Never hurts to carry pepper spray, at the very least.
Dakota and I survived a pitbull attack - heartbreaking story.
- Thread starter Amy & Evan
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Never hurts to carry pepper spray, at the very least.
The more awareness there is in a community, the more scrutiny there is on the requirements
Caro
Moderator
I am so sorry for you. I'd be petrified going out too. Are you a member of a dog club - often they have member only grounds that can be used outside class time so that's always a good option.
Carrying any kind of concealed item that could be used as a weapon is illegal here - pepper spray, knives, even a letter opener. Although I did carry a letter opener for a long time as protection. I always used to have a ball chucker - but that was mostly only good for pushing annoying dogs away. When I was assaulted I had a walking stick and used it to beat the people attacking me and it did nothing, when they're off their brain they don't feel the pain straight away; I imagine this is the same with an aggressive dog. When Tully was attacked by a cattle dog it came out of the blue and there was little time to react so I doubt if I'd anything on me that it would've made a difference. Deska was attacked by a neighbour's staffordshire bull terrier and I managed to grab the dog's collar and twist the collar to choke it and that let me lift the dog off him, but that dog didn't have his teeth in him. Recently a friend was walking his dog when he came across a Staffy (with no owner about) attacking a white Alsation being walked by a young woman. The staffy had the Alsation in a bite and he tried using a stick to separate them but the staffy wouldn't let go. In the end he kicked the Staffy in the privates and the dog let go. I guess that area is sensitive in dogs as well as humans.
Carrying any kind of concealed item that could be used as a weapon is illegal here - pepper spray, knives, even a letter opener. Although I did carry a letter opener for a long time as protection. I always used to have a ball chucker - but that was mostly only good for pushing annoying dogs away. When I was assaulted I had a walking stick and used it to beat the people attacking me and it did nothing, when they're off their brain they don't feel the pain straight away; I imagine this is the same with an aggressive dog. When Tully was attacked by a cattle dog it came out of the blue and there was little time to react so I doubt if I'd anything on me that it would've made a difference. Deska was attacked by a neighbour's staffordshire bull terrier and I managed to grab the dog's collar and twist the collar to choke it and that let me lift the dog off him, but that dog didn't have his teeth in him. Recently a friend was walking his dog when he came across a Staffy (with no owner about) attacking a white Alsation being walked by a young woman. The staffy had the Alsation in a bite and he tried using a stick to separate them but the staffy wouldn't let go. In the end he kicked the Staffy in the privates and the dog let go. I guess that area is sensitive in dogs as well as humans.
Sharon7
Moderator
Please, please report this to your version of animal control! We had a pitbull in our neighborhood a couple of years ago who attacked 3 times, the third was a repeat of the same dog he attacked the second time! The owner of the small dog was also badly bitten saving her dog. Unfortunately the first person did NOT report so that wasn't counted as a "strike". The dog was finally removed from the owners and put down after the person was bitten. Could have been prevented if the first attack had been reported. The pit leaped out of a vehicle to grab my neighbor's on leash toy fox terrier.
I hope you and Dakota are both OK - I'm so, so sorry! What frightening ordeal!
I hope you and Dakota are both OK - I'm so, so sorry! What frightening ordeal!
Piper's mom
Moderator
I am so so sorry to hear about the attack and I'm glad that you've both physically recovered from it and that Dakota doesn't seem to have been affected by it although I'm sure that the emotional damage you suffered will take much longer to heal. It's unfortunate that the doctor failed to prescribe antibiotics for your wounds as dog bites will typically become infected, especially on the hands where you don't have as many veins to clear the germs away. I got bit by my last dog (she was a Cocker, nuff said lol) on my hand and also ended up with a nasty infection. It's good that the owners paid for your vet bills but you may also need psychological counselling to help you get over it so make sure you save all your bills and document everything, including pictures of your wounds.
Amy & Evan
Forums Regular
Please, please report this to your version of animal control! We had a pitbull in our neighborhood a couple of years ago who attacked 3 times, the third was a repeat of the same dog he attacked the second time! The owner of the small dog was also badly bitten saving her dog. Unfortunately the first person did NOT report so that wasn't counted as a "strike". The dog was finally removed from the owners and put down after the person was bitten. Could have been prevented if the first attack had been reported. The pit leaped out of a vehicle to grab my neighbor's on leash toy fox terrier.
I hope you and Dakota are both OK - I'm so, so sorry! What frightening ordeal!
We did report it to animal control the day it happened, the pitbull has a permanent muzzle order.. oh my gosh that is so sad :'( I am sorry to hear that. I hope those dogs are doing okay!
Amy & Evan
Forums Regular
thank you
I am currently going to counselling due to this, I definitely need it! Even with the counselling I am still having a hard time.dogcatmom02
Forums Regular
Make sure that you have as much documentation as possible in case this would go to court or a magistrate. We have not have to go to any hearings but the other neighbor whose dog was attacked by the same dog has received 2 subpoenas to go to a magistrate for a hearing regarding her dog attack. At least the owner is being cooperative. The owners of the dog that attacked our dog did not make any attempt to apologize or talk to us about this.
thank you
It takes time, allow yourself that time to heal. Most things in life need that "zen" moment to allow all the emotion of an event to dissipate so you can move on.
I am so so sorry to hear about the attack. Glad you and a Dakota are ok. And kudos to Dakota who has no lingering fear issues from it! Pit bulls and pit bull mixes have become unbelievably popular in NJ. I stopped taking Beau to the dog park because one "friendly" pit bull kept chasing him and pinning him to the ground and he was obviously trying to get away. He was only about 5 months old and we stopped going after that. The owner was nowhere to be seen. The other problem we have around here is EVERYWHERE, and I do mean everywhere, are unleashed dogs. There are leash laws in all the towns around me, in all the parks, etc but somehow many, many dog owners think it is better for their "friendly" dogs to be unleashed. Well, Beau is not 100% on recall and even if I wanted to walk him unleashed I wouldn't. So we have a leashed dog being constantly confronted by loose unleashed dogs. Some have attentive owners, others do not. Luckily Beau seems to have very, very good dog language and he has been ok with all the dogs that just run up to him, but it still worries me.
Pit bulls are by far the largest group in rescue centers. With the current trend to want to adopt the homeless dog, many people end up with pit bull mixes and have no idea what they are getting themselves into. Further pit bulls are extremely sweet at home, with their owners, and without other dogs or potential prey. So they are deceiving. That cuddly, docile at home on the coach dog is not expected by its owner to suddenly see a small furry dog and attack. Really no one should be allowed to adopt a pit bull without mandatory training classes and lots of education on the breed.
Ok rant over.
Pit bulls are by far the largest group in rescue centers. With the current trend to want to adopt the homeless dog, many people end up with pit bull mixes and have no idea what they are getting themselves into. Further pit bulls are extremely sweet at home, with their owners, and without other dogs or potential prey. So they are deceiving. That cuddly, docile at home on the coach dog is not expected by its owner to suddenly see a small furry dog and attack. Really no one should be allowed to adopt a pit bull without mandatory training classes and lots of education on the breed.
Ok rant over.