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! 

  

[Teresa]

And bear spray used to be carried by postal workers in Canada. Don't know if they still do. Worked for a company that supplied it to Canada Post years ago. It's a staple that can keep both me and my pups safe. Unfortunately with pit bulls, they get into that mode and not sure it would stop them. Many reports of them being shot and still moving forward. But it may be enough to shock them and allow you to get out of the way. I guess what I'm saying is it wouldn't hurt and it would stop most dogs or people!

[BG and Gavin]

But officer, I thought it WAS a bear!  Worked for a woman that shot and killed her husband during a hunting trip in NFLD.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

OMD - that is a Dateline & a 48 Hours story - over and over again...what was your take on the truth?

[BG and Gavin]

How terrifying!  I hope you are both okay now.  I know it will be hard, but try to get right back out there as soon as you can and walk along with all the confidence you can muster so that poor Charlie does not develop fear issues.  I hope the police can do something for you.  This is ridiculous.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I am hoping to get a report back from the Animal Control dept or the police.  If I have not heard back in a couple of more days, I will call them to see if I can at least find out the dogs were visiting that house or actually live there.  We are going out for a short walk tomorrow but will not be going that direction for some time.  I think your are right in that I need to get Charlie back out there and be relaxed but vigilant!

 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I read in another post recently that someone carries a squirt bottle of water and that is supposed to work.  I hope that person sees this and posts because they might have more information.

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

I have never used Any spray but my trainer suggested using Halt.Bailey and I were chased by 2pitts on Christmas eve. Thank heavens we weren't bitten. Just make sure if you get any type of spray that it is pepper spray. Some sprays contain spores and it will not stop dogs. Dogs have a lower eyelid that can be closed when it detects spores in the air. Also mace is diluted pepper spray so it is not as effective as Halt

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Thanks Elizabeth - I will be out first in the a.m. finding Halt.  It will give me a sense of security which both Charlie and I need right now.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I'm all for protecting yourself and your dog from being attacked - but as someone who was bitten last week at a private dog park - I have several concerns about using any type of spray .  1st you'd actually have to continually walk with the canister in hand and at the ready, dog attacks happen so very fast that unless you have it in hand it isn't going to be of help.  2nd - what are you going to do - stop and figure out which way the wind is blowing?  Or just spray and hope it doesn't come back on you and your dog.  So now you can't see and are being attacked.  I've been taking a spray bottle with my to our dog park but I doubt it would stop a full on attack.  I would find out if those dogs live in your neighborhood - many communities ban aggressive breeds - so if they weren't just visiting - you may have recourse there.  Someone mentioned a tazer type of thing - can't remember what it was called.  I'm glad that you weren't hurt worse and that your dog is o.k.   

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Oh my goodness Linda, this post is just so upsetting. When I imagine your little Charlie being downed by a Pit bull it makes my skin crawl,least of all another on the way.

First let me say I am so happy that no one was seriously injured and secondly I want to commend you for being so brave. The adrenalin was definitely pumping.

Second, what a shame that you have to be on guard like that on a walk with your dog...I so hope these people do not live there and are gone from your lives for good.

Our previous dog was attacked like that...we were walking in our neighborhood as well and it was just getting dark when out of the blue we heard our dog yelp, turned to see him on the ground and another on top of him. Zach was a smaller 45 lb dog and this one was big. The owner did come running out and got him, made sure we were alright (we thought we were) and apologized profusely. Well the next day Zach couldn't walk, his back had been injured....we ran him to the vet and they did X Rays. Turned out it was just bruised thank goodness and healed in 10 days. Guess what, the dog and person in question was not living there they were visitors. We got no where with the owner of the house and the expense was ours. Thank goodness he did not break his back of spine more seriously.

We always discuss carrying something with us but as of yet never did. I can't imagine carrying anything but it may be necessary. I mean it's one thing if they attack from the front but if you get attacked from the back (like in our cases) how do you remain calm, open or get out a can and spray....seems like that is not going to happen.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Linda, This had to have been horrifying. I am so sorry this happened to you and sweet Charlie. I would definitely get your knee checked out and make sure a claim is filed against this dog owner's insurance. My husband carries Dog Halt when he bike rides, but so far has never had to use it. Unfortunately, there are idiot dog owners everywhere. I see loose dogs walking with their owners all the time up at our park with signs all around that say dogs must be leashed. They always think the rules apply to everyone but them. I also know there is a loud horn you can buy that startles a dog, but I don't know if it would have stopped this attack. I hope everyone is feeling better today.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I've been meaning to order one of those small portable airhorns that are made to prevent dog (or other animal) attacks.  This is a great reminder for me to go ahead and order one.  I'm so sorry that you and Charlie had to go through this frightening experience, and I'm glad that you weren't injured more seriously.