keep an eye on the dog in the meantime, if at all possible).

So, don't feel bad!

 

[Mermaid02]

I'm sure those people helped her. They might have actually had an easier time after you left coaxing her to them- too many people might have made her uneasy.

 

[EllenFrasier]

This is just me, but I would not have been able to leave not knowing that the dog was safe. Did you have your dog with you? If not, then I think I would have stuck around to see what happened. Maybe have gone to the store or up to someone's door and see if they could give you some food to lure the dog to you or give it to the people trying to catch it.

Not all Pits are vicious just as not all cocker spaniels are sweet. Dogs are individuals just like people.