Dog attack

[Timmymagical]

I read about the sad case in Redcar where a dog was attacked and seriously injured by 2 off lead dogs who didn't have collars on. Bystanders got injured trying to intervene. Does anyone have any tips if this were to happen ?

My dog was attacked and seriously injured on Boxing day. I know people are full of advice in these circumstances - e.g. choke the attacking dog, lift it by the hind legs etc, but with bull breeds realistically there's nothing you can do without a weapon. I bought a chisel after the attack on my dog and will be carrying it on future dog walks. When she's finally well enough to walk again.

The key thing is not to stick your hands anywhere near the fight - dogs won't differentiate between you and each other and you could end up with an incredibly nasty bite. Unfortunately that goes against all our instincts to pull our dogs to safety.

The "official" advice is to spray them with water, cover them with something, use compressed air, make a loud noise or pull them away by their back legs, but none of that is foolproof and it could easily backfire depending on the size and temperament of the dogs involved.

In the past I've used loud noises, grabbed collars and kicked the offending dog(s) off mine. Ultimately it worked but I did get a nasty bite in the midst of one attack.

So sorry to hear this Jesus, must have been terrifying. Thanks for the tips Coffee, my husband who is quite large has taken to very loudly shouting at any dogs coming for our on lead dog .

This thread.

I got attacked today by two off lead dogs whilst out walking my dog. They tried to bite me but couldn't sue to my Big Coat so I just have bite shaped bruises.

I lifted my dog but I probably shouldn't have done that.

I screamed and screamed and it made no difference. The only thing that did was a man getting them off me

I can't kick. I'm disabled.

Due to my big coat. Not sue.

I'm scared of dogs so this is something that worries me. I'm a runner and lots of dogs seem to either get aggressive towards runners or chase them (or both) if they are not on a lead.

I obviously don't have dogs, but is there something I should be doing to avoid them trying to chase me? My husband was bitten out on a run and kicked the dog to get it off, the owner was obviously not happy and I personally wouldn't want to hurt an animal but what do you do?

Clearly the actual answer is for dogs to be kept on leads, but that's never happening.

My dog was on a lead. They are never off the lead except in the garden or at the dog park.

I have a small breed and live in fear of this since he was attacked by a much bigger dog while out with his dog walker (though thankfully only received minor injuries).

I tend to wear a wax jacket and my leather Dubarry boots on walks even when the weather or walk doesn’t really warrant it as they would be a lot more protective if needed, I carry a lead in hand in case I need to put it around the neck of another dog, always have a full metal water bottle to hand which would act as a club and if I feel remotely worried in woods I pick up a large stick and carry it with me. If a dog went for mine I know I would jump straight on it so just have to think about how I would best protect us both.

It happened on a public road to my greyhound (on lead) attacked by three farm collies.
I franticallty hung onto lead while kicking at the attackers and screaming to their owner. By the time she arrived and beat them off , he'd been badly torn. Farm paid the vet bill.

In retrospect, what I should have done was drop the lead and let my dog run.

I carry a whistle, my dog was attacked last year while chasing her ball. I think the prey drive took over and it aggressively chased my dog and pinned her down . I carry a whistle which normally stops the dogs, the distraction stops the prey drive and they wandered off

I think stop and shout no, running away encourages the prey drive.

My on lead greyhound was being seriously harassed by an off lead chow chow, owners couldn't do a thing. My dog eventually managed to slip his collar and run home - thank god we weren't far and there were no major roads to cross on the way. He was waiting for me at the front door. I am planning to get a GPS tracker for his collar in case the same thing happens again - you might want to consider it. My dog is so reserved and couldn't be less interested in other dogs (unless they are greyhounds) but other dogs seem to like having a go because he's so big.

That's a good idea.

Stop and wait for the owner to come and collect their dog. If you carry on running all the dog will you is chase you.

If the dog then attacks you (which is unlikely) and avoiding eye contact and kicking them off doesn't work, then the advice is to curl up in a ball on the ground - on your knees with your head down and protect your face and throat.

I carry this with me when I walk my dog. Not had to use it yet, but wouldn't hesitate to, (also on a human attacker if warranted). It's completely legal and clips onto a belt.

PetSafe SprayShield Animal Deterrent Spray amzn.eu/d/4RcqOK8

Cayenne pepper powder in the eyes, nose, and a hand held air horn in the face would deter most dogs.
Likely to also scare your own dog in the process.

I saw something about dog pepper spray - no idea if it works but I think you can get it on amazon. Might be worth trying?

There’s a video of 3 Belgian Malinois going for a cyclist and the two owners have absolutely zero recall or capacity to get them off the poor bloke ( who had stopped as requested) - one of the owners also seems to get bitten. You would imagine they would be falling over themselves to apologise but nope.

I keep the lead to hand to lash out at aggressive dogs or people. If it's swinging at the side of a dog I'd expect it to be a good distraction. It won't work out where it came from, IYSWIM.

The only time my dog was attacked he was on his lead. I roared and stomped at the aggressor, who backed off but kept trying to get past me to my dog who was almost bleeding out behind me. Fortunately neighbours came out and staunched my dogs wounds, and helped me chase the big one off, then took us to the vet. It was touch and go.

I use slip leads. If a dog was latched on to one of mine, I hope I'd have the presence of mind to use the lead to choke it off.

A proper fight or attack is very different from a minor fracas (which is mostly posturing) and can be bloody scary.

Thanks all for your replies. Given me plenty to think about.

The guy in Southend Dog Training mentions going for the dogs windpipe. It will stop a dog attack instantly. But I'm not overly sure how the hell you would be able to get to an aggressive dogs windpipe!

You might be able to kick a dog hard in the throat.

My on lead Lab was menaced by a fluffy terrier this morning. I told it to back off. Owner finally appeared and told me not to panic, he was telling my dog to get out of his face. I pointed out that her dog had run up to mine. Only wanted to play apparently, I should start finding out about dog behaviour! Why is it that owners with troublesome dogs think it's everyone else's responsibility? Luckily I had a witness as I was chatting to someone, otherwise it might have got nastier.