A dog walk along the River Hers in Castelginest, in the Haute-Garonne department of southern France, turned violent on Thursday, 30 July 2026, when a local resident says his leashed dog was attacked by two dogs running loose.
The man said the incident happened between 9:30pm and 9:40pm as he walked his dog on a lead near the riverbank. He described being confronted by two unleashed dogs: a German shepherd cross and a spaniel-type hunting dog.
Attack unfolded in seconds
According to his account, the larger of the two dogs approached him first, barking persistently. Fearing for his dog's safety, he said he picked the animal up into his arms.
He said the second dog then came at him from behind and bit his dog while it was still in his arms. He managed to end the attack by shouting until the two dogs ran off.
No apology from owner, man says
The dogs then went back to their owner, a young woman who had been standing nearby, according to the victim's account. He said she offered him no explanation or apology for what had happened.
Shaken by the encounter, he decided to share his experience on social media. The post quickly drew a wave of supportive comments and reignited a wider debate about dogs being walked off the lead in public spaces.
A recurring flashpoint in public spaces
Castelginest is a small town in the Haute-Garonne department, close to Toulouse in southwest France, where riverside paths like the one along the Hers are popular with walkers. Disputes over unleashed dogs in shared outdoor spaces, particularly where wildlife or other pets are present, are a recurring source of friction between owners in areas like this.
Shelter director condemns 'irresponsible' owners
Among those who responded to the man's post was Betty Loizeau, head of the local animal shelter Agir pour les Animaux. She said she was tired of people walking their dogs without leashes, calling it dangerous for other people and for the dogs themselves.
Loizeau said unleashed dogs also endangered wild animals, which were regularly chased or killed, or forced to venture out only once night had almost fallen. She said wildlife already suffered from a shrinking natural habitat, food shortages and heatwaves caused by human activity, and she described the behaviour of owners who let their dogs roam free as thoroughly disrespectful. She called for more civility, respect and, above all, common sense from dog owners.
Not an isolated case
The report noted that this was not the first time such an incident had been reported in the area, reflecting an ongoing tension between dog owners and other users of local green spaces.
The case is a reminder that even dogs normally considered docile can behave unpredictably around other animals. Keeping dogs on a lead in public spaces is a matter of safety, and also one of protecting wildlife and allowing different users of natural areas to share them without conflict.
