I run with my dog. He's a Ridgeback, bred to run and hunt. For those that don't know, they are 85 lbs+ and bred to hunt big game in Africa, most famously Lions. So the runs are great for his spirit, good for my health, and a great experience for us together. I have a distant neighbor who is testing my mental health though.
Sunday I was running and getting close to home. I hear a lil dog flipping out and then see him coming. I ignore and keep running thinking he'll turn back. Next thing I know, my dog is getting bit and turning around to defend (He's dog friendly but this was a clear attack.) I reach down and pin it's hips down and am reaching with my left when it bites me now. With the scruff of fur firmly in hand I walk it back to the owner who is strolling up like it's no big deal.
Yesterday I'm running and here comes the dog again. No leash, entire family out front. So I stop. I'm not getting bit again. Dog is charging... Life lesson, Chihuahua's don't land on their feet like cats when kicked. The dog flies 5 feet or so and got the point. I yell "What the Fuck?! That's the second time." I get back to finishing my run.
When I got home I called the cops because this is going to escalate. I don't buy for a second that I'm the only one this dog has attacked. What if it's a kid and they try to escape into the road, or get bit, or I get an infection, or my dog kills it then is listed as a dangerous dog... blah blah blah. So many potential problems that 3 or 300 lbs, I don't see a difference. Aggression should be treated equally across the breeds.
So how many times do I get attacked before I'm free to kick a field goal with the intention of killing this dog? If it were a pit, you'd say first time. The owner has had two opportunities with me alone to address the problem as simply as putting his dog on a leash. But seriously, when do other dog lovers see a person in my position as being justified in returning the same intentions toward the animal.

Tags: dangerous, dog, ethics, self-defense

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Replies to This Discussion

Don't punish the animal for the owner's irresponsibility. You don't have to act like a chew toy, but don't try to kill the dog. Check your local ordinances on leash laws and if you are attacked, call the cops. Usually all it takes is one person to be bit before a dog owner has to choose between homeowner's insurance and their dog.
I have called the cops and they are paying a visit today. But in reality, isn't the result the same? The animal is euthanized by a needle or a foot. Maybe from growing up on the farm, I don't get the distinction. It's like being a carnivore but being against hunting. The difference is lost on me.

Hopefully the cops addressing the issue will be enough. I'm in a quiet and well policed city so enforcement is easy enough.
The cops dealt with it and it's resolved for me. The dog doesn't live here and belonged to a daughter of a guy whom is moving. So on the good side, the dog will not be harmed by me or a needle. But I do hope that the owner learns to handle the dog as a dog and become dominant so the dog doesn't feel the need to protect. Otherwise it's just a matter of time til a person or another dog will have had enough of it.
Mace is another non-lethal option. One of my friends had a semi-similar problem. The 3rd time it came at her she doused it with mace; it was fairly debilitating to the dog. The next time it came at her, one squirt and it ran. The owner saw this exchange and said nothing; my friend shouted "next time, I'm packing my gun." She never saw the dog again. /shrug/

I see by your post you're past it... But just general thoughts for next time.
Hi Jean Marie, it's fair to say that i'm reactionary on the issue. I live in a affluent town and I think that people want to connect with their dogs, but they don't really. They never stop to learn. So my dog has been opened up needing staples, I had an incident where we were surrounded by two pit bulls and I was going for the male as the owner got a hold of the leash and the second owner managed to grab the female as I was swinging around for the second one. It's not a breed issue, it's a lack of willingness to learn in my town. I think that I'm burned out on it. While my actions are justifiable and equitable, are they necessary? Depends on when you ask the question i suppose.
This one is cured. The other five red zone cases I see on the average 4 mile run are not. I've been contemplating starting a dog training business to begin to address the problem more proactively. My first biz only keeps me busy a couple of days a week, but that's nice too.
Most folks try to keep their dogs away from Gaytors.
You sonova beach! My older sister just got a pup and she's training it after my example of my four year old dog. Loving it! Her last dog was just automatically the perfect dog. She got lucky.

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