Life altering dog attack.

Glad you made it out ok. No telling what set the dog off this time, but hopefully it was the last. I'm a big time dog lover. I've had several and I'm always friendly and fearless with every dog I see unless I know for a fact that they are a threat.

My cousin Lynn has a dog that she rescued from the pound a long time ago that stays in a nice little fenced in area in her backyard. It has bitten a few people and is obviously extremely aggressive to anyone but Lynn. The few times it has bitten people weren't because it escaped or anything. Some teenagers were messing with it a few times and the dog won.

I have mixed feelings about that dog. I don't want it to die. When it's with Lynn, he's just a big puppy and as lovable as can be, but crazy when it comes to ANYONE else. I almost had to kill it the last time I went to her house.

There had been some storms the day before and somehow the fence had become damaged where the dog could get out, but Lynn didn't know. I showed up in my truck with my parents and my wife to have Sunday lunch with her.

When we stepped out of the truck, the dog came full tilt boogie at us barking and snarling. My parents and wife jumped back in the truck and I reached in and grabbed Betty from under the backseat. (Betty is the truck machete) I closed the door to the truck and stood there. As the dog got close it started slowing down and barking and growling a lot louder. I thought, "I'm going to kill this dog. It's just too dangerous." I yelled at the dog, "If you come one step closer or bark one more time, I'm going to rip your f@#$ing face off. Now shut the f@#$ up and back off!"

I swear that dog could understand English. Either that or he knew by the look on my face that not only was I not scared, but I was about to be a lot more violent than he was. He stopped and just looked at me. While I was getting ready for battle, my father called Lynn from his cell phone and told her what was going on. She came out and got the dog and put him back in his area.

I talked to her at great length about how much of a threat he was, not only to other people, but to her. I explained to her that if he got out and attacked someone, they could take everything she owns and even press charges against her.

In the end, it's her dog and considering that I only see her one or two times a year, I'm not someone close enough for her to HAVE to take my advice. I've thought quite a few times about just sniping that dog out the window of my truck from the road so Lynn wouldn't know it was me and just solving the problem. Like I said, I have mixed feelings. I don't want to kill it when it's in its pen, especially since it's not my dog, but I also don't want it to hurt anyone. I still play with the idea. It seems kind of cruel to me, but what if one day my grandmother goes over there and the dog gets loose? Then again, can I kill someone's dog from a far while it's not threatening me without any guilt?
 
Dylside said:
I've thought quite a few times about just sniping that dog out the window of my truck from the road so Lynn wouldn't know it was me and just solving the problem. Like I said, I have mixed feelings. I don't want to kill it when it's in its pen, especially since it's not my dog, but I also don't want it to hurt anyone. I still play with the idea. It seems kind of cruel to me, but what if one day my grandmother goes over there and the dog gets loose? Then again, can I kill someone's dog from a far while it's not threatening me without any guilt?
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If you would have killed it when you were there, she would have been all broke up but might not have pressed charges.:D
 
Won't say who I work for, but I used to go door to door in a blue shirt and drive a funny white truck. Dogs are a pain in the ass. Sure gets the blood flowing eh? Spray doesn't always work, but a good smack in the head with a handheld object usually does the trick. Or some quick ninja like moves. I've wound up on the roofs of cars wondering "oh WTF now?".

Glad you got out ok, goodluck in the future, and remember, never turn your back.
 
I looked around in a knife forum in Thailand and similay thing happened to a guy 4-5 years back. There's this guy who's a knife knut and one night he decides to walk to 7-11 to grab something to eat and wearing just boxer shorts and t-shirt he couldn't carry a knife in his pocket so he clipped a Cold Steel Voyager Serated on his boxer shorts. His neighbour had 2 huge Dobermans and usually kept them inside their cage but somehow the neighbour didn't lock them up and his house gate was also unlocked. After he walked past the house(his back toward neighbour's house) he was jumped by one of the dog and was pushed to the ground and the dog tried to get him in the troth. He pulled out his knife and while the first dog was busy trying to bite his head off, the second dog ran up to him so he slashed that second dog in the neck(it didn't die on the spot) and immediately both of them ran back into the house. He found out from his neighbour days later that the dog survived but the cut was so deep it almost got to the artery and he said the vet told him to come and ask what knife could cause such a horrible cut.

BTW. it was discussed in that forum that pepper spray might repel attacking dogs but later one guy came up and said it didn't work and almost got his arse bitten off.
 
Well, I'm glad you made it out ok. I have a very healthy respect for larger dogs, even those I've known since they were puppies. I've seen too many accidents with big, aggressive dogs to not remember their potential destructive power.

A friend of mine asked his uncle, a former officer for over 20 years, how to fend off a vicious dog. He told him that his K-9 unit buddy said to just give the dog something to bite - your arm. Preferably, you should wrap something around your arm first, like your jacket, but the arm is a must if you wish to have your neck intact.

You did the right thing by trying to get up. My friend's uncle said you should always try to get up. If possible, strike the dog's belly. That's its most sensitive area and if you fear for your life, a puncture or deep laceration to the belly will incapacitate an attacking dog. But as you experienced, in such a situation it is incredibly difficult to coordinate fending off a dog and grabbing your knife.

I'm glad you're ok and I wish you all the best with continuing your job. Just remember that fear is a natural state during recovery of a traumatic event. Now that you recognize and acknowledge it, I am confident you will overcome it. :thumbup:
 
Dude, I just read this thread. Glad you are ok! Dogs are a LOT stronger than most people think. Just glad you were able to defend yourself. Wow!
 
Well I am not a dog person. I used to be a paper boy. I had to be taken to the hospital for stitches after my encounter with two Rotweilers. Most of my friends are dog owners. I am glad you survived. I have been nervous around dogs all my adult life. The house at the end of my road has a bunch of bulldogs. They bit a few local kids. Animal control did nothing. I don't walk there any more. Her dogs always chased me, and she refused to do anything about it. I know folks love their pets, but humans have rights, too. I have to drive some place else just to walk. Generally, I am a live and let live kind of guy, but all these folks around with dangerous uncontrolled dogs tick me off. I have had to rescue my daughter from the dogs on occasion. I carry a big stick and do not hesitate to use it, but to avoid conflict, I just don't walk down my private road any more. But one day, I may just do some thinning of the pack.
 
that sucks man, I've gotten bit too, when I was a teenager delivering a pizza a boxer mutt grabbed my arm. didn't have any shots either so I had to go back a bunch of times for all the rabies vacinations. Funny thing is, I'm a total dog lover. But I am very cautios of dogs I dont know. Thats really good that you had the presence of mind to fight off that dog, he coulda really messed you up. I saw a Lab bite a lady one day too
 
Man, that would have rattled me bad not only for how close you came to serious damage or worse but I just have such a fondness for Huskies. When I was 8 or 9 I met up with a beautiful Husky while walking in the woods. The dog was very friendly and playful and just wouldn't stop following me. No matter how many times I stopped and said, "Hey go home," he just kept hanging out with me. He followed me home and yes my parents weren't exactly thrilled and we already had a Golden Retriever but they told the local animal control officer that we had this dog and would keep him if the owner never contacted him. Man I loved this dog, he stuck with me like glue, followed me everywhere, just total devotion. The Golden was more my father's dog and did lots of things with me but just wasn't tremendously attached. This Husky on the other hand was without a doubt my dog and would never leave my side. About 10 days later I was heartbroken when the owner showed up for his dog. The guy felt pretty bad about the whole incident and was tremendously grateful and for a moment, when he saw how much I loved his dog, I thought he was going to leave him with me. He didn't :(

I'm glad you're basically OK :thumbup:
 
powernoodle said:
That dog could have killed you, you know, if it got a good clamp down on your throat or head, or exsanguinated you while refusing to let you get up.
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No Joke. That could have ended very badly Shotty, especially considering you were rolling around with it; I'm glad you escaped unharmed. I play and wrestle with my neighbors Newfoundland often, and he lunges, pounces, and nips playfully. The dog is strong and quick in play, sometimes it's unnerving how quickly he can recover from a previous lunge and be right back in your face trying to bowl you over. I would not want to find out what it'd be like if a dog that big and agile really wanted to put you down....

Glad you're safe :thumbup:.
 
Glad your ok! don't take chances like that.leave a note come back another day.
I'd hate for some one to go into my backyard or step foot in my house when I'm not home it would be messy for them I own three working dogs look out!

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!

RAT PACK #91
 
WOW, what a story. I am glad you are ok.

It takes a lot of presence of mind to win an attack like that. GREAT Job!

For my .02 worth, I don't know if I would have had the presence of mind--or the hands for that matter--to use a gun or a knife in that situation. You did well.
 
I have some trouble walking with my prosthetic foot, sometimes a lot of trouble, and I usually walk with a cane. I get infuriated when people refuse to control their dogs. I don't care how friendly the mutt is, a big friendly dog can still knock me down just bumping into me.

We've got leash laws: off your property? On a leash! People don't bother. Local lake: no dogs allowed. Still see them running off-leash ahead of their masters.

I have trained guard dogs. I HATE people who cannot or will not control their own poorly trained dogs.
 
My neighbors had two German Shepherds that weren't very social. They were obviously huge herders. Great dogs from what I could see with interaction with their owners. One day my 10 year old brother was in the back yard and one of the dogs cleared the fence without a hitch. He instantly charged for my brother and began nipping at him, obviously not trying to be dangerous or offensive, but to herd him. The only problem was for the 120 pound Shepherd, my 10 year old brother was just as tall-and nipped him in the face. It has since took a long time to get over not being scared of bigger dogs like shepherds and huskies. Now I live in a huge dog nieghborhood and can't get enough of all the pooches around here.
 
Glad it wasn't any worse Shotgunner & I hope all affects heal up quickly.

If I were in your situation, I would be carrying some bear spray.
 
That sounded like a story out of the "How to be a Ninja Handbook." Not that there is such a thing.

Glad you are ok though, and just to let you know it was an interesting read.
 
Glad all is well, shotgunner11 but I have to say... I'd never walk onto someone's fenced in property knowing they had dog. It's their territory and any dog, large or small, is going to look at you as an invader. The only dog I can remember that I had a close call with was a German Shepherd who I knew since a puppy but hadn't seen in a few months. If I wasn't standing next to my car with the door open, I think he would have had me for lunch! That occurred around 1964 when I was 17 years old. I was somewhat 'jumpy' around large dogs for awhile after that but never ran into that type of situation again. Keeping my fingers crossed.
 
That sucks! Glad you're okay Shotgunner. So did this whole scuffle occur with a backpack sprayer on? I know with 3 or 4 gallons of fluid on my back I'm a little less mobile. FWIW try not to let it affect you're future fear level because they can sense it. If anything be more cautious as you admitted you might have become complacent due to your love of dogs. Think of it this way; you made it through that fight, you'll be better prepared for another.
Sometimes our Doberman and Border Collie get into it and I fear for the Border collie's life even though she's the aggressive one. Talk about adrenaline. I usually have to sit down after breaking up a fight 'cause it can get ugly real quick!
 
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