HUNTING DOGS

Yesterday my husband and I had one of the worst experiences of our lives.  Whilst I have never objected to hunting of any type, I do object to what happened yesterday.   Strangers to our area came into our Village in El Margen, Oria to take their dogs hunting.  They let them loose close to the village where they must know that villagers here have small animals.  If people want to go hunting fine but why can they not have full control of their dogs and why, knowing that they are pack animals let them lose so close to any place that is populated.  Please read my story below.

We were working at home when there was a huge commotion outside of barking dogs.  I have two dogs so naturally went to look outside to see what was happening.  My small golden brown dog (Shrimp) was being chased by a pack of 7 hunting dogs (I only now know it was 7 because my neighbour told me), all I know is that my little dog charged into the house followed by 4 very large white and fawn hunting dogs, snarling. 

I threw my arms in the air and screamed at them to which luckily for me thay started to retreat. Unfortunately my other small black and tan dog (Yip) who was asleep on the sofa jumped up and ran out doing what dogs do, trying to protect his house.  The pack of hunting dogs attacked him. My husband and I not thinking of our safety ran out, hitting and kicking the pack and they did let Yip go but unfortunately, Yip being very terrier like in his attitude ran after them. 

At this point both Clive my husband and I panicked because we knew they would kill him so we ran in hot persuit armed with a marble floor tile that was laying in the yard as this was the only thing to hand.  The Pack had gone behind the houses and had grabbed poor little Yip and were trying to rip him apart, two more minutes and we think he would have been dead, 30 seconds more then he definitely would have lost a limb. 

We again without thinking of the consequences ran at the dogs.  My husband slipped over in his hurry so I grabbed the floor tile and lifted it above my head and wacked it over the head of one of the hunting dogs holding Yip, Clive then kicked and punched the others and I threw bits of the tile that had broken over the head of the first dog and we luckily rescued Yip.  He had been badly hurt but was still alive.

He has now been to see the Vet and although very bruised and bitten, he is going  to be OK with the help of antibiotics and painkillers.