February 11, 2023

Samson Attacked Me Saturday Night

 

That 1% I spoke of 10 days ago happened Saturday night. Unprovoked. It was halftime of the IU game and I had gotten up walking this direction, planning to make a right turn down the hallway to the bathroom. Just as I stepped on that wood I heard a loud  ATTACK bark growl and when I turned left to see what was going on, Samson lunged at me. The worse attack mode I have ever seen a dog in. You can see the kitchen table moved to the right. That must have happened as I struggled to get out of his grip ... and trying to get away from him. I was backing up through the kitchen fighting him off hoping to get to the garage and shut the door.

As I was backing up trying to get away from him I remember grabbing a kitchen chair and trying to get that between him and me. He knocked that away and I remember feeling his mouth completely around my hand and wrist. I thought I was in serious trouble. I cannot remember how I got my hand away from him or how I got away from him, because he was in the attack mode all the way to the mud room door as I tried to escape to the garage.

I stood outside the door trying to figure out all that went on. I could tell I had a serious puncture wound. I was just happy I had my hand still attached to my wrist. When I didn't hear any kind of noise from any of the dogs I cracked the door open to see if he was on the other side of it waiting for me. It was all quiet.

I opened the door and walked into the kitchen ... my original three were there to see if I was okay. Samson had already moved to the great room and was laying on the floor watching me as I walked in. I was able to get my phone, take some photos and text some people. My first call was to Animal Control and left a message not expecting any answer until possibly Monday. I grabbed a paper towel and pressed hard on my hand. Then grabbed an ice pack out of the freezer. 

I was happy when I got a call back, He took my information and said he needed to log some stuff into the computer then he would be right out. I will continue that part of the story after I tell you why I was so quick in calling them because it didn't stop there.

I agreed to re-home this bloodhound thinking I could make a difference in his life with a change of environment. Even with a history of biting two previous owners multiple times and a wife this last time. If you remember I made the post telling you that I was NOT going to do just because of his biting problem. Those posts explain why I changed my mind.

He really is a great hound but something is wrong. Either birth issues or he was abused by his first owner. I told myself and might have even mentioned it to a couple of friends, "if he ever bites me I will have him put down" ... for the simple reason ... I never wanted him to have a chance in getting re-homed AFTER PROFESSIONAL TRAINING and biting a young child. The only way to prevent that with this hound was to put him down.

He had my wrist and my hand all at one time in an attack mode.

Control officer came out within the hour after our call. While I was waiting for his arrival I knew I had to separate Samson from my other three. It was so strange. I turned on all the lights, opened the door from the mud room to the garage and then the door to the large crate that Stella had used. I called Samson's name from the garage without fear because he was calm and sleeping on his love seat in the living room.

He comes trotting into the garage like we are taking a walk, sniffs at the crate door and walked into the crate. He did NOT attack me as I closed the door and after I walked back into the house with the garage light off ... I didn't hear a bark, a whine or anything from him. I did toss a couple of bone treats into the crate.

But that all changed when the animal control officer got here. I had the garage door open and he walked in to see what would be working with. Immediately Samson was back in that attack mode, sound just like he was with me, only he could not lunge at either of us from inside the crate. He said he would have go to get  that "loop" they put around their neck ... I think he called it "the stick" ... he had not even got to the crate when Samson goes into that attack mode again ... concerning me enough I walked into the shed and back inside the house through the patio door. I wasn't walking anywhere near that crate the way he was barking and the crate door slightly open.

After many attempts and not getting the loop around his neck he called a second man to come out. He agreed with me when I said it isn't going to matter if you have two or three guys even with that loop around his neck, you will never get him in your truck without being injured. That is when he said he knew that and that the second man would shoot a tranquilizer to calm him down.

Well the 2nd guy shows up, NOTHING in his hands. He was just walking up to see Samson and talk with the first guy on what their plan would be. Samson went back into that attack mode from inside the crate. So vicious I can't describe it. I will say I think you would be scared s***less if you heard it or saw it in person.

I tell him the size of Samson, and 20 minutes after the shot, Samson was still in the attack mode, just is fierce as before ... but ... a few minutes later he was relaxed. I didn't want to see him with the loop around his neck. I headed back inside and looked out the living room window. One truck was in the driveway and the truck he was being loaded up in was parked in the street. It had a ramp leading up to the kennel.

Well Samson walked on his own in a calm manner with the officer, walked right up the ramp on his own into the kennel. I did not see him walking and didn't watch. That was not the way I wanted to remember him. I wanted to remember him from our walk Saturday morning where he was the perfect bloodhound, sniffing a thousand scents and never pulling on the leash.

While waiting for the 2nd man it was just Samson and me in the closed garage. I talked to him just the way I had talked to all of my hounds in the past when they were put down. I have always stayed to the very end holding them till their last breath .. but in this case I could only talk to him while he was in his crate.

I reminded him that he was a great bloodhound .. he wagged his tail as he looked up at me with those sad eyes. Even after his shot, both men walked out to their trucks to prepare the ramp and kennel, so we had time to talk again. I told him again he was great and we loved having him live with us. I apologized for what had happened and what was going to happen ... he looked at me and wagged his tail.

Before the control officer had arrived, I had sent a text to the breeder's assistant that announced the re-home opportunity on their Facebook page before I got him. I also was in contact with the guy that brought him over to me. We all agreed it was just so sad to whatever happened to that dog but I was doing the right thing. It still makes me sick as I write this but there was no other choice.

If you would have seen him attacking me you would not have believed it. I still cannot believe it.

I have since sat on the floor with Henry, Walter and Watson and talked to them about what happened, assuring them everything was ok. They had to be traumatized with what they saw. They sniffed my bandaged hand, then went out and sniffed the garage and the crate Samson was in ... they must be okay as they all waked back in the house and went to sleep.

I am still trying to process what happened ... it is just a sad sad sad story for a great bloodhound.

22 comments:

  1. This is heartbreaking news for all 5 of you Steve. I feel so sad. I'll be thinking of you today as you process this trauma. Kelly

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    1. Thanks Kelly. It has been so quiet around here yesterday and even this morning. When I think of Samson sitting in his kennel so confused, I send him good thoughts. Some don't believe in stuff like that but I do. Maybe talking to him from here helps me as much as him. I am still sad about what happened.

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  2. I hope all your wounds heal with no serious after damage. You did the right thing.

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    1. Thanks Barney. The major wound is felling better each day. I am keeping a close eye on it for any changes that might mean infection sitting in. The other marks are so small. Luckily he was updated on all his shots.

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  3. Such a terrible decision to have to make, even knowing in your heart that you did your best to give him every chance. I hope knowing that eases you some little bit. Renee in Aztec

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    1. Those kind of decisions are never easy. My feelings are a little different since he was only here 10 days but at the same time it mentally hurts to think how fast his life has changed. 10 days quarantine by law and he will not be re-homed because he was tranquilized.

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  4. This made me cry - both for you & for Samson. Your injuries look really bad - but at least you had the presence of mind to somehow get into the garage & into safety. Thank goodness he didn't attack one of your other dogs. He could probably have killed Henry or Walter or caused them to have extensive surgery & life threatening injuries. And, of course even Watson was in danger - as he is closer in size, but would not be prepared for a vicious attack. This is all so very sad. I wouldn't necessarily blame a previous owner of abuse of Samson. Unfortunately, just like in people - he might have a mental defect which causes him to just snap & go crazy. You did the right thing - in fact, he should probably never have been re-homed after 2 previous biting incidents. This was a violent attack which could have been so much worse. Thank God it is over & your wounds will heal - but it will take a much longer time to recover mentally & emotionally. A little piece of your heart will always be broken. You have the perfect little family already & I hope you can just continue to love Henry, Walter, and Watson - and be thankful & satisfied with your life. You have a big heart - but like your friend said "you can't save them all". Please don't jeopardize your family & the sweet life the 4 of you share. My heart goes out to you - thanks for posting this & please don't let those wounds get infected. Prayers.

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    1. Thanks. It's a sad sad situation. I was told the other night that the other five puppies in that litter have not shown any similar behavior. A mental defect is more likely the cause. I was warned that "he can change like flipping a switch for no reason" ... I changed my mind to get him when initially I didn't want him due to his biting history. I thought I could help him. It scares me to think what would have happened if I would have fell down as I was backing up fighting him off. Yes, I have a pretty good gang already. There will not be anymore rescues.

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  5. It takes a special kind of courage to do the right thing. I hope you know that and your heart heals.

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    1. It is always a hard decision to make but yes I know that. Things happen for a reason and possibly it was good it happened when I was there instead of coming home and seeing the results of his behavior while I would have been away, long or short, for any reason.

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  6. Steve you did your best with Samson and gave him a good home but something triggered him to attack. You probably will never what it was that caused him to do that. Very sorry this happened to you and watch your wounds . You did the right thing when you called animal control and got him in the crate. Thankfully the other hounds and dog are OK.
    This is hard for you because you did nothing to deserve an attack from Samson so I hope you don't beat yourself up over this. You gave him a chance but he had something in him that had gone bad.
    This will take a while to digest everything that happened but you made the right decision.
    Prayers for you and your hounds and dog that you are safe.

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    1. It has been on my mind most of the time. There is no way to tell what happened. Based on how he reacted to the two different control officers, I think what a couple of my friends think might be right. He was in a dark room minding is business when he saw "something" walk through his space and it was a "lack of recognition" ... he didn't know who or what I was. Thanks ... we are all okay ... but it's so quiet now.

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  7. Very sorry to hear about this…For what it’s worth, I had a similar situation with a dog many years ago. He was okay with us as I recall but started to go after people unprovoked. One event led to a home owner’s insurance agent coming over to the house and the dog went after him. That was pretty much it as they wouldn’t insure after that and the decision was made to have him euthanized. It was heartbreaking… of course I was hoping for a different outcome. Some dogs are overprotective, but sometimes I believe some can have psychotic episodes that are unpredictable and dangerous. All the best to you, Walter, Watson, and Henry as you work through this. Bethers

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    1. I agree with Arrowhead Gramma with regard to wound care suggestions. Also, try to keep the hand elevated as often as possible if you have any swelling. For some reason, it can be hard to reduce swelling in hands once it sets in. Bethers

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  8. Steve, my heart aches for you as you gave Samson your all in re-homing him. It did appear that he was going to get along well with you and the gang. As others have said, you will never know what set him off. You absolutely did the right thing and now it is time to stay close to the gang so they know you are all right.

    Regarding your wound, did you go to Urgent Care? If not, it might be a good idea as it looks from the photo that one wound might need sutures and antibiotics. Also, have you had a tetanus shot recently? Might not be a bad idea to get one. Take care and keep us posted on how you and the gang are doing.

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    1. He loved living here and the other hounds and the dog. Never fought over food, or toys. Something sure did snap though. The gang and I spent time sleeping under a warm sun yesterday on the deck and will get to do it again today it looks like.

      I did not go to urgent care but I have all of them in my phone maps. There are four clinics within 4 miles of my house. The wound has improved each day. I am keeping a very close eye for signs of infection. So far things are going as normal and I take photos to document the process. It has been so long ago I can't remember the last time I had a tetanus shot. I did verify with the previous owner that he was updated on his shots. By law he is quarantined for 10 days before they put him down. IF I do see changes in my wound today or any time I will be at Urgent Care immediately. I do plan to blog sometime but right now I am not sure when my next post will be ... a lot going through my mind right now.

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  9. Oh Steve, I am heartbroken for you and your fur babies. He was so adorable and fit right in. You gave him your heart!!! I am so sorry. Take care of your hand!

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    1. Yes he was fitting in perfectly with the gang and their routines. He was a beautiful bloodhound, so happy go lucky, loved to play and loved to sit at my computer chair with his back to me so I could rub his ears and pet his neck and back. He always slept under my computer desk barely giving me enough room to get my feet out to walk away. I am keeping a close eye on my hand.

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  10. I am so sorry, Steve. You did the right thing but I know how painful it must be for you. Give your other three lots of hugs and let their love help heal you

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    1. Sometimes doing the right thing is the hardest thing ever. I know it was right but still hard to process. The other three and I have spend time sitting on the floor relaxing.

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  11. I'm Soo sorry! You did what needed to be done. I've cried for you and us. That poor baby couldn't be saved, you did your very best . . I just feel that " I want to be there" for all our babes, you tried your best, is wasn't to be for that sweet boy. I 😘 ve that you tried to do everything for him . Rest easy my friend and take care of that wound, mine was smaller and I still had to go get major antibiotics for the bites .Love to you and the hounds and the dog.

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    1. I am not sure why I thought I could help him with it known that he bites people and can change at a "flip of a switch", but I evidently thought a different environment would be a good factor. Thanks ... it's pretty quiet around here without two big bloodhounds playing inside and outside with Henry in the middle of them.

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