I was out taking my dog out for a walk this afternoon, when the neighbor down the street asked if I had seen her pitbull. She drove off, and a few minutes later, I saw him. He is friendly enough towards me, but doesn't like Maggie much. There didn't end up being any trouble, the two dogs just sniffed each other cautiously and he headed towards home, but I sure was a lot more comfortable with my Makarov in my pocket.
Escaped Pitbull made me glad I had a gun today
- Thread starter Scottmkiv
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Chipperman
Member
Glad you were prepared, and also that you did not need to use it.
jlwatts3
Member
That's a good looking dog you got there.
sumpnz
Member
IANAL - The answer, to the best of my knowledge is no. In most places if you are in a residential area (as it would appear was the case here)you cannot discharge a firearm except in defense of yourself or another person. Much as we love our pets, much as we feel like they are our "kids" they are not human, and it is generally not legal to fire in order to save a pet's life. Some areas will allow that for livestock, however.
Kruzr
Member
You could only shoot it as it turned on you when you tried to get it off your dog.
orionengnr
Member
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Don't know if it will work, but until my permit comes,
I carry OC spray when I walk my dogs (tell the truth, I carry it almost always, and will continue to do so even after I get my CCW permit).
Having options is never a bad thing, and a dog's sense of smell being what it is, I'll bet that even catching a whiff will change their attitude...
I carry OC spray when I walk my dogs (tell the truth, I carry it almost always, and will continue to do so even after I get my CCW permit).
Having options is never a bad thing, and a dog's sense of smell being what it is, I'll bet that even catching a whiff will change their attitude...
Well, guess if I was walking my dog (who is like a kid to me) and some pit bull attacked her, I'd shoot the pitbull as most likely as I was going to pull the pit bull off of her, he turned at me and while in "fear of my life" I shot the pit bull 15 times. 
Yep that's the way it happened officer.
Yep that's the way it happened officer.
Taurus 66
Member
That's where a combat knife comes to the rescue. Just thrust that blade down on the back of the pit's neck and it'll be retreating fast enough. If it gets stupid with you after the stabbing, put Stupid out of his misery.
In my case, I was 70 miles away and my kid was taking him for a walk when the pitbull came running out of the house and zoned in on my dog. Kiddo says they kicked the dog and beat it in the head with a rock and finally got it to let loose.
The dog lived right across from an elementary school, too. Scary.
Clyde is doing better now. He's a tough old guy.
The dog lived right across from an elementary school, too. Scary.
Clyde is doing better now. He's a tough old guy.
longspurr
Member
Loose Pit bulls everywhere??
Yesterday my wife and I went looking for a portable 4-legged companion at 2 local animal shelters. At the first one 2 or 3 of the 10 dogs were Pit bulls or crosses. At the 2nd shelter at least ½ of the dogs were Pits’. Asking about the animals history the shelter said most of them were strays and they didn’t know their history.
Since Pits’ are considered dangerous then it’s surprising – at least to me – that there are so many of them. Could it be the owners got rid of them because they were afraid of the dogs??
Barbara, I hope your little guy makes a full recovery from the mauling. It does make you wonder what to carry when you are “walking the dog”. I used to carry a riding crop when I thought there might be a problem. I have been successful in waving it at a charging dog and have them pull up short. I Doubt if it will work on a fighting breed thou.
Yesterday my wife and I went looking for a portable 4-legged companion at 2 local animal shelters. At the first one 2 or 3 of the 10 dogs were Pit bulls or crosses. At the 2nd shelter at least ½ of the dogs were Pits’. Asking about the animals history the shelter said most of them were strays and they didn’t know their history.
Since Pits’ are considered dangerous then it’s surprising – at least to me – that there are so many of them. Could it be the owners got rid of them because they were afraid of the dogs??
Barbara, I hope your little guy makes a full recovery from the mauling. It does make you wonder what to carry when you are “walking the dog”. I used to carry a riding crop when I thought there might be a problem. I have been successful in waving it at a charging dog and have them pull up short. I Doubt if it will work on a fighting breed thou.
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
Seems to be the case. An e-acquaintance shot and wounded his next door neighbor's pitbull yesterday when it attacked him and his grandson in their own yard.
lpl/nc
lpl/nc
Kamicosmos
Member
Not in Missouri. There's a case pending now where a guy shot (with bow and arrow) a labrador that was on his property growling and threatening to attack.
He was arrested on aggrevated animal abuse charges.
Granted, he made some mistakes, like not calling the cops first, so that's mostly why he's in trouble. But, the first trial he was found not guilty, but the defendants appealed, and it's going around again.
I'll try to find links. I'm curious to see when and how it ended...
Thrash1982
Member
Recently had a pitbull attack an elderly lady on our street while she was walking her dog. Apparently a girl was walking her pitbull when it got away from her. Attacked and killed the lady's terrier and then turned on her. Fortunately one of our other neighbors saw the attack and ran out to help. Ended up punching the dog which then ran off.
The whole pit bull thing is so sad, when properly breed they are such a great breed, however they are the most over bred dog in the country. Most of the people breeding them shouldn't be allowed to own animals much less breed them, especially not a breed that needs special attention. On top of that most bully breeds are smarter than their owners and no where near as lazy. If left in a backyard all day, out of boredom they will figure a way out . No animal should be bred to be human aggressive, pits usually are however animal aggressive and they do have a high prey drive, they were bred to be catch dogs and they will do anything to please their master. This means they need very responsible owners. When you have idiots out their breeding for size and color you get bad dogs, when you have idiots out there breeding fighting dogs you get bad dogs. My pit bull is the best dog I have ever had and I have had everything from Spaniels to German Shepards. I worked In a pet store for a long time and was usually involved in some aspect of pit rescue. There is no such thing as a bad breed just bad breeding, and bad owners. I think blame should be placed on the owner and the dog involved, not the breed as a whole. That being said, if some irresponsible owner's pit was out and went after my Daisy, it would be the last thing it ever did.
Happiness is an American Pit Bull Terrier!
Happiness is an American Pit Bull Terrier!
I should have made it clear that I have no problems with Pitbulls, just bad owners. I've known some pitbull mixes that were just as friendly as could be.
The incident was just a little reminder of why I should always carry a gun.
Also, I really have trouble envisioning the cops bothering anyone too much if you just say the pitbull was wandering loose and attacked.
The incident was just a little reminder of why I should always carry a gun.
Also, I really have trouble envisioning the cops bothering anyone too much if you just say the pitbull was wandering loose and attacked.
Funny timing on this thread. Two nights ago, I was walking my dog and I ran across a dog out loose, a couple of streets over. (I recently posted a thread about dog problems on my street.) Anyway, the dog looked like a boxer/pit mix. It was tall like a boxer, but huskier and had a HUGH head, shaped like a pit bull. When I saw it, it had it's head down, eating something in the grass in someone's yard (close to the sidewalk). It saw us and looked real interested and started towards us at a brisk pace. I had a can of OC and took it out of my pocket and shortened up the lead on my dog. The boxer/pit mix came up to us and was staring me in the eye (I was also pointing the can at him).
My dog was trying to get at him (to investigate) and the boxer/pit mix was trying to get at my dog, which is what I was trying to prevent. (Nothing happened.) They sniffed at each other, but I pulled my dog away quickly and stayed between my dog and this other one, while they were trying to get at each other. I just didn't want them to get tangled up in a fight. My dog is a dominant breed that doesn't tolerate other dogs being too friendly and I didn't want this big monster killing my dog (mine's only around 30 pounds). I kept telling the other dog to go home and after a while, he finally did (reluctantly). I was hoping the OC would work if they started fighting. That dog had a very somber look, if that makes sense.
I love dogs and would have pet this dog, if mine hadn't been with me, but my biggest concern is a dog fight injuring my dog. I was also concerned about a dog like this being out loose. I had never seen him before, but there are a lot of kids in the neighborhood that could easily be hurt by a dog that size. (He was probably around 85 SOLID pounds.)
My dog was trying to get at him (to investigate) and the boxer/pit mix was trying to get at my dog, which is what I was trying to prevent. (Nothing happened.) They sniffed at each other, but I pulled my dog away quickly and stayed between my dog and this other one, while they were trying to get at each other. I just didn't want them to get tangled up in a fight. My dog is a dominant breed that doesn't tolerate other dogs being too friendly and I didn't want this big monster killing my dog (mine's only around 30 pounds). I kept telling the other dog to go home and after a while, he finally did (reluctantly). I was hoping the OC would work if they started fighting. That dog had a very somber look, if that makes sense.
I love dogs and would have pet this dog, if mine hadn't been with me, but my biggest concern is a dog fight injuring my dog. I was also concerned about a dog like this being out loose. I had never seen him before, but there are a lot of kids in the neighborhood that could easily be hurt by a dog that size. (He was probably around 85 SOLID pounds.)
ExtremeDooty
Member
I agree that the owner's are the problem, not the breed. I think some guys buy what they perceive to be a badass dog to enhance their own idea of being a badass. And then mistreat the dog to give it a bad attitude.
I have new neighbors with a pit bull. They keep it chained up outside at all times and seldom play with it. I feel sorry for it and would like to give it some attention, but it just doesn't seem very friendly. A lot like my neighbors now that I think about it.
I have new neighbors with a pit bull. They keep it chained up outside at all times and seldom play with it. I feel sorry for it and would like to give it some attention, but it just doesn't seem very friendly. A lot like my neighbors now that I think about it.
38SnubFan
Member
Isn't that DOUBLE JEOPARDY????
Amazing to hear about all these Pit Bull attacks. Went with a friend to take her dog to the park about two months ago. Her dog got a little too "curious" of a Pit Bull and a fight started. Luckily several people rushed to the scene and separated the dogs, nobody or no dog sustaining injuries.
However, had the dog attacked/caused injury to another human being, that dog would be DRT.
All too often I see owners around here who breed Pits to fight and be aggressive. I've even watched owners laugh while the Pit chases/attacks innocent kids and adults in certain low-income neighborhoods.
-38SnubFan
+1 kngflp
{minirant} Grrr, back yard breeders!{/minirant}
My pit bulls had the chance to meet a whole bunch of my and my girlfriend's family over the holiday weekend as we hosted the cookout. End result? Everyone thought my dogs were well behaved and friendly to a fault. My 11 year old niece wore both dogs out so bad that it took them until Wednesday to get back to their crazy old selves.
Now, if someone else's loose pit bull is displaying aggression toward me or mine, well, there might not be gunplay, but I always carry a knife. The one absolute essential accesory any pit bull owner must have is a 6' fence in good repair. It protects your dog from other dogs and people. It prevents your dogs from running away and being a nuisance. And anyone that keeps their dogs out in the yard doesn't have a pet. Pets are kept in the house and loved, not ignored in the yard.
{minirant} Grrr, back yard breeders!{/minirant}
My pit bulls had the chance to meet a whole bunch of my and my girlfriend's family over the holiday weekend as we hosted the cookout. End result? Everyone thought my dogs were well behaved and friendly to a fault. My 11 year old niece wore both dogs out so bad that it took them until Wednesday to get back to their crazy old selves.
Now, if someone else's loose pit bull is displaying aggression toward me or mine, well, there might not be gunplay, but I always carry a knife. The one absolute essential accesory any pit bull owner must have is a 6' fence in good repair. It protects your dog from other dogs and people. It prevents your dogs from running away and being a nuisance. And anyone that keeps their dogs out in the yard doesn't have a pet. Pets are kept in the house and loved, not ignored in the yard.
TallPine
Member
One of the reasons that we moved out of town and into the hills.
An agressive dog running loose out here is a dead dog. Bang!
In town, the "law" prevents you from doing anything about stray dogs, but the "law" does not do anything to fix the problem either. A microcosm of society as a whole
My daughters and their dogs on leash were attacked by a large dog (not a pit) in town, and the deputy couldn't catch the stray dog "without getting hurt." Makes me wonder why we even bother paying taxes for a sheriff.
An agressive dog running loose out here is a dead dog. Bang!
In town, the "law" prevents you from doing anything about stray dogs, but the "law" does not do anything to fix the problem either. A microcosm of society as a whole
My daughters and their dogs on leash were attacked by a large dog (not a pit) in town, and the deputy couldn't catch the stray dog "without getting hurt." Makes me wonder why we even bother paying taxes for a sheriff.
The Real Hawkeye
member
No. What happens a lot is that people buy a Pitbull (whether because they know of their high quality and character, or because they want the toughest dog in the neighborhood for cool status) and then they find that they cannot get anyone to rent them an apartment or sell them insurance due to the unwarranted prejudice against the breed. Finally, they are forced with a choice of living in their car or getting rid of their Pitbull. If you have a Pitbull, you usually have to own your own home with a fenced in yard.
By the way, most people have zero understanding of the breed. I've owned them forever, and the ones I've owned and known do not have any more natural tendency to aggress against people than a Labrador Retriever. Unfortunately, this breed, due to the rep, is much more likely to be aggressed against by people, i.e., a concerned father sees a pitbull, grabs his baseball bat from his trunk and proceeds to swing away in an attemt to frighten off the dog. Pitbulls, being fearless by nature, will usually not respond well to this.
Another problem is that when a Pitbull sets his mind to something, he doesn't stop till he accomplishes his task. In a person, we'd admire this quality, but in a Pitbull whether we admire it depends on what it is that he's doing. Pitbulls, like I said, are no more likely, by nature, to attack an old lady or child than is a Labrador Retriever (This kind of conduct, as with any breed, depends on early conditioning and socialization). The problem is that when a Pitbull decides to attack someone (anyone, old lady, child or lion), they don't quit till they are dead or their victim is dead, while a lab can be beaten off, or will just plain get tired of its attack and break it off himself. This is why a Pitbull owner needs to take extra precautions and needs to properly socialize his pet when it is young. Mine loves children, and pretty much anyone else, but he has been attacked by other dogs many times while minding his own business. Pitbulls, believe it or not, get attacked by other dogs more often than any other breed. This is because they generally don't have any fear of other dogs (more curious than anything else), and when another dog attempts to induce in a Pitbull a sign of subordination through intimidation, a Pitbull will likely act like he doesn't notice the other dogs dominant posture. This will cause the other dog, who is accustomed to inducing subordinate signals in dogs he meets, to attack - and then he's sorry he did.
The bottom line is that there is reason for caution if you own a Pitbull, but they are far from the monsters they are made out to be. By nature, they have characteristics that we'd admire in a human being, but those characteristics can be transformed by abusive upbringing and poor early socialization. Unfortunately, some people consider it fashionable to have a Pitbull, but then stick it on a heavy chain in the back yard, where it gets zero socialization, and then when it gets loose, it is a hazard to everyone it meets (just as you'd be if you were raised this way to adulthood). This, however, is not their nature as a breed. Raised as a member of the family, and properly socialized, there is much to love and admire in the breed.
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