My First Post! - Protecting 'property'

[HankB]

Grandma heard the kids screaming in the backyard. She looked out the window and saw the dog attacking the kids! Grandma "armed" herself with a shovel and started beating the dog with it. The dog let go of the little boy's leg, but Grandma kept on beating the dog....until it was lifeless. The little boy needed numerous stitches on his leg, and the little girl required some stitches on both of her arms.

Believe it or not, but when the mother and father returned from their weekend, they BLAMED Grandma for having over-reacted!

Grandma gets a blue ribbon, mom & dad get . . . something less. Most dogs, raised with children, tend to become protective of "their" kids. A dog that attacks - rather than protects - children from it's own household should be put down.

 

[V4Vendetta]

I'd shoot the dog running at me. If the owner got mad you could just say that the offending dog was about to maul you or your wife. I loved my dog like family. She didn't like other dogs though. When ever other folks visited us we would have to go out to their car & escort them inside before Bear ate them for lunch. If the owner of the offending dog just cried & cried about their dog, be polite. After all, the dog might have been to them what your wife is to you. Offer to help them find a new nicer dog. Like a Collie.



"if you are grown man, there is no dog you should not be able to put down without a gun."

If you think I'm gonna fight a German Shepard or Pit Bull without a gun when I have a gun on me, you belong in a room made of thick rubber.

 

[MajorPowerchord]

Excellent discussion. Here are my final thoughts:

1. Crouch and wait for dog to swallow gun - NO!
2. Stand in front of family and shout "NO, GET BACK" - YES
3. Prepare for dog to attack by 'giving' him my weak forearm - YES
4. Swift kick to the (whatever I connect with) before dog grabs forearm - YES
5. Carry pepper spray - Probably Not. If the dog attacks me...hes going to die. I figure I can either try to spray the dog OR get in a good kick. I will take the kick.
6. If dog continues to attack after kick. Kick more. If he starts to eat my dog or wife (or seems to be winning the fight with me). The dog eats lead.

I do understand that shooting far away is not a good idea. I think trying to win the fight without a gun is best...until I start losing.

7. Warning shot - You guys are right...very bad idea. Either you are in fear for your life or your not. There is no in between.

8. Get enrolled in a good weapon defense class - Absolutely!

Thanks everyone.

 

[entropy]

I'd worry about my Dachshund ripping the other dog a new one! He is fearless, and almost brainless as well. He will attack dogs four times his size and has intimidated them. When I am mad at him, he rolls over and piddles himself. I have always been able to control dogs, whether my own or others, and wouldn't shoot until one drew my blood. I have kicked a few in the noggin when they didn't get the hint right away, but never had to shoot one.

 

[neoncowboy]

5. Carry pepper spray - Probably Not. If the dog attacks me...hes going to die. I figure I can either try to spray the dog OR get in a good kick. I will take the kick.

Whatever Mr. Bravado, in all likelihood the pepper spray would go a long way toward turning a potential dog attack into a non-event.

 

[TallPine]

Get a bigger dog

 

[answerguy]

We have a small Dachsie and walk him often. Fortunately most around us observe leash laws, but on occasion both here and while traveling have had loose dogs around. I'm in the habit of carrying a club of some sort (from the days before I decided to become a gun person), for protection from 2 or 4 legged threats. Sometime I carry an old billy club that I got from a retired chief of police who made them; a golf club--an iron--works well too, and doesn't scream "weapon". I guess if a dog is charging us I would try to beat it off first, especially if the owner is behind it, in which case I might shoot the owner by mistake if I miss the dog.

I guess, right or wrong, even though I now own guns and feel completely comfortable with the thought of using them to defend myself and family, outside the home I will probably continue to use any other means possible first.

The above is nominated for containing the best straight line of the new year. The punch line would be "Well that should take the dog's mind off attacking your dog". (with decorum in mind I'll let you find the straight line)

 

[carlrodd]

I'd shoot the dog running at me. If the owner got mad you could just say that the offending dog was about to maul you or your wife. I loved my dog like family. She didn't like other dogs though. When ever other folks visited us we would have to go out to their car & escort them inside before Bear ate them for lunch. If the owner of the offending dog just cried & cried about their dog, be polite. After all, the dog might have been to them what your wife is to you. Offer to help them find a new nicer dog. Like a Collie.



"if you are grown man, there is no dog you should not be able to put down without a gun."

If you think I'm gonna fight a German Shepard or Pit Bull without a gun when I have a gun on me, you belong in a room made of thick rubber.

thick rubber? like i said before, mailmen, my dad having been one, have to deal with all sorts of dogs on a daily basis, and the only time they carry guns is....well.....anyway, i'll stick by what i said. i'll kick the dog in the face because it works, and you use your gun because you're looking for the chance to.

 

[justashooter]

i'll kick the dog in the face because it works, and you use your gun because you're looking for the chance to.

hard to kick a 125# dog in the face when it has you by the arm and is working it's way up to your throat (unless you are into yoga).
there is no way in hell i would take mistreatment of that sort from a dog. no animal on this earth is worth a scratch on my ass.

 

[JMusic]

I not convinced this would be a good shoot, especially with the owner chasing behind. Knowing now that you know this can happen, carry a walking stick. I had a Great Dane chase me last fall while river fishing. It was uncertain to me if the dog was going to attack but he was very aggressive and continued to come closer. I could hear the owner following the dog calling calling for him. Long story short the dog cornered me into about 3.5 feet of water and continued to come forward. I simply used the end of my rod to keep him away. What was disappointing was the dog went to the owner twice then came back. I finally had to tell her to leash the dog until I leave. Majority of dogs can be backed away from if you show no fear and especialy if you have something to fend them off. Shooting someones dog can turn into a mess. It should be the VERY last resort.
Jim

 

[desertplinker]

I'd cast a vote in favor of pepper spray. Non lethal and you hopefully would only have to use it on the dog. Not an irate owner too, post spraying of the dog.

I definitely don't think warning shots are ever a good idea.

I have seen dogs very aggressive on the approach only to go right to the obligatory sniffing of the bum. I'd be extremely careful in utilizing your last resort option.

Have you considered carrying a collapsible police baton on your walks?

 

[Q-Lock]

I can't believe some of the responses to this.

It sure seems like some of you don't have much exposure to large/giant breed dogs.

There appears to be the almost "macho" attitude of just pulling out your gun and shooting the charging dog...which happens to be running at you at around 30-35 mph(depending on the breed). I say fat chance you are going to hit a 100+ lb dog running at you full speed with all that adrenaline. If you say you shoot before it gets that close....then in my book you are attempting to take the life of the animal before you even know it's a threat.

I agree that the warning shot is too dangerous, and possibly wouldn't even work. It's amazing how single minded dogs can get once they go into prey drive.

I think it's hard to tell when a dog is just going to defend it's yard or actually attack you or your family/dog. I mean if you are walking your dog down the street or sidewalk, that means you are walking by someone's property, or in the dog's mind...their property. Just about any dog is going to try and defend it's property/territory.

A small pepper spray/mace can and your usual pocket/carry knife would be plenty for me. Shooting a dog...out of the question, too hard and too dangerous. Any dog, no matter how large will be at least deterred by the pepper spray and most likely run off or at least cease to charge. After then...better start kicking/screaming/slicing/stabbign/praying your way out of the situation.

Either you do what I've previously mentioned and risk having to get physical(which it wont lead to 99% of the time), or you draw and shoot...who's to say what you'll hit/kill and who's to say you aren't one "of those crazy trigger happy gun nuts" just out to shoot something.

I'll take my way each and every time!

Quinten