What Happened When Isla Got Bit on Our Walk

This week, Isla got bit on a walk.

We were out in our neighborhood when a neighbor's dog slipped its collar chasing a rabbit. It was still in full prey drive when it spotted us walking by and came straight at us. My first instinct was to pick up Roux, but the dog kept jumping and trying to bite even with him in the air. It was going back and forth between both of our dogs, and before my husband could fully intervene, it got one good bite on Isla's hind end. Two wounds, a trip to ECVR, and some staples later, she is home and doing fine.

I want to be clear that this was an accident, and it could happen to any of us. There was no aggression, no bad owner, no villain in this story. It was a dog in prey drive, a moment that moved faster than anyone could stop, and a neighbor who felt terrible about the whole thing. She sat with me at the emergency vet, took care of the bills right away, sent over her dog's vet records, and has checked in on us every day since. We've actually gotten to know her better through this whole thing, which is kind of a silver lining.

After it happened, I went looking for information because I honestly wasn't sure we handled it correctly in the moment. Everything below comes from what I found online, not from my own expertise. But I think it's worth knowing before you need it.

If a Dog Is Actively Attacking

When a dog is already in attack mode, the instinct is to physically intervene, but most sources say that's the worst thing you can do for your own safety. Instead, try to use noise (loud clapping, a firm command), water, or a jacket or blanket thrown over the dogs to break the focus without putting your hands in the middle.

I picked up Roux right away, which felt like the right call, but the dog kept jumping for him while he was in my arms. According to what I read, picking up your dog regardless of size can cause the attacker to jump at you instead, which is exactly what happened to us. If you do lift your dog, the recommendation is to press them against a barrier (a car, a wall, anything around you) rather than holding them out where the other dog can still reach them. Some sources also suggest keeping citronella spray on your walks specifically for situations like this.

Keep your hands away from both dogs' mouths and don't grab for the attacking dog's collar. And once you're able to get away, go, and don't go back to try to manage the situation.

If Another Dog Approaches But Hasn't Attacked

Stay calm and keep moving if you can. Big movements and yelling tend to escalate things. If the dog is getting close, try to put your body between your dog and the approaching dog. If you have treats, throw them away from you to divert the dog's attention and buy yourself time to get clear.

If Your Dog Is the One Who Got Bitten

Get to the vet as quickly as you can, even if the wound looks small. Puncture wounds are deceptive and prone to infection, and the surface doesn't always tell the full story.

Exchange information with the other owner, including their contact details and their dog's vaccination records. If you need to follow up about vet bills, having that documentation matters. You can also report the incident to local animal control, who may investigate and verify the other dog's vaccination status. Keep all of your vet records and bills organized in case you need them.

If your regular vet isn't open, ECVR (East Carolina Veterinary Referral) in Wilmington handles emergency cases and they were great with us.

If Your Dog Is the One Who Got Loose or Did the Biting

This one is worth thinking about too, because accidents happen on both sides.

Share your contact information and your dog's vaccine records with the other owner right away. According to OVRS, pet owners can be held responsible if their dog bites another dog, so documenting what happened as soon as possible matters. If there were any witnesses, get their contact information too.

And if you're in a position to do so, showing up for the other owner goes a long way. Our neighbor's response to this situation turned what could have been a really awful experience into something that actually brought us closer together.

Gear That Can Help Prevent Escapes

Since a slipped collar is what started all of this for us, it felt worth including.

Martingale collars are often recommended for dogs that tend to back out of their collar or slip free when startled. Unlike a standard collar, a martingale tightens slightly when a dog tries to pull backward or escape, which makes it much harder to slip free. They were originally designed for sighthounds (greyhounds, whippets) whose narrow heads make standard collars easy to escape, but trainers recommend them for any dog prone to backing out. According to SpiritDog Training, the key is that they only tighten when the dog applies pressure, so they're not uncomfortable during a normal walk. They do recommend not leaving them on unsupervised, since the extra loop can catch on things.

For an added layer, multi-point leashes clip to both a collar and a harness at the same time. If one point fails, you've still got the other.

Isla is home, resting, and staging a full protest over her activity restrictions. She'll be fine. But reading through this information online was helpful to know how I should address it in the moment if it happens again, and if something does happen to you, I hope this is useful.

And if you ever find yourself on either side of one of these situations, just remember that the people who feel the worst in these moments are usually the ones who love their pets the most. A little grace goes a long way.