Attacked by stray dog - did I do the right thing?

Question

Last night I was walking my 8 month old cattle dog on a route I always take when a Staffy Bull Terrier came from no where at a hundred miles an hour ready to attack both of us. I managed to pick my dog up in time (as he is only a puppy and thinks all dogs want to play with him when he meets them) but the stray dog then jumped, snapped and snarled, scratching my legs and torso determined to get to my dog.

I managed to kick and knee the dog in self defence and some teenagers came to my assistance and managed to divert the dog into another direction.

My question is, did I do the right thing, should I have just let this dog try to rip mine apart, or could I have done something else?

It is my first experience with an attack of this sort, so I am trying to get ideas of what I should do if it should happen again. I am going to start walking with a piece of wood/stick, but given the dertimination of this dog - I am not sure it will ward a determined dog off.

Just adding, I am not saying that all Staffy Bull Terriers are agressive, just the one which attacked me. I

am not trying to give a black mark against any type of dog in this breed.

I believe this dog was of the mentioned breed as my neighbour also has one but it theirs has different colours and markings.

Just adding, I am not saying that all Staffy Bull Terriers are agressive, just the one which attacked me.

I am not trying to give a black mark against any type of dog in this breed.

I believe this dog was of the mentioned breed as my neighbour also has one but it theirs has different colours and markings.

weird, it just added my previous comment...

yes I have got medical attention and I had a lovely needle. I also called the local council and reported the attack. They said it is hard to trace as I did not know the owner or the whereabouts of the dog, but would note it on their system.

Answer 1

as harsh at it sounds it is often said do not pick up your dog as then the attacking dog could then jump at your face etc, but i know what you mean when you say yours is only young and thinks all dogs wish to play.

i would kick, knee , scream, anything to get another dog away from me and my own dogs....sometimes with some dogs depending on their attitude or intention saying firmly NO and "go home" is enough.. But many times it is not...
Carry something that makes you feel better about walking the streets, maybe a whistle as well around you neck so that you make a lot of noise and if you need help this will attract attention.
If you are in Australia there is no problem with rabies , but do always wash scratches and bites well from both dogs and cats.
surprise is the best option if a dog is attacking another dog but is not always easy,

Answer 2

Walk softly and carry a big stick. If the dogs are wagging their tails, then they probably don't want to bite you. Barking at you is just their way of trying to scare you off or alerting the others that there is something here trespassing. If they wanted to attack you, they would have done so already. Attacking meaning they would have bitten you. The reason they follow you and bark is because they either 1. think you are trespassing on their territory and are trying to run you off or 2. they are strays and are hungry, and they think you may give them food or 3. someone living near there just adopted the dogs and they are establishing rank with the other beings in the neighborhood. Carry a squirt gun with water and lemon juice in it, and spray it in their eyes when they follow you and bark. Also carry pepper spray and a large stick for protection, but only use those if they try to actually attack you (meaning growling, snarling, showing teeth, lunging). Try talking to them and making friends. They'll get used to you walking there and may even join you when you walk by and keep you company.

Answer 3

Defending your dog was a very noble thing to do, however the dog could have turned on you, no matter what breed it was. Think about investing in some dog deterrent spray, its like pepper spray for dogs, mailmen use this alot. I know it sounds harsh but if there ever is a next time, which we hope there never is, this should give you and your dog some time to get to safety. Hope this helps!

Answer 4

good question! I never incountered this ethier,but where i live people let their dogs roam. I am an owner of an american pitbull terrier mix, he is the sweetest thing. I would carry mase with you just incase this ever happens again. This dog may not known if your dog was trying to play or comming after him. I always have his training collar on him. Im sorry this happened im glad everyones ok!

Answer 5

always defend yourself and your four legged companion. If you know where the dog lives I would turn it into the police. I would still turn it in so they can be looking for this dog. Would you want it to attach a young child who can not defend itself or a helpless dog. Turn it in find out where it came from. Maybe find another area to walk it and taking a wood/stick or even mace would be a good idea

Answer 6

i knwo what u mean there are 2 pitts and a doberman in my neighobhood and the pitts are always running free withouts any supervision im scared of walkind the sidewalk at night cuz i think that they are going ot attack me
i was bitten my a dog before so i had bad experienc with pitts amstafs and rotts

Answer 7

try pepper spray, I know what you mean their are three pitbulls living in my neighborhood, no offence to anyone, but they are always running around and one of them is very aggresive towards other dogs. i was walking my puppy once and it came out of its yard and started running towards me, i was right by a chain link fence so i picked up a stick and started banging it up against the fence it was loud enough to scare the pitt away, i don't know what i would of done if it didn't get scared cause my puppy was a seven month old huge golden retriever, that i couldn't pick up. you could try talking to the owners about keeping their dog in its yard.
good luck

Answer 8

You did the right thing to defend your puppy. Please call animal control. That dog could be sick or a carrier of an illness. You do not want to get bit by it.

Answer 9

there is nothing wrong with defending yourself and your dog against any dog that is not on a leash and acting aggressive toward you. you did the best that you could at that moment.

Answer 10

yeah..you did what you had to do to defend your friend...start carrying pepper spray or one of the electronic repellers...your buddy on the leash depends on you to take care of him the way he watches out for you...try the link below for the best spray..use one of the fogger types...