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.

 

[cshoff]

In Missouri, dogs are really not treated any differently than people as far as the justified use of force is concerned. When a human being reasonably believes that he/she, or another person, is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death, then he/she may justifiably use physical and/or deadly force to prevent such injury or death. And it doesn't matter if that threat comes from man or beast, the justification is the same.

That said, the idea of discharging a firearm in an urban environment is always risky business, which is why I think a TASER is a good first line of defense in areas where dog attacks are likely. Unlike pepper spray, which some dogs will ignore and which will almost always affect you and your dog, they don't ignore the Neuro Muscular Incapacitation that results from being hit with the TASER probes, not to mention that all of the TASER devices can be used in a "drive stun" mode if you find yourself on the ground with the dog on top of you or if it has a hold on your arm/leg/etc.

IMO, any dog over about 35 pounds can do some serious damage if he/she gets a hold of you. It is nearly impossible to get a determined dog to release it's grip once it bites down, and the bigger and stronger they are, the harder it is. As a last resort, I wouldn't hesitate to put a dog down that was attacking my much smaller dog, especially if I was attached to the situation via a leash.

 

[Hook686]

when he got a couple of feet from us, I jumped on him. Still, he managed to squirm away and get at my dog.

Had the dog bit you rather than squirm away, would you then have been legally justified in shooting the dog ?

 

[GyMac]

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.

Me, too. This dog came over and I had only a split second to determine whether he was being aggressive or just curious. I just had time to jump on him and luckily it didn't go much further after that. I'm just thankful he didn't latch on to my dog. If I had had my gun with me, can you imagine how difficult it would have been to have gotten off a shot, especially since I was down there on the ground with them?
You never know when something bad can happen. Even though I don't believe a gun would have helped in this situation, it's another reason why you should carry one.

 

[GyMac]

Had the dog bit you rather than squirm away, would you then have been legally justified in shooting the dog ?

I doubt it, if he was no longer a threat. After the dog had been recovered by its owner, and my dog was in the background squealing (probably from fright), I did consider going after the dog. At that point I just wanted to kill him.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Me, too. This dog came over and I had only a split second to determine whether he was being aggressive or just curious. I just had time to jump on him and luckily it didn't go much further after that. I'm just thankful he didn't latch on to my dog. If I had had my gun with me, can you imagine how difficult it would have been to have gotten off a shot, especially since I was down there on the ground with them?
You never know when something bad can happen. Even though I don't believe a gun would have helped in this situation, it's another reason why you should carry one.

That's precisely why I carry a baton. Collapsed it fits in my back pocket. It's effective and if it doesn't deter the dog, I can keep it between him and me while I draw my gun.

If the dog grabs a pant leg, or my dog, the last thing I want to do is shoot in that general direction. So a steel baton upside the head is a nice option.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I doubt it, if he was no longer a threat. After the dog had been recovered by its owner, and my dog was in the background squealing (probably from fright), I did consider going after the dog. At that point I just wanted to kill him.

I know what you mean. I have a five pound chuhuahua. I've had to pick her up a few times because of aggressive dogs.

Of course after they leave she gives them a tough send off bark.

 

[cshoff]

I know what you mean. I have a five pound chuhuahua. I've had to pick her up a few times because of aggressive dogs.

Of course after they leave she gives them a tough send off bark.

I've got a 45lb. Border Collie mix and a 12 pound Min-Pin/Boston Terrier mix. The BC mix is fast enough that she can outrun just about anything, and the little guy thinks he's 10 feet tall and bullet proof at times.

Still, those dogs are like our kids. I could never stand by while either of them were hurt.

 

[BCDWYO]

I'm a veterinarian and I work with a lot of Pit Bulls. They are actually one of my favorite breeds to treat. As a rule they are great with people (adults) and very sweet and loving. As a rule they also TEND to be aggressive and untrustworthy with other animals and with small children. I love working on them but I would NEVER want the responsibility and liability of owning one! Over the years I've treated countless small dogs and cats that were VERY seriously injured or killed by attacks from larger dogs (Pit Bulls and coyotes seem to head the list of frequency). Studies in vet journals have actually shown that there is a higher incidence of serious internal organ and soft tissue trauma with dog bite wounds than from gunshot wounds or from hit by car accidents in pets. My observations would support this...the relatively small puncture wounds you see with a dog bite often are only the tip of the iceberg when I do surgery and see the amount of shredding of muscles and organs under the surface. This makes sense when you consider how a dog will grind and shake their smaller "victims". As for the best defense against a determined dog attack, I'm not an expert in that area, but I have seen a number of dogs brought in on emergency that had been pretty well incapacitated by pepper spray so I think it could work. I think a big stick or baton is a great idea as a back-up option. I don't think I'd personally want to get in a knife fight with an determined attacking dog (sword maybe!)...much too close quarters with a knife for me. One thing I do know it that GyMac is VERY lucky to have not been injured when he jumped on the charging Pit Bull. Just like any other time we discharge a firearm, the justification would have to be pretty clear if you shoot a dog in an urban area.

 

[vipermd]

GyMac: You jumped on a dog that had done nothing? Dogs are curious, as you stated, BUT this was a pit bull. You said your dog was not bit, scared, yes but not injured. You are fortunate that you did not "jump" on my 125 lb Rott. I am sure he would have responded to being to being ATTACKED by YOU, it would not have been pretty. You would have been the one needing a hospital. As for your dog it would have been one quick bite. That being said my Rott's are ALWAYS on a lease IN PUBLIC, or on walks on our property that is not fenced in. I believe it is my responsibility to control my dog the same as my weapons. Had one of my dogs broke the leash and attacked your dog, I would have put him down right there! I am always armed. For fear that you might do something stupid like jump on him and I would want to protect you. I have been bit by Rotts, Shepherds, Pits, I can show you the scars, all but one case was my fault. A firearm should be mandatory, though prob useless to stop the initial attack, Pepper spray is effective,easier to use, a collapsible baton is illegal in many area's, be careful to not use the tip of an ASP as it will cause a fractured skull/death, taser/stun gun are illegal in many states, be aware. As for a knife, I would not want to get that close, I have had both hands pushing the dogs head away and did not have a third hand. The stick is always a good idea for 2 or 4 legged attackers. I wish you and your pet safety, but think about pepper/stick to give you a safer distance to deter attack. Are there "bad" dogs- sure that's why we have prison overcrowding. Be Safe,

 

[ogilvyspecial]

Thank goodness your dog didn't suffer any physical injuries!

When I used to walk our dogs in a public setting I always carried and old canoe paddle that had the blade cut off, basically a cane but to me it was always a "dog stick." I had to use it on more than one occasion but usually one whack was enough to do the trick. Many times just raising it worked.

For those who decide a knife is a good option always remember to stab with the blade angled to slip between the ribs if you want to be really effective.

If the blade is wide enough and you use it a certain way the ribs can prevent it from penetrating down to vital areas. The same applies to people......