What do you do when a dog attacks you?

With 24 years as a law enforcement officer assigned to motor vehicle enforcement issues like suspended driver's licenses and picking up suspended license plates, our officers were constantly facing the problem of the family pet in the yards we had to enter. Not to mention the roming bands of loose dogs even in large cities. Luckly, I personally hadn't had to shoot one but a big rott came about as close as he could. I entered an unfenced yard heading to a trailer and passed a parked car. On the other side of the car was the rott luckly chained. As I passed the car he saw me and charged. About the time he reached the end of his chain, non too close I might add, I had cleared my holster and was coming up to get on target. Once he hit the end of his chain and I realized I wasn't in danger, I rehosltered and noticed the female owner standing in her doorway with eyes about the size of saucers. I'll tell you, my heart was pounding as well. I took care of business and left but still remember how close to having to fill out all that paperwork I came.

We did have one officer take out a dog with a night stick that was under a raised house and came out after him. The boss wasn't too happy about the complaint but the officer came away uninjured.

No one wants to hurt anyone pet, but sometimes you have no choice.
 
I've taken a bite [and hold] from a police dog while subduing a perp on the ground who stabbed me in the hand.

The dog was being used to break up the riot and when the crowd parted like the red sea for Moses I was there kneeling and cuffing the perp.
He reached out and grabbed me by the lower right cheek of my butt.

I came up off the ground and lost my voice immediately [ from attempting to scream ]. The dog took three commands to let go. The next day I had a grapefruit sized hematoma and hard as a rock.

Emergency room for 11 stitches and I was "good to go". Next day I could barely walk but hobbled fro a few days and everything worked out with no permanent damage to the cheek/leg.

I stood there with him hanging on me for a few seconds. Hurt like hell. Could have killed it [ shot it ]but I was afraid to go for the holstered gun as he may see the movement and grab my hand which would have been inches from his jaws had I touched the holster.

Another time I choked out a pitbull with my belt who had grabbed a neighbors dog. Dumb move on my part when I was quite a bit younger as once I had the belt choking him, he let go of the dog and until he passed out was working at getting me. Once I was in that position I could only hang on, keep choking it out and hope for the best. Extreme fear kept me from letting go and all ended well for the attacked dog and myself.

Just a few comments on others posts and suggestions for resolutions to this thread.

1. Grabbing a dogs front legs will get you bit on the arm/hand. Dogs tend to react to touching them, quickly. I will never attempt to "hold" a dogs anything, it invites a bite to the hand.

2. Sticking two fingers up a dogs butt? Sounds like something I don't want to try myself. If the dog is attacking you [ facing you ], how in the hell are you going to reach it's butt, let alone jam two fingers perfectly into it's butt hole? Another way to get bit, move that arm out toward the dog.

If attacked, I'll protect the face/neck area with the offhand [ if possible ]and draw the knife at the same time. A slashing blade across the top of it's nose should get it to release and not bother further. If it is unimpressed with that, it gets one to the side of the head or into the ear. Leaving it there while the dog is struggling will bring about it's own demise as the dog will be twisting that blade around while penetrated to the hilt.

I'll have arm damage but thats about it, which is better that any alternative except keeping it away from you with a cane or stick. I have seen dogs grab legs and arms when they have been presented. No thankyou anyway. I'll feed it while killing it, then it's over.

To prolong the attack may mean several nasty bites. Let them take an arm and kill it with the other. No knife for the strong arm?--No problem, reach right in there and grab a handfull of eye, his thought processes should change dramatically.

Though I carry daily I won't be shooting a dog in a residential setting. I will be taking the blade and offering its point to the dog though.

Brownie
 
On a humerous note...
I was asked to locate the father of a young woman. The man was an alcoholic and frequently passed out in one of several places, but all turned up empty. She asked if we would check out her father's store- a bait shop in which he had a cot. Knocking brought three Dobermans and a Rottenweiller (misspelling intentional) to the door. A sign was posted warning of guard dogs on duty. We could not locate the owner/trainer of the dogs and the woman was certain her father was in the store- perhaps injured.

My partner went to the back of the store and attempted to trap the dogs in a small yard there. He reported success, so with her key, we opened the front door. At about the time we located the missing father- passed out but OK, the back door burst open and in flooded four snarling dogs. The woman- till now quite meek, shrieked "NO! SIT!" whereupon all four dogs promptly sat down- leaving my partner and I, guns drawn, sweating bullets. The woman later told us she had never before seen the dogs nor met their trainer/handler. The trainer/handler was astounded to discover her tactic worked.

-carl
 
Wlifter,

The standard that most courts use to determine legitimate self-defense is called the “reasonable man standard”. If a “reasonable man” would conclude that he is under the immediate threat of death or severe bodily injury he is justified to use lethal force to defend himself.

For him to reach that conclusion there must be three elements present. The attacker must have the ABILITY to inflict death or severe injury. He must display the INTENT to inflict death or severe injury. He must also be in a position or have PROXIMITY to inflict the injury. When these three elements are present a reasonable man is about to die or be maimed and may defend himself.

Dogs can certainly meet these three conditions at times. Your example of your lab approaching in a peaceful manner lacks intent to harm. A Yorkshire Terrier on the warpath would lack ability. A Doberman chained in a yard would lack proximity. A Shepherd mix clamped onto your leg (or about to) would be fair game. Mac
 
I run early in the morning in a mostly rural area. For the dog problem I carry a fiberglass rod about 30 inches long and 3/8" in diameter. A couple of good whacks across the muzzle and they back off.

If that fails I carry a CRKT KISS, so far it has never been used for that purpose.
 
Pepper spray is used by the US Postal Service and if you are experiencing problems with dogs it makes sense to pick up a can.
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I am absolutely disgusted with the USPS. My father is a mail carrier and the USPS has decided that mail carriers may no longer carry pepper spray!!:eek:

Leaving him nothing but his own limbs to deal with rabid mutts. He says what he usually does is put his mail pouch in the way of the charging dog and yell in a loud firm voice "NO!!"

He said this usually works but the spray was his peace of mind, having had to use it a few times. He also mentioned that one of his worst attacks was from a large rooster!

He tried to bump it away a few times with his foot but the third time it pecked him in his calf and drew blood he turned around and kicked the damn thing 10 feet!

I was howling when he explained how he got the odd little snips on his calf.
 
The "reasonable man" standard does not apply to attacks by dogs...only attacks by people. Dogs are chattel, property, and as such have no rights. Nonetheless, you can lose your ass in CIVIL court if a jury decides against you and for the dog owner.

That's not to say a cop might not charge you with various CRIMINAL offenses, such as brandishing, carrying concealed, etc.
 
Originally posted by pict
I've heard that you can feed the dog your left forearm, and hook your right forearm behind it's neck....
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Feeding the dog your left or weakside forearm is ok, but I don't know if I'd go through all the rest of it. Simply grab the dog's throat with your other hand and choke it out. the dog will release your forearm, and a few seconds later it will be finished. Once you have it's throat and it's released you, you could put it down and pin it with your knee, but do not release the throat! This is also only good with one dog. Multiple dogs require a firearm!

Jason, what's with the .22? You packin' at least a .357 now?:D I now have this picture of you standing like Legolas in "The Fellowship of the Ring," firing arrow after arrow into his attackers! Glad you came out safe!

Hank:cool:
 
One day a few years ago I was attacked by a rotty on a dark road near my house as I walked home from work. I had a backpack adn when the dog lunged at me, I swung to my left and let the backpack (which I was only carrying on one shoulder) swing into the dog. I live in farm country and we have 7' ditches in some places. This was one such ditch, after falling 7' and taking a nice clout from the two wine botles that just happened to be in my pack (lucky me :)) the fight was out of him.

Of course now.. I'd pull out my BK930 boot knife and put all 4-1/4" of the blade into his back as he went by. And as he went down, I'd pull out my 3" folder for my other hand.
 
How to stop dog attacks?
Stop stupid owners.

Its tough hearing that some dogs need to be shot to stop them being an ScH/SAR handler...
:(
 
For a single dog in a neighborhood environment pepper spray is probaly your best bet,IMHO. A step up from a stick is the Cold Steel Sjambok. They come in three lengths and with some practice are a very efective weapon against man or beast. And they are inexpensive, about the same price as some pepper spray dipensers. Running from an attacking predator is usually a bad idea unless you can make it to cover, or out run the predator. You are easier to take down, less stable, when running.
 
and 100% safe and legal...

I've bicycled for the last 30 years and been chased by 'em all, including a group of three... Never been bitten nor hurt 'em...

I use a water bottle full of water and soap... simple dishsoap...
Spray it in their eyes and they stop instantly...just walk away.. or pedal away. All bicyclists should carry one, and most runners can carry one, too. Yeah, I expect a few choice comments on this like what if I drink out of the wrong one!:eek: :p Well, I deserve the tummy ache... but i'm also aware of which one i have where, so that'd be a pox on me... But if I grab the right one, at the right time, I'm safe and nobody's animal gets hurt...

Try it... it works!:cool:
 
My sister in law as walking her "doggy" when a woman left her parked car opened, a pitbull terrier jumped out of the car and attacked her. With the terrier grabbing her jeans she let go of the leash and her doggy, a 100pound ridgeback picked up the pitbull by the neck and began to shake it...... (the pitbull somehow survived) A police car had seen the whole scene and they asked her if she wanted to press charges against the owner of thepitbull.
She didn't, but if that dog ever goes after someone else in the neighborhood it will be his last time.
 
order the medium or short Shambat. Both my elderly parents have them as well as my in-laws. While rollerblading with my teenagers some years ago, a neighbors Rott got over the fence and went after my 10 year old daughter tackling her and standing with his mouth over her face. We were over a 100 yards from its home. 4-5 very hard wacks with the Shambat stopped the dog and left it screaming to go home. I am 6'5"" 325 pounds. I cut meat deep - that attack crap dog never bugs kids in the street anymore. I won't talk about its owner.
 
I guess there are two types of dog attacks; the ones where the dog is seriously going for you and the ones where it's just typing to get you to get off it's territory or protect one of it's "pack" members.

I had two little boys set their German Sheperd on me while I was crossing a playing field (I'd done nothing wrong and they didn't know me). It was jumping around me looking to bite me in an unprotected spot, the face in particular, so I yelled at it and kept my guard up til I got clear of the field. It didn't follow me into the streets. Luckily I've never had the serious tpye of attack come my way.

A pack of dogs would leave you in a desperate situation, if I was going to be anywhere that I even thought such animals would be, I'd arm myself with whatever I could just in case. Climbing a tree would be preferable, or as has been mentioned, killing the lead dog (that must have been scary as hell).

With a single dog and no weapon, or a suprise attack, if I thought I could kick it in the head or between the front legs (rumoured to cause heart attacks, but I've heard no proof) I'd do it. If I couldn't be sure of connecting with a kick then I'd give it a forearm and once it had bitten down, trye and grab a back leg. Then I'd swing it, repeatedly, into anything hard until the dog was dead.

IMO, if a dog attacks you for what you see to be no justifiable reason, and you can manage it, it's your duty to kill it. It's to be presumed that the animal is dangerous and could easily attack and kill someone less able to deal with it than you. (if the owner's their, you might want to give them a good kicking too, as they obviously have no control over their animal, or even worse, doesn't care that their pet attacks people)

The anal probing is something I was told about, too. But I gather you do that if the dog has locked it's jaws and won't let go even after it's been hit with sticks, kicked, and possibly even shot. The fella who told me about it came from South Africa, and had apparently seen this method used on a dog that although nolonger attacking, would not let go. I believe it was stick that was used though, not anyone's fingers.

As with so many thing, it depends on the situation. Do whatever if takes to get out alive.
 
I've had four attack situations with dogs, an' still have all limbs and appendages attached, so I'm either lucky as hell, or done somethin' right.

First and most serious was when my parents 165 LB. Newfoundland turned on me (yes, a Newfy folks!)
The dog kept alternately lunging for my throat and my testicles, and I basically kept moving back, and swinging for it's nose when it came for my throat, and kicking in his face when he came for the family jewels. Big thing was that I stayed up and kept moving, I knew I was gonna find myself celestially challenged if I went to the ground with him. I was also screaming at him like a Banshee. I was scared as hell an' all, but was also pissed off. ie: C'MON MOTHERFOCKER!!! I'LL FOCKEN KILL YOU!!! KEEP TRYING GOD DA--MMIT!!!"

The dog kept goin' at me for about a minute (one long damn minute!) before he started slowing down and just stood there growling and locking eyes with me. My mother then saw what was happening and opened the door to the house to let me in. The dog layed on the porch out there growling for another twenty minutes.

Amazingly, he never so much as got a single scratch on me...well...he grazed me slightly, but not too terribly. Most scary damage I got was the fact that he got hold to my jeans about two inches from my twig and giggleberries and tore them all the way down to my boot.

Wish I could give a technique, but I basically just fought like hell. I think it was good that I kept moving and side stepping. I also think he would have killed me if I'd tried to run.

Second run in was when my wife and I were running and a couple pitbulls came after her like a couple focken' missiles. My wifes hysterical scream and holding her hands out in front of her didn't dissuade them at all. On the other hand my "GET THE FOCK OUTTA HERE!!! on top of other miscellaneous rants and raves seemed to stop them in mid air. Well...either that or they had a respect for the .45 caliber revolver loaded with Hydra-Shoks I had pointed at them. Was a good thing I'd turned them around though, cuz this had occurred in late fall, and my wife had at that very moment slipped on the ice and busted herself up pretty bad. (passed her physical for the State Troopers a few days later with a badly strained hip! YAY KARIE!!!)

Funniest one was last summer when the wife and I were taking a late night walk around our new neighborhood. I didn't have a firearm for some sick reason, but had chosen to arm myself with my Rekat Hobbit Warrior. She and I were walking along a patch of woods when I suddenly heard crashing brush and a growly bark behind us. Instinctively I spun around and drew the Hobbit, waaaay fast (for me anyways)...the wife had barely acknowledged the sounds before I'd turned around in full Mall Ninja attack postition. Found myself in some kinda retarded wanna be military knife fighting stance except the Hobbit was in reverse grip. (to the untrained eye it may have appeared that I knew what I was doing, even though in reality I was/ am freakin' clueless)

Once my eyes focused a little better I saw a Husky/ Shepherd mix thing standing in the road stopped dead in its tracks. The dog looks at me with it's head tilted, whimpered once, pissed all over the road, and ran back in the woods with it's tail tucked between it's legs. (wife said judging by my appearance at that moment she didn't blame the dog, and would have done the same thing herself if she didn't know I was on her side)

I guess my idea on the topic is that I'm too slow to run, so I'm standin' my ground. If it's a breed of dog that's known to clamp on and not let go (Pitbull) I'd be most likely to feed it my left arm, and slash the dogs throat with my right. If knifeless I'd try choking it with the right hand. Gouging the eyes seems like a good idea, except I think I'd wanna make it damn fast since it gives no control over the head.

There was a Trooper out here a few years ago that killed a Pit by cramming his hand all the way the hell down the dogs throat to choke it. (nasty, eh?)

If it were a dog better known to bite anywhere and everywhere until ya' go down I guess I'd do the same thing as I'd done with the Newfy.

I'm not sure if I've necessarily reacted appropriately or not, but thus far, it seems to have worked.

Would be interested in hearing what the better educated folks an' the experts think.
 
dogs are no joke! you really shouldn't even think about running as 90% of the time dogs run a lot faster than we do. I was attack by a dog when I was 17 and what I did was yelled at him and grabbing a stick in the meantime. You really have to clear up your mind when things like this happens.:mad:
 
I may have to put some of the suggestions into practice. For the past two nights I have encountered three strays along the road in my neighbourhood. One of the three dogs thought it might be fun to chase me last night.

:rolleyes:
 
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