Dog Attacks and Halt or Pepper Spray

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I am curious is any of you have used Halt or pepper spray to deter an aggressive dog and does one work better than the other? 

Charlie and I were out for our walk on Sunday and we happened to be going past a house where some people were unloading camping equipment out of their pickup.  I just happened to glance over at them as we passed and saw a lady carrying bottles from a cooler into the house.  We were about 40 feet past their driveway (I could not longer see them or their vehicle) when all of a sudden I heard someone yell "Adobe NO".  I did not even have time to look back, the next thing I know Charlie yelps and is lying flat out on his right side with a pit bull latched onto his left hip.  I yelled  at the dog and looked up across from Charlie to see a second dog coming at him.  I looked it right in the eye and put up my fist and yelled with all my might "NO".  It actually backed off but the one that had him down did not budge.  I was screaming and yelling someone please help and was trying to get Charlie up and kicking at the dog all at the same time!  I finally heard someone behind me yelling at the dog, and then heard the guy hit the ground - apparently he tried to make a running leap for the dog and missed.  I think that is what made the dog let Charlie go though, and I was able to bring him up into my chest and get him off the ground.  The next thing I know that damn dog was coming back at us again and the owner was threatening his dog but it was ignoring him.  I thought we were both going down!  I kept trying to walk on away. As we got to the corner I looked back and could see the dog that had attacked  was standing on the sidewalk frothing at the mouth.  His owner was between him and us at that point.  I do not think I have ever been so scared in my life.  We turned the corner and walked down past two more houses before I felt it was safe to put Charlie down to see if he could walk because I knew I was not going to be able to carry 38 lbs of dog over my shoulder as I now realized my knee was killing me!  Called DH and he came and picked us up.  We took Charlie home - checked him out head to toe and he only had a small red scratch on the left hip and I had a sprained knee.  I was so thankful he had all his hair right now as I think it did protect him.  We called the police and animal control; and have not had a report back.  When they call I hope they tell us that the dogs do not actually live there and were only visiting!  We live in a very nice residential area and I have never once felt threatened in any way, but now find myself looking over my shoulder. Today we walked down just to get the mail and Charlie kept checking to see if something was behind him.  Charlie is a total wuss with other dogs and would never fight back - he turns away.  He plays with a select few and really prefers to talk to their owners!  As you can tell I am still up set - I felt tramautized, but it made me realize that I need to be prepared and not just smelling roses when we are out there! 

  

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

My trainer had given me one and I have no idea where I put the thing. This was a good reminder to me to go find it.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I think I was so traumatized by this event that I am in panic mode this week!  Looking back, I do not think there was anyway to prevent this attack short of the people in the home not letting the dogs get out.  I had not heard of the horn until some of your comments.  It may be just thing - at least it may get the attention of the attacker and cause it to let go.  My daughter called this a.m. and she purchased Halt at Amazon on Monday, so it may arrive here today.

This incident has been a lesson for me and I will be more vigil that is for sure.  I feel so thankful that we were not seriously hurt ~ so many others out there have not been so lucky.

Thanks to everyone for your concerns and comments.  The DK Community rocks!

[Pam & Trixie]

Im so sorry this happened!  I hate reading stories like this.  it happens to often.A Similar thing happened to my 60# dog almost 5 yrs ago- She didnt have a chance to react & the Pitbull was swinging her back & forth in the air.

Im glad you 2 were not hurt worse.

 

I agree with what Jane said-Carrying a spray you would have to have it in your hand & ready.  My dh carried a minature hard bat in his back pocket for awhile.

he wants to buy a tazer like thing, but we havent

 

To this day I never feel 100% safe walking my dog...I am always scanning the area around us looking for dogs we may meet or cross on our walk.  I dont like feeling a bit unsafe on walks- but I do...But After being attack...I no longer trust any dog.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Oh my goodness Pam was your dog okay in the end, how horrible?

My DH was just walking Daisy at the lake and 2 - un-leashed Pit Bulls came upon them...the owner was like - "they are okay, they won't harm you" WHATEVER the lake also has a leash your dogs rule. DH was so upset, he just kept coming between the pits and Daisy with his hand yelling stop. The owner did get there and grabber her dogs but he was really angry and just walked away.

We had the what should we get discussion when he got home...seriously I have never seen him so upset!

[L.M.]

I hate when owners do this...."Oh no it's okay..they're friendly."  Don't people realize that when dogs are in new surroundings with new people and other dogs, their personalities can change??? This happens a lot with us on our walks...people ask if their dogs can "say hello" and assure us that they're friendly....I don't care if people get mad at me, I tell them no and keep going.  

[Pam & Trixie]

Yes, Lisa, She was ok. 

She had some small bites & One large Puncture wound.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Pam, I believe that anyone that has experienced an attack feels just as you and I do.  I believe I have learned something from this incident and I will be more prepared if it ever happens.  However, I am praying there will not be a "next time". 

[Pam & Trixie]

I hope it never happens again either.  For all of us.  

And I do always worry- What if it was a child that the dog came after.

Just terrible really.

[Janice Hammond]

I know a person who has used pepper spray.The attack was a similar situation to yours .The pepper spray was aimed directly at the dogs eyes and then rear end. That dog never left the yard again when she was walking by.

If you don't hear from the police soon I would call and find out what is happening. I am glad that both of you are ok. It is a terriffying situation.

[L.M.]

I'm so sorry this happened to you and am sending well wishes your way!! I too fear this constantly when we take our walks with our 2 dogs.  Our neighborhood has a lot of dogs and a few of them are pits (yes I know they can be lovely, but sorry...I'm past the point of denying the fact that it seems like most attacks involve this particular breed).  I hope you and Charlie start to feel better soon, both physically and emotionally.  I am at the point where I will most likely start carrying some type of pepper spray as well, especially since I will be also walking with a newborn come May....whether the spray is legal or not, I don't care.  Arrest me if you want, but at least my dogs and I would hopefully be protected.   

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

This is horrible.  I was glued to the screen reading it to make sure you all were okay.  I cannot imagine how scared you were.  This is my worst fear.  I always carry pepper spray when I walk Bexter and/or Maggie.  I'm pretty sure I would risk spraying myself and my own dogs if it meant getting the other dogs off them!  It doesn't seem like a spray of water would deter an attack like this, but I'm not an expert.  I would love to get a tazer type thing.  Do any of you know if the horn sounding thing actually does stop attacks like this?  It seems like if a dog is that determined to attack, it would keep doing it.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Such a horrible story--so sorry--I am afraid I have also had bad experiences over the years and one was when the dog came into my driveway and attacked my 20 pound terrier--it was a German Shepard that belonged to a man who was visiting the neighbor and he had left the dog chained to his truck--the dog broke the chain to get to our yard and my dog had a slash on his side that required 20 stitches. His neck had been bitten numerous times, but he was so muscular that it did not pierce the vital arteries.The worst thing was that my kids who were 3 and 5 at the time, had just come into the house--it could have been them---ugh!! W had to track the guy down to make him pay the 

Anyway, I wanted to add an answer to your question about Halt--my husband carries it when he rides his bike and has had to spray two dogs--first he says that you have to hit them in the face or it just "p***** them off"--also, it leaves a bright orange paint mark that tells the owner that their dog was up to no good. It is basically the same stuff in tabasco sauce.

Glad you are OK!!!!