So I'm walking through a residential neighborhood and I see two dogs on a lawn across the street. They're large dogs--pitbull mixes, I think. Anyway, at first I'm not that worried because they're across the street, but then, to my horror, they cross the street and start walking in my direction.
I totally freak out. I turn around and start walking away, but the dogs are following me. Briskly. My heart is pounding and all I can think about is that these dogs could easily kill me, and there are NO human beings around to help me.
I thought about running, but I remember the last time I posted about dogs here, someone commented that a dog could easily outrun me, so I decided to just play it cool. Eventually, I got to the end of the block, and the dogs stopped following me.
At that point, I called the police.
I later found out from our Facebook community that the dogs belonged to a family that lived quite a few blocks away. That they "sometimes get out" but are really, really friendly. Fine, maybe they wanted to play with me and not maul me. But still... I didn't know that! And they crossed several major streets, putting their own lives in danger, as well as a car that might swerve to avoid them.
Not sure what to do at this point....
carry pepper spray
ReplyDeleteIs there a fenced outdoor track somewhere you could walk on? After hours at your neighborhood school maybe?
ReplyDeleteThe 2 biggest tips I can give you is 1) Never run away. Running away at best equals a fun chase game, and at worst triggers the dog's prey drive. 2) Don't make eye contact. A friendly dog may follow you, or otherwise try to get your attention, seeking eye contact, but an aggressive dog will see eye contact as a threat.
ReplyDeleteI don't claim to be an expert but keeping my cool, averting my eyes and changing directions has always worked for me. It gets much harder when you add variables - my own tiny dog, children, horses, etc.
I'm with Judy - carry pepper spray. I'm loathed to use it on an animal because they are just following an instinct and are really blameless in this matter. The dog's owners on the other hand don't deserve to have them, especially since this isn't the first time their dogs have gone AWOL.
ReplyDeleteBut would you spray them just for following or if a more dangerous situation raised?
DeleteI would use it if charged in an aggressive manner
DeleteCarry an air horn. You can get a smaller sized one than the ones used in sailing races and it will still be very loud, which will usually scare away a dog or other threatening animal.
ReplyDeleteAnd keep calling animal control every time you see the loose dogs.
One time I went to a police supply store to buy pepper spray and they said I could get sued for spraying a dog because dogs are considered personal property and you've caused property damage of you injure them.
I like the horn idea. I'd be terrified of using pepper spray. i'd probably accidentally spray myself.
DeleteThe amount you could get sued for shouldn't be more than the price of the dog (i.e., the property), which is literally what the dog is worth and not what the dog owner *thinks* it's worth. The court should also weigh contributory negligence on the part of the dog owner for allowing it off-leash in the first place. Not to mention emotional distress on the part of the person that was assaulted by the dog.
DeleteI carry pepper spray.
You can be sued for veterinary bills if you cause damage to a dog.
DeleteYou can also get charged by police for cruelty to animals. An air horn is safer for you anyway because you don't have to be as close to a charging animal and you don't have to aim.
Is there a court case where that has actually happened? because its far more likely that the person being threatened by the dogs can sue for assault / fear or being attacked than the potential harm to the dogs - honestly I wouldn't worry about getting sued for damages / cruelty to animals if you were protecting yourself.
DeleteSave the pepper spray for the irresponsible owners, but do not run away from the dogs as others have said.
ReplyDeleteDefending yourself from an aggressive, attacking dog is not cruelty. Period.
ReplyDeleteYou're really committed to these 10 000 steps. You are a braver person than me
ReplyDelete