Protecting kids from dogs

[Yeen]

We live very close to some lovely woods where I take my DC walking most days. Lots of dog walkers as you'd expect, most dogs on lead and perfectly friendly (I haven't got a problem with dogs). However recently there's been a huge increase in very large pit bull type breeds (I think they're American Bully XL dogs), and they never seem to be on leads - owners often miles away. I find these types of dogs really intimidating and most of the recent dog attacks in the news seem to involve them. I have no idea how I would even go about attempting to protect my DC if one attacked. If one is nearby I make sure DC aren't running around and are standing with me. Are there any other practical steps I could take?! I am usually carrying a hot drink of some sort, is that going to be of any practical use against a dog if it attacks??

Have to say that when these dogs are off lead they are almost always with female owners. The owner of the one today was miles away on her phone.

Can of biteback from Amazon, dog handlers carry it too

What is bite back?

WTAF? OP please do not take this advice.

Personally I don’t understand why anyone would want to own an XL bully breed. They’re often crossed with pit bulls and bred for their strength. Kicking them will do nothing, these breed of dogs latch on and don’t let go. There’s no way I’d be walking my children anywhere near them.

Get some dog attack spray

I’d be tempted to carry a knife 😳

If it attacks your kid then you can stab it to death.

Seems daft trying to follow the rules when the irresponsible owners are literally putting people’s lives at risk.

Is "what weapon to attack a 'American bully XL'?" a new genre of thread?

Where are all these outbreaks of bull breeds (probably rescue staffs TBH)? Why are so many MNers wanting to know how to hurt them?

In the event that a dangerous dog attacks, scalding them is just going to enrage them and won't incapacitate them.

Is "what weapon to attack a 'American bully XL'?" a new genre of thread?

Where are all these outbreaks of bull breeds (probably rescue staffs TBH)? Why are so many MNers wanting to know how to hurt them?

There was a thread not long ago asking what to take on walks to help if they were attacked by a dog. Dog haters were all over it with graphic descriptions of what they would do to the dog.

Mumsnet deleted quite a few replies from people obviously getting way to much pleasure out of their weird descriptions. This thread will possibly go the same way whether that was OPs intention or not.

Avoidance is the best option. Dogs are fast, you will have seen how quick a Labrador can move to catch a ball. Keep yourself between the dog and children. Animals often don’t see small children as human and are more likely to do something to them than an adult.
Personally I would walk elsewhere. I’ve not seen many where I live but there are quite a few lovely walks I avoid because they are mainly dog walks

I saw two in my rural area last week, they are huge and strong. They were on leads eyeing up my dog. I think the men walking them were travellers checking out the area.

I believe they have killed several people and so many people ignore the law banning them would probably not work

Someone I know carries a pen with them when walking their dog. That could be used in an emergency.

If a dog is attacking a child/another dog/a person lift them up by their back legs. It disorientates them and they should let go

A 6-7 stone dog.

One that is attacking your children.

And you have to get those legs up way up high - just lifting them off the ground is not enough - and within a second or less - otherwise it's just going to pivot on the front legs and bite you.

And then you have to hold them there until someone is able to get control of the dog.

I think there may be some flaws with that plan.

That advice was given by a dog trainer.

It’s a legitimate worry - fatal dog attacks have increased hugely and xl bullies are responsible for most. And the have a fine trigger for attacking.

They are a threat to our children’s lives.

*they have a fine trigger

I used to carry a tennis racket on my dog walks so that if there was a scuffle with dogs then I'd just put the racket between the dogs if I could.

Are you really sure they are American Bully XLs you're seeing, not say mastiffs? I have a dog, live in a well populated dog area and have never seen any. I may be wrong but I think most attacks happen within the home, when maybe they are bored. Walk past and ignore, no eye contact.

I have sympathy OP. Dog-free places are very few and far between where I live. And I live in a deprived rural area, so we have lots of XL bully type breeds. There's a lovely country park in the village but there's always bull breeds there, and after seeing two separate absolute monster XL bullies last time we were there, both owned by people who did not seem remotely considerate, DH and I decided we just can't take our small children there anymore. It's really sad!

The places we feel we can take them for a run around now are extremely limited.

“In all parts of the country”
Im not disputing your concerns about them but I have two dogs walk extensively in my region in deserted areas and areas more popular with other dogs and have never seen one.
I’ve fairly recently moved from another part of the country much busier and very popular with dog walkers and again I never saw one!

You do know it’s illegal to carry a knife don’t you?

Yes but I’ll take the rap in order to save my kid.

Buy a pet corrector spray and bite back spray

I also carry a slip lead with a large metal carribeaner on that I can swing ( pt dog Walker here)