My Lhasa Apso was Attacked by a Pit Bull

[GyMac]

Yesterday, my wife and I were walking our dog at the park. From about 50 yds away, a man had let his pit bull off the leash and he came charging at my 14 lb lhasa apso. I usually carry a gun, but didn't have it with me, and I don't think it would have been appropriate anyway. Lots of dogs come running over to check out your dog and most of the time, it's alright. But this was a pit bull. Anyway, when he got a couple of feet from us, I jumped on him. Still, he managed to squirm away and get at my dog. I'm not sure if he bit her or not, but I pushed him away and he took off. My dog was squealing (it was terrible!), but we think she was just scared. As it turned out, it was probably good that I didn't have the gun, as I would have shot him afterward and been in trouble. I talked to the owner about it and he apologized, but today I carried a knife. I've heard that sometimes when these dogs bite, they won't let go, even if you're hammering on them.
I've feared something like this for a long time and it finally happened. Sorry, just venting.

 

[everReady Rob]

I like the knife idea, adding it to my dog bag.

 

[mrofna]

well im a pit bull owner .. im not going to tell you every pitbull is a saint but please dont hate the bread hate the owner , my dog has never went after any other dogs or people , It takes 2 years to fully train a pitbull and some people get them because they have a bad rap and they make it so they dont learn and teach them to be mean . to them not letting go yes they do have a lock jaw but it takes alot of pressure to lock it not just a bite or too .please look into some of the good these wonderful dogs do .

P.S:sorry to here about your lhasa ,

chris

 

[Stukaman]

I've got a Doberman biggest lover dog in the world. Neighbors were a little nervous at first now their kids wrestle with her. But I understand your concern I would be just as concerned of a Pit came after my Layla

 

[APS]

There are a ton of one handed opening folders on the market today. They come in handy for many uses since we as humans don't have our own claws!

 

[everReady Rob]

. . . please dont hate the bread hate the owner . . .

My nephew had a pit bull and it was a terrific dog, well mannered and fun to be around. He was changing a tire along side the road one day and the dog got hit by a car and died on the spot, terrible sight to see. He still get teary eyed when talking about it.

 

[SAFireman]

I've got a Doberman biggest lover dog in the world. Neighbors were a little nervous at first now their kids wrestle with her. But I understand your concern I would be just as concerned of a Pit came after my Layla

Stukaman,

The Dobies are a super breed...I had several growing up (and in the family as well). Yours looks like a fine specimen.

Currently, we have a Border Collie (real Scottish bred) and if we have the opportunity for a second dog, I'm sure it will be a Dobie. This is my first Border Collie and surely will not be my last.....heck, just having a dog makes you a better human, breed doesn't matter much there.

 

[JCS&W]

GyMac, sorry to hear about you Lhasa. Pits can be as aggressive as any breed I know. Utterly fearless when attacking. You are lucky that you were not injured. At anywhere from 55 to 75 lbs, running at full speed, yes you are very lucky not to have been injured. I say all of this, because I have owned a rescued Pit for the last 12 years. Our Hank, has never attacked a human or another dog. I have seen him defend himself against another Pit once, at a dog park. The owner laughed about the attack, which left both dogs injured though they were minor injuries. Pits get a bad reputation for a reason, they can be vicious dogs. Responsible owners of Pits seldom have any problems with them.

 

[blackdeuce]

That would suck to be in that situation. Glad your dog is o.k.

We just got a 10 week old, male German Shepherd. He's a cool puppy although he gets into EVERYTHING. The vet thinks he will get to about 90 pounds (his paws are huge). I'm gonna make sure he's trained properly, or he could be a real handful.

 

[M29since14]

...im not going to tell you every pitbull is a saint but please dont hate the bread hate the owner...

I agree. I am not a Pitbull owner but I have been around them off and on over the years. They seem like other dogs to me. If "operated" by an idiot, they tend to act that way. If integrated into the family and taught to behave "as expected," I don't recall seeing a case of one going off. People are afraid of lots of dogs when they should be afraid of the owners instead. Glad your dog is OK. Wouldn't you be better off with pepper spray than a knife... ?

 

[ralph7]

i am a total dog lover and have a yellow lab.
i understand why pit owners defend their breed, but most of all the attacks i read about are in fact inflicted by pit bulls.

"those that forget the past are doomed to repeat it"
or something close to that, anyway.

 

[GyMac]

Wouldn't you be better off with pepper spray than a knife... ?

I hadn't considered that. Maybe so. My intention is not to go around stabbing dogs, but getting one that has latched on to my dog to let up.
I don't mean to demonize all pit bulls. I'm afraid that I just view them differently than I do a poodle that gets away from its owner.
Thanks for the responses.

 

[Hobie1]

We've got a little mutt and love him like good family. Our daughter has a couple of pits and they are really sweet dogs. The only harm I ever came close to having with them is almost being bowled over by them wanting some lovin'.

I think just about any breed of dog can be made to be a "bad" dog. Remember when Dobermans were the bad boys on the block. German Shepards, Great Danes same thing. I will say looking in to a Great Dane's eyes named Damien as he's standing at the door protecting his domain can be a bit un-settling.

I'm glad your pup didn't suffer any permanent damage. I bet you took her home and cuddled with her to make her feel safe.

Glad it's a happy ending. BTW, our letter carriers have been carrying pepper spray for years just for that same reason.

Hobie

 

[61woody]

Get a dog from a responsible breeder and train it right and you will likely not have issues. Seems to many have to have a "bad ***" dog and get a pitball from someone who is just tryin to make a buck, then they don't bother to train it and what you get then a screwed up dog. With to many it's just for ego. Where I'm from you see very few on the good side of town, head the other way and that's just about all you see. BTY glad your dog was not hurt, she has no idea how good of an owner she has!

 

[jfd]

My .02 here. I love dogs but found while walking mine on leash in the neighborhood a few yrs ago that others don't seem to mind allowing their dogs to be off leash in their yard, assuming they will stay in said yard, which often they do....until another dog comes along to pique their interest or curiosity. Neighbor lady had herself and her dog pounced on by bigger dog, both sustaining bites that needed medical attention. I'm seldom without a pocket knife but really would hate to knife someone else's pet but worst case scenario to save my dog's life I'd do it in a heartbeat. A year or so ago I was at a gun show and an older gentleman had set up a booth selling his nicely turned and finished hickory walking sticks....for $10!!!!! About 5ft long 1 3/4 in dia top end tapering to about 1in at opposite end. I love good wood and this is a beautiful piece, plus didn't mind helping the old gent make ends meet in his retirement. About 6mos ago while walking the dog one Afternoon, came upon "Bubba", a lab/mix weighing probably a good 100 lbs. my dog weighs 30. Bubba came running from about 30 ft out, hair standing straight up on his back, no fear at all despite my yelling at him as he grabbed my dog around the neck. Took only 2 whacks from the hickory stick, albeit with all the force I could muster, to his head and back to send him running back to the garage he came from. The hickory stick did its job and we now go the other direction, avoiding Bubba's house but I have confidence in the stick should I need it again. Just wish people would keep their pets constrained and controlled so knives, sticks and guns wouldn't have to enter the equation.

 

[Kanewpadle]

There have been a few threads about walking the dog how we are armed.

Most people around here are unarmed. And they cry when thier dog is hurt or killed. (no offense).

My dog is a part of my family and I have a responsibility to protect her. So I carry a gun always to use as a last resort.

I have my doubts about pepper spray. So I also carry a colapsible baton or old ski pole. The baton works good. At least it did when I smacked a pit between the eyes.

I also used a baton style stun gun on a pit several years ago. He jumped four feet straight up and left a trail of poo behind him.

I used to hate the breed but I'm warming up to them. Have two close friends that have em and they are like big teddy bears. That being said, I've had chased by them more times than I can remember. BUT, both times that I was bit on the job was from german shepherd mixes.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I hadn't considered that. Maybe so. My intention is not to go around stabbing dogs, but getting one that has latched on to my dog to let up.
I don't mean to demonize all pit bulls. I'm afraid that I just view them differently than I do a poodle that gets away from its owner.
Thanks for the responses.

I would suggest you arm yourself the same way you would for four legged threats as you would two legged threats. And add a stick or ski pole.

Several years ago when I used a stun gun on a dog, he had another dog by the throat and would not let go. The owner was walking his dog when the pit somehow got out of his yard. He tried gently to get the pit to let go. He then found a stick to wedge in the pits mouth. It was then that the pit jumped up and bit the man on the upper arm. Bit him good too. I arrived just after he got bit and tased the dog. The dog broke off the attack and ran off about fifty yards only to come back. I drew a 1911 and he stopped. I think he knew that the odds were in my favor.

We called police and medical aid. Police were busy and never showed. Medical attention arrived and treated the man. The pitbull was allowed to go home.

A week later to the day the same pit attacked and killed a ladies dog. When she tried to intervene the pit bit her in the face. She was rushed to the hospital and later needed plastic surgery. Animal Control came and got the pit and put him down.

Sorry for the long story. But this illustrates the serious of ANY dog attack.

Don't get me started on the two times I was bit!

PS. The reason I like a stick or pole is that I have something that looks intimidating to the dog to keep him at bay. I can also hold the stick and use it effectively with one hand and use the other to hold onto my dog or pick her up.

 

[doby]

GyMac, sorry to hear about you Lhasa. Pits can be as aggressive as any breed I know. Utterly fearless when attacking. You are lucky that you were not injured. At anywhere from 55 to 75 lbs, running at full speed, yes you are very lucky not to have been injured. I say all of this, because I have owned a rescued Pit for the last 12 years. Our Hank, has never attacked a human or another dog. I have seen him defend himself against another Pit once, at a dog park. The owner laughed about the attack, which left both dogs injured though they were minor injuries. Pits get a bad reputation for a reason, they can be vicious dogs. Responsible owners of Pits seldom have any problems with them.

Then why is it that most of the dog attacks we read about is pit bulls? Look, I am a dog owner and have dear friends that have and have had pit bulls and , all in all, they are a vicious breed. Yes there are exceptions but the majority are overly aggressive, they were bred for aggression. I am not an expert by no means, just my observation and opinion. Glad your dog is ok.

 

[Biginge]

saw a pit get a poodle last month. That knife we be of little use in a full attack. Your llasha will be mince meat. Carry and use you gun if needed.

regards

Bill

 

[Kanewpadle]

Then why is it that most of the dog attacks we read about is pit bulls? Look, I am a dog owner and have dear friends that have and have had pit bulls and , all in all, they are a vicious breed. Yes there are exceptions but the majority are overly aggressive, they were bred for aggression. I am not an expert by no means, just my observation and opinion. Glad your dog is ok.

I think it's because the pit can and will deliver much more damage in a shorter amount of time. I think that's the biggest fear that people have of them. Including me.

But both times I was bit were german shepherd mixes. Both times I was bit on the arm and they drew blood. If it would have been pitbulls there would have been more damage. And the only reason a pit has never bitten me is because I don't let them get close enough. I prepare to defend myself much sooner when a pit runs at me than any other dog.

But this isn't really what the thread is about. It's about how we can defend ourselves from any dog.