Scary scary encounter

[Becka]

Sadie and I were just on a walk when, about two blocks from our house, a big black bully dog of some kind came tearing across the street, dragging a rope behind it that was tied to one of those big metal screw-anchor things, and the dog just went after Sadie. I tried to pull it off of her and hang on to Sadie at the same time, screaming at the dog to stop it, and I finally just started yelling "Help!" at the top of my lungs. I don't know why I didn't think to kick it in the head. This all happened very fast. The owner came running across the street and grabbed the dog, and apologized, and wanted to make sure we were OK, and I checked Sadie all over for cuts or bites and said we were, and then I walked home, because I was so freaked out I could barely speak. I just checked her out again, all over, and she seems fine. I am clearly still traumatized and my throat is raw from screaming. Your thoughts on what I should do next, if anything, are most appreciated.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

We bought a little square noise maker from Menards and it has a pin you pull out and it makes a loud noise until you put the pin back in. Haven't neede it yet though.

[Leslie J]

I'm so glad you're both okay- how very scary!!! I've heard that dogs who are tied up tend to be very aggressive, and here is yet another example.  I agree with Nicky- it's time for a nice drink- whiskey, wine, tea... whatever will relax you.

[Adina P]

Ugh...so scary for that to happen.  You feel so helpless.  I'm sorry you had to go through that.  Thankfully Sadie had no injuries.

[Christine & Camus]

Dog attacks are more than frightening, I can't even think of one word that would adequately describe the feeling.  I also had an experience with a dog attacking.  I was walking my dog dog Roxanne (many years ago) and a pit bull ran out of it's house when the owner opened the door to go in.  It ran straight at Roxanne, growling and snapping.  I had heard of  adrenaline rushes that result in super strength and experienced it for myself that day. Roxy was in a harness and what I did was spin her around (airborne) in a circle around while screaming for the woman to get her dog, the dog continued to race after Roxy jumping and trying to get at her.  Of course, the owner said her dog had never behaved in that manner before and would not have hurt Roxanne, hard to believe.  I was so drained that I walked a few steps and had to sit down.  Luckily neither Roxy or I were hurt.  Thank goodness for adrenaline!

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

The first thing I would do is get a glass of wine or three, once you quit shaking get a sturdy walking stick and mace or pepper spray.  I never go on a walk without both of those.  If you do decide to carry the mace make sure you go to YouTube and find a professional showing you how to use it, you don't just spray all over and hope for the best. My DH is a trainer for his police department in pepper spray so I have become quite the master.  I have only had to use it once and it was on 4 Canadian geese!!!  The stick comes in handy for more than beating off geese and other predators - I have poked through leaves, and poked a cat I wasn't sure was alive or not and it was just sleeping on the side of the road. I am sooo glad you are both ok.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I really don't have much to add other than thankgoodness you are both o.k.  I'd be getting Sadie right back out for another walk tomorrow so as to reinforece to her that she is safe out walking.  Stun guns are legal here in FL - you can buy them at gun stores.  Little hand held devices that would send the dog a bit of a jolt.  It makes me sad to think of what this particular dogs life is like - staked out in a yard, was it always trouble or did the owners treatment make it that way?  :(

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Wow... how scary is that !!!  I would of freaked for sure.  I'm glad Sadie is OK, its difficult to say because I have read about so many attacks and each instance is different.  With the pepper pray you don't want to accidently spray your own dog because dogs usually go for the throat so you will have their faces close together.  Then... if you try to hurt the attack dog to make him stop attacking your dog he may go after you !!!   The only instance when pepper spray may help is if the dog is coming toward you and still a several feet away you can spray.  It a difficult situration and I hope that I never expierence it with my doodles.  I think its sad that pet owners with agressive dogs do not properly contain them, someone could seriously get hurt or a dog get killed.  I would call the authorities.. even if they do not do anything it will be hopefully documented, if there are enough complaints something "should" be done.

[Becka]

Thank you everyone for your kind and helpful thoughts. I did think about pepper spray immediately after it happened, but I do think I wouldn't have been able to spray the dog without spraying Sadie too. I did have a bad dream last night (rare for me) so clearly my mind is still processing this. I knew I could count on DK for some support and comfort--thank you all again.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Becca, I am so sorry this happened. Dog attacks are a huge fear for me - whether I have my dogs with me or if I am alone.  I am really fearful of aggressive dogs.  We had a dog attacked at a campground once and even though my husband was hitting the boxer with a log from the fire pit it wasn't stopping by much.  The owners came running and got their dog.  It was really an accident but a scary one.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

So glad you 2 are ok, how scary! Around here you MUST have your pets licensed so you can start with that. I would report it to see if anyone else has reported the same thing. If they have to come to a house more than twice they get a heavy ticket. Especially not knowing if they have their shots, is a huge concern. Hope Sadie is ok after this.

[Lee Seidman]

someone once told me to carry one of those small air horns. They said the noise will stop the attack and give you time.  Has anyone heard of this?

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am so very sorry this happened. I would definitely report it to the police and to the humane society. It needs to be on record in case the next victim is not as lucky as Sadie and you were to escape uninjured. This dog is a menace and it is not being properly contained. I hope you and Sadie can go on frequent short and safe walks for a while.