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I live in a rural area, there's lots of strays in the around. I never walk down the hill to the mailbox without my sidearm. Gotta be careful, even in residential areas.
Another reason to carry Stepping out of my house the other day I was accosted by two large dogs. One a German Sheppard and the other a Pit Bull. Why is it people who own these type animals can't keep them in their yards? I managed to back the dogs down after they charged to within a few feet and I retreated back to my front door. Called the police who made a call on the owners. I'll probably see these dogs again. Had I had my small Rat Terrier with me or if I had been a child or woman I don't think this incident would have ended so well. My point is, you never know when you may have to defend yourself or others, even when just going to the mailbox. It's another reason to Carry.
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Aaron
I live in a rural area, there's lots of strays in the around. I never walk down the hill to the mailbox without my sidearm. Gotta be careful, even in residential areas.
a knife or pepper spray would of worked well in the situation as well. i had to mace a dog once, he never came back around my area again.
be safe.
http://alturl.com/zday5
Glad everything was ok. Large dogs can be very dangerous. I own two pitbulls, and even though they have shown no sign of aggression, they have never, and will never, get loose without my control. None of my dogs, even my Labradors, were let loose. Not all owners of these large dogs are irresponsible, but it is a shame there are so many irresponsible dog owners in general.
In response to:
I submit that when a poodle or Yorkie gets loose, no one notices or cares. So I don't think blame can fairly be placed on "those people with the big dogs." I'm sure there are about as many irresponsible owners of ankle biters.Why is it people who own these type animals can't keep them in their yards?
S&W M&P 45; Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum; Charter Arms .38 Undercover
Maced a chow when delivering mail one time. Never saw it close on the route again. Still laughing 30 some odd years later.,
Thanks for insights I appreciate the feedback. Spray would probably work in many instances although I believe I would not trust anything less than Bear Spray. Once a pit bull has you in it's grasp I don't believe anything less than a 9mm will fit the bill to stop that attack. I have to modify my statement about "large dogs". I have never read or seen where a lab or Australian shepherd or other such dogs known to be pleasant, attack and injure someone severely. I'm sure it has happened. The facts are, pit bulls, German shepherds, rottweilers and chows are responsible for almost all serious injury and deaths caused by dogs in the US. These animals are born to attack and even when raised by caring owners are known to attack and even kill humans. It is in their genes just as bird dogs are born to point and rat terriers are born to squirrel hunt and sheep dogs herd sheep. I would argue that lions and tigers can be trained not to kill and are used in shows and even kept in homes. If, however, you believe that the natural instinct of lions and tigers can be totally removed by a caring owner, you are putting yourself and others in danger. Just ask Roy Horn. Here are the facts. [In 2010, the combination of pit bulls (22) and rottweilers (4) accounted for 79% of all fatal attacks. In the 6-year period from 2005 to 2010, this same combination accounted for 71% (129) of the total recorded deaths (181).] See that number? 181 deaths. These were mostly children and many were children of the dog owners. Google "dog attacks in the US." These dogs only account for about 5% of the dog population in the US but make up almost 80% of deadly attacks. I have personally known 2 women who had terrible scars on their faces because they were attacked by dogs when children. No, it wasn't beagles or dachshunds...they were pit bulls. The response of the owners in both instances, "They have never done that before." Ask yourself-Why don't the police, rescue and military use pit bulls? One human life, one child is more important than all the pit bulls in the world. I'm sure someone will disagree. Facts are such pesky things.
Obviously, the facts are what they are. Pit bull-type breeds have more strength and innate physical ability than most others, so they tend to be the dogs of choice for criminals and other irresponsible owners. So you should expect those percentages to look scary and extreme. Those statistics prove nothing, and I would argue that you'd see similar results if any other breed/type was as systematically abused. With that said, I certainly agree and understand that they have the potential to be dangerous; responsible owners take steps to mitigate that risk and control their dogs.
Additionally, pit bulls have never been bred to attack humans. They were bred for dog fighting... and different types of aggression (related to food, territory, humans, or animals) normally operate independently. Historically, those that displayed aggression toward human handlers weren't bred. And I can't speak with any authority about dogs used for military work or law enforcement, but pit bulls are used for search & rescue.
Back to the original point: I certainly agree that aggressive dogs and other animals present another good reason to carry.
Just my $.02
~The Dude Abides~
I have thought about this type of scenario as well. But I would probably recommend allowing the dog to give you at least 'one good bite' before finally putting a cap in it's sorry butt. Looks much better on the police report i.m.o.Originally Posted by Firefly
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~Walter Sobchak~
I enjoy taking long walks through the country and forest, and always arm myselft with a stout walking stick when I venture out. Yes, my pistol is always on my hip, but it is more of a secondary weapon. The stick is already in your hand and, since it becomes over time like an extension of yourself, can be brought into play in a split second.
I've used the stick to knock an attacking cottonmouth and a crazed possum out of my way before. I've had barking dogs get too close for comfort on several occasions. Just raising the stick to deliver a strike has usually been enough to keep them at bay. Only once did I have to whack a dog with it. He whimpered, then tucked his tail and ran. I didn't feel good about that. I would have had no problem taking the stick to his owner, though.
It's worked for me. I suppose you need to check your state/local laws to make sure it's legal to tote one. There may be some crazy ordinances that require you to provide proof of medical necessity just to carry a cane.
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