Protection from dogs.

Everyone that owns a pitbull thinks that with the right love and training their dog would never attack a person, but reality sets and instinct takes over. This particular dog breed should be banned.

The MFP forums are famous for their ignorance around nutrition and fitness, why not branch out? Kudos, sir!

Where I live, the danger is more of wild animals than dogs.

With dogs, the way you present yourself is really important, I know it's hard, but 'showing no fear' does help. I carry an air horn with me, as I prefer to not harm an animal if possible, that being said, I do also carry a knife, just in case. The air horn is usually enough to break the attacking animal's train of thought, and make it a little more wary of you.

Best of luck in future walks, stay safe OP!

I like the idea of the air horn. I'm sure that would work most of the time and definitely better (for the animal) than pepper spray or a knife.

Pepper spray. I just got myself a small bottle at a sporting goods store designed for runners after having a few similar scares.:frown: :grumble:
If not, get a concealed weapons permit. Working on that too.

Looks like the consensus is to report the dog and I have to heartily agree. The owner needs to be held to account for that. You have to be dumber than a rock to not know the risks associated with that breed. The animal has no business being out loose.

Everyone that owns a pitbull thinks that with the right love and training their dog would never attack a person, but reality sets and instinct takes over. This particular dog breed should be banned.

Thanks, do you know a brand?

I believe both Mace and Sabre make that kind of product. In general, those are both good brands with a solid reputation. I'd avoid some of the ones you might find if they're from no-name companies. I just don't trust them.

http://www.mace.com/personal_defense/mace-triple-action-pocket.html
http://www.sabrered.com/servlet/the-SABRE-Advanced-3-dsh-in-dsh-1-Defense-Sprays/Categories

I will caution you however, there are some strange laws out there with some states or local municipalities banning certain things. You'll want to make sure this particular product is okay to have. If nothing else, you could probably ask the investigating officer from your attack. I assume you were given his card?

Any threatening , unleashed dog in my path gets a swift kick and a loud "NO!"
Any irresponsible owner who objects goes to ER.
Most dogs are great, and even mean dogs seem to love me.
I've only had to kick a few times, and it was always a pit bull.
Good Luck!

Most pepper sprays are the same - Bear sprays are good but tend to be big and bulky -

The below are the basic options

1. Pepper spray - you can get them in dog varieties - in all honesty they are difficult to deploy when you are under stress and you may hurt yourself, unless you get in the habit of simply running / walking with it in your hand ready to go when needed. You can get some that are key chain models so you can carry your keys that way - or clip type etc.

2. Taser - expensive, requires training and is great if you have good aim pointless if you dont. Unless you take the deployment cartridge off and use it as a stun gun only but that requires you to get up close to the dog.

3. Walking Stick - Believe it or not these are very effective, either in a poly plastic or wood the mere act of using one adds an extension to yourself and this is actually a good deterrent to a dog, they see it as an extension of you and you appear larger and they are unsure of it etc. It also usually gives you a feeling of confidence as well.

4. Learning how to deal with dogs - The most important thing in dealing with engaging a dog is to ensure that you are establishing confidence / dominance- Dont stare down a dog but if you walk or run and you are OBSERVANT of your surroundings, lift your shoulders up, look dominating and assertive most dogs wont challenge you unless you go into their territory.

5. Knife - Firearm / I lump these two together because while it might be a nice feeling to have that little knife that you pat every once in a while on your side for protection these tools are completely useless unless you have EXTENSIVE training in their use.

I see a lot of people carrying knives and while yes, it is something which is better than nothing it is also something that can be EXTREMELY dangerous to the user. I have taken several knife fighting courses and I barely feel confident in my abilities not to cut myself... or not to have my own knife taken away and used against me. Same thing with firearms... and it may be illegal in your area.


To the a hole that posted the breed that should be banned...

I have done dog training ... You my friend are a good reason why this breed has such a bad wrap. I have been bitten by more Chihuahas, ****zus, Poodles then I have with a Pit.

There are crazy dogs in every variety but the owner has the majority of the responsibility to understand the breed. If you dont give a pit bull a job and dont exercise it and socialize it it will be like any other dog ... German Sheperd, Chow, Rottweiler, Doberman, Poodle....It will be aggressive...

I just bought a citronella based spray called SprayShield for about $15. Not foolproof but it won't harm the animal and it can supposedly spray from about 10 feet away. Bought it at Pet Food Express.

Pepper spray

Any dog can attack and have problems. If bred properly and trained well all dogs, even pit bulls, are great dogs. They are just like people some have issues some don't. When asking for advice though I dont think she was asking for your personal opinion and attack on the bred. Other then that, get your facts straight.

I would 100% contact authority and report this. This dog may have a record of this and you may be able to save someone else from this happening to them. I would also have the bite checked out. I am not sure what would work. Pepper spray sounds as though it would do t he trick though. Sorry I dont have any better advice. Please be careful!

Wow today must have been "bite a human" day. I got bit by my neighbors daughter's dog today a couple times actually. He is a terrior (sp) and extremely aggressive. Thank god he doesn't normally live there but was just visiting for the week. I was in my yard and he came after me. Honestly now I wish I had a shovel because I would have beat the crap out of it!! Most people don't do yardwork with pepper spray and I agree most people prolly wouldn't react in time to use it.

I have seen several people walk with big sticks to scare off dogs. Maybe that would help? All I know is I told my neighbor if that dog bites me again I will have it put down, NO IF, ANDS, OR BUTS!!!

Good luck.