Esme's Blog: My Dog Attacked At The Loppet
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- I don't like to get scooped, especially when it's my own story. Actually, it's my dog's story. On Saturday night, I put out a number of tweets hoping to find the owner of an Alaskan Malamute who mauled my German Short Hair, Brock, during the Luminary Loppet on Lake of the Isles. CJ, the gossip columnist from the Star Tribune, called Monday about the Tweets and I told her what happened. I expect it to be in her column soon.
So, here is my family's version.
First, I wasn't there. I was at my son's hockey game. My husband, my brother-in-law and my 9-year-old daughter all went cross country skiing in the Luminary Loppet. Also skiing, or rather "skijoring," was our dog Brock. Skijoring, for the uninitiated, is when the skier is pulled by a dog in a special harness tethered to the skier with a bungee cord.
As they took a break, Brock went up to an Alaskan Malamute. Brock, who could stand to lose a few, weighs about 90 pounds. My husband estimates the Malamute weighs about 120. Because of the bungee cord my husband could not immediately pull him back.
The Malamute, who was on a leash, jumped Brock, got his head between his jaws and dragged him down. My brother-in-law hit the Malamute with his ski pole, breaking not only the hold on Brock, but his pole as well. Brock was bleeding from his ear and had puncture wounds on his neck. As bystanders rushed to help, the owner of the other dog left.
Brock is going to be fine. He went to the Vet. The wound areas have been shaved and he is on antibiotics. My daughter, who is also called Esme, is still badly shaken. As you can tell from the picture, she adores Brock.
Having covered many horrific dog bite stories I cannot help but wonder what would have happened if Esme, or another child had approached this dog. There were thousands of people at this event. The dog should have been wearing a muzzle.
I want to thank everyone for their kind comments and tweets of concern. It has meant a lot to me and especially to Esme, who has been comforted that there are so many people who care about her best friend.
