Dog Attack

[earlthegoat2]

There is a stray dog problem where I live too. I walk my smaller dog on a regular basis. The only dogs that have been real problems are littler ones as well. I will usually let them close if I dont think they are a problem but sometimes they get visious and I give them a good kick to the ribs/head/whatever. That has worked everytime for these small mutts.

Bigger ones I dont let get close. I put myself between my dog and it. Depeite what the experts say I stare the dog down right in the eyes. They say this can enrage the dogs as it is a challenge but it is also a way of establishing dominance as long as you are not the first to break off eye contact. Has always worked so far. If it charges I am protecting myself not my dog. I dont think it would matter either way in the eyes of the law.

 

[Topkick]

I live in a city subdivision, many neighbors nearby (and dogs), Thats' why I chose a "Cold Steel" sword cane. (legal in Ky. for ccw) If as advertised could easily cut a large dog in half. Check out Cold Steel sword canes on the web.

 

[Carl Levitian]

Dogs are pretty easy to deal with, and a firearm is not needed. In fact, shooting at a down angle onto pavement is not good for bouncing shots around the nieghborhood. All you need for a dag is a stout stick.

A few years ago, an off leash pit bull attacted our welsh corgi. I had a stout hornbeam walking stick and I gave it everything I had in a John Henry working on the railroad swing. The stick came right down on top of the pit bulls head, and killed it right there. The owner was a bit irate, but was cited by both the Maryland Park Police for having a vicious dog in a public park while not under control, and also ordered by the judge to pay for our emergency vet bill where some stitches were needed in the corgi. The Montgomery County Police charged him with attempted assault on me, when he got out of the ER for a broken left arm and broken left collar bone.

A year later in public, another pit bull attacted our corgi, and I used a blackthorn stick on it, and it took a few blows to cripple the pit bull.

As much as their owners like to believe their dog is some indestructible force, a dog is not near a threat as a person. They don't have the thinking ability to faint or have a tricky attack. Just bash them in the head and it's over. You don't need a gun for a dog.

 

[Wolfeye]

Dogs were a big problem at the indian reservation where I grew up. It wasn't unusual to see a pack of 10 or 12 dogs trying to kill each other, sort of randomly moving down the road. I got bit once when I was little, and my dad got taken down off his bicycle by a pair of 150-lb things.

Before they hired a dogcatcher, we ended up carrying batons on our bicycles or while jogging. I never made a solid hit, but the effort seemed to discourage them. Dad broke a dog's nose once while jogging; he said the effect was a lot like kicking a guy between the legs.

Over the years we came across two packs of wild dogs while hiking, and had to shoot at them once. It turned out that the one we killed (the rest ran away) had been in misery: its owner had tied a rope around its neck as a puppy, and even though it had escaped by chewing the rope, the loop around its neck stayed there & dug into its neck as an adult.

I lost a lot of respect for dog owners after that experience. I know, they were probably just a bad apple, but still...

I like collapsible batons better than knives for dogs. You get much better reach. I'll also never carry a single shot rifle for hunting or a derringer for self defense; not enough rounds to deal with packs.

 

[Carne Frio]

I walk my dog daily from April into October. I carry a 10mm
and bear spray. The first 2 rounds are Glaser Silver. Haven't
had to use the gun yet. I use the spray almost monthly on
stray attacking dogs. It works great. I have never had a
repeat offender.

 

[The-Reaver]

When I was 9 a stray charged at me I took off running for about 50 feet before I realized that it wasn't going to work, So I turned and kicked the dog in the mouth as it leaped towards me, soon after its tongue hit the sidewalk and it ran away in pain. Now I just reach for my benchmade and aim to stick, cut, and chop untill it runs away like the other one did.

 

[Quaamik]

If the sjambok isn't legal where you live, I almost gaurantee that a cane or walking stick still is legal.

Pepper spray is very useful against one or two dogs, not so much against a pack (unless you can get the leader).

 

[Guns and more]

if you don't want your dog to get shot, you should maintain control over it and not let it attack people and other animals.

Amen, brother.

 

[Cosmoline]

There are dog charges and there are dog charges.

In the vast majority of cases the dog is just goofing around or posturing, and has no will to do anything but a sucker bite if you try to run. Most breeds have had the fight bred out of them. It's actually a big problem when you're trying to find police and security dogs that won't just bluff. I ride my bike a lot, and have periodic run-ins with the hunds. If I had a policy of shooting any dog running at me with in 10 feet, there would be a lot of dead dogs around to no purpose.You have to read the animal. Is it big enough to be a threat? I've been charged by fierce pugs before.

Some examples:

-A few months back I was charged by an English bull dog who was ignoring his owner's useless pleading commands. A bulldog can do serious damage, but I know that the breed has had most of the fight bred out of it. And this fellow was hesitant, grumbling. I was on foot at the time, and just gently prodded him off with the rubber end of my walking stick. The same dog showed up again last week when I was on the bike and again muscled at me. There was no intent in the charge, the breed is far too slow to keep up to me on the bike and this one is fatter than I am so I just rode on.

-I've been run at by a neighbor's husky a few times. But this was not a charge. The dog is an idiot with a brain like a turnip. There's no aggression in his body, he's just coming to stare vacantly and hope for food.

-Local neighborhood pet dogs that are loose will sometimes chase me, but nothing more is required beyond dismounting and yelling at them sternly. They are only after the chase, and when the chase stops they realize you're a person not a wounded deer.

-I've had to break up numerous dog fights in the past when I was dealing with intact male GSD's from working lines. I never shot any dog, even when the other one started it. You just hoist yours up by the tail and carry him away. A stick can also be helpful for keeping the other dog at bay. You never, ever put your hands in between the dogs. And shooting would be tricky at best due to the chaos of the situation and the problems determining fault.

-In other circumstances, you may be dealing with rural or bush dogs that are a genuine threat to life and limb. These ones you should take seriously.

-The worst case scenario is one I've never had to face and hopefully won't. That is a large, determined dog that has full bite satisfaction deep in his genetic makeup and has no bluff in him. I've seen some of these guys behind fences and in training while wearing the helper's suit. I don't think a stick would do much. And any hand you have exposed is going to be taken out first.

Another factor to consider is the owner's response. Remember even if people are being irresponsible, they may be armed as well as you are. So if you shoot their dogs down because they're within X feet, you may find yourself getting shot down by the owner who's assuming you're a madman trying to kill him.

 

[seal]

pepper spray works like a champ. sometimes a dog running towards you can be misunderstood. Running does not work its faster and its invokes prey drive.

 

[John Locke]

About the owner attacking, we had such a scenario at IDPA once. While walking your dog (holding a leash with the weak hand), you are attacked by a pair of dogs. You draw and shoot them each twice single-handedly, then drop the leash and put them out of their misery with a shot to the head each. This enrages their owner, who attacks you with a knife. You retreat a few yards to put an obstacle between the two of you, then shoot him at a distance of a few yards.

Good practice.

 

[Old Shooter]

It's not about having the least amount of harm from a dog attack. If a dog knocks you down and grabs your throat, you're dead. Mayby you will be the lucky one who only requires a couple of hundred stitches and eats thru a straw for a few months with a face scarred forever or mayby not. If a dog is acting agressivly and enters what ever distance from me that I consider my safety zone I MAY fire a shot in front of him (depending on location, circumstances, etc.) or I more likely will plant one in his chest. I've seen first hand the results of a dog attack and I am not going there if I can help it. If it's a pack of dogs, no warning shot whatsoever.

 

[Messenger Guard]

I think the spray option is a good one since it is recommended for the dog's long distant relative, the bear. If you must use a firearm, you must be resolute. After 30 years of working with dogs, Mossoloid breeds in particular, a dog that wants a piece of you is very likely to get it. They have strength way beyond that of a comparable sized man and speed beyond what any man can match. Dog mentality is completely different from man and this is something we often don't factor in a fight. A dog has no concept of yesterday or the future. They truly live in the moment. They don't consider the ramifications of an attack or what damage may happen to them. While we always worry about the mortgage, work, the kids etc., the dog is solely focused on the task at hand. Our thinking too much can cost us victory in a situation where savage ferocity in uber high speed is our opponent. Once the threat is there, be resolute and fly into it with the same fury our cave dwelling ancestors did when facing pack animals else you may not carry the day.

 

[esquare]

It depends on the dog(s), the approach, the situation, the environment, etc. I live in a suburban neighborhood with lots of folks who don't think twice about their dogs running around off leash. I've returned several dogs to their owners after finding them blocks away with not even a thank you. One woman wouldn't get off her couch when I rang her doorbell and let her know her two dogs were roaming around (nice!).

So, this type of attitude towards dogs means that there are lots of poorly trained house pets running around. So, most of them just run up to you and once they realize that you aren't going to have any nonsense they go away. If one of them attacked I would kick them very hard, and that would probably end it.

Now, this is different if you are a smaller person, older, or have a disability in which you couldn't defend your yourself. A heavy stick would be better then.

If it's a pack (2-3 can be just as deadly of a pack), then all bets are off. Even the nicest, most well behaved dogs will follow an aggressive pack leader. Once they get you on the ground, that's it.

The problem as it is mentioned already, is that the approaches that are going to be bad are the ones you don't see coming.

So, everyone needs to prepare themselves because a dog attack is not out of the ordinary. But, I say, have a plan A like a foot or stick for the 99%, and a plan B if the first doesn't work (like a gun).

BTW, I can't stand when people always think of pit bulls, german shepherds, etc as 'aggressive' breeds. Any dog can attack - breed has much less to do with it than a bunch of other factors. Yellow labs, untrained and neglected, can be really, really, really mean dogs. Also, and this isn't gun related, but safety related, teach your children, grand kids, and anyone else how to safely handle a dog even if you don't own one. Last week I saw a 10 year old kid stick his face into the muzzle of a 15 pound lap dog, and the dog didn't appreciate the gesture. Countless times little kids have run up to my dogs on a walk and reached to pet their muzzles without even bothering to ask permission. What are parents teaching their kids?

 

[wishin]

There's always the stun gun for those that worry about harming the dog. The problem is you need to touch the animal with it. Some say that the clicking noise is enough to scare them away at times. I'd rather not be that close to an attacking dog. The nice thing about bear pepper spray is you get distance that normal sprays don't have.

I'm an animal lover, but care more for my well being. A handgun is optimal and my choice.

 

[Cosmoline]

If a dog is acting agressivly and enters what ever distance from me that I consider my safety zone I MAY fire a shot in front of him (depending on location, circumstances, etc.) or I more likely will plant one in his chest.

What if the aggressive dog is a pug? These absolute rules are a bad idea for a situation with so many variables.

 

[bobby68]

A few here noted that children in tow can be an important factor. Who wants to risk there child being mauled? I look for tall vehicles, stairs or fenced yards where I can momentarily stash my toddler while I deal with loose dogs. I know I'm not only parent tired of dog owners putting children at risk because they are comfortable that the dog won't bite. Or "it's a dog park" though it is not.

Ditto on sticks, canes, sprays, firearms. I love dogs too but even the nicest dog can bite, childrens lives shouldn't be gambled. No one wants to be the complaining neighbor, but I don't want to be left regretting that I gambeled and lost, and a child had to pay.

 

[Sheldon J]

[

I live in a city subdivision, many neighbors nearby (and dogs), Thats' why I chose a "Cold Steel" sword cane. (legal in Ky. for ccw) If as advertised could easily cut a large dog in half. Check out Cold Steel sword canes on the web.

In MI that will get you arrested... One thing I use to take with me when I was a kid that did a grand on chasing dogs.... Squirt gun full of "Bo Peep" ammonia, one shot to the face was enough.....

 

[kayak-man]

Every now and then I run into dogs on the trails I like to walk, and most of the time, they bark and growl but are no problem. Just to be on the safe side, I use a walking stick whenever I go up there. I figure if the dog is being a problem, if I can keep the stick pointing at it, the dog will "poke itself" if it tries to leap/pounce/lunge at me.

I can't carry yet, but even so, I feel like this leaves me pretty well defended. I'm not saying that I am going to walk away in one piece, but I will at least walk away... hopefully.

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson

 

[au01st]

Had to defend myself against a dog just the other day...

We have a *that* house where I live, and their pit bull stays chained up outside. It's on one of those dog runs that has stakes in the ground. Well it rained a bit and I guess the ground was soft, cause he broke free. I was coming home from work and didn't notice if it was in its yard or not. Pulled into my driveway, turned the car off, unbuckled the seat belt, gathered my bag, ipod, etc, and opened the door. Stepped out, closed the door, and heard growling. Now my front door is opposite the driver's side of the car and elevated: maybe 20ft around the car, then stairs, then another 10ft, so it's not a straight shot. Had dogs all my life (I think my parents had 10 at one point, I lost count) and I'm familiar with "Hi!" expressions from a variety of breeds (all our dogs were pound rescues), and this was not one of them. I yelled, and he stepped forward and showed his teeth. I had my hand on my SD9 as I began backing to the door. First step back and it started running. I drew and shot; hit the ground in front of him (note: I missed, I was aiming for the dog) and he took off running. I haven't seen him outside since.

I live outside city limits and have confirmed with local LEOs (many of whom I grew up and graduated high school or worked with) that if I'm attacked where I live, I'm in the right to shoot.

 

[GLOOB]

If you know dogs, you know you should never back away in this situation. The dog is sizing you up. Backing away triggers the instinct to attack.

Not criticizing the shoot, by any means. I'd have drawn as soon as I was aware of the situation. And I have to admit, you can't just stand there forever.

 

[au01st]

Well if I show my aggression and he still moves forward, I'm not sure what else to do.

 

[epijunkie67]

Sorry to hear about your attack mrdoublestak . I'm glad you didn't get hurt worse than that.

But dude, you gotta use some puctuation in your posts man. lol The wall of text without periods is making my eyes cross.

 

[mrdoublestak]

second post sorry about the language

edit

In 2009 i was attacked by a dog i was cutting some downed tree's on this older gentleman's land i had permission to cut up all the down trees i was cutting trees then not knowing what the hell was going or what had slammed into me i got really juiced up fast the dog hit me hard in the calf he was tearing me to shreds we fell i am on the ground lower than the pit the saw is running i was freaked out more about the fact i dam near cut off my arm with a wide open saw when the dog crashed into me from behind! it slammed into me knocked me down with a running saw tore my hooded sweat shirt sleeve cut and scratched the hell out of my left forearm i thought my arm was toast once the saw slowed down i could hear the dogs owner screaming bad words at me this and that i turned to look at him and the dog got off me and came back at me face to face and i had to do something with good work gloves on i held out my left hand i thought keep him off my face and neck long enough to get to my pistol he grabbed my hand then i was gripping his lower jaw as hard as i could he was trying to get away and with my right hand i pulled my double stack 1911 shoved it against the dog and pumped a whole mag into the shoulder and side of the dog the owner(the older gentleman's grandson) ran back to his car and called the police now i had to get up the dog is still moving a bit yelping it sounds horrible now with the owner screaming at the top of his lungs i thought he sicked him on me so i had this feeling like first take care of the dog then deal with owner second. as the cop later explained he stopped to confront me about cutting "his" trees OK? when he got out of the car to play "big guy" and Kick me off "his" land ect his dog got out of the car "by accident" and well the police get there and i am sitting on the ground and next to me the dead dog a chainsaw blood everywhere and me out of breath they were like whoa i was like yeah and they ask me how bad it was and whats going on
turns out the story he told 911 operator was way different than my story 23 stiche's and lots of cuts and scratches on my arm i am lucky
1 i almost cut my arm off 2 i almost didn't take my pistol with me to cut wood but i did lucky for me not so much the dog who knows how it would have turned out without my pistol there is only 1 rule with animal attacks scare off/maim/kill the thing as soon as possible if i could have i would have tried to beat that dog against a tree log if that was the only option the one thing going threw my head was who is going to pick up my kid if this dog kills me i am not a emotional type but that thought had me crying laying on the ground when everybody got there ....you cant plan for something like this

 

[heeler]

Hmm....Several years ago in the early 80's I knew a man who owned a guard dog kennel and he used German Sheperds,Dobermans,and a little known but very large and quite fierce dog that is a called a Giant Schnauzer by breed name.
Having personally watched these dogs work and train if a dog of one of these breeds as well as the others the original poster mentioned were charging me,law or no law if I had a concealed handgun I would empty it on the animal as fast as I could because they dont call dogs of this type man stoppers to be cute.
These dogs can do serious life long damage to a man and in a very short amount of time.