Key Highlights
- The incident involved Tom Parker Bowles’s Jack Russell terrier, Maud, being attacked by a Doberman on a London street.
- Shane Watson discusses the common encounters with large dogs in parks and the risks associated with them.
- Pet owners are urged to be cautious and aware of the potential dangers posed by powerful breeds.
The Terrifying Encounter: Maud’s Attack
Tom Parker Bowles, son of the Queen, recently shared a harrowing experience in his column for The Times. On Friday, he described how his Jack Russell terrier, named Maud, was attacked by another dog while walking on a busy London street. The attacker was identified as possibly a cane corso—a large breed known for its protective nature.
According to Bowles, the incident unfolded when Maud’s owner passed an approaching canine that was attached to a chain lead.
Despite giving it plenty of space, the cane corso spotted Maud and immediately lunged, dragging its owner off his feet in the process. The attack left Parker Bowles rolling on the pavement as he desperately tried to free Maud from the dog’s jaws.
Common Encounters: Small Dogs vs. Large Breeds
Shane Watson, a journalist known for his insightful pieces on pet safety and ethics, reflects on such encounters in urban parks. He notes that most days he walks his wire-haired miniature dachshund (6kg) through central London, where he frequently encounters powerful breeds like Dobermans, often kept on chain leads to control their substantial size.
Watson explains the inherent risks associated with these large dogs. “Most days we’ll see one of these master and weapon double acts approaching and one of two things happen. Either I move Betsy as far away as possible from the man with the dog on the lead, or the dog is off the lead and will approach so fast I only have time to raise an arm to hail the owner,” he writes. The journalist emphasizes that while some owners may claim their dogs are gentle giants, the reality poses significant dangers.
The Dangers of Unpredictable Behavior
Watson underscores the unpredictability of powerful breeds and the potential consequences of their actions. He cites an instance where his own wire-haired miniature dachshund was nearly caught in a similar situation: “On Friday (just a normal day in urban dog world) I was at a funeral when I got a call at lunchtime from an unknown number. A young man on the other end of the line told me he had caught my dog running across the road bordering the park.” The incident involved Betsy, who bolted after encountering a pack of Dobermans off their leads.
Watson concludes by stressing the importance of pet owners being vigilant and aware. “Never mind all the triggers that no one could possibly anticipate: Sudden movement.
Sudden noise. Pain. Stress.
Hunger. Or a little dog in your peripheral vision on a busy city pavement when you’re an hour or two into a shopping trip,” he writes, highlighting the constant need for caution among pet owners.
Conclusion
The encounters between small dogs and large breeds in urban parks continue to pose significant risks. As Watson’s experiences illustrate, these incidents can be traumatic and dangerous. The key takeaway is for both dog owners and park visitors to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of all animals involved.
