What to do if you are attacked by a dog
 

This came to my attention. I keep hearing about dog attacks, pit bulls, especially. This former Navy Seal knows his stuff! Navy SEAL explains what to do if you're attacked by a dog - Business Insider

Thanks for posting that. There was a very nervous dog at Doggie Doo Run Run that I had been quite worried about as it would often start barking at me at waist level whenever I tried to approach a pair of women one of whom was/is a friend of mine. A pit bull mix. He eventually calmed down and was good with me but started to get too aggressive in its play mode with dogs not part of its pack so to speak. My friend also has a pit bull mix. Sweet dog for the most part but also got more aggressive in play and my friend might have been having some personal problems which often upset the dog too. Both dogs were banned from the dog park unfortunately.

I had worried about what to do with aggressive dogs which now and them still appear at Doggie Doo Run Run. They are great owners-- Scott and Laura-- there but once in a while a new dog might not show its true colors until something sets it off.

On a funny note my dog a chihuahua/terrier mix-- Beau-- chased a boxer named Bruster and Bruster ran to me for protection and knocked me right on my can taking the breath right out of me. Had bruises for weeks but had the fortune to fall into dirt. Bruster is gone but these kind of falls from a dog running into a person are usually the cause of injuries to people at dog parks in the Villages or near them. And a heavy dog running into a 65-85 year old body often creates injuries.

This IS an excellent post. One we should all read and take note of.

People who know me well, know I am a dog lover, although I do not own a dog. Dogs do attack people occasionally for many different reasons and I have never read an article that tells you how to protect yourself. This is very helpful to know.

Since you can't run faster than a dog, is a lethal defense justified?

I did not read the link.

The advise is good.
Feed the ******* something if you can.
By that I mean present a target, a newspaper, book, what ever you are carrying.
While my years working for a land surveyor, I have been confronted many times.
I've been attacked four times, only bitten once.

I'm certain three out of four made it home.

The incidents were not for the squeamish.

Vengeance
 

As the Navy SEAL said, "Fight with a vengeance."

Which brings me back to advice that I have given in the past about protection from a dog attack. When you are out walking, and particularly when you are out walking your pet, carry a golf club.

In this golfing community, it looks completely appropriate, and quite casual, to be carrying a golf club, and a golf club can be a very effective weapon in fending off an attack by a dog. As the SEAL advised in the video, strike for the muzzle, and the rib cage behind the front legs.

And.....................strike with a vengeance.

Other than a K9 police dog, no dog should be permitted to believe that it is permissible to attack a human.

I usually carry a five club myself in the late afternoon and night outings. Mostly this is to fend off coyotes or bobcats but once in a while there are loose dogs in the area. Most of these are quite harmless but better to be prepared.

Good to know; thanks for the link. I'll also be trying to stick the end of the barrel of my .380 against it.

You would have better results if you stick the muzzle against it.

380's work great, but, who really carries here in the Villages. Maybe outside the Villages. But, most don't here.

lots of people carry a gun,and yes in the villages , remember that guy 30 shots in the front door......

Smith and wesson currently has a 50$ rebate on its tiny 380 bodyguard, $75 on 9mm, etc.

Rebate ends June 30th, know a lot of villagers that are packing and many are taking advantage of this rebate.

There is a class, range test and a long vetting process to get concealed carry. Worth it.

Lots with criminal records and mental issues will get rejected.

Use caution
 

If you are acquainted with a retired law enforcement officer (LEO,) it is likely that he carries at all times, although he may deny it. To admit that he is carrying gives up a tactical advantage, which most experienced officers try to avoid doing.

Interestingly, a "qualified, retired law enforcement officer" does not need a state issued license to carry a concealed weapon if he meets the standards of the federal law called the Law Enforcement Officer's Safety Act (LEOSA.)

NRA Law Enforcement Division|Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act

I am aware of hundreds of retired law enforcement officers living in The Villages who maintain their "qualified" status annually. I don't think they go to that trouble to just carry outside The Villages.

I also know many retirees who qualify under the LEOSA and also obtain a state issued Concealed Weapons License.

If I am not mistaken, kcrazorbackfan is a retired LEO.

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To keep this post on the subject of the thread, let me mention that Florida has a law which prohibits "the malicious killing of the animal of another."

It would be unwise to shoot an attacking dog that is arguably more of an annoyance than an actual hazard of serious bodily harm. You wouldn't want to be prosecuted for shooting someone's Pomeranian.

.

Some of the retired LEOs I am around at times carry or seem to.

Water Rover – Don't let your best friend go thirsty

One of these is good for giving water to your dog and when full is quite a good club too if you need something hard to hit an attacking dog's head with.

I once had a 4 lb peek-a-poo that chased a horse.

But as far as getting knocked down, a dog attack ended my career. In 20809, I was walking my dog when a boxer came running out from behind me and to the left. It was in a low crouched position and growling as it charged at my dog. It scared me and I screamed like a little girl and jumped. My dog turned and barked and the boxer ran away. But the damage was done. It all happened so fast that I can't be sure exactly how it happened, but I assume that when I jumped I slammed my left foot down on a rock because I had shattered my calcaneus (heel bone).

Now a broken bone doesn't sound like much, but this particular bone connects to three of your toes and one of your shin bones to form your ankle. The makeup of the bone is that when it breaks it shatters into several pieces. It needed surgery and it took seven screws to hold it together.

I was in the golf business and played in tournaments. I asked about playing golf and the surgeon told me that the goal usually was to get me to be able to walk normally and that I'd always have trouble walking on uneven surfaces. Playing golf again was "highly unlikely".

I recall when I got this news, I almost passed out. She brought me water and had me lie down.

After the surgery, I went through physical therapy and worked my tail off with the objective being to be able to play and teach again. After I was cleared, I tried hitting balls and almost fell down. I was also in a tremendous amount of pain. I had a job that required me to be on the lesson tee for four hours at a time and I found that I was in excruciating pain if I was on my feet for more than an hour or so. I rearranged my schedule so that I took breaks and cut down the amount of time I taught. Even after this, the day after working, I was in terrible pain and had to sit with my foot elevated and an ice pack on it for hours. I was also given powerful pain relievers which I was reluctant to take, but would occasionally.

After a while, my wife, at that time convinced me that I couldn't work anymore and that playing golf was out of the question. She talked me into applying for SSDI and I was approved.

At this time I was treated for depression.

This story is getting too long but the short version is that my best friend, my wife, my brother-in-law and my dog all died within a short time after this happening.

I lived overseas for a while and decided to come back to the U.S. and moved to The Villages.

After I was here for about four years, I thought that I might be able to play nine holes on the executive courses and I've been doing OK. I even play 18 once in a while, but I'm usually in a lot of pain by about the 14th hole.

Anyway, all this because of a dog that tried to attack. So be careful. In my case, it happened so fast that I didn't have time to think or react properly.

Some of the falls at Doggie Doo Run Run have been from dogs coming from behind the person. Two of these happened within twenty minutes of one another in about the same spot too. They called the ambulance for one of these and an employee helped out with transportation for the other.

Wow
 

Wow. That is a gripping account.

Thank you for sharing it with us.

Carl

The bullet comes out the end of the barrel, doesn't it? Thought so. Thank you, though, for your concern and input.

Yes, thank you!

I've been attacked by dogs twice. Both times because I was with my own dogs. A hint from experience: grab the attacking dog by the hind legs, and twirl around in a circle. The attacking dog will not be able to bite you or another dog due to the centrifugal force.

I recommend a club when walking with your dogs.

When dogs attack | Cesar's Way

We talk a lot about Cesar Millan at Doggie Doo Run Run so I wanted to see what he recommended. Cesar's Way | Official Site Of Dog Behaviorist Cesar Millan

Before you go out and buy a Bodyguard or any .380, be aware that .380 ammunition costs about 50% more than 9mm. The S&W 9mm Shield is not much bigger than the Bodyguard, costs a fraction more and is easily concealed. The cost of ammo for a few range sessions will more than make up for the difference in price.

Also, the 9mm packs a bit more punch. If you ever actually have to defend yourself, a .380 may not take down a large bad guy.

Excellent advice.

My knees would rather have me mauled by the dog.

A lot of the dogs at Doggie Doo Run Run would be too big to pick up for most 65+ year olds.

But how do you know when to let it go?


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And hope it's not heavier than you are.

Although I did see someone do this in a dog park in Bradenton. But it was the dog's owner. But he didn't twirl the dog; he pulled it back and it let go of the other dog.

I stupidly caused a dog fight once (long story) that I then got in the middle of, trying to undo the stupid thing I did. I had a bruise on my hip for a couple of weeks.

Tip: don't ever hold one ball out to two ball-centric dogs.

I don't even want to know that to which your tip refers!


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In my case, it happened so fast that I didn't have time to react. My dog snapped at the attacking dog and he retreated. I didn't even know that I broke my heel until several minutes later.

I hope that I didn't come across as telling people what to do. I have friends that carry .380s and they're very happy with them. It was the cost of the ammunition that did it for me. I had initially intended to get a .380, but the cost of the ammo turned me around. I'm very happy with my 9mm S&W Shield.

Not at all. I have the shield, love it. I picked up a nice fde bodyguard, on sale, with $50 rebate, no tax, free delivery. Will also get the SW Compact 22, it's very similar in size to shield, dirt cheap ammo. All three have similar safety etc. Best to have more than one gun at the range for wife and/or friends.

Outside of those who go to the dog parks, how many of us really encounter a dog off the leash in The Villages?

If one would bite me, "Call Attorney Dan Newlin".

I see it multiple times every day on the multi-modal from Belle Meade Circle to Legacy Lane.

Don't know about Florida but in some jurisdictions a dog gets the first bite free. The "One-Bite" Rule for Dogs | Nolo.com

Is One Bite Allowed in Florida Dog Bite Law?

I do not know her.

I just read what she wrote. It looks to me like Florida, being a state having populous regions, has strict dog bite laws which IMO is a good thing.

Are the unleashed dogs on the path with or without their owners? You are not speaking on of dogs riding in carts with owners, are you?

I am just a short ways south of that and never see an unleashed dog on the paths or on the street.

There is a house a block from me that have an "invisible " fence but their dog always stays inside the yard. That definitely counts as being under the control.

We have been here more than 12 years and the only dogs that have been off leash in our neighborhood are ones that someone dumped off here because they did want them, dogs escaping out of a dog not shut properly, and coyotes.