Weird encounter while walking the dog today

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dobrzemetal

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Well, Ill have to say that I normally think of hauling around my CCW is kind of a pain and I've really never had the need for it but tonight I was glad I had it on me.

It was about 8:30pm Just about completely dark so I decided to take the dog for a walk (I go late because my dog goes bat **** when it sees other dogs). I usually walk out of the neighboorhood and then onto an a service road that ends in a dead end and roundabout. I ended up about 1/2 way down the road, I looked back and noticed a car without the headlights coming down the road, at the time I thought nothing of it. About three or so mins later the dog stops to take a pee and I check behind me, and I see the car just creeping along. At this point im thinking something is sketchy, but I continue walking just thinking its going to turn into one of the turns. About two mins later I turn and see the car about 50 yards from me just creeping, and i notice the windows are down. The other thing that freaked me out was these two people inside the car were staring me down like hawks and mind you, im at the end of the road with nobody around for at least 1/4 of a mile and its dark. So at this point Im looking over my shoulder and the car finally creeps up beside me and I notice two really sketchy looking thugger black dudes staring me down. I immediately put my hand on my gun, and got ready. They saw me put my hand on my hip and I think they got the idea and sped off foward about 100 yards, they then proceeded to make a 3 point turn and then drive towards me. Once they were right next to me, they slowed down again and gave me the cold stair. They then sped off and turned their lights on. I ended up home without any incident but that was a really strange encounter because I live on a good side of town and I've never had anything like that happen to me before. Anyways, thank goodness that nothing happened, but this little encounter really made me happy that I invested in a CCW. I will no longer complain about having to lug it around anymore!
 
well, it's a sketchy deal for sure. I would probably keep my distance and get away from the main road. But they "could" still run you over if they want to or do a drive by. Then again, i am not there so just be thankful that you're carrying and are ok. don't be fooled about safe neighborhood being always safe. for example there were 2 incidents in Katy Tx where i used to live. It's in the burbs, away from the hustle and bustle of the inner city but it still happened. Just be aware of your surroundings. Next time you could probably try to get their plate number and report it.
 
I think you might have interrupted a street pharmaceutical transaction... :scrutiny:

Either the guys in the cars were buying, or selling, and you were not who they were looking for.

I too walk my dog at night since it usually very pleasant here in CO. A CCW piece along with my cell phone and bright flashlight are requisite companions for such activities.

Not much you do except maybe call the police and let them know what happened. Maybe a few extra patrols in the area would do some good.
 
funny thing i wanna add. I am actually scared of walking my ankle biter of a puppy at night not due to bad people but from packs of wild dogs roaming the area. They look like they could be in the 50-60 lb range compared to my 14 pounder. If you leave trash at night, you can guarantee it'd be ransacked in the morning.
 
One word: FLASHLIGHT.

Get a quality flashlight and carry it. You will be astounded at how often you use it.

In this situation, I simply would have lit up the car when they were 50 yards from you. A couple of quick blinks will shock them, throw them out of their plan, let them know that you're prepared and aware of their weird behavior, and you won't have to reach for your gun and possibly freak out somebody who was just looking for directions.

I really can't praise the practice enough. It's a cheap, smart, and practical investment which will both make your life easier, and possibly save your life, or keep you from having to take someone else's life.

I would suggest Surefire, Fenix, or INOVA.
 
A flashlight would have been handy, all right.

I've got a Black Bear S&R that would have turned the situation comedic. :D
 
Kind of Blued said:
I would suggest Surefire, Fenix, or INOVA.
Click to expand...
Not a fan of maglites?
I just bought a new one, (I don't know how I lose those things, I really don't) and I love them. Easily illuminates things 100 yards off, and it's a good makeshift club if needed.



I agree though. Someone was trying to make a buy, and thought it was you. I probably would have been much, much more careful about it, instead of waiting 5 minutes to let them know I'm armed. I'd probably have stopped, and faked a phone call, or lit a cigarette, or whatever, and waited for them to pass. I don't like having my back to that sort of situation.
 
My only problem with Mag-Lites is that they tend to be too big and heavy to carry as a part of your "toolbox".

For something like walking the dog, however, a Mag-Lite by the door is a great tool if that's what you have, and they do make for better weapons than many lights out there. Having a gun dimishes that advantage greatly, but still, it is a good "improvised weapon" (you're still allowed to practice). A light from one of the aforementioned companies of the same size, however, will be much brighter (unless you include the many Mag-Lite post-op samples available).

Either way, I think many agree. Get yourself a good flashlight! :)
 
Originally Posted by Kind of Blued
I would suggest Surefire, Fenix, or INOVA.
Click to expand...

I like the cheap Rayovac 1 watt L.E.D. lights myself. With how much HELL I've put mine through, it still turns on every time. Also it's about 1/5 the price of the high end ones and IMO its just as good. OP, also I'm glad your OK.
 
My only problem with Mag-Lites is that they tend to be too big and heavy to carry as a part of your "toolbox".

For something like walking the dog, however, a Mag-Lite by the door is a great tool if that's what you have, and they do make for better weapons than many lights out there. Having a gun dimishes that advantage greatly, but still, it is a good "improvised weapon" (you're still allowed to practice). A light from one of the aforementioned companies of the same size, however, will be much brighter (unless you include the many Mag-Lite post-op samples available).

Either way, I think many agree. Get yourself a good flashlight!
Click to expand...

Well, I like my maglite, but I suppose that you need something that fits your need. I like to have something that can clonk an unruly dog on the head, especially in this area, but I can understand wanting something smaller.
 
I wouldn't clunk an unruly dog, I'd jusy pepperspray the thing,lol.

Coleman makes a good light (115lumens) for under $30 at wally world. :)

EDC: Pepperspray, crkt pocket knife, xd40sc, cell phone, light
 
I don't carry pepper spray, I might get carried away and get in trouble for spraying the yappers that chase me around the neighborhood but manage to stay out of clonking range. :banghead:
 
I might get carried away and get in trouble for spraying the yappers
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One guy in my company was "let go" for just that reason. But he did it 6 or 7 times, also he never filled out an IR (incident report) on them either.
 
One guy in my company was "let go" for just that reason. But he did it 6 or 7 times, also he never filled out an IR (incident report) on them either.
Click to expand...

These dogs always manage to stay out of my range, but I'm pretty sure they've bitten a few of the neighborhood kids. Animal Control is too busy to ever be arsed to make it out here. I've oft wondered if I could get away with an arrow through each of them, but I don't want to risk it.

My new little slingshot though......:cool:
 
I have four small dogs that I walk from time to time and due to an incident in a public park in January I changed my habits and added a can of "Halt" dog repellent to what I carry.

My female toy rat terrier was getting fat so I made a point of taking her out with me every time I left the house and walking her a lot. We were in a park and big black dog saw her from about 50 yards away and started growling and bounding in our direction. I was trying to pick Daisy up with my left hand and holding my right hand out trying to wave off the other dog and the darn thing went after my right arm.

I was carrying a .45 on my right hip, but couldn't get at it because the dog had me by the right arm. By this time I had dropped Daisy back to the ground and grabbed the dog around the neck with my left hand. I lifted it off the ground and was standing there holding it as it worked its way from my right elbow to my hand just chewing away. When it got to the hand I got the web of the hand in his mouth and grabbed his jaw. He finally opened his mouth and I threw him down and drop kicked him as I went to draw my weapon, but he ran off after I kicked him.

A $1,400 emergency room bill later...

Not to mention rabies shots...

Here's my walking the dog outfit: 1911 on my right hip, left hip spare mag case with a built-in holster for a Surefire flashlight, a can of Halt behind the mag pouch and I carry a big old Streamlight rechargeable flashlight when I think it may be dark before I get home.

A flashlight is kind of requisite where I live because rattlesnakes outnumber people so if you'll be out after dark it is helpful to be able to see...

I'm pushing 60 and this is the first time in my life I've been attacked by a dog. I'm still not a afraid of them (guess I'm just too dumb), but I sure have a different respect for their abilities. I still have matching scar tissue on both sides of my right hand from when I grabbed his jaw. Before he let go he put a tooth all the way through the middle of my hand. And, I still can't feel the last 3/8s of an inch of the thumb on my right hand.

What surprised me is that I am a handgun, rifle and self defense instructor. I have more than 500 hours of training. And, I wasn't ready for what I did not expect.

I think we all need to spend more time in Condition Yellow and prepare ourselves better to expect the unexpected.

However, I would never suggest quitting doing the lawful things that you enjoy, like walking your dog, because the unexpected is out there...

Glad things went well for you. But, it just goes to show you can never be too prepared.
 
I was carrying a .45 on my right hip, but couldn't get at it because the dog had me by the right arm. By this time I had dropped Daisy back to the ground and grabbed the dog around the neck with my left hand. I lifted it off the ground and was standing there holding it as it worked its way from my right elbow to my hand just chewing away. When it got to the hand I got the web of the hand in his mouth and grabbed his jaw. He finally opened his mouth and I threw him down and drop kicked him as I went to draw my weapon, but he ran off after I kicked him.
Click to expand...
That gave me the chills and I have bears in my yard. Was the owner held accountable in any way?
 
Agree on SureFire, Fenix, but don't know INOVA. I suspect it is a Cree light as well. These lights are MUCH better than anything with an LED bulb or incandescent bulb. I have a single-cell AAA light on each of my key chains that will out-perform a full-sized mag light any night. Check out the Sanyo EneLoop batteries while you are at it. A quality flashlight with really good rechargable NiMH batteries that don't bleed off charge is as fundamental to carry as a reliable CW, and something you will use more often.

I might have used my cell phone (or convincingly made it look like I was using a cell phone) to make a phone call. Let them think help is on the way and a description of the car and maybe even the license plate number has already been reported.
 
Dobrzemetal, it sounded like a robbery attempt. they probably didn't like the dog and the fact you reached for your gun. What kind of dog do you have?
 
I'd say they were sizing you up but figured you might put up a fight and moved on to some poor soul less willing or able to rise to the occasion.
 
Hey guys thanks for reading!, Well, im not sure what they were doing but I am glad that they didn't pull anything. I forgot to include that I was acctually carrying my mag light, I usually shine it on the ground to let incoming cars know that i'm walking. I end up using it a lot, because my dog is a lab and its hard to see her in the dark, and besides that shes just a puppy so she has to smell everything...Grr. Only thing about the mag is its bulky, but that works both ways, its big so you can bash stuff if need be but really big and doesn't fit in my pocket. But yeah, I don't know how I could of handled the situation better but I'm glad I was paying attention to my surroundings! I might invest in a better flashlight so I can put it in my pocket if I needed to use both hands for whatever reason.
 
+1 on the Fenix and the SureFire.

I've got three of the SureFire's and even sent one home to my wife (I'm overseas) for emergency use in our Dodge 2500.

When she got it this is exactly what she said to me while I was on the phone with her:

"What the heck am I going to do with this little flash..... Oh my God I just blinded myself."




Kris
 
+1 on an everyday carry flashlight!

I got a very small surefire as a gift (I asked for it...without realizing just how pricey it was).

Anyway, a lot of people I know who don't really have the defense/safety mindset think its weird that I carry it, but I agree with whoever said you'll be shocked by how often you use it.

Maybe I am always looking for a reason to grab it, but I end up using it quite often.

I would say that a bright led might be the way to go.

My surefire is awsome, but does not run on aa or aaa batteries.

I also have a somewhat larger led model from cabellas that runs on aa's.

Not quite as bright, but still beats the heck out of the lights I used as a kid.
 
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