Attacked by a dog

[camsdaddy]

This morning I left Americus enroute to Richland to pick up my Dad to bring him back for church. Enroute I saw two friends in one of their parents driveway enjoying a girls weekend and both from out of state and looped back around to speak. I thought nothing of it. I got out and went to hung them when all of a sudden I hear her scream dog (don't remember its name just remember no) NO. Repeatedly she is screaming the dogs name and no. The dog is charging at me. I step back to my Jeep. Thinking it doesn't have a top. I didn't get in thinking that the last thing I want to be was pinned in a vehicle with an attacking dog. The dog began growling and snapping. I felt a bite on one leg and then it latched to my other leg. I knew then I had been bitten. The owner is apologizing and screaming at the dog. Eventually I sat in the Jeep while she contained it in the house. We doctored the wound and had a pleasant visit. I have a puncture wound and one wound that just barely didnt break skin. I came home and rinsed the wound and the bandage has soaked through. I am on antibiotics and advised to keep an eye on it.
The strange thing was I was carrying my Glock 26 as well as a can of Sabre red OC spray. I was also wearing Ga boots. I simply screamed at the dog but went no further. I didnt think that kicking the dog would have done any more than make the dog mad. Spraying the dog would have probably gotten the owner and myself as well. Having a gun didnt cross my mind until it would been a matter of I was mad rather than defense. I was suprised honestly. I let my guard down. I never go into condition white. I never even thought of danger. When the attack came it came fast and in a vengence. Just typing this to process it. I do not blame the dog I assume she felt I was a threat and was protecting her owner.

 

[Bobson]

I was attacked by a dog in 2008, and my experience was similar in that it happened remarkably fast. Difference was this was (or had used to be) my dog. Got the dog when I was around 14-15, left home at age 18 while in the Air Force, parents kept the dog for those four years, and I returned in Sept. 2008. The attack happened around late October. The only contact his teeth made was on my face - I assumed he was going for my neck and I jerked away, he caught my lower lip and shredded it open.

I was trying to pick him up at the time, to pull him away from running into a neighbor's yard who had shot a dog of mine about ten years earlier. He wasn't used to being picked up and it probably scared him. That's the best I can do to explain it. I was able to grab him by the scruff of his neck on both sides of his head and hold him back, but he was a big dog and it was all I could do to keep him at bay. He wouldn't ease up even after my dad got him back in the kennel. We kept an eye on him over the next couple days and every time I stepped outside the front door, he went crazy. So we ended up putting him down.

I wasn't armed in any way at the time, but it really wouldn't have made a difference.

 

[Sam1911]

Wow. First off, not so surprising that you didn't draw or go for the spray. Attacks that are complete ambushes tend to have that affect. You might imagine that if it had gone on for another second or two your mind would have kicked into gear and brought some weapon to bear to stop the attack. But you really can't know.

Second, that is terrible for the dog and owner as there are very important/significant steps that must be taken to keep other people safe. A dog that will do that, unprovoked and against it's owner's commands, is now in some jurisdictions a "dangerous dog" and the owner faces enormous liability in keeping it.

It's a beloved family member, it's a cherished pet. It behaved viciously and injured a human seriously enough to draw blood. There's no way to rewind the tape and there is something critically wrong with the socialization that's supposed to make them trustworthy around people. The next time it bites someone (maybe a kid? maybe even more seriousyl?) there will probably be criminal charges as well as civil ones.

 

[Theohazard]

all of a sudden I hear her scream dog (don't remember its name just remember no) NO. Repeatedly she is screaming the dogs name and no.
[...]
The owner is apologizing and screaming at the dog.

This person needs some training on how to handle dogs, especially aggressive ones. Usually when you have an aggressive dog that's being protective, screaming excitedly at the dog is the worst thing you can do; it simply riles the dog up even more and makes them think their owner is in distress, which only makes things worse.

I do not blame the dog I assume she felt I was a threat and was protecting her owner.

Sounds to me like an unbalanced dog combined with an owner who has no idea how to control it. Not a good combination. I'm glad you're OK and I hope those people learn how to handle their dog or just get rid of it.

 

[greenr18]

BEHOLD, the Velodog revolver.

Meant for bicyclists in the 1890s to early 1900s to ward off attacking dogs.



(Yes, I'm kidding on suggesting this.)

 

[9mmepiphany]

OK, I'll give you an idea of what happens when you are at least in condition Yellow.

I was working security at the local Sam's Club and was around in back of the store to ask a homeless person to not bath/do laundry in the open. I'd dealt with her before and wasn't expecting any problems other than some verbal flak.

She was on the other side of her full sized car as I walked up. When I was about 20 feet away, a German Shepard exploded out of the rear door of the car and streaked toward me.

I didn't think of the Pepper Spray on my belt or the SIG 226 in my duty holster. The next thing I knew, my gun had cleared leather, I was focused on the dog's head and the trigger was moving back. My SIG had an 8lb DA trigger stroke for the first shot and there was about 2lbs left when...

The dog came to the end of it's leash and it stopped him in his tracks.

Yup, there are advantages to a DA first shot...saved me a lot of paperwork

FWIW: I've found that if you kick a dog as it launches itself at you, that is does give it pause...you have to put some force into the kick

 

[Hangingrock]

I walk most everyday a minimum of 4 miles. This is a rural area and there is no leash law for the county. Its not uncommon having to interact with dogs. I employ a long handle shovel shaft cut to length as a walking stick. The majority of the dogs are not problematic when you be come acquainted with them.

For the nettlesome dog I use the walking stick to maintain distance and a firm voice. I believe they can sense fear. Should the dog attack I would not hesitate to destroy it. After doing so contact the Sheriffs Dept and Animal Control.

The problems we have with dogs are the owners whom let the dog out in the morning then go to work thus the dog roams all-day. Its not uncommon for packs of dogs to pull down livestock as an example miniature goats etcetera, etcetera.

I'm not anti-dog. We own Springer Spaniels. I absolutely do not tolerate bad behavior from our dog or dogs.

 

[3212]

I grew up on a farm with a couple dogs over the years.I now live in the suburbs.In this area some people have as many as 4 dogs in one house or 3 in a small apartment.I understand the companionship/security aspect of dog ownership,but is this fair to the dogs?

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I been bitten a few times a kid but I had to kill the last one who came at me. Since I got busted up in a wreak and I can't run anymore I am more cautious and way less tolerant of loose angry dogs.

 

[W.E.G.]

If you have had training on kicking, and you are physically fit enough to kick, you may find a well-aimed kick to be AMAZINGLY effective on most charging dogs.

Most of them are charging for intimidation, and without real resolve. A boot in the sternum when they raise-up will really give them a surprise. Dogs don't know how to block a kick, and once they are committed to a lunge, they don't dodge very well either. Stand your ground and place it well.

If its a real "attack dog," you'll be wiser to clear leather on first opportunity.

Don't waste your time trying to spray a dog. Only a direct hit will have any effect and that's not likely achieved in most real attack situations. If the dog is just "menacing" - but not actually attacking - you might be better to just make your retreat than try to chase the dog around while you try to make that little spray bottle do something.

 

[Trent]

The strange thing was I was carrying my Glock 26 as well as a can of Sabre red OC spray. I was also wearing Ga boots. I simply screamed at the dog but went no further. I didnt think that kicking the dog would have done any more than make the dog mad. Spraying the dog would have probably gotten the owner and myself as well. Having a gun didnt cross my mind until it would been a matter of I was mad rather than defense. I was suprised honestly. I let my guard down. I never go into condition white. I never even thought of danger. When the attack came it came fast and in a vengence. Just typing this to process it. I do not blame the dog I assume she felt I was a threat and was protecting her owner.

The only time I've had to defend myself against a lethal threat (knife) it hit completely unexpected... because it was a friend. When I was caught flat-footed and suddenly found myself in a violent confrontation, pinned flat on my back, with a knife in play, my brain shut off and training kicked in.

Knife-elbow-to-jaw-attacker-was-slack.

Just like that. I only had one semi-free arm crossed over my chest. I used it.

You have to trust your training - and if you don't - take more training. At that point in my life I'd been in martial arts for 25 years. There was no thinking involved. In fact after it was all over - in seconds, my wife turned away and missed the entire show.

Following that attack, I redoubled my training for years before finally going back to a "normal" routine. I kept thinking - If I'd been a split second slower I might have got stitched up the side with that 4" blade.

Seriously - don't take this the wrong way - but while you are processing this do an honest evaluation of your level of training. If you think you're good, great. If you don't - train.

As far as "how you handled it" - well, nothing died, so that's a positive outcome.

Think about this, too. What if the animal had taken your gun arm, or went for your throat?

The same things that work on humans work on dogs. If they can't breathe, they can't fight. If they can't see, they can't accurately hit you. Yes, you might be getting hurt - badly- but you have to remember the basics about fighting, and not freeze.

Don't bother punching a dog. Their heads are tremendously strong and thick. A large dog can take a full strength punch from a large man and not even know it was hit, if it's "seeing red." If you are on your back use your legs as leverage, and kick them off of you to clear a weapon or gain some time and space. If you have no weapon or they come back at you, remember they need oxygen too, and can't attack you if their eyes are damaged. Sacrifice one arm while you use the other to jam your thumb up through the eye socket, or squeeze the windpipe full force.

They may abandon the attack if you cut off O2 supply or permanently damage their vision. AS SOON AS THEY DO - go on the offensive as fast and violently as possible. (The goal being to get them to run off).

Fighting a large animal without tools is not generally very forgiving on the human body, so fight to kill.


My wife's sister killed a pitbull in her kitchen a year and a half ago, that busted through her screen door to get at HER dog. When she screamed at it (it was killing her dog right in front of her), it changed course and attacked her when she tried to separate them. She was in the livingroom; ran to the kitchen, and grabbed a knife as it lunged at her. She stabbed it until it quit moving, she only received minor wounds.

She said she NEVER expected to be attacked by a stray dog - in her own house.

You just never know, dude. That's why we train!

(We later bought one of the puppies from her dog that almost got killed...)

 

[herrwalther]

There are probably about 50 wild or uncared for dogs within a mile of my home. As such I have had many instances where I thought I was going to be putting down a dog at some point. While I was away at work, two wild (and rabid?) dogs dragged a wild turkey into my front yard and ripped it apart. Police were called out and one of the dogs was shot for being aggressive to the officer. Right on my property. Another instance a dog was acting very aggressive in my yard as I burned some trash in a barrel. I had my CCW on my hip and a steel rod in my hand until it turned away.

Bottom line is I don't care how much I love dogs, I really do. But I treat them just like people. The second my infant son, my dogs, my wife or myself is in danger; I'll shoot and not think twice.

 

[CWL]

camsdaddy,

What kind of dog was it, about how much did it weigh? Did the size of the dog help prevent you from a more active defense?

If it was a big dog, say a Rottweiler, would your response have been more violent?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

(Yes, I'm kidding on suggesting this.)

I wouldn't be. I'd be serious about it -- a dog is as dangerous as a man with a knife, and should be treated accordingly.

We get a lot of grief about guns -- but no gun ever jumped the fence and attacked a passer-by.

 

[camsdaddy]

The dog was a lab/bluetick mix. I would say it was a larger dog. Oddly I had always said I would prefer to be attacked by a bigger dog because I could grab it. This dog bit and back off and lunged again. The opportunity to draw or to kick was there but it happened fast.

 

[Trent]

The dog was a lab/bluetick mix. I would say it was a larger dog. Oddly I had always said I would prefer to be attacked by a bigger dog because I could grab it. This dog bit and back off and lunged again. The opportunity to draw or to kick was there but it happened fast.

Most medium sized dogs can severely damage a human in a very short timespan. (I don't count labs or retrievers as "large" dogs.)

The biggest thing you have to worry about with medium sized dogs is going to be arterial laceration. When I've watched midsized canines (coyotes, dogs, etc) hunt, they will generally try to attack from the rear, going after the legs, tearing tendons to make the prey unable to escape (sounds like this is what happened to on you). After the prey is down, they'll move in on the throat.

LARGER dogs can kill a human in just a few seconds. My Wolfhound is powerful enough that if he wanted to, he could easily crush the spine in a human neck. They made short work of wolves, in the UK, rendering feral wolves extinct over there.

A midsize dog attack your best bet is to be hyper aggressive, trying to keep it off of you (time and space). If it latches on, damage eyes, and go after air supply (windpipe) like I mentioned earlier.

Whatever you do, STAY ON YOUR FEET. If you hit the ground during a dog attack the next target is going to be your throat.

Defending yourself against a LARGE dog is an entirely different matter.

Shoot them.

Period.

If they get a hold of you, you will NOT be able to do a damn thing about it.

I tried separating that wolfhound above from my husky once, as he woke up from a bad dream and attacked the husky. I *almost* reached for the gun. Husky was torn down to the bone on his neck; only thing that saved him was the thick leather collar.

On another lesson, never wake up a dog when they are having the "growling dream"!!!

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The dog was a lab/bluetick mix. I would say it was a larger dog. Oddly I had always said I would prefer to be attacked by a bigger dog because I could grab it. This dog bit and back off and lunged again. The opportunity to draw or to kick was there but it happened fast.

There is a video on the net showing a coyote killing a large buck deer. That's exactly how the coyote did it, biting and backing off and lunging again. It kept that up until loss of blood brought the buck down.

 

[Officers'Wife]

When Dave and I first got home after his discharge, an old friend of my dad's saw us in the parking lot of Wal-Mart. He took one look at our daughter and being a cheek pincher reached in the open car window. Our mutt (about 55 pounds) made a lunge for him but only bit his shirt sleeve and growled in a way that I had never heard before. There was no time for any of us to react no time to say no,he didn't bark and if Dawg had wanted he could have caused serious damage. As it was he was just telling the guy that was " his" kid and keep his hands to himself.

I shudder to think what that animal would do if someone truly tried to hurt Donna.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The problem is, we rely on the dog's judgment in cases like this, and dogs do not always have good judgment.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

We have a Pug (Happy). A fearsome breed if ever there was one, let me tell you.



Regardless, I couldn't get it into my wife's head about certain issues with training a dog.

For starters...they're NOT cats. Different instincts, different behaviors, different cues.

For another, what's acceptable and unacceptable behavior HAS to be consistently re-enforced. Granted, we're not concerned with a vicious nature with this wicked beastie, but ALL behaviors are to be governed in accordance with the wishes of the Alpha. In this case, the family members (I'm the Alpha AND the Omega). If juvenile behavior is accepted...then he'll never grow out of it.

A prime example is me making Happy sit and stay at the door whenever I take him out. He's NOT allowed to get up and go through the door until I tell him "OK". The intent isn't to be mean (as my wife seems to think), it's to control his behavior around doors so that he NEVER thinks it's OK to just bolt out the door whenever he wants.

Training with dogs starts when they're pups...at the very least, when the dog is still very young. The older the dog, the harder it gets. And the one thing all dogs have to learn early is to respond and give full attention to their owners when they're called, under any circumstances.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I get along with dogs mostly and my secret is jerky or Peanut crackers , feed him a snack and your usually friends for life. I have killed one dog out walking over the years but he put me in a no choice situation. I am way more cautious with my 16 year old daughter since she is 4:8 & 115 pounds.

 

[zerobarrier]

That sucks you got injured but even though it was not a bad injury I hope the owners are considering their options and not just ignoring this. A dog who attacks a stranger that is not a threat and not acting threatening in any way may need to be put down.

I know no one likes the thought of that but let me share a personal experience. My in-laws had a jack russel, so a small dog. It was a good dog and never had any problems. Until one day it attacked a random friend of the family for no reason, drawing blood on their calf. My in-laws thought it was a fluke and ignored it. A few weeks later it attacked another person who was visiting them, again unprovoked. After that I told them they needed to put the dog down, needless to say they got pissed at me for even suggesting it. So I left it alone and did not do anything else, I now wish I would have reported it even though it would make family life hell, but who likes their in-laws anyways.

So after a few more weeks one of their friends brought their 4 or 5 year old son over to their house to go swimming. I am sure you can see where this is going. While outside, in a flash, the little jack russell had knocked the child over and was really going at this kid. They got the dog off of him but not in enough time. The boy ending up needing 40-50 stitches in multiple spots and his eye was cut open, he does not have full function of his left eye now.

Needless to say it was a nightmare for them once the lawyers got involved and they found out the dog had attacked people before. It is a legal nightmare to be in, not to mention the fact that they will have to live with whatever that dog does to someone.

In my opinion one unprovoked attack is to many and if I ever have a dog do that it will be put down. A lab can seriously injure an adult and easily kill a child.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

In my opinion one unprovoked attack is to many and if I ever have a dog do that it will be put down. A lab can seriously injure an adult and easily kill a child.

A human who attacked someone without provocation would go to jail. Why should a dog be treated more leniently?

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Growing up with hunting dogs and farm dogs we had a rule that if a dog bite someone unprovoked it got kenneled up and worked with one on one and wore a leather muzzle for 6 months .If we had anymore issues we put it down. If I get another dog that will be the same method I will use cause in 24 years on the Farm we only had to put 2 out of the 20+ we had between my family and my extended family.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

A human who attacked someone without provocation would go to jail. Why should a dog be treated more leniently?

How the dog is treated depends on a lot of factors. There have always been people on both sides of the fence with respect to handling animals who've gone vicious.

When I was growing up, if a family dog viciously attacked someone we put it down.

WE put it down. As in bullet-to-the-head down. We didn't take it to the pound, we didn't go through some lengthy civil-authority-driven process which would remove the dog and put it to sleep. We. Put. It. Down.

In some places, that still happens. But today, there are far more places where this is NOT acceptable, for whatever reason. The dogs are sheltered, the owners are prosecuted for letting their dog get out of control, the owners are prosecuted for animal cruelty for putting their own animal down, etc.