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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Protecting your dog

33 replies

thegoldenone · 23/02/2022 07:41

Hi there have been loads of hunting dogs attack and Maul dogs where I live and I'm paranoid now when walking my sweet boy . He's a ten month golden retriever who would never fight back . I'm just wondering what's legal to use and any ideas what I can do with f it ever happened. I would kill for my boy and as much as I love a Somali if his life was at stake I wouldn't think twice than killing the other dogs involved. I know not a nice post but this is what it's come too unfortunately

OP posts:
wetotter · 23/02/2022 08:21

Where on earth do you live where this is a frequent issue?

Carry a weapon is not legal in any part of Britain, if that's what you're asking about.

If I thought dog walking was dangerous, then I wouid be looking at different times and places to walk

Creeeper · 23/02/2022 08:22

The best thing you can do is train your dog on perfect recall so that the dog gets out the way of danger

Whereabouts are you that there are lots of dog attacks?

Gowithme · 23/02/2022 08:35

Are you concerned that he will be attacked when out with you on the lead? The best thing to do in that situation is to let him off lead so he can get away. It will be safer for all of you if he can get away than if there is any kind of altercation. Perhaps carry a walking stick for your own protection too though. It sounds awful though, is there somewhere safe nearby that you could drive to so that you can walk without worry?

MissyB1 · 23/02/2022 08:38

Change where you are walking if this is a real everyday threat.
Otherwise a water pistol or can of pet corrector.
Walking sticks can also be a deterrent as lots of dogs are nervous of them.

Just10moreminutesplease · 23/02/2022 08:45

God, that sounds awful! You can’t carry a weapon but I think that you can use something you happen to have with you to defend yourself (metal water bottle/heavy lead/walking stick).

Realistically though, nothing is 100% going to save your dog if it is attacked. I’d change where you walk instead.

MrsWinters · 23/02/2022 09:17

Buy a pet corrector and desensitise your boy to it. They are just pressured air, so start by blowing it a little way away from him and pair it with a treat, he’ll start to associate it with something good. Then keep one in your pocket and if you are approached by an aggressive dog you can use that.

Flaunch · 23/02/2022 09:20

I walk my dog at night and carry a walking stick with a heavy brass handle which would come in helpful if anyone or anything caused me any issue. It cost me £3 in a charity shop.

Wolfiefan · 23/02/2022 09:23

What do you mean you love a Somali?

What’s allowed will depend on what country you are in. Are dogs actually being mauled? By wild dogs?

WhoreOfBabyliss · 23/02/2022 09:24

Mace, pepper spray and an air horn on an aerosol of compressed air.

My DH had to kill a dog that had a child in it's grip as part of his day job. I won't tell you how. He got a commendation for his quick thinking though and I would never have thought of it.

Walking dogs is dangerous where I live too OP so I get you but here you are more likely to have your dog stolen.

Original poster
thegoldenone · 23/02/2022 10:17

Ha ha sorry about the I love somalie my bloody phone 😴. I'm from Wales and I have spoken to a few people these last two weeks who have had their dogs attacked severely by hunting dogs . There are so many where I live because of foxes , badgers ect . Other than mountains the only place to take him in the week are on roads . I do take him to the beach at the weekends but I'm so worried about coming across these dogs . I have twice but I know the owner of these and he quickly put the two leaders in the van . He said if they start they all will 😳 . I'm just so nervous . I have looked at pepper spray but it's illegal . I don't want to go to jail obviously if I had to kill a dog for savaging my boy but I would . As for off lead for him to run away he's off lead a lot but not the fastest of dogs 😂 and he would never ever outrun a pack of lurchers . The walking stick is a brilliant idea . Also I have a pet corrector . I just don't under stand how it's illegal to carry a weapon to defend your dog from being killed ! Crazy

OP posts:
Original poster
thegoldenone · 23/02/2022 10:19

@WhoreOfBabyliss

Mace, pepper spray and an air horn on an aerosol of compressed air.

My DH had to kill a dog that had a child in it's grip as part of his day job. I won't tell you how. He got a commendation for his quick thinking though and I would never have thought of it.

Walking dogs is dangerous where I live too OP so I get you but here you are more likely to have your dog stolen.

Well done to your husband ❤️ I bet it shock him up . I have never owned a dog before and also never has so many arguments in my life ha ha . Iv had issue after issue with people and their dogs . My dog nearly had his ear torn off a few months back . And guess what . The owner had a go at me 😳
OP posts:
ABitBesotted · 23/02/2022 10:30

Several vicious offlead bull terriers here. I carry a stick.

SirSniffsAlot · 23/02/2022 10:43

If you mean hunting packs of foxhounds, OP, I understand your concern (I saw an appeal for a goldie who ran off after being attacked and badly injured by hunting hounds just this morning).

Sadly, I do not think you can protect your dog in that case. There is little you will be able to do against a pack of hounds. The best you can do is try very hard to keep your eye out for them and try to walk in areas you know they won't (shouldn't be). The National Trust recently banned trail hunting on their land, I think, so that might be an option?

They are a law unto themselves...

Wolfiefan · 23/02/2022 10:57

Contact dog warden and police. Dogs have to be under control in public. These clearly aren’t. They need to be leashed. There’s no way of safely defending yourself and your dog if a whole pack descends on you.

MrsWinters · 23/02/2022 11:18

I think the thing with carrying a stick and beating someone’s dog, is as you say OP you open yourself up to an aggressive owner then attacking you for physically harming their dog. With a pet corrector spray that is essentially harmless you yourself will be safe from owners having a go at you. You can tell them it’s just an air puff

Original poster
thegoldenone · 23/02/2022 11:19

@SirSniffsAlot

If you mean hunting packs of foxhounds, OP, I understand your concern (I saw an appeal for a goldie who ran off after being attacked and badly injured by hunting hounds just this morning).

Sadly, I do not think you can protect your dog in that case. There is little you will be able to do against a pack of hounds. The best you can do is try very hard to keep your eye out for them and try to walk in areas you know they won't (shouldn't be). The National Trust recently banned trail hunting on their land, I think, so that might be an option?

They are a law unto themselves...

I commented on that post ! FBI pets on Facebook ? That's ok has set me off again and they still havnt found the poor dog
OP posts:
Kizty · 23/02/2022 11:26

Oh this sounds awful! I have never heard of people walking packs of dogs that are likely to attack like this

SirSniffsAlot · 23/02/2022 11:26

I saw it in Twitter, not FB, but I think it's the same event/dog.

Getting mixed up in a hunting pack while out with my dog is one of the things I think about too. Hence, my sad conclusion that there is very little you or I could do - because I think there is very little the hunt itself could do to control their dogs once they've started.

Fortunately, despite living somewhere where hunts are common and whenever I see them, they are clearly after a fox not a trail (so unpredictable in their direction), I have yet to stumble across them while with the dog.

PermanentlyDizzy · 23/02/2022 15:33

Have a look on this website and see if there are any enclosed fields for hire in your area. That way you have somewhere to let him have safe off-lead exercise, in addition to the beach.

I would have thought that, if you are meaning Lurcher type hounds, they are unlikely to be hunting in the day as, knowing it’s illegal to hunt with dogs in the UK, most are used for lamping at dusk/night. Also, the prey you mentioned are nocturnal. Can you possibly adjust your walking times to avoid them?

If it is a regular/big problem in your area, I would be contacting the dog warden to ask what they are doing about it. It might help them if you do, as you will be able to give them details of the locations it’s happening at.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 23/02/2022 15:35

I would have a read about the safest way to break up a dog fight.

My concern would be that you would jump in with good intentions, but do the wrong thing and get yourself badly hurt.

allgreythings · 23/02/2022 15:42

Biteback spray is legal

Happenchance · 23/02/2022 17:08

If they are badger baiting, report them to the police and RSPCA.

EdithStourton · 23/02/2022 17:47

I'm completely failing to find the story of the dog attacked by hounds. It sounds terrible.

Original poster
thegoldenone · 23/02/2022 19:16

This is the group on Facebook . Just a warning . They have just uploaded photos of the poor boy and it's heartbreaking . Lurchers attacked him early yesterday morning and they only now found him 😢

Protecting your dog
OP posts:
AmysBeehive · 23/02/2022 19:19

Have a look at @keeptheban.uk on Twitter. They campaign to keep the ban on foxhunting and document many stories about family pets being attacked by out of control hunting dogs