I think it is very good idea to check the area in your car to see if you can locate the dogs again. The dog owner probably has a routine of walking his dogs in that area. (And I'm thinking that if you alert the Sheriff's Office now, and give them a description, they'll probably have a police car patrol the area).

Good luck, these dogs really need to be confiscated so they can't do any harm to other people walking in that area.

As I posted earlier, I know the OP personally and have for over 5 years . In all the time we lived next door to each other there was never an issue with he and my very large dog. He made it a point when I was out in the yard with her to come over and pet her . Too much "jumping to conclusions " on here with people that have nothing better to do but try and stir the pot.

I live down in that area and now that I know it is somewhere behind Bradenton, I will be taking a car ride over to see if I can identify them.
Sorry if I "jumped to conclusions" by asking if this might be something to stir people up. Honestly, it does happen on here and when someone posts something so traumatic, it would seem natural that they would be there to answer other's questions. Maybe that is why it got so out of hand which it did with the accusations and woulda shoulda couldas.. I was hasty in considering that possibility but the long lapse struck me odd. Next time, I will pm the poster personally. I suggest others do the same if they have negative comments. I can imagine how badly golf felt with the amount of "expert" advice coming at him.

This is a good point about people aging vs big dogs/small dogs, one I have been pondering the last couple of years. I'd like to take this quote and start a new thread, if it's okay with you, Tom.

\The Villages is not built to have large dogs. The land area we own, it's just not fair to the dogs. So please stop buying new dogs once you arrive.

IMO, this is part of the post that got people worked up. I don't think the OP really meant it (forgive me for interpreting if I am nnot right), I think he was just traumatized, as I now I would have been if it had happened to me. He was spreking from that fear. Had the original attack part of the story been told WITHOUT that part many of the subsequent posters wouldn't have added their comments. My dogs are 30- inches at the shoulders and routinely go to nursing homes to see Hospice patients or are around many people at educational events or Read to the Therapy Dog. You can't use one brush to paint all big dogs. As long as I'm able to walk I can't see myself having a dog I have to bend down to pet. That's one of the reasons we chose TV. And all small dogs aren't automatically safe either. We met a Pomeranian that ran up to my Great Pyrenees and attached itself to my dogs throat and had to be pried off. I think what we can all agree on is that all dogs need an owner in control who respects the rights and space of others.

Please remember that no dog is born agressive and mean. Owners are responsible to train and socialize their pets. I love dogs and have never owned one that would bite anyone unless they were threaten or hurt in some way. The behavior of your pets says a lot about who you are.

Lovesthose, I agree with you totally. OP, you have to expect some negative reaction due to your comment at the end of your post. I believe everyone is in agreement that you were a victim. A few people overreacted in a mean-spirited way, but I see nothing wrong with people pointing out that big dogs are not the problem, owners are, and your position that big dogs should not be allowed in TV was harsh and unfair.

I still hope we can find these dogs' owner and turn him in. To the person with the idea of taking a car ride over there, go for it, and hope you find something.

I don't own a dog. I have only had two dogs in my life. I don't think there is an OVERabundance of dogs here, Maybe an abundance. People love their dogs and their dogs make them happy.

I think The Villages is as close to perfect as anyone can make a place where about 90,000 old farts, some of them danged cranky all live together. Everyone KNOWS I love this place. It was recently posted that a very nice person who I respect mightily is truly afraid of all dogs. I think that may be the case in some dog posting situations, that people are afraid of dogs.

The OP posted that he was attacked and I know that all of us agree that we are indeed happy that he or his wife were not bitten. Dogs DO bite and dogs should not be running around unleashed. I reread my post and stood up for large dogs. Some dogs who used to walk their owners in Hadley, our old neighborhood, were Great Danes, Jack Sparrow was one of the two and they were REALLY big dogs but really just little puppy spirits. Sweet and nice.

Let's not get all mad at each other when all we do is talk way too much on here sometimes and kind of pick at things until they bleed.

This was NOT meant directed at you Red Chariot with the New Jersey EDGE...I kind of love the New Jersey edge and the fact too, that Jersey girls don't pump gas. We Ohio girls do. But...our corn and tomatoes are better than New Jersey corn and tomatoes.

OOOOOOPs. ;)

Well if those dogs had attacked me like that I’d a pulled out my trusty pepper spray and fired off a couple of quick blasts -------- At the owner, not the dogs!!

See? Something good has come out of this thread. I think I need some pepper spray for when I'm on the walking trails. I never thought of pepper spray.

You may have been joking, EdVinMass, but it's a good idea to have some.

Pepper Spray
 

Amazon.com carries a good pepper spray for $7.35. It comes in hot pink for the ladies, and has a key chain attached. I'm always glad to have mine. Click on this icon for the link.
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/SABRE-Compact-Pepper-Spray-Pink/dp/B001CZ9MRY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346436527&sr=8-1&keywords=mace]Amazon.com: SABRE RED Compact Pepper Spray with Pink Key Case: Sports & Outdoors[/ame]

Golf21, I'm so sorry to hear about your experience, that must have been very scary for both of you. Your description of the dogs sounds very familiar to me. I recently saw a guy with two large unleashed dogs walking along the cart path and grassy areas on the south side of 466a. I was driving my car at the time, so I didn't get a real good look at them, especially the man. Being a dog owner, I was more focused on the dogs and was worried that they might run into the street. But as soon as I read your description, I immediately saw those dogs in my mind's eye and I think the ones I saw looked very much like the ones who attacked you. My point is, this may not be an isolated incident with this guy (walking his dogs unleashed). I would suggest that everyone traveling in that area keep an eye out and that they call the authorities if they see this guy and his dogs. perhaps even snap a photo, if possible. I don't agree with letting dogs off leash, but even so, I wouldn't normally bother to report it. However if I see dogs that fit your description, I will certainly report them.

Thanks, Quirky. I'm gonna get me some.

The shame of all this is that the dog owner let them off the leash. He may not have realized they would chase a golf cart, they may be totally well-behaved dogs that aren't accustomed to golf carts.

My dogs have gotten loose, it happens, it has happened exactly three times and all three times I have lost my mind with fear. Fear that they would get hit by a car, not return or be attacked by another animal. I acknowledge that when they got loose they wouldn't come when called, they were too busy doing their "happy dance" down the road.

I hope the owner learned from this and will control his animals before they get pepper sprayed.

attacking dogs
 

Just one more reply to this thread as I have to get this off my chest. I have a 7 pound chihuahua who thinks he is a Great Dane. ( Please Great Dane lovers, I love Great Danes, this is just an example) I take him on his late afternoon walks so that he may relieve himself. (too much info!) Anyway, I walk him to this wooded area in our neighborhood that is perfect for these hot afternoon summers. It is located in Springdale. It is perfect for summer walks as it is shaded and not too hot. I continuously run into dog owners that have their dogs off leash. When I tell them that there is a leash law they say "oh my dog is so friendly, there is no problem" and I tell them that my dog thinks there IS a problem, he isn't so friendly and can cause your dog to become aggressive just by his behavior. My dog gets very intimidated by other dogs even if they are friendly and tends to let the other dog know that he is tough, even though he is not. It is the nature of small dogs who think they are big. Now before someone tells me I have to train my dog not to be aggressive towards other dogs, I have had him in so much training that we all are scratching our heads. He just is a very small easily intimidated dog who does what most small dogs do when they feel threatened even though they are not being threatened. Anyway, everyone, KEEP YOUR DOGS ON LEASH AND BE IN CONTROL OF THEM AT ALL TIMES. I don't think that is too much too ask. Why do some people feel they don't have to follow the law?

and if you are a guy the pink may just make the dog roll over and laugh

Because some people think they are above the laws and laws don't apply to them for some reason??? Let those dogs bite just one time..a small dog, big dog, small child, a big child, once they get the taste of blood..that's all it takes. Wise up..dogs are after all dogs and training or no training, a dog off a lease is just that a DOG with dog traits, not a good little family child..i had baby goats on my property, the neighbors 3 dogs who were pretty well behaved nice family pet dogs got into our yard and chased my baby goats until we woke up from the noise at 3 am. too late for one of the baby's as the dogs ripped it's head from it's body as the mother stood under the horses and watched in horror. SHe cried for days for her baby, so heartbreaking. Once they got the taste of blood they kept coming back for more..They went into the blue parrot campground and tore into their goat pen as well killed the pets in the pen GOATS...BE smart pet owners..if you are going to have a pet..abide by the laws..hate to say it but...the gun was always locked and loaded after that incident...hate to have to do it but if they came back onto property...they were not going to leave my property..sheriff said do what you have to do to protect your animals and family..meanwhile...the owners of the dogs had to pay all kinds of fines and dogs were classified as mean dogs...remember a dog is a dog a child is a child ...ok off my soapbox now.

Babbs455. I am so sorry that you had to witness and endure that. That is awful. I had a friend who lived next door to a couple pits and they got into his yard while he was gone. They got his rabbit. He swore if they came in again, he would shoot them. They did and ripped into his very capable rottweiler. The dog survived although quite debilitated and his leg had to be taken off. He did shoot the both of them. When you have an animal living next door to you that you know is capable of that, it makes it very hard to ever relax on your own property again. Again, I am so sorry. Frankly, dogs that have become "undomesticated" should not be allowed any longer to have the title or accompanying privlege of "pet". I come from one town over from where a woman kept a "domesticated" chimpanzee..you probably heard the story...and it tore her friend to pieces one day. A dog that is that predatorial is not different. There are enough dogs that are proper pets being euthanized every day that need homes that a dog that has the instinct to kill or maim needs to be put down.

Babbs and Shcisamax have made good points.

Most people here in TV that have dogs are respectful of others rights and property, but some are not. To those that are not I say that just like your children, your pets shouldn't be bothering other people, ever.

It is the sense that some people have that what they want and need supersedes what others around them want and need that causes the difficulty.

I love to see people happy with their pets, it fills their lives in good ways. I love our cats and understand a person caring deeply about their animals. But I knew when we were raising our real kids, that if they didn't behave respectfully and stay within certain perimeters, other people wouldn't like them or enjoy them. I wanted that positive feeling from others for our kids.

The same goes for our animals. It is indeed unfortunate that some people will always be selfish. It makes it a lot less nice for all of us.

BTW: Did anyone ever figure out exactly where those dogs were that chased the OP? I took a ride down behind Bradenton and got lost...thought, "Gee, I hope those dogs don't come out because I wouldn't be able to find my way out of here" :)

and also might add that these dogs were with the family for years as house pets, a retriever mix, black lab and some mix breed terrier you can't predict sometimes what they will do. Just be responsible pet owners that's all!!!

I, too, have small chihuahua type dogs. I think they sometimes act aggressive around bigger dogs because they use the "best defense is an offense". Imagine seeing something towering over you. I have run into a fair amount of larger dog owners who don't use a leash (not in TV) going into local dog park and they all say the same thing, "oh, my dog won't hurt them". the problem is, you never know, and one bite around the neck of my dogs could kill them, whereas one ankle nip to there's won't. So seeing large dogs off leash is just as infuriating to me.

I have dogs, work with dogs, and love dogs. I would be very upset if this happened to me. Having said that, the size has nothing to do with the behavior of the dog. It is 100 percent, the owners responsibility to make sure that when the dog is in a public area, or at home for that matter, he has control of his animals. For starters the dogs needed to be on a leash. If the dogs are afraid of G-carts then he needs to work with them on that. If he can't take the time to work with his animals so that others can be safe he needs to either find a new homw for the dogs or leave them at home. A dog can't follow a rule if he doesn't know the rules. I really hate it when dogs get the short end of the stick because a dog owner is too lazy to train the dog. Grrrr! If your dog has issues you don't know how to deal with please invest in a professional early on instead of a laywer when something goes wrong! Gotta pay to play, please play fair!

I have dogs, work with dogs, and love dogs. I would be very upset if this happened to me. Having said that, the size has nothing to do with the behavior of the dog. It is 100 percent, the owners responsibility to make sure that when the dog is in a public area, or at home for that matter, he has control of his animals. For starters the dogs needed to be on a leash. If the dogs are afraid of G-carts then he needs to work with them on that. If he can't take the time to work with his animals so that others can be safe he needs to either find a new homw for the dogs or leave them at home. A dog can't follow a rule if he doesn't know the rules. I really hate it when dogs get the short end of the stick because a dog owner is too lazy to train the dog. Grrrr! If your dog has issues you don't know how to deal with please invest in a professional early on instead of a laywer when something goes wrong! Gotta pay to play, please play fair!

Also like to add that, during that mile if those dogs wanted to harm you, they would have. My guess, it's was a tire thing. Glad you're okay.

As the owner of two tinies I have to agree with you. Which begs the question. Does anyone know a good dog trainer in the area? I want my pups to be good dog citizens and play well with others. Thanks for any information.

I am moving to Sanibel soon and to hear this upsets me because I am afraid of big dogs....So many have asked where were the owners when this was happening please ans so we can be aware of these dogs..And I agree it is not the dogs it is the owners who should go to classes to learn how to train their dogs....Its people like them that make people hate dogs....

For those of you who are frightened when confronted by an aggressive unleashed dog, it’s best to remember Cesar Milan’s advice to clients entering his canine exercise pen with 30 problem dogs:

1. No Touch
2. No Talk
3. No Eye Contact

Basically ignore the dog and go about your business as though it isn't there. This tends to calm the dog down while it tries to figure out why you’re not reacting to its aggression.

And if you visit with friends that have a dog, ignore all advice from them about how friendly rover is and never approach it to try to make friends with it. Instead, let it decide to make friends with you if it wants to. It will do this by checking you out with its main inspection tool (it’s nose) and then nuzzling your hand if it wants affection.

And finally, never ever reach out to a dog (even one that knows you) while it’s being held in the arms of its owner because that’s a direct invasion of its private space and will often result in a defensive nip.

Yes, I agree, but one important point missed,
Cesar stresses, You must be calm and assertive.
The folks that were being chased, and could not be calm, and assertive.

To confirm that I know Cesar's methods work,
With Cesar's dvd series, I trained my almost 13 year old German Shephard and our Lab mix this spring using Cesars methods, as we unknowingly had given them the front door, and front porch as their territory, and they would charge the door, bark and jump up on people to kiss them. And pulled and walked in front when on the leash.
What it really boils down to is I retrained myself, and retrained my husband, (my dh being the most difficult, several weeks) the dogs responded almost immediately to OUR new behavior.

So I agree the fault lies with the owner being irresponcible not having them leashed.

Sorry to make this so long, but I am sorry the dogs tried to bite. This spring I was bitten by a dog the owner was walking on a leash that had told me Piper was a ""lover not a biter.
We were all standing around talking, and I was carressing Pipers head she leaped up knocked me down and I had 5 bite marks, punctures on my face, and a chiped front tooth. The owner then admited she had never trained the dog, and the dog had had 2 other crazy instances since last Thanksgiving. I called the Sherrif here in Greater Cincinnati, and made a report, got info from them, and my Vet., as to what to do. The next day I chose to let them decided what was best for their dog, as I could have opted to have it put down. Being a Puppymomma my dogs are my only children, I wanted to give them right to make the decision, but they did have to quarantine in for 10 days, and they paid my medical, and dental bill. This is the same dog I found out that leeped through the kitchen screen, and chewed up my neighbors leg 3 years before trying to bite his dog.
I won't walk on their street anymore because they chose to keep the dog.

Owners need trained, dogs need leashed, and trained.

GOLF2140, I sincerely hope you or someone spots the irresponcible dog owner, and contacts the athorities.
Puppy Hugs,
Puppymomma, alias Dancing Queen