an aggressive dog that attacks people when off the leash is usually put down. tell the owner that and remind her you have witnesses and let it sink in.

I think your idea to intentionally carry a golf club for protection when walking your dog (or even alone) is perhaps the most unconscionable idea one could ever muster up. You don't need to intentionally kill the dog because that is what you would be doing. .It is not the dog's fault! There are many humane alternatives. I am not in favor of harming the animal; (the owner is a different story :boxing2: !), but please -- do the right thing.

In my opinion, protecting myself when I am attacked by another life form is the "right thing".

Very strange post, in my view. Carrying a golf club while walking is a sensible idea. First, you just come across a golf ball that needs hitting. Secondly, it is a decent deterrent for agressive dogs or other critters that may not be friendly.

On another thread in the past, one poster even suggested carrying a pistol when walking for protection from dogs or coyotes or whatever.

I still feel very safe when walking at 4 am but that golf club idea does make sense!

The right thing is.............
 

1. You think that carrying a golf club for defense against an aggressive dog is the "most unconscionable idea one could ever muster up." You must have missed the thread where the suggestion was to carry a gun. :shocked: Using a golf club, particularly to the body of an aggressive dog, is not necessarily lethal, but should deter the attack.

2. You say there "are many humane alternatives" but you list none. :shrug: Pepper spray is not always effective. Kicking at a dog is practically useless because dogs are agile. It can also make you the object of their attack. Perhaps you would like to produce a list of some "humane alternatives."

3. You say "do the right thing." Defense of myself, my animals, and others dear to me IS the right thing. :spoken:

Here is a story about a guy who shot a dog in a park near to where we used to live. According to the story, the dog was a 50-lb lab not on a leash.

MORE: Authorities say man acted in self-defense when shooting 11-month-old puppy | LoudounTimes.com

I'm still shocked that an owner of two dogs is "afraid of dogs"! And the humane way to handle an aggressive dog is to immediately lay down on the ground and roll over on your back with your hands and feet slightly above you. This is the universal dog language for "Hi, I'm non-threatening, and want to be your friend". I have used this technique many times and it works 100% 7 out of 10 times.

I am afraid of strangers dogs that are loose to be clear. My dogs are not angels they are trained . I was too busy hanging my small dog in the air to protect it to lay down on the ground. Maybe if this occurred to me it might've worked.
The attacked was very upsetting/traumatic for me and my dogs . Someone did report it but again with no broken skin hopefully they just spoke to the woman. Regardless of the drama I feel bad for her too. like me she will probably never feel completely comfortable with her dog either again just makes me sad

It is the 3 from ten that worries me!

I used to carry a Dazer when I used to run, never had to use it. When you push the button you don’t hear anything, the frequency is for dogs only. Apparently, to a dog it sounds like nails on a chalkboard to us.


Amazon.com : Dog Dazer II Ultrasonic Dog Deterrent : Pet-Agree : Sonic Barking Deterrents : Pet Supplies

You know. YOU are a very thoughtful person. If only the world had more like you. I love almost all dogs and I hate to hear when owners don't leash them. They like us humans can be unpredictable. I am saddened by folks who are afraid of dogs and really dislike, even hate all of them. I don't own a dog, two cats own us, but I have rarely met a dog that didn't make me smile.

Lie down, roll over, play dead.....
 

Thanks for explaining the humane response to an aggressive dog.

It is also known as potential suicide since the dominant dog often establishes dominance by biting the neck of the dog lying on its back. :ohdear:

.

And my lottery ticket works 100% 1 out of a billion times. :)

I would pay to see you do this. But, only the 30% part. :evil6:

Many people claim to know what they would/you should have done. They weren't there, and there is no telling what anyone would do if a surprise like this happened. There's little time for thought.

I'm a dog lover (obviously) who has seen a few aggressive dogs. I've seen people who can't control their dogs, and I know how strong my younger dog is and thank my lucky stars he is a lover, not a fighter. I have to vote with the LEOs on this thread. At least two of them are dog lovers, and they've also had job experience in this area.

If what you say is accurate (and you appear to have witnesses as well) I can't think of anything much more blatant than what you describe, especially if the owner did nothing to stop the attack and you suffered injury.

If you are shy about suing because it will look like you're just after money, think of it this way. By taking action you will be helping the next person avoid being attacked. I suspect that a police citation will not discourage a person like that from letting her animals off the leash, all she will do is change the location of the 'walk' for her dogs. If you don't take action that will keep her from doing so you are asking to have another person, or set of pets attacked. The next person may not get off with just some minor injuries and a couple of frightened pets. The next person may lose a pet or be seriously injured. For their sake contact a personal injury lawyer and discuss with them what recourse you have.

I can guarantee you that, if it was my wife/pet that was subjected to this, a lawsuit is the very least that owner/animal would be subjected to. No one should have to be subjected to by an animal not under the control of it's 'owner'.

Yes. But it's a playful bite.

At first I was a little incensed by your advice, until I got to the "works 100% 7 out of 10 times' part. It made me wonder if you were joking when you posted this?

I'm not shocked at all that this person can be 'afraid' of dogs while having small dog pets. While I have no 'fear' of dogs in general I would most definitely be 'afraid' of a large dog on the loose attacking my Bichon (and me). I'm fairly certain that I would NEVER follow your advice to stave off a dog attack. My wife loves small dogs and we have had many over the course of our lives together, but she absolutely is afraid of large dogs.

I'm really curious to know what happened in the 3 times it 'didn't work 100%'? and I'm curious to know how many aggressive dogs you've encountered to test your hypothesis.

There is another 'dominance' behavior would be far more humiliating -- it involves the 'dominant' dog cementing his 'dominance' in the pack order by simulating sex with the 'submissive' dog, regardless of their sex.

Yes. That can be awkward at times. I never said my tactic was perfect.

The way I read it, the dog attacked other dogs, not a person. That said, yes it could attack again. It's so out of character for a Golden to do that I have to wonder why, and I would probably knock on the owner's door and talk to her about it. I suspect she is as traumatized as you are. I would not call animal control until after I talked to the owner and got a sense of her take on it. I would also present her with the vet bill and if she didn't write me a check on the spot I would sue her ass.

IMHO had the owner tried to help you or asked about your pet's condition or health, maybe came to speak with you afterwards, i would not go the authorities. But since the dog's owner didn't seem to care at all about the harm her dog caused, you should absolutely contact the police. this is not something only a "pathetic" person would do. Someone must tell this inconsiderate jerk (at best) that their lack of concern for the welfare of others, be they human or our "furbabies", is actually something that could result in charges for them and all the way to confiscation of the animal that has shown itself "unsafe".
I know that in all probability that the dog itself is not to blame for the attack, it is the person who raised, trained and controls the dog. all the more reason to let the authorities handle it.
signed, a very loving dog-person

Sorry to hear of your ordeal. I just want to relate this story to all small dog walkers. While walking my two pups, one a mulipoo and the other a yorkie, we passed by my neighbor who had her dog, a golden retriever, on a leash. My yorkie was attacked and her neck was broken. It happened so fast. You're right, they are still animals and cannot be trusted in all situations. Needless to say, I'll never get over losing my little Willie that way. Still heartbroken.

All dogs belong on a leash period!!!!!!!

OhioBuckeye
 

Well I hope the Villages don't just brush it off & I don't think they would have any problems finding the lady that owned the Labs because not everyone owns Golden Labs. The Villages push dogs have to be controlled by the owner. Hope they do something very drastic to this lady, she was breaking the Villages bi-laws. We'll see how the Villages handles this!

Your story quickly brought tears to my eyes

NO!

According to rules in The Villages, dogs must be ON A LEASH when they are off their owners property. Simply 'controlling' a dog is not good enough.

I don't claim to know this for a fact, but it's my understanding that leash laws are enforced by each county.

Sumter County Code 4-10 states that "all dogs must be confined on owners property at all times or under direct control or on a leash when off the owners property."

Killing the attacking dog with a golf club wasn't mentioned. I totally agree that it's not the dog's fault.
But a golf club would offer protection against an aggressive dog that was off leash.
If an aggressive dog attacked my little dog, I'd certainly whack it with a golf club.
As a dog lover, that feels sensible to me.

:evil6: You have a weird sense of humor. I find your post funny, but I betcha others won't.

Section 2.23 of your Declaration of Restrictions states "Birds, fish, dogs, and cats shall be permitted. Each owner . . . shall be responsible to keep such pet on a leash."

ON A LEASH

They are called animals for a reason
 

Heheh. Good luck with enforcing that in the case of a well-trained dog on its owner's property and under his/her direct supervision. The restriction as stated doesn't even make allowance for a dog being off-leash in the house. :)

Owners may think they have their dog under direct control by using voice commands.
And it's quite possible that experienced dog owners can totally control their dogs by voice commands.
It is also possible that less experienced dog owners are under a false assumption when they think their dogs can be controlled
in any situation by voice commands.
When you're walking your dog, please use a leash. Always. No exceptions. It's the right thing to do.

I believe I fall into the former category. I can totally control my dog with my voice. But I also always have my dog on a leash when walking her along the streets.

Don't confuse owners who have control of their dogs with those who disregard the rules and have no respect for their neighbors...two different groups.

The two groups are not that different.

A person could have perfect verbal control over their dog, but if they let their dog off a leash they are showing a complete disregard for the rules and have no respect for their neighbors.

About leashes.
 

OK. I didn't have any trouble finding a leash for a bird because they have them for both smaller pet birds and even for raptors like falcons, hawks, and eagles.

But, I'm still having trouble with the concept of having your pet fish on a leash when going out for a stroll.

:clap2:

I really wish I could afford to keep a Flamingo. They accommodate themselves easily to a leash and it would be a real conversation starter to walk one around the town square. An Ostrich would be a bit much, but then you could ride it rather than walk.

:wave:

The two groups ARE that different. You've demonstrated my point exactly!!

Just because a person has "perfect verbal control over their dog", doesn't mean they will automatically disregard the rules. Those people are the group that are responsible pet owners and will most likely obey the rules.

Your post is a perfect example of why dog owners who control of their dogs often feel disrespected...they (we) are grouped in with those who don't follow the rules.

You are correct.

We respect dog owners who keep their dogs on a leash.

We definitely do not respect dog owners who do not keep their dogs on a leash.

:thumbup:

:agree:

Follow up
 

Today my neighbors saw the woman walking her dogs by the same place with no leash. I shocked and sad that she really is as indifferent and selfish as some people here said she would be. So angry that animal control refuses to do anything because there was not blood . Only bad bruising and a badly damaged mind of one of my dogs. My little one couldn't care less and would take on the next dog. My bigger dog however the vet said she will probably not recover to want to be with other dogs again.(goodbye to all my friends at the dog parking the walks by the pond we've had together the lady 8 years. The xanax isn't helping trying some herbs now. Not to mention the walks my 93 year old Dad loved to have with the dogs. Sad but grateful he wasn't on that walk. If not injured he would've been greatly traumatized. If you don't like how I feel about this keep your comments to yourself. This has been awful enough.