Dog Attack

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12string

12string

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Tampa FL
While walking my Black Lab on our nightly walk, the local neighbors left their door open. A large white shepherd bolted from the door and made a beeline for my dog and myself. I positioned myself between the attacking dog and my dog but it quickly out maneuvered me and latch on to the hind quarter of my dog. I would have drawn my sidearm however the owed was hot on his dog's heals and quickly put it into submission.
The point of the post is I was not adequately prepared to defend myself even though I was armed. My dog suffered a laceration to her hip which the vet treated with a cleaning, he said it will heal quickly. The down side, my pup must wear the "cone of shame" for several days while she heals to keep her from constantly liking the wound.

Situational awareness lesson 101 for me.
 
Glad you and your best friend were ok. Had a similar experience a few years ago walking our 30lb pug/beagle, jumped by a (guessing) 80-100lb lab/shepherd appearing mix. I don't usually carry gun when walking but do carry pocket knife and 5ft hickory walking stick bought at gun show for $10! A beautiful piece of wood, sold by a nice older gent who made and sold them to supplement his pitiful Social Security income. Anyway, used the stick to whack the offender as hard as I could across the back, a one handed blow while holding a leash in the other....one whack, one yelp and it was all over, we continued on our way. That hickory is some really hard wood! Just a thought....
 
Same thing happened to me

I understand completely. I was walking my Great Dane at a nearby park when a pit bull/boxer mix came out of nowhere at a dead run at both of us. He was on us less than a second after I saw him and although I was armed with a BG .380, my first and only reaction was to turn away from the lunge and get between the attacker and my dog. The attacker got me in the calf with either teeth or claws and gashed me pretty deeply. Luckily, my Great Dane is very protective and had the dog on the ground, with his teeth around its neck by the time I realized what had just happened.
I was able to get my Dane off him before any major damage was done, and when he let go, the fight had left the other dog. While I was checking my dog and my leg (in that order), the "owner" disappeared with the attacking dog, never to be seen again.
I reported the whole thing to the police, but the owner and/or dog were never seen again.
 
Bottom line

Sorry, I got so carried away with the event, I forgot my takeaway from the incident.
I need training to be able to protect myself. My first (and only useful) impulse was not the right one.
 
I bought an ash wood cane years ago to use when I have to travel by air. Security will let canes though with no problems, this is not a typical hook shaped cane, it is more like a straight walking stick with a leather strap on the handle to go around my wrist. This is an excellent defensive weapon, the only thing it needs to have on it is a approved rubber cain tip to qualify as a walking assist devise. It now will go along with with us on our twice a day walks. Attacking dogs beware!
 
12string said:
While walking my Black Lab on our nightly walk, the local neighbors left their door open. A large white shepherd bolted from the door and made a beeline for my dog and myself. I positioned myself between the attacking dog and my dog but it quickly out maneuvered me and latch on to the hind quarter of my dog. I would have drawn my sidearm however the owed was hot on his dog's heals and quickly put it into submission.
The point of the post is I was not adequately prepared to defend myself even though I was armed. My dog suffered a laceration to her hip which the vet treated with a cleaning, he said it will heal quickly. The down side, my pup must wear the "cone of shame" for several days while she heals to keep her from constantly liking the wound.

Situational awareness lesson 101 for me.
Click to expand...

Been there, done that. But I must boast just a little in saying that I'm quite good at convincing aggressively charging dogs that me and my dog are off limits. I do it with voice and body language. Not something I could impart in writing, but I've turned back plenty of large aggressive dogs that wanted to attack my dog while I was on a walk. Recently, there was a Rottweiler who came charging with his fur up and roaring like a lion from his owners property towards us. It was my dog he wanted to fight. I took my posture, took an aggressive step towards him, stared him in the eye, and shouted at him in a deep voice. He stopped in his tracks and acted like there was a force field up circling about twenty feet around me. Same thing with an American Bulldog in the Fall, except he stopped in his tracks, turned around, and started trotting in the opposite direction.

Might just be because I was born into a house with big dogs, never been without at least one (often three or four) and was taught how to handle them since I was very small.
 
I didn't want to take someones pet out of this life just because the owner got a little careless with the front door, It could easily have happened to me, my dog likes to scare and chase cats (don't know what she would do if she caught up with one, it would probably get the best of her). I would hate to have a cat owner take my dog out.
 
Last year, while I was walking in my neighborhood with my dog, a very large Dobe/Rott mix managed to climb over the fence in his yard and come after us. I saw him get over the fence and start after us. His intentions were clear. My dog is about 60 lbs and not aggressive. I attempted to get between him and my guy. It went after my dog and my dog tried to defend himself. My dog's leash got wrapped around my legs and I nearly fell down in the middle of the melee. As he was getting his jaws on my dog's neck, I kicked him as hard as I could right under his muzzle. He snapped at my leg and bit me. I kicked him in the ribs...He then backed up a bit and I drew my S&W 640-1 loaded with 125 gr JHP .357 Mag. By this point a couple of cars had stopped but nobody got out. The dog held back as I pointed the gun at his chest and yelled, "BACK OFF!" At him...I had finger on the trigger and was going to shoot him if he came at us again...He hesitated and then turned and ran back to his yard and back over the fence. I gathered my composure and bolstered.

I walked back to my house. My friend was unhurt. I had bites on my right calf. I called Animal Control. The officer was very nice and I did tell her I had drawn my revolver and was close to killing the dog. Her comment was that I used more restraint than she'd have...She would have shot him. I told her where the dog lived and she went to investigate. She called me about an hour later and told me that she had the dog in her truck. The owners surrendered the dog and didn't want him back...they were afraid of him. She also told me he had a shock collar on when he went over the fence after us...Likely, the dog would be tested for rabies and destroyed. I felt bad for the dog but thought it good that he hadn't attacked one of the many women who walk their babies and small dogs around here daily...I got a letter ten days later telling me the dog tested negative for rabies.

The owners did come to my door after Animal Control left their house. They clearly felt bad about it and apologised and offered to pay for any damage and/or medical care. They were shocked that the dog got over the fence despite the collar.

The lesson from that was, as I knew from my LEO days, is that you never know when it will go wrong. So, you better be prepared for the worst. That was a very large and vicious dog...I was very glad I wasn't depending on a "mouse gun" to keep my dog and myself in one piece. Also, the two o'clock belt scabbard carry allowed me to fend off the dog and draw in this mess. I always keep the leash in my left hand so my weapon hand is free...I also experienced the situation of having to get to and use a weapon in a unpredictable situation with a large dose of adrenalin flowing through me...As it turned out, I didn't need to shoot but it dependend on the dog's decision and that isn't very comforting. I think people think more about defending themselves from attack from other humans and not much about animal attacks, particularly for us city folks.
 
Dogs are extremely hard to hit and put down. In addition to being armed when I walk my little dog, I carry a collapsible baton. It may or may not be legal. But I don't care as it's easily hidden. And I wound rather not have to explain why I shot someones dog versus keep him at bay with the baton.

A baton, stick or cane as mentioned prior is an object that is visible to the dog which can be used to slow them down or intimidate them.
 
I was doing a service call at a service station car wash. It was a county fair parade day & the front of the station was lined with families waiting for the parade. Across the alley was a 40" chain link fence with a pit bull in it. A pickup truck went through the alley with a dog in the back and the two dogs barking at each other got the pit bull worked up. I had come outside for parts and the pit came around the front corner of my truck with his hair up & snarling. I backed toward the passenger door of the truck with the dog popping his jaws about 18" from my shin. The dogs neighbor saw what was happening and yelled at the dog. He turned and went back in his yard. I looked and the gate was left open. I had a 9mm. in the console of the truck and it was useless there. I did not like the idea that it was no longer up to me if I got bit or worse. With all the families waiting for the parade it could have been a lot worse. The neighbor closed the gate to contain the dog. I talked to the police and they had a discussion with the owner a day later but nothing came of it. It did convince me that I would have the pistol on from that point forward. If a dog gets on you like that you have few good options.
 
Sometimes the best defense is a good offense, counter-attacking the offending dog can be a good idea, and is my go-to method sometimes it is enough to change a dog's 'attitude' having a larger more aggressive "animal" attack THEM.

If that doesn't work, Plan B, take the bite on your off arm/leg (odds are you WILL get bit anyway so take bite on your own terms) so the dog is somewhat motionless (easier to hit) and take the shot(s).
 
Don 73 said:
Sometimes the best defense is a good offense, counter-attacking the offending dog can be a good idea, and is my go-to method sometimes it is enough to change a dog's 'attitude' having a larger more aggressive "animal" attack THEM.

If that doesn't work, Plan B, take the bite on your off arm/leg (odds are you WILL get bit anyway so take bite on your own terms) so the dog is somewhat motionless (easier to hit) and take the shot(s).
Click to expand...

Instead of taking a bite, that's what a stick or cane is for. ;)
 
chuckster57 said:
Another less lethal option is a shot of pepper spray. I have used it on aggressive dogs with excellent results. It wears off, but the dog sure remembers.
Click to expand...

Just remember you have to spray infront of the dog. Directly spraying a dog isnt very effective. Spray infront and let the dog run into the spray sucking the spray into its nose.
 
ben_g1 said:
I carry one of those cheap $10 hand held tasers you always here them demonstrating at the gun shows, when walking the dog. Just the sound of it will stop most dogs in their tracks, and if not a little touché-feelie will stop them.
Click to expand...
Not to get nit picky, but I believe what your describing is a stun gun. It has 4 electrodes, two facing each other and two facing forward. When you press the trigger, a nice crackle sound is produced along with a bright blue arc between the electrodes facing each other. A taser has two darts that are shot out at the target, and once they make contact, you can watch lots of involuntary activity.

We carried stun guns for a short time, but found them more effective on the vermin than the inmates.
 
Situational awareness.

I love dogs, but I will not walk mine through some neighborhoods. Dogs attract other dogs. Last year my wife and I were walking through our neighborhood, when I saw a guy leaving his house across an intersection with a pitbull. I stopped my wife from beginning to cross the street until he and his dog were in the cab of his truck. We crossed the street, walked past the truck and after we passed by the truck the dog came through the back window. I spun my wife behind me, as I threw my left forearm up and put a knee in the dog's sternum and yelled NO in a loud and convincing voice as I drew my J-frame .357 with my right hand. By the time the owner had exited the truck, He saw his dog on the sidewalk facing down the barrel of a handgun. I said in the same stern voice COME AND GET YOUR DOG! He apologized and said his dog only wanted to say hello. I told him You almost lost you're dog. He never even saw me knee his dog in the sternum as it lunged at me. The knee and the NO is the only thing that saved the dog or me. The firearm was there, but would have only been used if needed.

SWCA #1834
 
I sometimes do door to door work. dogs are too fast if they decide to bite. If you have time put something between the dog and your flesh. I carry a plastic clipboard and have it in front of me when a dog comes blasting out on the porch. If the target is your dog the shocker would get my vote. My co worker learned this the hard way and got a fang in the groin and ripped jeans from a chow with the owner standing right there. He used his clipboard the next time and the dog broke off the attack when it could not bite him. I could hit a dog but would not stab one unless my life was in danger.
 
I like dogs. My dog can sleep in the bed with me and the wife any time he wants.
At the deer lease when it is COLD he sleeps under the covers with me.

However, I have shot and killed a "few" dogs while on the job, I have never been bit, nor has anyone around me...

Bottom line is, IF your dog in not on a leash, and endangers a person or another animal, expect it to get shot...
 
Don 73 said:
Sometimes the best defense is a good offense, counter-attacking the offending dog can be a good idea, and is my go-to method sometimes it is enough to change a dog's 'attitude' having a larger more aggressive "animal" attack THEM.

If that doesn't work, Plan B, take the bite on your off arm/leg (odds are you WILL get bit anyway so take bite on your own terms) so the dog is somewhat motionless (easier to hit) and take the shot(s).
Click to expand...

Although many cities in Texas does not have a leash law, Texas does, have a law pertaining to dogs. As I am a diabetic I cannot allow a dog to bite me. I carry a handgun, not a cane and although I would hate having to shoot a dog I would before it reached me.

One of my brothers, a law enforcement officer had his family attacked by a pitt bull that
came into his house and put his wife and grandson in danger. The owner across the street
kept two pit bulls in a cage but somehow got loose.

He fended it off and then it came back a second time and attacked him in his yard.
He shot and killed it with his 45 handgun, but it still almost got him.
Even a smaller dog is a problem for me, since any such bite might require months of
diabetic wound care for me. For dog bites I would use local medical facilities, not the
VA, and either the owner of the dog or the state would pay the bill, as I do not pay local
hospital bills, and I would not want the dog owner's responsibility shifted to the VA.
Of course after being bit, the owner of the dog might not want to pay the bill but that
is not my problem. Most dogs will not attack if you face them.
 
Last edited:
Frizzman said:
Last year, while I was walking in my neighborhood with my dog, a very large Dobe/Rott mix managed to climb over the fence in his yard and come after us. I saw him get over the fence and start after us. His intentions were clear. My dog is about 60 lbs and not aggressive. I attempted to get between him and my guy. It went after my dog and my dog tried to defend himself. My dog's leash got wrapped around my legs and I nearly fell down in the middle of the melee. As he was getting his jaws on my dog's neck, I kicked him as hard as I could right under his muzzle. He snapped at my leg and bit me. I kicked him in the ribs...He then backed up a bit and I drew my S&W 640-1 loaded with 125 gr JHP .357 Mag. By this point a couple of cars had stopped but nobody got out. The dog held back as I pointed the gun at his chest and yelled, "BACK OFF!" At him...I had finger on the trigger and was going to shoot him if he came at us again...He hesitated and then turned and ran back to his yard and back over the fence. I gathered my composure and bolstered.

I walked back to my house. My friend was unhurt. I had bites on my right calf. I called Animal Control. The officer was very nice and I did tell her I had drawn my revolver and was close to killing the dog. Her comment was that I used more restraint than she'd have...She would have shot him. I told her where the dog lived and she went to investigate. She called me about an hour later and told me that she had the dog in her truck. The owners surrendered the dog and didn't want him back...they were afraid of him. She also told me he had a shock collar on when he went over the fence after us...Likely, the dog would be tested for rabies and destroyed. I felt bad for the dog but thought it good that he hadn't attacked one of the many women who walk their babies and small dogs around here daily...I got a letter ten days later telling me the dog tested negative for rabies.

The owners did come to my door after Animal Control left their house. They clearly felt bad about it and apologised and offered to pay for any damage and/or medical care. They were shocked that the dog got over the fence despite the collar.

The lesson from that was, as I knew from my LEO days, is that you never know when it will go wrong. So, you better be prepared for the worst. That was a very large and vicious dog...I was very glad I wasn't depending on a "mouse gun" to keep my dog and myself in one piece. Also, the two o'clock belt scabbard carry allowed me to fend off the dog and draw in this mess. I always keep the leash in my left hand so my weapon hand is free...I also experienced the situation of having to get to and use a weapon in a unpredictable situation with a large dose of adrenalin flowing through me...As it turned out, I didn't need to shoot but it dependend on the dog's decision and that isn't very comforting. I think people think more about defending themselves from attack from other humans and not much about animal attacks, particularly for us city folks.
Click to expand...

From the story it doesn't seem that you were depending on a gun at all!! So you think the dog recognized that you had a .357...and thats why he didn't attack again?
 
Last edited:
People letting their dogs run loose is without question one of my worst pet peeves, when it goes bad it’s almost never the dogs fault and it’s almost always the dog that pays.
I remember several years ago I was hiking a popular trail in The Springs and I ran into this little white dog running loose, a guy came by and picked up the dog and apologized for it running loose on the trail. 5 minutes later this woman comes by and she is just frantic. She’s looking for the little white dog that apparently the guy had stolen from her right in front of me. The worst part is it wasn’t her dog she was just walking it for some people that she was visiting.

I was running in a park one day when some guy’s German Sheppard (running loose) tried to take a chunk out of my leg and got OC’d for it. The guy was raising Hell with me for spraying his dog until I offered to spray him.

If a neighbor’s dog bit me or one of my dogs they would pay for the vet/hospital bills. I would be more likely to spray the dog rather than shoot it though.
 
A few years back my wife was in the front yard and I was in the house and a pit bull had gotten out of a neighbor's pen about a half a mile away.

Pit attacked my golden (latched on to his neck) I didn't hear the ruckus but the owner who had been chasing the pit got him off my dog. He was pretty severely bitten. Had I known what was going on that pit would have gotten lit up by my 9mm, no questions asked.

Max, my golden had a pretty deep bite to the neck that took quite a time to heal.
 
Protected One said:
From the story it doesn't seem that you were depending on a gun at all!! So you think the dog recognized that you had a .357...and thats why he didn't attack again?
Click to expand...
You caught that too, huh? Yeah, the dog was responding to voice and body language, not the gun.
 
Kanewpadle said:
Dogs are extremely hard to hit and put down. In addition to being armed when I walk my little dog, I carry a collapsible baton. It may or may not be legal. But I don't care as it's easily hidden. And I wound rather not have to explain why I shot someones dog versus keep him at bay with the baton.

A baton, stick or cane as mentioned prior is an object that is visible to the dog which can be used to slow them down or intimidate them.
Click to expand...

Would be 'legal' here, as long as it wasn't 'automatic' - ;)
 
My bride and I are very well versed in this type of activity. We have had two neighbors with two different breed dog's that they just cannot or will not keep leashed. We have a state leash law here and WE always abide by same. After numerous attacks and one trip to the vet for our Dobie we invested in the Bear Spray protectant that is recommended for hikers in the parks where Grizzlies are numerous. A large and agitated Boxer in full attack mode was instantly stopped bu a blast of this " Act Right ", spray at about 20 feet. My wife said the dog went from tawny colored to bright Orange. Of course when I went to discuss the matter with the homeowner I was met with typical New Yawker attitude and was advised that they did not care if I called the Dog Warden or State Police. That's ok. We carry it always carry it and prefer not to use it but it does work.
 
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