Self defense against off leash stray pitbulls

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Concerned_Dogjogger wrote:

Hey letsrun, I have an adult 40 pound dog who I like to take to dog parks. In spite of city ordinance and state laws, every so often there are thugs who come around with dangerous dogs off leash, sometimes pitbulls. We've also all heard stories of pit bulls just roaming around too. Any products for self defense you'd recommend? I remember old threads I can't track down mentioning some retractable baton like device. I'm looking for something decently portable and lethal if necessary.

I got in some legal trouble before so I can't get guns, concealed carry, which also happens to be only allowed circumstance for tasers.

Where I live, open carry of non switchblade knives is allowed. I think this would be more effective than pepper spray in a truly dangerous loose pitbull, Rottweiler situation. This is the option I was thinking about. It is just for the extreme rare circumstance, which might mean death and serious injury for me and my dog unless we were prepared.

For what it's worth, I've gone out many times unarmed with the pooch, I stay away from dangerous areas and situations, I've talked, shouted, avoided and ran out of slightly dangerous off leash situations with my dog versus other dogs (I always keep my dog leashed). Worst thing was a few years ago, some old thug had his rottweiler without a leash. It chased me and my dog. I was in pretty good shape at the time so we just ran away and it left us alone. But I hear stories.

Any thoughts?

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Stupid pit bull dogs / owners wrote:

I don't carry anything but think having a gun, taser, knife, AND bear spray would be the best solution.

My next door neighbors have two pit bulls and he lets them roam around out in front in the mornings, evenings and weekends when he's home, usually working in the garage but has no control of the dogs. They're always watching the front of my house, and if I try to step out my front door, they attack towards me side by side, and I have to go back in the house. If I open or close the front window, they charge toward my house, and the same for any slight sound that comes from my house. I'd like to report them.

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Dog Spray wrote:

Regular mace or dog mace (small enough to carry on any run and concealable) is the best option. If a dog begins to charge, spray a warning shot immediately. The dog will likely smell it, even from far away. If it continues to charge, then restart your spray when it's 10 feet away and don't relent.

Call animal control immediately. Have their number saved on your phone. When the owner of the charging dog approaches you, they will likely wonder why you didn't let their dog continue their charge (this will occur 99 times out of 100, many dog owners are not rational people). Tell them politely that you're calling animal control for resolution.

Always call animal control. They are on your side. They have to deal with irrational dog owners all day long, seven days a week. You may prevent a future attack if you involve them every time.

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Precious Roy wrote:

I have heard that bear spray can be effective against pits mainly because it is deployed in a fog that the dog inhales in addition to getting in its eyes. Pits are so "game" that mace in their eyes or a taser usually won't stop them. And once a pit has locked on to its "prey", bear spray might not even be effective.

The best defense against a pit is to climb on top of a car. If a pit has attacked and locked on, short of shooting it in the head, the best counter measure is to grab its paw and snap its leg like a twig or try to choke it out with your forearm against its neck. If you can get behind it, grab a hind leg and stomp on its hind quarter as hard as you can. That will either break a leg or displace a hip. Pits have continued to attack even after having their skulls fractured. So, it takes a tremendous amount of pain inflicted on a pit to get it to let go.

If anything, you should simply avoid anywhere that you suspect a pit might be on the loose. I got bit by two pits. One bite on my calf and one across my back. The bite on my calf did not feel like it was that bad. But at the hospital the x-ray showed the outline of the dog's fang sinking 1/2" into my calf. The damage they can do with a single bite is pretty shocking.

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