Nachoman

People on the internet are like cartoon characters.

plumberroy

is that suppose to be an insult ? We had 30-40 hunting and race dogs at all times growing up . I at one time was taking care of 3 kennels over 120 hunting dogs that I fed and cared for . I have worked with several dog wardens taking care of problem dogs . At 19 I was offered a job as assistant dog warden of a major city when you do stuff like that getting bit comes with the job . It was a niche job that I was good at when jobs for young people were scarce . I don't apologize for making my own way instead of sucking off the tax payers till

Reread you post yes I learned where to hit a dog to knock it out or kill it if needed from doing this type of work

Sangetsu

Since I was about 5, I have been bitten by numerous dogs, not to to mention geese, and an occasional horse (and have scars to prove it). Animals have mouths and teeth (or beaks, or bills), and they bite. I have never bothered to file reports or call the police, because animals have their own minds, and even when under the control of their owners, they often do what they want to do.

The only bad occasion was when I was working as a police officer, and was one day writing a citation for a code violation. I was arguing with the home owner about the citation when I heard screaming nearby. A woman was walking a toy poodle, and two pit bull dogs were attacking it. I ran across the street with another officer to help.

There was a large, female pit bull, the other was still a puppy, each had one end of the poodle in their mouth, and were trying to pull it apart. Hitting and kicking them did not work, pepper spray did not work. I dreaded to do it, but I drew my sidearm (a Colt Python), and was just getting ready to shoot the larger of the dogs when their owner showed up. He hit the larger one on the head with a board, and it let go, he grabbed the puppy by it's tail, and tossed it over a chain link fence.

The poodle was in bad shape, and pit bulls were illegal in the county where I worked. The poodle was put to sleep at the vet's office, which was lucky for the pit bull owner, because had it lived, the bills would have been expensive. Animal control came to pick up his dogs, and they were euthanized, along with 3 others he had on his properly.

plumberroy

forgot about geese I had to buy our neighbor a goose when I was 13-14 it made a sneak attack from behind, I grabbed it by the neck and explained to it why it shouldn't bite a little too rough. Dad made me buy them another male goose.
For some people dealing with dogs and other animals is part of our upbringing A lot of those bites I took were from trying to help scared hurt or sick dogs they don't understand sticking it with a needle or cleaning a wound is to help .

DeadGrandpa

I carry bear spray from REI. A one second burst propels a fog one foot in diameter twenty feet and stops an aggressive dog immediately. I'm not going to engage a dog or dog owner in hand to hand combat and the use of a firearm should always be a last resort. The weight penalty of carrying the spray canister is outweighed by the rehab time of a broken bone from a fall induced by evasive maneuvers to elude a dog.

coominya

You mean sort of like when you walk down the wrong side of a street near a gang member and he smashes you in the face? I see your point.

coominya

Hey! What's with the koala avatar? They're protected you know, there not supposed to leave Oz

DeadGrandpa

I'm surprised you didn't see the thread about the avatars, being the diligent forum reader that you are. Anyhow, the koala, though not in the bear family, resembles somewhat one of the logos of my favorite band. Btw, it's only a picture. The actual animal is still in Oz, though I'm not sure exactly where. We were never properly introduced. The defense product I carry is not "koala spray"; it's "bear spray".

Maelochs

Deadgrandpa .... You stole its face!

mzr

It works like this: the dog sees a pistol and thinks its a t-bone. The dog becomes excited thinking its about to get a treat, and starts running away to catch the t-bone before the other dogs do.

jefnvk

Sure, I am dealing in generalizations, just as you are absolving the dog and owner because someone didn't tiptoe around the temperament of a dog they don't own (actually, they did, and still got bit). If you have a dog in public, the responsibility is on the owner and the animal to act in a safe manner, not on the public to have to act in a certain manner around the animal.

Kindaslow

Thanks, clearly I was confused.

chopsteeks

The world needs more Ceasar Milan, the dog whisperer.......

Roadwanderer

The only time I've ever been bit, I was a teenager riding down a country road. I rode this route almost every day, and I knew the dog--a giant standard poodle. Black. It was friendly enough unless you were on a moving vehicle.

Well, one day the owners were walking him and I came riding past. He took off after me and bit at my heel. Didn't get my skin though, just the fabric on my pants. Pulled my leg backward and made impossible for me to pedal further so I had to jump off my bike.

The owners ran up and took control of him, but by that time, he'd backed off (they always do when I jump off my bike).

After that, I've taken an aggressive stance whenever a dog runs at me. They'll back off if you show them who's boss (most of the time).

jamesdak 

Exactly what I was thinking!!!!!!!!

Kindaslow

Almost on topic....

I went hiking with my wife and our dog yesterday. It was about 10 miles and took us past a couple of areas that are popular for very short hikes. In those areas, it was packed, more people than I have ever seen in those areas. And, more dogs than I have ever seen. About 1 in 5 was very poorly socialized. It is the owners that are at fault. Sadly, the dogs might lose their lives because their owners were, or are, too lazy to work with their dogs or they think the bad behavior is funny.

I have been biking for 40+ years, and I have had a few dogs attack me, but just one bite me. The one that bit me did so because I went between his owners (they went to either side of the trail). I learned to not do that again. However, in talking with the owners, they really need professional help to train their dog. They felt terrible, and we figured everything out (they were good people who just did not know certain breeds are tough for first time owners).

jamesdak 

LOL, it's like the upcoming Daytona 500. Who really wants to watch but then you have to.... to see the wrecks!

2manybikes

When I was young my mother took me to a beach to go swimming. The seagulls were very brave, one stole a sandwich right from my mothers hand. I would wave my arm and chase them away. They always came right back.
One day I put the bristle end of a broom against my shoulder holding it like a rifle and pointed it at them.

They all took off. Someone must have shot at them.

jack pot 

... never assume the dog owner has a clue ... many choose a dog solely on looks ... rots pits dobes & most working dogs need intense and ongoing training to passively encounter human situations ... that strangers react harshly to their aggressive pets should come as no surprise ... it's a shame that many decent animals are put down for the sins of their owner ... give a wide berth to other people's dogs > it may save their life plus saving you the grief of an untoward encounter #dog lover

chopsteeks

Dogs are now gang members ? Oh my....

jefnvk

I give them the same berth that I give anyone other pedestrian or vehicle: as much as safely possible. I do agree that it is sad that pets are put down because of crappy owners, who have no interest in training or punishing or controlling their animal, but that concern is far secondary to me than the public being able to enjoy outdoor areas without being put at risk of being bitten.

BillyD

Ok gentlemen, that's it for the gun talk. If you want to discuss guns go start a thread in P&R.

Thank you, much!

Macster

Whatever fantasy crosses one's mind, just throw it out there.

Phil_gretz

Sorry. Posted before seeing @BillyD's warning above. My bad. PG

corrado33

When I was younger we had two rescue dogs. They were OK with each other, but aggressive toward other, smaller dogs (and smaller animals in general). One day a neighbor let his little toy dog out and it ran into our yard, only to get picked up and thrown by our 100 pound dogs, who were dutifully staying behind their electric fence. Luckily, they threw it OUT of the electric fence, so they didn't kill it.

Was that our fault or our neighbors? Our dogs were perfectly happy staying behind their fence and being happy. Some dogs don't like other animals. It's a simple fact. Our guess is that these dogs weren't socialized as puppies. Great dogs for us, as we lived in the woods. These dogs had absolutely NO aggression toward humans and loved all humans, even the small ones...