Dog Attack

Gosh, this sure seems to have turned into something less than it should be.

I work with dogs on a pretty regular basis and I still manage to mistake what I think is a pittie and actually isn't.  I would suspect that what is being referred to as the "pittie defense league" is simply folks hoping that a breed won't be blamed for an attack when of their own didn't commit it.  When I was attacked by the rottie, I had to ask which of the dobie and rottie was the more solid with shorter legs.  One I knew was tallish, very graceful in appearance...almost doe like.... while the other was sturdier looking.  But which was which, I couldn't have said.  I got a VERY good look at the dog, but I wasn't sure which of the two breeds it was.  I think that in general JQP isn't all that aware either.

You were VERY lucky that the damage wasn't worse and I hope you'll both recover quickly.  The bruise from MY bite extended to a full thirteen and a half inches when all was said and done.  And that boy only nabbed me ONE time.  I'm guessing that you've been able to confirm that rabies was current?  Aside from the initial shots, the rest aren't bad, but rather a pain in the rear to have to keep going back for more.  And, honestly, I was rather ticked that I did NOT get my rabies certificate and pretty blue tag.

Please keep a very close eye on the wound that required the sutures.  They really don't like to close a dog bite because of all the bacteria....if it's open, the wound will ooze as the body pushes all that nasty stuff out.  When it's closed there is no way for the bacteria to get out and it can have a field day growing and multiplying in the wound.  You're daughter is on antibiotics??  I had to take heavy doses for ten days....and the result made me really wish that pumpkin worked on humans like it does on dogs, if you get my drift.....  I'm sure you would anyway, but please be sure to watch for ANY redness or puffiness, even more so than if she'd gotten cut on something else.

I'm sorry that you had such a horrible experience, and I truly hope for the sake of those dogs that they can be rehabbed and rehomed.  And do pay some special attention to Chico's reaction around other dogs now.  Little ones seem to have what I lovingly refer to as "little big man syndrome".....they only THINK that they are ten times bigger than everyone else.  And with something like this happening, it could make him a bit reactive around other dogs.

Oh my gosh, how scary!!  I always have to be careful walking my girls (2 toy poodles) in my neighborhood.  A friend and neighbor of mine who also has toy poodles was walking on of her dogs last year when an unleashed pit bull came charging up to her out of the blue.  She was able to snatch up her dog in time and the pit went straight for her instead (misdirected aggression I guess?).  Another neighbor who was watering his lawn came running up to them and somehow got the dog off of her and she ended up with a badly injured arm.  I carry pepper spray with me at all times but that is scary that it didn't work in your case. 

 I would like to know, what is the best method of self defense in a case like this?

rosered, I was once "attacked" (in quotes b/c it wasn't a truly aggressive attack) by a large dog who never even broke my skin, but shook me so hard my arm was a mess inside and took months to heel.  Like you say, it was maybe only two minutes, but it felt like ages.... I love dogs, the bigger the better, but I was REALLY scared.  That dog was biting and shaking me so hard, thank god I had winter clothes on (including leather gloves and boots).  I can't imagine how much harder he would have had to bite to actually break skin....

glenmar

"pittie defense league"

Just to clarify, I'm a member, so that wasn't meant to be an insult. I hope it wasn't taken as such.

And cultured yogurt will help if anyone has to take antibiotics.  

pudel

 I would like to know, what is the best method of self defense in a case like this?

I like this site.  And remember to try to make yourself look big. If you have a jacket, fold out the front so you appear larger, etc.

I have been re reading a lot of our responses and have a few thoughts to share with everyone who has been involved in this thread.

First I just upped the rating on this thread to a 5 star.  Why??? Because ANYTIME  we are made to look at and think through what has become a knee jerk thinking process we have a chance to grow.

Sadly the OP was misjudged and offended by many of our responses. At least she was brave enough to stick it out and keep the thread open.  I have said , many times , that I do not care for Pits that I meet in the regular world. As much as I love and root for the ones I meet at dog shows It is hard for me to trust the pits that the morons in my corner of the world try to breed.  When talking purebred dogs most of us comment on the headpiece we bred or the movement we adore ...the man who breeds pits closest to my home brags on them having "Hanging Tree " blood lines, he then explains they used to literally hang any pit who wouldn't fight, they weren't worth the bullet to put down so a dog who manage to survive into the breeding program was proudly noted as a Hanging Tree dog. ( couldn't you weep for them?)  A LOT of US have this same preconceived notion about pits.... maybe I can extend that and admit I have the notion about purebred dogs over "mutts"  I KNOW whata jerk !!  And we have had mixes much of my life, but there ya go just one more notion that I admit to that could offend or hurt another member because we don't share the passion ...while your mix is a one of a kind and you have every right to adore it , I find comfort and trust in my line, the history and work involved, the love that has become a huge part of who I am.  Off the top of my head writing this a tiny face pops in and I have to grin, I always do when I think of Pirate.... what a one of a kind guy he is !! And how could his Mom love him any more than I do my RRS?  If he was in my home I have the strongest feeling , I could not love him any less either. The personality that shines in his eyes is addictive. So am I "wrong" about "mutts" and "mixes" ?  Most Likely , will that change my personal passion and prefferance for RRs , nope. But I want to say I admit to understanding my feelings... can the rest of you admit it too?

Sometimes as members of a forum we have to agree to disagree. And sometimes we need to understand that just because we disagree it does  not lesson the regard we hold for each other. 

So Rather than continue this thread and escalate the hurt or the posiible hysteria............ how about we try and think about what should folks do when confronted by a lose or charging dog?  What items should we all consider bringing with us on a walk, what  should we do if a simular event happens ??  How do we empower ourselves without giving the BSL freaks more ammo than they need to remove valued furkids from responsible owners??

Bonita of Bwana

I'm am so sorry to hear this happened to you. Dog attacks are so scary, happen so fast and can really leave the victim unseasy for a long time. I'm am glad it didnt turn out worse adn I hope you, your daughter and your dog recover fast.

I currently own two pit bulls and it infuriates me to hear how negligent the owner was. I'm also thankful you arnt completely bashing the breed. However pit bull owners really need to understand that their dogs have the ability to do considerbaly more damage then a lot of other breeds and that calls for more responisibility as a owner. This owner should have been charged with much more to ensure this never happens again and I think that is where the main problem is with this breed and ownership.

I'm sorry you got some negative feedback, it is extremely common for attack victims to automatically label a vicous dog a pit bull and I think a lot of us are surprised such little damage was done......but thankful all the same. I hope you dont hate the breed after this, I hope you all heal up very well and I hope you keep us posted on your progress.

AuroraLove

However pit bull owners really need to understand that their dogs have the ability to do considerbaly more damage then a lot of other breeds and that calls for more responisibility as a owner.

You know what.. I think DPU's right when he says the pit bull people on here cause more fear of the breed than they solve. Jaz DOES NOT have the ability to do more damage than, say, Cherokee, simply because he doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body. What ifs aren't applicable. Yes, he's a big strong pit bull-type dog, and Cherokee's a much smaller lab-type mix, but the fact is, if both of them got loose in my neighborhood, Cherokee would, 10000%, be the one to worry about, and yet a lot of people would probably try to catch Cherokee and be afraid of Jaz. It's ridiculous, honestly.

Based on Jaz, I would absolutely have no problem adopting a pit bull some day, but based on the warnings here, possible dog-aggression being pounded into our skulls (which, btw, I deal with on a regular basis with Cherokee, but a DA pit bull supposedly would be worse?), how powerful the breed is, blah blah...I think I'd have a hard time going and rescuing a pit bull from a shelter. And how ridiculous is that??

chelsea_b

how powerful the breed is, blah blah...I think I'd have a hard time going and rescuing a pit bull from a shelter.

That's probably good, Chelsea. The breed isn't for everyone...least of all those that consider people who have experience with a breed's warnings...so much hot air.

The people who need to adopt those PB's are those willing to accept responsibility and open to learning the good bad AND ugly about it...learn what to expect and what not to, etc.

Those that prefer to think all what if's are pointless...are those who don't need to be suprised one day when their dog does something they are not prepared for...or did not wish to prepare for.

rwbeagles

That's probably good, Chelsea. The breed isn't for everyone...least of all those that consider people who have experience with a breed's warnings...so much hot air.

It's not that I think the warnings are hot air, it's that I think SO MANY warnings are kind of scary. Like it's not possible to get a good stable pit bull. But I know it's possible. I have experience with the breed myself, and plenty of experience with dog-aggression. Neither one scares me until I see all these pit bull owners warning repeatedly... I just think it's a little much, that's all, especially since few of them actually have aggressive pit bulls... It's a little strange.

Thats ok for you to think that Chelsea. I rather a potential pit bull owner be overyl cautious then overly lax about the breed. I know I do go above and beyond about the precautions one should take when owning the breed because of the large number of irresponsible owners there are versus other breeds.

On the other hand it looks like you have a shelter pit bull.....big difference then a game bred pit bull like mine who come from hunting lines. Prey drive ranges greatly from dog to dog but better safe then sorry never hurt anyone. If ya havnt notcied pit bulls are among the leaders in dog attacks and the main target for BSL so out of fear of losing my dog and also out of promoting responsible ownership I do go above and beyond.

Chelsea I hope you see my post as a precaution to uneducated people and I hope you take your experience with your sweet dog as a rule that its the the dog is raised and not the breed.

I agree with you that pit bulls are not vicous but I refuse to deny their potential for a higher prey drive.

I understand that...but I also know better. I thought much as you did going out there to buy my first Akita. I listen to warnings upon warnings, rules upon rules...it felt like they were trying to SCARE me away! But you know what? The first time my Akita reacted the way they warned me about...I was shocked...truly...and I realized...these people could care less about how I thought about them (and trust me I thought plenty!)...it was the DOGS that mattered.

The dogs deserve to have thier owners prepared for what society has ready...tons of judgement, insults, assumptions....and that is if your dog does nothing wrong...LOL. Lawd hep ya if your dog of xxx breed DOES make a mistake.

AuroraLove

On the other hand it looks like you have a shelter pit bull.....

Actually he's a Baltimore drughouse-bred pitty, who was taken from his dam and littermates at five weeks, and abused by his former owner... But I get your point.

I agree in being cautious and responsible, obviously, but I think sometimes the unending warnings can really turn off potential owners, even if they are indeed responsible and knowledgeable enough to be a pit bull owner. That was my only point.

chelsea_b

It's not that I think the warnings are hot air, it's that I think SO MANY warnings are kind of scary. Like it's not possible to get a good stable pit bull. But I know it's possible. I have experience with the breed myself, and plenty of experience with dog-aggression. Neither one scares me until I see all these pit bull owners warning repeatedly... I just think it's a little much, that's all, especially since few of them actually have aggressive pit bulls... It's a little strange.

LOL, THANK YOU, you just proved my point! I dont have aggressive pit bulls because I take extra precautions socializing and training. I grew up in a hunting family and have seen MANY aggressive pit bulls. It is very scary and regardless of what you might believe I dont think they are for the novice owner. You have to keep in mind that YOUR experience with them is positive because you are a responsible loving owner. Unfortuanltely the majority of pit bull owners tie them out side with little to no socialization, abuse, over breed and dont teach them what is right. You cant let love for dogs get int eh way of reality

AuroraLove

t is very scary and regardless of what you might believe I dont think they are for the novice owner.

I didn't say they were. I'm not a novice owner.

I'm sorry Chels, I wasnt insinuating you are and I'm gald we agreed that dominant or guarding dogs arnt for everyone.