dog attacks while running

There is a spray on the market for dogs that mailmen & runners carry a lot. I have some b/c I've been bit by numerous dogs on walks in our neighborhood. I've never had to use it since I bought it, though, go figure. It's like pepper spray and you can pick it up at most sporting goods stores from what I've seen. Good luck!

the mailman sprayed my dog Raychal when she shot out the front door it worked to put her on the ground rubbing her eyes.

He apologized the next day and I told him humans trump animals any day and I was glad she didnt bit him-he may have actually saved her life with that spray!!

I agree, I would get spray also. But please keep in mind that if your on their property you could get in trouble for attacking their dog even if your defending yourself... even if the dog is off leash. It sounds stupid I know, but a lot of dogs become territorial of their yards. I work with dogs every day, we train dogs for service and for people with disabilities... If you get the spray make sure it's pet friendly just cover your butt.

Are you allowed to have pit bulls in the area that you run in? Are there any laws that go with it? Like in my area they have to have insurance on the dog. I would still call and report them though because they do sound viscous and especially the one that went after your ankles...

Definitely protect yourself and let the authorities know. B mentioned leash laws in NY and NJ. The same is true for PA. A few years ago a friend of mine was literally pulled to the ground off his bike by a pit bull. He ended up having xrays on his hand and had to call the police so they could make sure the dog was up to date on its shots and the owner was fined. Also, I'm not talking about a guy out for a leisurely bike ride. He's a serious athlete who wins bike races and was riding up a steep hill and the dog came out of nowhere. :noway:
That being said... I'm not trying to scare you and I don't think all pit bulls will attack, but be on your guard, for sure. Good luck!

Your best bet is to report any stray dog, even if you don't know which house it belongs to. Animal Control should still come and round it up, or at least patrol the area for any loose dogs. It is a sad state when a human brings a dog into its home and doesn't have the heart to care for the animal, or the people that must come in contact with it. Sadly, many of these loose animals (pitbull or not) are diseased, in pain, trained for aggression, and will gladly take their frustrations out on anything moving near them.

As a responsible American Pitbull owner, it also does me a disservice. Unfortunately, the great breed that I know is attractive to those that like to exploit its natural abilities and to those that just like the tough look. Though a real breed standard American Pitbull Terrier doesn't look as tough as some of the monstrosities that are bred and called pitbulls today.

I got knocked down once by a dog who jumped at me and head-butted me in the stomach. He caught me off guard and I fell. He then proceeded to hump me...while he owner struggled to get him off me. I know the owner was apologizing profusely, but I never heard anything as my headphones were on loud. I just nodded and got out of there as soon as he had him off me.

yeah, I shouldve gotten therapy at the time of the attempted rape. But I was brave and overcame it.

I never did walk on that street again though....*laughing

I had a similar situation with a rottweiler. Your best bet in that situation is to stand your ground. Make yourself as big as possible and make no sudden moves, as others have mentioned. Tell it loudly and firmly to go.

And as for calling the authorities, I would say that depends on who owns the dog and where you live. I came very close to being mauled when walking by a neighbors yard. I had something on me to stop the attack, as I knew if this dog ever got out it would be a major problem, but it sneaked up behind me and I couldn't move to get it. The dang thing was like a wound spring and was crouching to jump as I started to reach in my pocket. It finally spun and went back to his yard. That was a very long 30 seconds.

The neighbor didn't care and did nothing. They said if it got out again I could kill it. This is the kind of people you may be dealing with. Bad dogs almost always have either bad, or at the least stupid, owners. I live out in the country and our dog laws are a joke around here. Nothing much is ever done. If I complained, I would have had an enemy for a neighbor forever. I don't want to watch my back and property 24/7.

Another time a dog was in my yard and attacked - this was different worthless neighbor. My grandson started to run away and this enraged it and started after him. I got the kid to stop and get behind me. I had a large stick handy and waved it and yelled at it to go home. We got lucky. Later that summer that same dog killed two dogs in the neighborhood. They said the dog was destroyed. I have reason to believe they sold it to someone else.

I joined a gym and keep alert even when when I'm in the yard. There is no end of worthless pet owners out there.

If possible you should change your route since you know there may be a potential problem on the current one. You should purchase the spray mentioned or at least get some pepper spray. If the dogs are out loose they should be called on, dogs that are not properly attented to form packs in a matter of days and are more likely to attack so if not you then maybe some poor kid riding their bike one day. Pits are dangerous in the wrong hands so you should look to protect yourself in every way possible if you know there is a threat there.

I will equate it like this, continuing to run in an area where there may be a potential dog threat would be the same as continuing to run past a home with a known rapist in it, you are putting yourself in potential harms way and you should do what you need to do to protect yourself.