Dog Community

When do you intervene?

Posted : 5/6/2006 9:23:14 PM

Chase and I had an ugly experience yesterday morning. We were walking on-leash on a pathway along the ocean at about 6:30 AM. Leashes are mandatory on this path.

Anyway, this crazed little pit bull mix (?) just ran at us from the bushes, snarling and snapping. He was on a 30 foot lead (!). His owner was shouting NO! as she tried to reel him in. She managed to bring him up when he was about 2 or 3 feet from us. She then dragged him back, flipped them over onto his back, straddled him and start SCREAMING at him, nose to nose. One day her dog is going to really hurt someone else's dog. Or else it will bite her face off. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

I felt pretty shaky. It was really too close to comfort, and both Chase and I just froze when it happened. It's a good thing she managed to pull him up at the last minute.

Anyway, I just felt so bad for that poor little guy. This woman was obviously a nutcase. I wanted to say something, but I was too scared. I mean, she was crazy, her dog was a snarling beast and there was nobody else around at this time. So as she took a break from screaming at her dog to call out "Sorry!", I just said "it's ok" and kept walking. Duh. It WASN'T ok!

What would you do in a situation like this?

Julie Byers

Posted : 5/7/2006 12:47:54 AM

Keep a can of citronella repelling spray for dogs. Glenda mentioned its name before and it slips my mind. She swears by it.
As for the doofy woman: out of control owner=out of control dog. Tell her she needs to get back to the lab to get her bolts tightened. Jules

willowchow

Posted : 5/7/2006 1:02:19 AM

I would of wanted to say more just like you. And, just like you, I would of got away from her.

I had a guy recently start yelling at me while I was walking. I started to say something and then something just made me stop. I called DH on the cell and told him to stay on the line with me until I was far enough away from the guy. Willow kept looking back at him too and grumbling. . .something wasn't right.

Edited to add---The spray is Direct Stop and I also carry it. However, it will not really stop a really aggressive dog. It's not super strong.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 5/7/2006 2:31:36 AM

My mouth just dropped open. I have no idea what I would have done, but it probably would have involved something rather irrational. Flexi leads are.... really stupid, for the general public, and obviously, that woman has no clue how to control her dog. How horrible! The poor, little dog!

glenmar

Posted : 5/7/2006 6:49:12 AM

Direct Stop is the name....and it's GOOD stuff. Someone here recommended it to me when Misty, the crazed cocker, decided to take on 93 lb Thor, who was only willing to be pushed just so far. HE would back off, she wouldn't, so Direct Stop became a lifesaver in our home.

Julie Byers

Posted : 5/7/2006 10:02:59 AM

That's the stuff! Of course in my crazed state I would have used it on the owner in addition to the dog but I get a little over the top with dumbbutt owners like that. Jules

He is The Boss

Posted : 5/7/2006 10:25:55 AM

Obviously the woman would be better off with perhaps a goldfish for a pet!

Animal Control around here recommended I carry Direct Stop and a stick when walking in my neighborhood due to the amount of unleashed dogs and the fact Boss and I had just been attacked by a pit bull while the owners watched and grinned.

I agree, straddling the dog like that is a good way for her to get her face bit off.. and of course for headlines sakes, it would be the dog's fault and the woman would say she never saw it coming!

sillysally

Posted : 5/7/2006 11:15:34 AM

Is the area you were walking a park run by any sort of agency? If so, I would check their dog rules. One of the state parks around here requires that leashes be no longer than 6 ft. This place didn't have any signs specifying this, I just happened to find out when I called and asked of dogs were allowed. I would check it out, and if she is violating some sort of rule, bust her out.

Also, please don't harbor hard feelings against the breed because of this incident. We are not all idiots!!

random

Posted : 5/7/2006 11:35:04 AM

Where do you purchase Direct Stop? Can you get it in pet supply stores? Too bad I already made a run to my pet supply store yesterday before I read these posts...

The dog wan't on a flexi-lead. It was a 30 foot lead, like the ones people often use for training. And this pathway is run by the city, which has a 6-foot leash rule. Of course, lots of people ignore that rule and let their dogs run free.

Don't worry, I won't hold this against pitties. I actually love pits and will go out of my way to love on them when I'm alone. When I'm with my dog, however, I do my best to avoid them. We've had a few bad experiences (including one bite outside of a training class), and I figure we're better safe than sorry.

Cheers,
R

glenmar

Posted : 5/7/2006 11:45:17 AM

You *might* be able to find Direct Stop in a store. You might also have to order it. I'd check dog.com FIRST and if they don't carry it, just google Direct Stop and you'll find dozens of sources for it.