bad owners in neighborhood - pit bull.

[Barley'sMom]

Ok. sorry this is so long. This morning Barley and I were walking, and out of an alley comes a large black pit bull racing towards us. I scooped up Barley just as he lunged at us and told the pit bull to sit. He thought that was funny. The owner comes around the corner (at a leisurely pace), calling his unresponsive dog. The dog kept after us, so I walked towards the owner. A construction crew on the street dropped what they were doing to watch, and tried to help. They called me over and the pit bull kept jumping on me, and tried to bite Barley's leg. Some guy let me put Barley in his truck, and someone got ahold of the pit bull. Now, the pit bull wasn't growling or overly aggressive, but it did scare the crap outta me. I know some excellent pit bulls that barley plays with in his training class, but there are some terrible owners near me. The owner said the dog got out of his yard (low fence) and apologized. I am still just fuming... I understand that dogs get out of yards, but in a busy neighborhood full of kids and pets, this is not okay.
My question: Is there anything that would be effective against an aggressive pit bull? I live in a "transitional" neighborhood in Milwaukee, which means that there are several dogs around that are trained solely for dog fighting. A few dogs, including a chihuahua and golden, have recently been attacked, and the city won't seize a dog unless the other one actually dies. Would pepper spray just make a dog more aggressive?

 

[JennSLK]

I would use peper spray.

But at least the guy apologised.

Nice of the other guy to let you use his truck.

 

[Dizzy]

Would pepper spray just make a dog more aggressive?

Quite possibly!

You could never be sure - so I would NOT recommend it!!

It will trigger a flight or fight response - run away, or attack.

Do you want to bet on which the dog will choose?? I wouldn't!!

 

[casablanca1]

My question: Is there anything that would be effective against an aggressive pit bull? I live in a "transitional" neighborhood in Milwaukee, which means that there are several dogs around that are trained solely for dog fighting. A few dogs, including a chihuahua and golden, have recently been attacked, and the city won't seize a dog unless the other one actually dies. Would pepper spray just make a dog more aggressive?

I doubt that it really could make the situation worse. You seem like a sensible person - if you feel the need to use pepper spray, you're probably under siege by a dog aggressive enough to bite your dog. You really can't make it worse by aiming for the attacker's eyes. Whether or not pepper spray can deter a pit bull - or any dog-aggressive fighting breed - is another question. It's better than nothing, but it requires that you put yourself at considerable risk (ineffective at a distance) and aim precisely. If there is a constant problem in your neighborhood, you may be better off with a walking stick. It might give a nasty dog pause to see an armed human near it's target, and traditionally, forcing a thick stick between the jaws is the safest way to break a dog's hold on something.

 

[rottiegirl]

And that is why I carry a switch blade with me when I leave my house.

If a dog attacked my dog, I would put my knife to good use.

 

[lucille]

Switchblades are illegal here, I carry a .38

BTW Barley's mom, your avatar is adorable. And I'm glad you and Barley are OK.

 

[rottiegirl]

Switchblades are illegal here, I carry a .38

BTW Barley's mom, your avatar is adorable. And I'm glad you and Barley are OK.

Yeah, in AZ they are not illegal, thank god.

I wish that I could get a hand gun, but I am too young. I can only have a shot gun.

 

[Barley'sMom]

Barley says thanks for the advice. I like the walking stick idea, too. And yes, the construction crew guys were so nice to let me hide Barley in their truck. I brought them doughnuts later in the day

 

[dogluffer]

oh my! now im scared if vincent would do this! (gulp)
well im glad u and barley r safe! that man did apoligize but still!

 

[dggydancer899]

You would probably have to spray pepper spray more than once because the dog mught think of it as a joke,shake it off and keep chasing you. That probably was pretty scary. Have somthing like a stick or a spray bottle in your poket when you go off on a walk. Your dog is sooooooo adorable.

 

[dogluffer]

we just read bout pitties! it says u should be veyr careful bout taking care of them cause of there agressivness! (looks at vinnie) (gulp)

 

[Dobiegurl]

I would use pepper spray. If the dog attacks then its a lose lose situation anyways. If you don't use it the dog will more and likely attack, and if you do use some sort of force there is a chance that the dog will get upset, but might scare the dog to run off. I would take my chances and use the spray.

Rottiegirl, I thought I was crazy and paranoid for carrying a switchblade with me. You can never be too safe.

 

[BudgetsDad]

And that is why I carry a switch blade with me when I leave my house.

If a dog attacked my dog, I would put my knife to good use.

Please don't be too eager to use your switchblade. I understand the need to defend your dog and yourself, but a lot of dogfights don't have to end in deadly force and can the dogs can be separated by other methods. Ditto for the .38 girl. Sheesh. Walking around armed waiting to use your weapons is a recipe for disaster.

 

[dogluffer]

yes agree!

 

[Barley'sMom]

Just an excuse for another picture - a good Barley smile. I think I'll stick to the pepper spray and maybe a stick. A big one.

 

[dogluffer]

well a stick wouldnt be a good idea! if u poke a dog with it that makes it evn more mad

 

[gatethekeeper]

From what i read the dog did not seem like it was trying to hurt you. More as though it wanted to play. I know because kieran used to be just like that. When he saw someone new espeically with another dog, he was all over them. Someone called Animal control because he scratched her. I watched it happen so i know he was just playing. Luckily her husband was with her and stood up for me. And i understand why animal control wont take a dog just for biting someone. You have to look at it this way. Would you want your dog taken away if it got out and bit someone. Maybe it was a fluke ya know. Alot of times it is. In our area they wont take a dog unless it has bitten someone or something more than once or if it has killed something. Then it is considered dangerous.

Also i wouldnt use pepper spray. We use this stuff at work that is much like pepper spray but its made for dogs. I cant think of the name but ill look at it for you on monday. It definitly works as i have encountered quite a few dogs that I couldnt calm down. I was bit once right on the knee and he ran away like a bitch when i sprayed him.

 

[Dobiegurl]

Please don't be too eager to use your switchblade. I understand the need to defend your dog and yourself, but a lot of dogfights don't have to end in deadly force and can the dogs can be separated by other methods. Ditto for the .38 girl. Sheesh. Walking around armed waiting to use your weapons is a recipe for disaster.

MY dog's safety to me comes before ANOTHER dog's safety. Yes, there are other ways to seperate dogs, but if the situation calls for it, I WILL defend my dog, at all costs.

 

[dogadvicer]

I don't think pepper sray would be great solution. Because I tried once and was chased by a dog at least for few miles while I escaped out in a car with my pet. The best thing is- fight or flight mechanism.(lol)
ALL THE BEST!
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http://www.edogadvice.com

 

[~Tucker&Me~]

I had a black pittie incident as well this weekend!

We were at the local school and we had our cousins over to play soccer. Anyhow, we had my cousins dog, Tucker, and our neighbours dog, Charlie. So the black pit came charging out of nowhere across the field and began to 'rough play' with my dogs (I was the designated dog caregiver of the day, LOL). I knew my neighbours dog was quite dominant, and there was a little tension between them. I tied the strange dog to the fence, and just petted him and talked to him as our dogs continued to play in the field. Eventually, a teenage girl (16 maybe?) comes along, give me a quick thank you and proceeds to yell and get angry at her dog for escaping.
Ugghh!

Some people...

~Tucker