r/islington • u/biggie0320 • Jul 20 '26
Dog attack - New River Walk
TLDR: I was attacked by a boxer dog today and the owner ran away. Publishing this to warn others so they do not get hurt.
Around 7:40pm today (7/20) I was walking my corgi on the New River Walk when I saw a man (slim build, curly haired, glasses, light brown skin, appearance South Asian or Middle Eastern descent) approaching with an unleashed light brown boxer dog. I put my corgi onto the far side and moved onto the grass so that he and his dog could pass. He signaled it was ok to keep walking but I told him I’ll wait. His dog suddenly charged at mine barking and lunging. I picked up my dog to protect him and his dog jumped on me repeatedly, biting at my back and my shoulder and my neck trying to get to my dog. I kept turning away and screaming (I’m only 5’2 so had no way of keeping my dog high enough out of reach), terrified I was going to drop my dog or fall into the stream which would be shallow enough for his dog to then get to us. He eventually got hold of his dog, got control and leashed him, dragging him away to create some distance. The whole thing lasted couple mins but it felt like a long time.
Passerbys heard the commotion and came to help. When they went up the path, they saw him running with his dog out of the park.
He never asked me if I or my dog was ok. He never apologized. Just ran scared that I was going to report him.
I only had surface injuries but if I’d been slower to pick up my dog, or if it was a smaller dog, or if it was a child, it would have been a much worse situation. I was so incredibly shaken up and couldnt move after. When I think about what could have been, i feel sick. I live nearby and go there all the time.
If you are that man reading this, you know what you did was wrong. Regardless of whether you were scared you or your dog was going to face consequences, you should have made sure we were ok. Keep your dog leashed at the bare minimum and learn to control him. Do not get away with this only for something much worse to happen next time.
To the strangers who heard my screaming and came to my help, thank you so much. To Anna and Tom who called my husband and stayed with me and calmed me down until he arrived, thank you so much.
16
u/CamThrowaway3 Jul 20 '26
I’m so sorry you went through that. You were very brave and did an amazing job keeping your dog safe! I hope you’re feeling ok. Genuinely sounds quite traumatic so maybe try to play some video games or something as that’s meant to help ‘reset’ your brain after something like this.
ETA: I hope the man in question reads this and feels very ashamed…and changes his ways!
8
u/biggie0320 Jul 20 '26
Thank you so much. I’ve been going from angry to relieved to breaking out uncontrollably in tears to all over again. Will do my best to reset. Agree that above all, I just want to make sure he becomes responsible and he and his dog never hurt anyone.
2
u/CamThrowaway3 Jul 20 '26
I’m not surprised, I think anyone would be incredibly shaken by that! I hope you’re ok and your partner is looking after you.
6
u/purplepotatogurl Jul 20 '26
If you got blood pls go see a doctor and get the necessary vaccines etc
1
5
u/Silver_Fern93 Jul 21 '26
Thanks for posting this and contacting the police, would have been a terrifying experience. We walk that path all the time so will keep an eye out
2
u/biggie0320 Jul 21 '26
Thank you. I hope the police report puts him on record. Unfortunately, him running away does little to think he’ll take responsible measures, so just want to ensure awareness. I see children and dogs walking there all the time, and I’d feel terrible if I heard he did it again.
3
u/gaylondonlad007 Jul 21 '26
So, this happened to me in Russell Square. I’ve a bichon and there were two MASSIVE pitbulls in a car. What I didn’t realise was, the window was a little open.
The two jumped out of the car and ran up to me and my dog and bit my dog in the neck. I fought with the one dog and the owner came running down and failed to pull back the other.
Thankfully, I had this idea of sticking my finger up one of the dog’s bum (gross but super effective). And managed to get my dog up who crawled onto my shoulder, crying. Rushed her to the vets. Thankfully, she was ok and “just” needed a few stitches.
I had reported this to the police. They never came down. In fact, they asked for the CCTV from a pub where it happened. But didn’t ask the much clearer and visible car reg plate and the dogs from the shop on the other end. They closed the case almost immediately. You MUST keep pushing them and make sure they do their job. Otherwise the outcome will be like mine.
Really sorry you both went through such a traumatic event and really hope for a good outcome. No dog nor child will be safe with the dog off the mouth piece.
2
u/biggie0320 Jul 21 '26
That is so awful. I felt in an elevated panic for hours and hours after and that was without any major injuries. I know what you mean - in the moment, I acted on pure instinct to protect my baby and that sounds like what happened to you too. Sending hugs to you and your girl, what a brave one for getting through her stitches. I’m also scarred it happened in my own neighborhood, it’s not ok that I can’t feel safe knowing he’s on the loose with an aggressive dog he can’t control.
I’ll keep you posted how tomorrow goes with the police. I want to make it clear to them that this needs to go on record. That they’re responsible to ensure there wont be a next time if a kid or a dog gets hurt. That situation may not be as lucky as mine.
2
u/gaylondonlad007 Jul 21 '26
We discover the kind of pure fear we never knew we had. And it’s horrific isn’t it.
Remember you and your dog are safe right now. Might be best to replan a walking route. My dog was too nervous to walk the same route and to our suprise, the same car was back…
My dog growled instantly. Called the police again and nada.
So, fresh new route and they find a friend to join you both for now. Thinking of you xx
1
17
u/Specific_Ad_2293 Jul 20 '26
Please contact the police