I was just bitten at the dog park . . .

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Nothing major - I just washed it and put first aid ointment on it.  The dog that bit me (of three Puggles - I'm not sure which one) is up to date on shots so I'm not worried.  It was so strange - I've always heard that you should never jump into the middle of a dog fight but when that dog(s) went after my baby - I never took time to even think.  I ran about 15 feet and literally took a flying tackle onto Stuart and kept right on rolling taking all 70 lbs of him with me and out of harms way.  During the leap and roll one of the Puggles chomped into my thigh.  In an ironic twist I didn't have on my usual outfit - a tennis or golf skirt - I actually had on running tights to below my knee - saved me from a worse injury, plus cellulite is hard to puncture.  I've never trusted those Puggles and now know that my gut instinct was correct.  One of them attacked Stuart over a ball and the rest jumped in.  The owners feel bad but nobody actually saw it get started so they aren't going to accept any real blame, and all I know is that Stuart is so gentle and unassertive but when attacked he went into defense mode to protect himself, a real 1st.  It WAS a stupid move on my part but without thinking I was willing to do whatever it took to protect him just on instinct.  I think tomorrow that I'm going to be sore from head to toe.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Excellent thought!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I saw Cesar use this technique once on his show when 2 pits got into it (the leg move).  In that case it worked but those people are professional dog handlers.  I sure wouldn't have tried it. It's not for the faint of heart (me).

[Lauria Orr]

Oh, yes, I imagine that adrenaline would kick right in if you saw your beloved dog getting hurt in an attack.

[BG and Gavin]

I doubt that throwing the stick was the intent.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Right, Linda! The stick is for beating them, lol.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Nobody's talking about throwing a stick; throwing a brick, on the other hand....

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

LOL...that's why I threw the water bowl at the dog:)

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I'm sure it would work, but I know from when Sophie was attacked that things were moving too quickly for me to be able to get a hold of any legs. I was told the best thing to do is throw out some yummy treats, and to make lots of distracting noises and big gestures to refocus the dogs attention. I don't know if that would work either. All I knwo is when it happened to us, I was too panicked by her squealling to do anything other than reach in there and grab my baby and run. I couldn't care less that I got bit in the process. It took me a while to get ahold of her though. I couldn't even get close to the Chow, she was just moving like lightening.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I think that different things will work for different breeds. But some of the bully breeds and working dogs can be pretty much impossible to distract.  I doubt if they would notice food being thrown out. I still think that a loud noise or pepper spray, even if you had to spray your own dog to save her life or limb, would be more affective.When you say you don't care if you get bit you may not be aware of how serious a dog bite can be. People have lost their arms or received serious nerve damage in limbs from dog bites. I could post some photos but you would probably lose your lunch!! :(

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Karen you are right - this is laughable.  Grabbing their hind legs and pulling?  As if you can get ahold of anything at this point.  This happened so fast and trust you me NONE of these dogs was standing still.  It was a freaking free for all.  That I was I took a running tackle onto my own dog.   

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Jane, did you go to the walk in clinic this morning?

Lisa

[Lauria Orr]

Oh, Jane, that sounds scary and looks painful.  I am glad you came out as well as you did!  I think the Puggle dogs are popular and we have a very cute and sweet one in our neighborhood. I think he is about 2 now. He doesn't seem to be aggressive at all, but does have a lot of energy.  All the dogs around here like him, so it makes me wonder what the issue is for some that seem aggressive like that?  We had Beagles for years, and there was none of that in any of them. 

I would personally never get behind 2 large  fighting dogs and grab their legs. I am  trying to picture that, and imagine a person would lift the legs like you would lift the handles of a wheel-barrow.  That sounds workable in certain circumstances, actually, but having back issues and arthritis, there is no way I would personally do that. I would also worry about pulling legs out of joint for the dogs, damaging hips, backs, etc....

I carry pepper spray and have never had to use it.  Is there some kind of whistle that can distract fighting dogs? 

One of our Beagles was attacked on a walk by a pit bull.  She had a puncture wound under her eye, and thankfully, did not lose her eye.   My husband kicked the dog off of ours and the owner called the dog off.  It was after that that we started carrying pepper spray.

Jane, I hope this resolves soon...I am so glad you were not hurt more severly...either of you!!!!!