Defending against wild dogs

Originally posted by lagarto
...snip.. Seriously, I have given consideration to using my Enfield No.4 .303 on it.
Thanks for all the advice folks.
Lagarto
Click to expand...

The one and only time I've had to deal with a wild dog pack, that's exactly what we were using. My cousins lived on a farm that was close enough to the city that they had a HUGE problem with ferral dog packs. The rule of thumb was, if you SEE the pack, grab your gun, and thin the pack as much as possible - we took 5 that day, and went out in a front end loader to check
 
I raised goats for 2 years. I had a total
of 18 goats. 15 of them were killed by dog packs.
I killed a total of 10 dogs, used 20 guage
once, and 12 guage the other times. The
largest were German shepherd and a
Pitt-bull mix(killed by deputy with 30-30). I
personally like # 4 shot for dogs,
but when you start talking Rottweiller, I'd
prefer to switch to something heavier like #4 or
#1 Buckshot.

Just this past year I went hiking on a trail
in Austin and saw more dogs than people on
the trail. The most common breed was the
"Rottweiller". Had no problems with them,
but because they are so massive, if one went
bonkers and went after you, you'd be fighting for
your life with the thing. My thought is that a
hatchet to head should be more effective than a
knife. Anybody know of a pit bull or Rottweiler
being killed with other than firearms and what
was used?

Any body got any other suggestions for us hikers?
Can't always carry the 12 gage with you, and short
of getting a concealed carry permit for a pistol,
I don't see a good solution to this.
 
This is why I thought this would be such a good topic on a knife forum, since most of us don't carry a 12 gauge strapped across our backs every time we step out of city limits. Aside from hunting season, it's pretty tough to legally justify carrying any conspicous firearm most places these days.

I have doubts about pepper spray when surrounded by a dog pack, especially if there's any breeze whatsoever - I'd risk impairing myself when defending against an upwind attack.

Bludgeoning a dog might work one on one, but I'd hate to be facing greater numbers without something that I could insure the dog I hit won't be getting back up.

The Cold Steel Spec Ops shovel has a sharpened, flat edge and about a 14" reach with good momentum behind it which is why I opted for that one. It's larger than any of my knives yet it looks harmless to the sheeple I might meet on the trail. That's why it's always with me on any hiking trip.

Scotjute, you'd prefer a hatchet to a large knife? I'd definately choose the latter. A Trailmaster or Bagwell Bowie would probably lop off the entire snout of a dog, removing its weapon at the very least.
 
Happy Camper:
Not really sure what I would prefer.
A hatchet would deliver a nasty blow.
My thought would be to whack the dog in
head as it runs up to bite you, but your
proposal sounds interesting also.

In Texas, 5 1/2" is the maximum blade
length by law one can carry. I'm
actually not sure if even a hatchet would
be legal to carry.
My largest knife has 6" blade and it's
not legal to carry around. A Bowie of
some type certainly sounds inviting. In any
event, next time I hike I'm taking my 5"
sheath knife and 5-6' wooden walking stick
with me, minimum. Unless someone else's
idea sounds even better and is legal for my
state. Will be reading to see what else is
suggested. Good topic.
 
By all means use what ya got.but I want every advantage there is over a dog that can kill a horse after being stabbed with a pitch fork and than have it broke over its body,yet it keeps on killing!

I work in at a firehouse in the inner city,pitbulls are of interest to me because I face them almost everyday I work.I have had them "go" for me.I can't carry a gun or ASP baton at work.My plan was to use my 4 inch folder to try and take out the lungs.Every deer that I put an arrow through both lungs died within 15 seconds,my plan was if one clamped on my legs I would go for each lung.After hearing of what happens in the many real attacks around here my plan sounds weak at best.

I can't carry an axe while inspecting buildings or on ems calls,maybe i'll add a full size Maglite to my belt.
 
Originally posted by FEATHERSTONE
Ball peen hammer does the trick.
Click to expand...

Joking or really?

Actually, a ball peen hammer might be useful in lieu of a firearm or large fixed blade. The rounded end should concentrate the force of the blow well. It also looks more innocuous than a Bowie or 12 gauge.

I think I'd rather have the hammer or an ASP than pepper spray.

gm
 
In my youth and the days of pre-gun toting gang members, we used to fight with broken off car antenas. As a paper boy, I discovered that these work equally well on dogs that want a piece of you. Whereas a gun will inflict a nasty wound that will eventually kill a dog. It may take him a while to figure out that he is dead.
With antena, it makes a nasty noise that dogs don't seem to like and stings like a son of a bitch when it makes contact. Dogs seem to understand stinging and pain. I have never had a dog come back for a second dose of medicine from an antena strike.
Snout and head shots seem to get the point across fastest. This also works to a lesser extent on would be human attackers.
Doc
 
Interesting idea. As I have a hiking trip
planned for Big Bend, I'll procure one
and add it to the 5" sheath knife and
walking stick. It shouldn't take up any
room to speak of in day pack vs carrying
a hammer(which I'm still considering as the
hatchet appears to be illegal for Tx.)

I have fended off individual dog attacks
but never that of a pack, or that of a
Pit bull or Rottweiler, which appear to
be particularly vicious. Did you ever use
it on one of those?

Thanks for the tip.
 
Newt Livesay makes his WA1 stick, a flexible stick that may work like a heavy duty 'antenna'
He has them on his website.

BoynHisDog,
That could be my dog, they look exactly alike :eek:
Thanx for the pix.
 
Another item that may serve in a similar way as the can antenae is a Cold Steel Sjambok. And you might read Don Rearisc's article about them... http://the-asylum.co.uk/donrearic/mightysjambok.html

I second the nomination of CS Shovel.

And what about a Tomahawk? Hate to sound like a broken record, but CS offers one of those too, though an ATC Ranger Spike Hawk would be really great.
 
I killed 2 wild dogs with a ball peen hammer no joke.I use to carry this hammer because it didnt look scary to others.Iwas on a trail and two wild mutts approached me snarling and snapping,One got smacked in the head no hesitation.The other one ran a couple of yards and came back SMACK they both look like the hand of god hit them.It works so well that I never leave home without THEEEEE HAMMER:D
 
Also If you have A pit bull on your butt the only thing I would feel safe with is 12 gauge 00 buck.I own a Pit bull, there pain tolerance is something to be in awe of. My dog loves kids grown ups etc.Just doesnt like any four legged animal bigger then him.
To show you the pain tolerance he got stuck on my chain link fence and ripped his leg open abour 6inches down to the muscle he felt nothing He let me stitch him up with no problems.As for myself I almost crapped my pants when I saw the wound.
 
I think this pit-bull pain tolerance business is somewhat overstated. Pretty much any decent working dog has quite extreme pain resistance, at least when engaged in their task.

Example: one of my Bassets was jumped by a neighbor's two unleashed Rottweilers, and required many stitchs and some minor surgery afterwards. The wounds, severe though they were, didn't even slow him down at the time, nor did they provoke him to let go of his grip on one of the Rotties. (Then again, Bassets were once used to hunt wild boar in thickets...)

Pit bulls are just decent dogs, not the terror some folks like to hype them as.
 
I think that if projectile weapons are not possible I would prefer to have a 3 iron against a dog. I don't really golf often, but i have hit various other thinks with them, and i have never in my life seen a blunt object that can be used as destructively as a golf club. Just swing it like a baseball bat (which would be a good choice in iteslf). I like the ones with steel shafts rather than graphite.

I have lots of experience with dogs, and cannot imagine any mutt i've seen taking a full-on club crack to the skull and being able to continue attacking. I think that the impact would splinter their head, rendering them unable to bite or choke.

Golf clubs have several things going for them. Totally legal. Easy to carry. Dirt cheap at any Goodwill or secondhand store. Not likely to cause anybody to freak out like a big bowie might. Perfect for the trail, just carry it like a normal cane or walking stick.
 
True Bae about the dogs task.But the reason the Pit bull has such a high pain tolerance is because he was bred for fighting no other breed can do that task.
Golf club now thats a good idea.
 
What about a 15" or 18" khukuri? Something from HI. I just got one and it shouldn't be too difficult to convince anyone on a trail that it's for chopping/camping. I think the power generated in a swing is a bit more than a bowie since it's more front heavy...if that's a valid term.

What about a flare? The lifeboat kind where they shoot into the sky? Think that would stick in an attacking dog? Legal to tote around on a job or something? Maybe set one on fire? (Ugly but I'm just brainstorming.)

What about tranquilizers? Probably difficult to get to how much would it take to put down an attacking pitbull? Load one of them adrenaline needles up with some? How long would it take for the drug to take effect?

I'm constantly looking for practical security ideas for my fiancee. She's 5'3" and barely 100lbs. She's not too athletic and can use anything that would give an edge against any dog or a rabid two-legged attacker.

Burton
 
But the reason the Pit bull has such a high pain tolerance is because he was bred for fighting no other breed can do that task.

Come now.

There are *plenty* of breeds, other than just the pit bull, that were bred for fighting.

There are also dogs purpose-bred for hunting wolves, bears, wild boar, poachers, and so on, that are quite fierce and tolerant of pain.

Pit bulls are great dogs, but they're not super-beings. They're just dogs, like many others.
 
great post!

random thoughts too add!

in the book "modern combat knives" by greg walker there is a picture of a gurkha using a khurkri to lop off a dog's head.


I am not up on doggie anatomy but they must have some tendons and arteries below their snout on their neck. also the heart and spine are acessible from above, just behind the shoulder blades.

also if they go for your arm you can raise them up and thrust knife in and disembowel them (hey that szabo knife has a use for the average man) I don't think they would last too long.


I can see a dog surviving a thrust from a pitch fork. if that person has never thrusted a weapon before, how would they know where to incapacitate it?


in india there are tons of mangy dogs roaming around also monkeys alot have rabbies, you don't want to wrestle with that sort!


I do think a golf club sounds great but I don't see myself wandering the hills with a golf club. funny site though :D
 
I have had the unfortunate experience of being bit by a dog in my youth.

They only respond to pain hit them and keep hitting them.

Walk tall and carry a big stick.

I don't like pepper spray for that exact reason as mentioned.

GUN - OK: handgun - have good aim, shotgun - not a typical daily carry
KNIFE - Target Small and fast.
One Big strong stick: Then stab with knife

If none of these option work - Run until you can't run no more.
 
What about one of those taser guns I know you have to be damn close but I bet that would work shock the livin hell out of em
 
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