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WWHFD: re "chased" by dogs?
On my usual neighborhood route, I pass by the side of a house with a wooden fenced in backyard, where the dog(s) bark at me every time I run past. On one occasion, the dog jumped up on the edge of the fence to bark at me.
Today I was running in front of that house when suddenly two dogs ran out from the driveway to viciously bark and snarl at me. I was so scared that I let out a little scream and tripped off the edge of the sidewalk into the edge of a flower bed. I stopped running, gently held out my hand, and backed away slowly until they I was out of their sight, and they didn't chase me beyond that point.
#1 - what should I have done today to ensure my safety as they were coming at me?
#2- what should I do now, in regards to notifying those neighbors, the neighborhood association, or authorities?
If it makes any difference, I live in the Houston suburbs, and I THINK these were pitbulls. I'm not a dog person, but I googled pitbull when I got home because that was my initial instict as to what breed they were, and I believe the pictures of pitbulls are a good reflection of the dogs that snarled at me today. They had short hair, one brown, one grey. Medium sized dog, triangular faces.
Re: WWHFD: re "chased" by dogs?
Yes, I would call the police and let them know. I would also change my route if possible. It really sucks that there are irresponsible owners that put other peoples' safety at risk.
Glad you are okay!
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1) I think you did pretty much the right thing by not turning your back and running quite frankly. My *instinct* tells me that would kick in a dog's prey drive to chase you. I've been chased by dogs before--and also dealt with dogs in general and one thing I've found is that dogs respond in some ways to firm, confident reactions...so waving your arms, looking big and saying firmly--STOP, GETTOUTTA HERE! You said you tripped over a flower bed--I would have picked up dirt and threw it at them.
2) I would tell the HOA.
3) Can you just explain why you think it's important the add if they are pit bulls or not?
I DO think they're pits, but because I'm not really a dog person, and I know that pits get a bad name, I'm hesitant to say so. If they were poodles, but I wasn't sure they were poodles, I'd have less concern because poodles aren't otherwise made to have a bad name for aggression.
So I'm not really concerned THAT they're pits, but I'm concerned to SAY they're pits and be wrong because of the connotation pit bulls have for some people.
Like I said, I googled it and I think I'm right in my judgement that they're pits, but maybe a dog expert would be able to name other similar looking breeds and I would change my mind.
Do you have pits, FMLB?
My neighbors have awful schnauzers that will chase anything that goes by their house (car, person, etc). One bit me last summer, but the owners don't keep them inside or leashed/tied up (they know that the dog bit me).
I usually just pray that they are not out when I am walking/running in my neighborhood. If they come after me, I just yell at them to Stop and walk backward continuously saying Stop, Get Back! until they either go back home or I am far enough away that they won't get me.
If you have some authority (police or HOA), I would notify them. I wouldn't risk going to the neighbor's house.
A) Pit bulls aren't a breed - they're a label we slap on dogs with big blocky heads.
C) Take some time and educate yourself. Pit bull-type breeds are some of the most loyal and loving out there .
handheld pepper spray can be your best friend in situations like this. when we run in the country back at my parents in mississippi, we've had to use it a lot. Country dogs just aren't used to runners.
Notify your HOA and maybe animal control? Also, I'm really non confrontational, so I'd leave a note in the mailbox.
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My husband won't let me leave for a run without pepper spray. I would recommend that. If a dog (or other animal or a human) tries to attack you, you can use it.
I was chased by two dogs once and one of them bit at my leg (they just scratched it - no blood or anything). I turned around and yelled very loudly, "NO! Go home!" and for some crazy reason the dogs listened to me. I'm really glad my dog wasn't with me. I'm still a little scared every time I run by their house and try not to take that route if my dog is with me.
I've been chased back home by the neighbors "pit-bull" dogs too. I called animal control and told them what I thought and that they were aggressive. They came very quickly.
I keep a can of wasp spray (21'range) by my bed anyway, so my friend said I should just carry my wasp spray. I do like dogs and have never been mauled. I might have a hard time using the wasp spray, but if I was beeing charged by aggressive dog, I might just be glad I had it. As it is, those people have since moved.
Ditto this. You shouldn't have to mention the type of dog that chased you period. Uneducated statements like this only help fuel the media fire against pit bulls.
And yes, I have a pit bull. Ironically enough he was bit today by a toy poodle as we were leaving the vet's office.
I agree with PP that you could carry pepper spray. Also, you could yell at them in a very loud, very stern, low-pitched voice. And stand your ground. That's what I do when off-leash dogs approach my dog and me and it always works. But honestly, if you know they are going to bark at you every time and you are worried about them chasing you, you should change your route. Why chance anything happening?
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Really? We're going to make this an issue? I said in my OP that I'm not sure it matters but I A) live in the burbs and
think they were pits.
A) Like, I'm from the country, where people have farm dogs off leashes and outside all the time, and I don't kow what the rules are in neighborhoods, so does it matter if they weren't on a leash/fenced.
These were mentioned as afterthoughts and points of clarification, not so that it could be suggested that I am ignorant.
I don't own dogs, I don't want dogs, but I don't have ANY problems with animals in general or pits, in particular.
So I'll take it back. Today I wasn't almost bitten by pit bulls, but I do feel some sting from some of these replies.
1. Call animal control on Monday. Animal Control is more likely to do something about it than the police. The police only care if you were hurt. Often they will refer you to your local animal control. If your city doesn't have one, call the county. (In my city, all animal control is handled by our county unless you are bitten or the dog is a danger to the public and animal control is closed.)
2. Check to see if there is a leash law in your city/county. That gives you more leverage than if there is not one.
3. Definitely report them to the home owners association.
4. Change your route for now. It's not worth getting bit.
5. Yell at them in a loud voice "BAD DOG! GO HOME!" I get chased by dogs a lot in the country, and most dogs know the word "BAD!"
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it doesn't matter what kind of dog it is; if it's snarling at you and off-leash, it needs to be reported, irrelevant of the breed.
i do own a pit, and FWIW, he is the mushiest dog who would sooner LICK you to death than attack so much as a fly. so yes, pit owners do get defensive. we do so because they are a misunderstood breed, and a breed that is frequently mistreated and trained to be a nuisance.
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That's why I asked at the very beginning why she was mentioning the breed. I'm not sure why it was relevant to the story. I'm still not sure.