If a dog (especially a pit bull) attacks myself or a child, what is the best way to put up a defense?

Question

Please skip all the pro-pit bull commentary. I understand that many pits are perfectly harmless. I want to know what to do if I run across one that is aggressive. Thanks!

Answer 1

This is from a webpage concerning dog attacks>
# Some experts recommend that the best response to an attacking pit bull is to fall to the ground, roll into a ball with your chin tucked in and cover your face, ears and backs of your neck with your hands. Keep your knees pulled up into your chest. The idea is to play dead and hope that the dog will give up the attack. {Editor's note: we have received many e-mails on this topic. Typical is the following: "When (pit bulls attack) a person or other animal, their first instinct is to grab ... and hold on. If laying down on the ground, there is a higher possibility of the dog biting in to a fatal spot. Standing upright is a much better strategy."}
# A large dog may lunge for your throat. Protect this area of your body first and foremost with your arm tucked into your throat as far as you can without pulling back.
# Punch the dog on the nose as hard as you can. Twist or pull the dog's ears. The dog's eyes are another soft spot which you should attack if required to defend yourself. Another stregy is to kick the dog in the rib cage. This will wind it and could stun it enough to ward off any more attacks. Yell for help.
# If you frequently encounter stray or aggressive dogs, pepper spray or electronic whistles (adjusted at a frequency to cause dog's extreme discomfort) are inexpensive and excellent safeguards against dog attack.
# If an attacking dog appears to be aimlessly wandering, biting at stationery objects, wild-eyed or with a thick ropy saliva covering it's chest, it may have rabies. Note that dogs may have rabies even if not exhibiting these symptoms so in all cases of dog bites especially if the skin has been broken, seek medical attention immediately. Rabies is a universally fatal disease if left untreated. You must first ensure that the dog is quarantined and observed for symptoms of rabies. Don't try to corral the dog yourself; call the police. If you have any doubts about rabies, consult a doctor for possible anti-rabies injections. < http://www.duhaime.org/Police_station/dog.aspx

This is an excellent article for teaching children to avoid dog attacks> http://www.leerburg.com/kidbites.htm

My own children used to carry hairspray when walking/biking to school, or in our rural country neighborhood where all dogs were running loose...The hairspray worked very well..You don't have to spray a dog with it, but as soon as it is approaching just spray the general directions, so that is heavy in the air around you..

Answer 2

Carry a "telescopic" umbrella with you. You know, the ones that you push the button and it pops out and open?

Then, when you encounter an aggressive dog of any breed...(I don't know why you are singling out one particular breed) you pop it open and use it as a shield. You can "roll" the umbrella left and right to keep yourself guarded.

You should be able to back away to safety using this method.

If the dog is already attacking and has a collar on, come up from behind and put your hand under his collar at the back of his nick, palm up, and grab the collar and twist until the dog releases.

Just for your information, a truely "aggressive" dog in attack mode will NOT be swayed by a shot of water, or a blast from a garden hose, for that matter.

And grabbing, punching, kicking, and becoming physical with the dog will also heighten the attack in some dogs. The best way to handle this is to avoid it.

If an aggressive dog comes toward you, do NOT make eye contact, do not turn your back, and DO NOT SCREAM AND RUN!!! Send calming signals such as 'yawning,' 'licking your lips,' and back away slowly while keeping the dog in your sight, but not directly staring at it.

Answer 3

Well, regardless of breed, the best thing to do is to not make eye contact and to be still. Slowly back away from the dog and hopefully, you'll be able to exit the area. If you are actually attacked you are better off dropping to the gound in a fetal postion with your arms covering your face and lying still. In this postion you are appearing non dominant and likely the dog will back off. You should never run from an aggressive dog as this will just incite the dog's prey instinct and few people could outrun a dog, anyway. Fighting back may or may not work depending on the dog or the situation. Many dogs are not trained to fight and will often back down when a human actually fights back. I would not recommend you tell your children to fight back, though.

Answer 4

Short of a gun, Chetco posted the best self-defense strategies.

Defending oneself against a pitbull is entirely different than defending oneself against other breeds, such as labs. Although most pitbulls are pussycats, they are absolute killing machines when they decide (for whatever reason) to go on the attack. Their body style makes most self-defense tactics ineffective.

I'm not advocating anyone going around shooting these dogs indiscriminantly.....because, like I said, most are very sweet.....but if one attacks, that's the best (often the ONLY) way of stopping it. And before anyone cries, 'but you shouldn't shoot a dog anyway! It probably belongs to someone!' I say....it shouldn't have been out unattended. It should be on a leash (with a responsible owner at the other end) at ALL TIMES while in public.

Other breeds (chihuahuas, for example) can actually be much MORE likely to 'attack' someone they don't know or perceive as a threat. The difference is, a chihuahua does not have the physical ability to take down and kill a child or a grown man if it decides it wants to. A pitbull does.

Responsible pitbull owners recognize that fact.

Answer 5

You should ask, how do I defend myself against ANY loose dog that seems dangerous? Pit Bulls are no more likely to attack people than any other breed.

First, if there is a vicious dog living in your neighborhood, try to document every bit of proof you can about this animal being dangerous - videotape incidents, get eyewitness statements from neighbors, etc. Take the info to the local police and animal control. If they won't do anything, go to your local TV station - they love human-interest stories about children being terrorized by dogs like this. If that doesn't work, see if you can find a lawyer who would start a class action lawsuit for you and your neighbors.

As far as defending yourself - this is not about being kind to stray animals - this is about saving yourself and your pets and your children from a vicious, loose dog. Do whatever you have to do to save yourself.

Try not to walk alone in an area where dogs are known to run loose. The electronic dog repellers sold in pet stores are generally useless. Mace and pepper spray can be effective IF you can make a direct shot to the eyes. Boat stores sell portable air horns that are extremely loud - even if they don't repel the stray dog, they will sure get you some attention and maybe some help. Keychain panic alarms can startle a dog into leaving. Always carry a cane or an umbrella or something else you can use to protect yourself.

If you are alone and confronted by a single stray dog, don't turn your back on the dog and never run - you will trigger an attack from even a gutless dog. Don't make direct (staring) eye contact, but do watch the dog. Either wait until the dog leaves or take a slight angle away from the dog walking slowly and calmly. Sometimes yelling at the dog and waving your arms or pretending to throw something will
scare a dog away, other times it will provoke an attack - you have to use your intincts.

If a dog actually attacks you, climb a fence or get on top of a car if you have to. Kick rather than try to hit the dog with your hands - you have a lot more power in your legs. Keep something between you - a tree, a garbage can, etc. Carry a cell phone so you can call 911.

If you are walking with your dog or your child, it is more likely that an aggressive dog will attack no matter what you do. But first make sure your child knows to stand still - not to run away screaming. If the loose dog seems determined to attack, make yourself as big and threatening as you can. Bellow in a loud aggressive voice - "GET OUT OF HERE DOG!!" but don't scream in a high-pitched voice like a victim. Try opening an umbrella at the dog. Pick up anything you can find and throw it at the dog - banging metal garbage can lids can be effective. Most street-wise dogs have been hit at least once in their lives, so they'll be less likely to come after you if you seem tough. If that doesn't dissuade him, keep your back against something (preferably back into a corner with your child behind you) so the dog can't get around behind you.

If there are several dogs running loose together, you are in serious peril. Pack mentality can turn even friendly dogs into savages. They are far less likely to back down than a dog alone and once an attack starts, it's really bad news. In addition to the tips given above, do whatever you have to to get away. You have to use your instincts about picking up your dog or child. It can have mixed results, making the pack target them all the more. Make a huge racket - hopefully a neighbor will see your dilemma and render assistance. Find an unlocked car and get inside. Break into someone's house or car if you have to. As a last resort, you might even have to toss your dog or child over a high fence (at least 6 feet) to save them. If worse comes to worse and there is no escape, lie down on the ground or crouch over your child and be as still as you can. As a last resort, lie down, hold very still, and cover your neck and face with your hands and elbows.

Answer 6

I'm a pitbull owner this is what you do....If the dog is charging towards you use a deep loud voice telling it to go home,if it keep comming towards you kick it in the jaw,or stuff your hand down it's throat. if the dog is actually on your arm,take your free arm and cup it over the dogs nose..it will not be able to breath and will let go. Pitbulls also have sensitive ears so all else fails bite it's freakin' ear off.. the last thing you wanna do is stand still and let it chew you! Pitbulls tails brake very easily too,pull it's tail hard enough it will actually come off in your hand. first and foremost remeber it's just a dog like any other...how would you fight off a black lab if it was attacking you?....

Answer 7

Ignore it.Don't look at it or evan in it's direction.Don't talk to it and for heavens sake do not try to touch it.Walk past it in a calm normal manner with hands at your sides rather than swinging your arms back and forth and increasing your pace to get away faster.
If the dog forces you to stop by blocking your path stop.Stand quietly while the dog checks you out.Don't offer it your hand to smell and again do not talk to it.Once it sees you're no threat it will go away and you can proceed.If you move too soon the dog will stop you again but don't get flustered just stand still again.

Answer 8

I dont know why you feel it neccesary to add (pitbull)...what would you do if you were attacked by a human...should we sterotype that too?(an asian gang member)...see how degrading that is !!!!! noww..to answer your question the worst thing would be to run...dogs see this as a reason to chase you...back away slowly,while in a loud firm voice tell the dog to go home...hope you never get attacked by anything canine or human...

Answer 9

Im No Expert But I have Heard From Friends With Pit Bulls Are not agressive unless they are abused as pups.In some places around my town they are used for dog fights and are VERY agressive towards others.If you come upon one do not make movements towards the dog,But wost case scenario it bites you beware they have 800lbs Of bite foce the best thing to do is call for someone to shoot the dog becuase they do not let go by kicking or hitting them.

Answer 10

Well a really good way(and i tried it-works perfectly)is grabing the pitt bull really hard by his balls and waiting in that position till the owner comes,then he gets harmless like a scheap.and another way is to punch or kick also very hard in the nose(but it has to be the nose,otherwise he'll get only more pissed),then they iven pass out i heared.

Laurence C.