There two dogs that try to "attack" me when I run. One of them is just a little squirt, and one is really big...they both have teeth though. The owners sit on their porch as I run by and let the dogs come after me. My Dad told me to never run from a dog because it will think you are intimidated. He said to stand them down and I do. But the big dog still took a bite at me last week and I kicked it in the head. They ran off. The next day I picked up a heavy stick and carried it with me just in case. They didn't bother me...but the owners stood up and watched me as I ran by as if they were curious. Then yesterday I went running and I passed their house with no problem...but when I came back I saw the sheriff (K-9 unit) pull out from behind a barn. I didn't do anything wrong so I just kept running. He pulled out and drove right behind me. (and I run on the opposite side of the road to be safe) He followed me past the house where the dogs were (about 1/5 mile) and pulled up beside me. He was talking on his radio and giving me a mean look. We were past the house and I waved my arm up and told him to go on around me. (he was getting on my nerves) So he took off. I think them people called him and told him I was carrying a weapon or something. So I figured he was just checking things out. What are my legal rights when it comes to defending myself against a hostile dog? If I don't carry mase can I just wack it with a big stick, or give it a taste of my KA-BAR with out getting arrested or anything? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="images/icons/mad.gif" /> Thanks a lot.

You should call the police and report the dogs in question and have the local animal control officer dispatched to round them up. Maybe the owners will even get a fine in the process for letting their animals run loose. A lot of towns have ordinances against letting dogs run loose like that. Let one bite you, then call your lawyer. That will teach them. Dogs usually take on their owners demeanor, so if the dog is an *******, then the owner most likely is as well.

Before I take any action of the legal flavor I think it's best to just talk to people. Most are reasonable, and if not, then I don't feel bad about calling the po-po on their butts. So just go up and talk to the owners, see what the deal is. If they're Richards about the thing, call animal control. Just don't escalate it with police if you don't need to...

I myself carry a decent size (no bigger than a baseball) rock w/ me when I run. This stemmed from wanting to get even w/ the big gulp bandit a few years back (which I ended up doing, however w/o the rock). If you run a lot as I do, you find out some of the **** people like to pull on you. What a surprise to toss something out at a guy, than watch your rear window shatter in the mirror. On a serious note though, your situation I would handle through the proper channels since you know where they live. I've had this happen before- I just stop and charge the bastard like I am going to get him- arms raised and yelling. Never had to strike one. Plus, as the daddy of 5 Labs, I would shoot someone if they hit one of my dogs. And Im not laughing when I say that... best bet is to find another route man.

JB,

Your problem is one that plagues many a runner and cyclist on the roads. Although a stick a rock
and especially your knife would work against
Todo and Cujo your likely to meet the owners
shotgun (seeing your from Kentucky). Your
best bet is to stand down to the dogs and yell at them a command that they might be used to
ex. NO, SIT, STAY, or if that doesnt work you will at least get some good sprinting in. If none of this works what you can do is get in your truck, drive your run course and show them who the boss is.
Good luck and happy running.

My father is an inspector for a gas company and frequently visits homes with less than friendly dogs. He carries a dog-pepper spray that works very well. Dogs senses are so sensitive, you don't even have to spray it on the dog--you can spray a line on the ground and the dog won't cross it. It doesn't hurt the beast and it's a simple way to stop a dog from biting if you you are being chased. There are not a whole lot of dogs you can actually sprint and get away from <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Thanks for the feedback fellows. I normally use commands, they work for all other dogs but these. Speedy I completely understand how you feel about your dogs, I feel the same about mine even though she is a big baby. But I don't think they seem to care that much about their dogs if they are letting them on the road. You won't see a lot of cars when you run out here but when you do they are going pretty darn fast.

What is up with people thinking Kentuckians only carry shot guns? That is in Southern KY. Around here you have a hillbilly or two way back in the hills, but the rest of us are up to date on the latest high powered rifles. It is nothing to see a person walking to check his/her mail with a AR-15, SKS, or AK-47 slun across their shoulder.

Bal., Where can I get some of that "dog-pepper spray?"

Uhh...be careful with that pepper spray stuff.

A friend of mine was doing SP-augmentee duty at a slow gate in the middle of the night. He decided to take a look at the stuff on his utility belt, one of wich was a can of pepper spray. He didn't know it but he got some of that nasty stuff on his finger and then promptly scratched an itch in the corner of his eye (he never even touched the spray button on the thing, just the nozzle). Well, he spent the rest of the night waving folks thru the gate all teared up looking like somebody punched him in the nose. He couldn't see shi-ZAT for about a half hour. I would've given good money to watch him stagger around the gate all ****ed up like that!

oh yeah...About the carrying a rock. When I was running for our high school last year we were doing "hill runs" Some guys decided to drive by and throw a unopened bottle of MT. Dew at me. If not for good reflexes I would have been hit in the head by the thing...and them guys were flying down the hill. There were about 6 of us and all but me gave them the middle finger. I just thought they were trying to be nice...they saw I was thirsty so they threw me a drink. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> Then we all picked up large rocks and waited for them to come back. Ofcourse they didn't. I couldn't get in trouble with the law for shattering a window...if they try to hit me first...right? Well. I guess they would have to catch me first...I know some pretty good places to hide up in the woods.

I don't carry it myself, but I'll give my dad a call tonight and find out the name and see where it can be bought. The stuff is meant to screw up your eyes/nose, so of course you do have to be careful with it <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

Okay...Great. I will definately be careful with it...I got some of my grandfather pepper spray in my eyes about a year ago. It was great. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> It wasn't dogs chasing me today...when I got to the place where I turn around a lightening storm was brewing up. I used my imagination when the thunder started roaring and pretended I was hearing artillery and gunshots coming at me. I am pretty stupid about that kinda stuff. Ofcourse it was the fastest 2 miles I have ran in a while.

After 25 years of running I have never been bitten - yet. Worst accident was in a bike paceline where a dog took out my front tire while I was spraying my waterbottle at another dog snapping at my rear tire - spent the night in a hospital. Most dogs are just protecting their turf, others are just curious. I personally don't like to carry things when I run; soooo, if I know of a dog on my route, I will pick up a beer/soda can or two in advance (unfortunatly not hard to find in SC), and when the angry/curious mut is about 20 ft away, just toss the cans in their direction (my version of chaff and flare) Usually, by the time the dog figures out what the h*** is going on I have performed an advanced E&E manuver and am out of his range. You also need to use cars as blockade devices. Get to the other side of the road, dogs usually don't like to cross the road, especially if there is oncomming traffic. (First, remember to check both ways yourself) I had a kind-old-lady come to my rescue one day. She saw me being harrased by a particularly nasty K-9, I crossed the street while she keep pace with me providing a moving barrier between me and the dog. I have never had much luck with the police, lawyers, and dog owners - try to keep them out of the picture.
As far as throwing s*** at an abusive gang in a car, unless you are with a group of runners (5 or more) - assume bad guys have guns, you only have your running shorts and shoes; I personally like an unfair fight (my favor)...

Cpt Laymon

in reply to pepper spray <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> don't play with it in a confined area either! that stuff gets in the air and starts acting like tear gas!

I usually go to the far side of the road. The dogs seem to have lost interest in me now but they still come at me once in a while. Another obstacle for me is snakes...They are going to be coming out before long...I don't really care about black snakes and snakes that will kill venomous snakes...but I always come across venomous snakes on the road or snakes that I have no clue what they are. 9 times out of 10 they are in the middle of the road...if not I go around. The road isn't that wide...wide enough for two cars to pass at a good speed but I am not taking my chances with a snake. I usually run in place and wait for the next person to drive down the road. I signal them that there is a snake in my way and the run over it. If they don't understand I just move into the road a little so when they go around me the will run over it. Then I finish them off with a rock. I don't think Pepper spray would work on them. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

AA is so right about the shooting Pepper Spray in confined areas. We once had a disgruntled wife fire off a blast towards her husband and it left a good blotch on the wall and we had to leave the area as the aroma wafted down the hallways. As far as the dog goes, most are just curious by nature and protecting their turf. One thing I've noticed that works pretty well is a lazy eye routine. Just pick an angry expression and keep it. The dog will still bark at you, but most won't approach you. As far as the snakes go. Well, I guess now you have a reason to run. Just kidding.

From what they told us when we got certified to carry OC spray for security duty, pepper spray only serves to make a dog angrier. Don't know, never had to use it(man or beast).

I dont know about you guys but where I grew up (Alabama) fighting off a mean dog is a (red neck) martial art. the first rule of fightin' a dog is - you are goin' to get bit. Once you accept that fact, the rest is easy. Just make sure you let him bite you on your left arm. (right arm if you are a lefty) Get ready for the attack. Feet shoulder width apart. square your shoulders. Keep your head up. (sound familiar) If you have time, wrap your shirt or jacket around your arm. After that you have a couple of options.

1) If the dog belongs to a friend of yours just lift his front feet off the ground with the arm he is chewing on and give him a hard kick to the belly if the dog is really stout it might take a couple of kicks.

2) If no one else is around, you know the dog is going to attack, and you want to make sure he never messes with you again. Get out your pocket knife. (Any old swiss army knife will do) Lift him up in the same manner and gut him. End of dog problem.

3) If you don't have time to get out your knife gouge out his eyes.

The main thing to remember is you are going to get bit maybe more than once so stay low and dont let him get a hold of your head or neck.

For biking a hand tool is the bike pump, works as a club for dogs and helps if you get a flat. Some gernola bar or other snack you might bring with you also works as a good decoy.

Fill a water bottle up with some ammonia and spray it in the dogs face. They will leave you alone after that, or just man up and kick the crap out of it.