...It's not just for protection against bad people...
How many times have I complained about neighborhood dogs? A few...and it's two dogs in particular. One little Shiht tzu that I could drop kick from here to yesterday, annoying but no big deal. The other a ferocious, long haired black dog with sharp teeth and beady eyes. He ruined my run this AM and sent me home in tears. This was especially angering because it was my FIRST weekday, workday morning run. You see, I got transferred to a new position at work this week and it puts me in my town three days a week. This means three days a week I don't have to drive an hour plus one way to work and thus allowing me time to run in the morning, three days a week.
So I set out this AM for a nice three mile neighborhood run. Around 1/2 mile in this stupid dog charged me from his front porch. I stopped. Engaged in a stare off. Yelled at him to go home. Yelled really loud in hopes that his family would come out. They didn't. So I slowly backed away, tiny step by by tiny step. He kept growly and approaching me. I kept yelling and inching away. He got board of barking and growling at me and wandered back to his driveway. Long story short I had to get home and the only way was to go back by this stupid house with this stupid dog. So I went another mile into the neighborhood. I found a huge stick, it was actually more like a log, about 3.5 feet long and really, really thick. As I approached the house again the dog this time came out and met me a good two house before his house. I stopped. His kid-owner was at the bus stop a few houses down the other way. He saw me with the huge stick and began yelling at his dog. This allowed me to slowly walk, not turning my back on him, and made it to a point in front of his house. He charged me and sent me back pedaling into the yard across the street from his house. I was yelling and jabbing him with the log.
I felt bad but I yelled at the kid to go inside and get his mom. He couldn't get control of the dog and his presence was making the dog more aggressive. He disappeared into the house for about 3 minutes as I kept jabbing this stupid dog in the chest with my log while he tried to bite me. The kid came out and called for his dog. This again allowed me to back away a bit more. As the kid approached to try to grab the dog he charged at me a bit more aggressively. I know the stick plus the kid made him more protective but there is no way I was putting that stick down. Finally the kids bigger brother came out and grabbed the dog.
I thanked the kids and told them I would be back to talk to their mother, who never did come outside.
I ran the rest of the way home in tears. That was scary. And this stupid dog is the same one who escaped out of a hole under his fence last summer, every morning for about three days in a row and chased me down. One morning he bit the heel of my shoe and into my ankle!
The only convenient place I have to run is my neighborhood. This is MY neighborhood too. I hate having to be afraid in my own neighborhood. Trust me I was kicking myself for not having my pepper spray. I would have unloaded it straight into his stupid face (and I love dogs people...just not aggressive dogs who are no properly owned).
I only had time for 2 miles thanks to the 13 minutes I spent protecting myself from this stupid dog. He ruined my run and that seriously ticks me off.
I got home and of course told The Hubs all about it. It didn't take him 3 minutes to get in his car and go to the neighbor's house. I had to plead with him to not take his .45 and to not shoot it right there in the street. Like I said, I love dogs and don't want to see one get killed. He had no luck with the owner and ended up unloading my pepper spray straight in the dogs face. So now I need new pepper spray.
It just makes me so mad that I can't run outside my neighborhood because jerks think it's the stinking autobahn and try to run me over and I can't run in my own neighborhood because jerks think they can let their aggressive dogs run out and attack innocent pedestrians. Preposterous. I am seriously heated about this. I made a call to animal control and filed a police report. Hopefully this wont happen again. Because I have races to train for....don't they know this?
So what do I do tomorrow? I am out of pepper spray, I don't want to run with my pistol because I don't want to shoot a dog in the middle of the neighborhood, plus I ordered a sports bra with a holster and it hasn't arrived yet. I don't really want to carry a stick because frankly it didn't do any good at all, unless I beat it to death with it....and air soft gun just wont cut it, a knife requires close encounters and I don't want to get that close...so maybe I am left with poison-laced steak?
The police report helps. Don't know what the law is there, but here if you report that it bit you it's declared a dangerous dog vs. a potentially dangerous dog for the menacing behavior. A dangerous dog creates issues in lots of ways including for the owner's insurance so they'd probably have to get rid of it.
ReplyDeleteWhich they should, as it is clearly untrained and aggressive.
Be careful with the going back over there stuff, though. That can get you in trouble.
Taking off the lawyer hat- OHMYGOD I WOULD BE TERRIFIED! You are brave.
I am so scared of dogs when I run. I'm so sorry that happened to you. I was scared just reading that! I hope the dog disappears for you.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me so mad. I feel so sad for you. I'm sure you were frightened to pieces. I love dogs too, but they shouldn't be allowed to do that. The owner needs to be held responsible. I think hubbs did exactly all the right things. My husband would've done the same thing. Sorry my friend. As for tomorrow.....I wish you could just go run, but I'd say there is a good chance that dog will be out again. Wait until you have pepper spray.
ReplyDeleteOh no! I'm so sorry to hear that. I've been chased, but nothing as aggressive as that! Good thinking on filing a police report.
ReplyDeleteMaybe try a different running route until you get some pepper spray? Or bring your cell phone so you can call the cops right away if the owner doesn't come out?
ReplyDeleteI was attacked by a man a few months ago while running...in broad daylight on a Saturday morning in a very crowded area of NYC. Unfortunately, city laws make it almost impossible to carry pepper spray but it's really scary. I've never had the dog issue...again because I live in New York...my issue with dogs is more tripping over their leashes when owners are texting while walking than anything but pepper spray might be a good idea if you can use it. I would feel so much safer if I had it.
HOLY. CRAP. Girl - I am so sorry you're having to deal with this crap. I am a huge pansy and would be avoiding the run completely and finding a different way to get the run in. Ugh, I seriously hate that you're going through this. Maybe the next time you're with the run group ask them for advice? There might be certain devices you can carry with you that emit a sound that repels dogs, but I'm not sure.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your husband went over there though - maybe the owners needed a wake up call.
I have been stalking for awhile....but I was chased by a dog on Saturday while his non english speaking owners watched. Luckily I got away and when I was far enough I stopped and called the nonemergency number, yes in my phone, and reported an aggresive dog...I may have added that my kids were with me....had to make sure they got the point.
ReplyDeleteAbout a month ago where I live a lady was killed by an aggressive dog so they are taking the calls a little more seriously. Good Luck
If it were me I would avoid personal confrontation with the owners, especially since I would be running by their house again. Over here in Durham County I have had good experiences with Animal Control when my neighbor's pit bulls got loose. Definitely get some authorities involved. I am sorry this happened to you :(
ReplyDeletePersonal confrontations, with my husband in tow, has worked for me. I'm the biggest animal lover in the world but nothing angers me more than people that just let their dogs run loose and come out on me when either running or walking my own dogs (more issues with this one). We had a case in our neighborhood where three days in a row it happened. The first two times we were nice and the people said it wouldn't happen again. By the third, we weren't so nice and made it clear they were in the wrong for not being able to control their own dogs. The next day they had an invisible fence and the dogs haven't come out after me since. But, since that didn't work for you, definitely file a report with animal control. That's where we were going but they finally took care of the situation.
ReplyDeleteThat is horrible - I cannot ever imagine letting my dog out without me if it was like that.
ReplyDeleteThat sucks A. I know how excited you were to run in the morning. When I lived in town (not the back roads I live now) I would walk my dog on a leash, there is a leash law and all kinds of dogs would run up to us (unleashed) and my dog is crazy protective of me when there are other dogs around especially on when he's on a leash and the owners would all say, "he's nice, won't hurt you". and my dog would be going crazy. What would happen if you look LD with you?
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!!
I HATE when people let their dogs get away with that stuff!! Back home, we have a leash law, so if a call is made about a dog being loose and dangerous, the police come by that day.
ReplyDeleteIf there's any other direction you can go on your runs, I'd suggest doing that for now. The pistol and running just sounds like a recipe for disaster.
We lived next door to two german shepards as a kid and they terrified me. To this day, that is why I can't run in our neighborhood, I am afraid of dogs so I stick to parks for running which is not nearly as convenient. Wish I had some great advice for you.
ReplyDelete@Christy - the commenter above - you were attacked by a man while running? I hope you are OK! Terrifying.
I've never had a dog come at me on a run but I HAVE had one come at me while I was on my bike. I learned that he's famous for this when riding with the group. They call him "rocket dog" because he darts like a bullet out into the street and tries to go at you while you're on your bike. Anyway, only thing that stops him is a boat horn.
ReplyDeleteI feel for ya! Pepper spray the shit outta that dog! I bet he thinks twice next time! I would take two containers AND a boat horn!
I've encountered all types of dogs on my runs but most aren't frightening. When they are, I call the police. I live in the 'burbs so feel ok calling the non-emergency number. Usually a visit by the police has fixed the issue. Program the number in your cell and call them! I run with my dog and always worry about her too. It is your right to run on the street and sidewalk unmolested. And talk to your neighbors. Chances are the worry about their kids walking to the bus stop with a dog like that. Encourage them to call the police when they have issues.
ReplyDeleteOMG!! This is terrible. I was attacked by a poodle once and although that sounds silly I was terrified. I run with pepper spray and a small knife (which clearly wouldn't help you with this dog) but I also run with my iphone.
ReplyDeleteI think that the best course of action is to make a police report but then also call the police is the dog comes at you again. If this dog is so agressive its like that will all runners as well as CHILDREN. Not safe.
And the owners clearly don't care, if they are letting their son deal with a dog attack instead of coming out themselves.
Your hubs did EXACTLY what my partner would have done... tried to kill the dog. And to be honest, at the risk of offending PETA--- if its us or the dog... the dog can go to puppy Heaven.
Stay safe and keep up updates.
i find this UNacceptable ... seriously = bring something like vinegar or some sort of spray that might deter it. if this happened in our town there would be hell to pay. doug's must be on a leash here....
ReplyDeleteThis is just horrible. :( It makes me SO MAD that the dog is the one that has to suffer for his dumbass owners' irresponsibility!!! Too bad you can't go pepper spray THEM and beat THEM with a stick!
ReplyDeleteThis is ridiculous! I'm a runner and dog owner and I can't understand when people can not control their dogs! That makes me so upset! The dog has issues clearly, but it's the dog owner's responsibility to control this. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this!
ReplyDeletego husband!!
ReplyDeletesorry you had to experience that, but I think you handled it well.
This is totally messed up! In my town there is a leash law and an animal control officer that drives around all day doing nothing about aggressive dogs. The post office is close enough and a few times we have taken the boys out for a little stroll to only have to take all kinds of routes because they get all aggressive. Because I live on "The Res" I feel I have to be careful of offending people but seriously the freaking dogs here are out of control.
ReplyDeleteI would be all about the police because the owners seem to be totally passive and that is unacceptable. To have to carry a freaking small log around with you and repeatedly jab that dog redic!!
Someone wrote about a dog while on a bike, in the summer I kicked the dog that came running out of his yard to keep myself safe.
Hope you get some resolution about this!!
I am soooo sorry friend.. This is so sad!! You just want to run.. UGHO!!
ReplyDeleteYIKES!! Not fun at all! I know how you feel.. I get chased daily by dogs in my neighborhood. Normally the screaming at them to go home does the trick but I guess not for that lil feller... Thank goodness you grabbed a stick! Non Runners are very inconsiderate of us Runners!
ReplyDeleteI would definitely call the police and file a report-especially if the neighbor will not come out and talk to you and your husband already had to use pepper spray o n the dog.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that you have to go through this.
I would definitely call the police and file a report-especially if the neighbor will not come out and talk to you and your husband already had to use pepper spray o n the dog.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that you have to go through this.
I would definitely call the police and file a report-especially if the neighbor will not come out and talk to you and your husband already had to use pepper spray o n the dog.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that you have to go through this.
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