LET'S TALK ABOUT DOG ATTACKS
It’s was an early September morning and I was walking out to my car to start my day. I had my buddy Dingo the dog at my side who was always ready for a car ride. I looked down the block and saw two large dogs, a Rottweiler mix and a German Shepard, running around aimlessly. It took a second but then it hit me; these two dogs were the same dogs our neighbors had reported running around freely and terrifying everyone.
The next thing I see is both dogs frozen in place, staring Dingo and me down. Within seconds, they were charging straight for me. I ran around and literally threw Dingo into the car. By the time I closed the car door, I was pinned by both who were now growling, barking and snapping.
It’s funny how surreal events like this can seem. I am screaming and yelling for them to “Fuck off!” and “Go the fuck away!” all while thinking, “Is this really happening to me? Me? The dog lover and dog walker who is now possibly going to be eaten by dogs?”
Pinned against the side of my car, I kicked out and continued yelling. But they were like the fucking Velociraptors in Jurassic Park, both snapping back and forth, at my floundering, kicking legs. One finally gets lucky and makes contact with my right leg. OH MY GOD, the pain. Instantly my situation went from Defcon yellow to Defcon red, along with the level of my screaming which was now supersonic.
Maybe my high frequency screeching hit them at a noise only dogs can hear but miraculously they abruptly stopped and went running down the street. I turned and ran inside, shaking with a surge of adrenaline shouting, “I’ve just been attacked! I’ve just been attacked by dogs!”
Once inside however some weird ego shit happened. I found my peanut gallery, who usually just makes hilarious inside voice commentary on whatever’s happening, had been taken over by, I think Iron Man. Or perhaps the terminator. I’m not exactly sure. But I literally stopped and did an about face in my living room and said out loud, “Oh no you did NOT just attack me!” I then preceded to run back outside to, I guess demand another fight? Wasn’t sure where my ego was going with all of this but nonetheless I found myself driving down the street mumbling, “You wanna fight? I’ll give you a fight!” Again, not quite sure who was in control of my peanut gallery at this point, but clearly, they were not really thinking it all through.
Imagine wanting to rumble down the street like the terminator in a NASCAR monster truck and assert my powerful revenge yelling “hasta la vista baby”. Now imagine what really happened. Me in my little energy-saving Prius, barely making any sound because, well it’s a Prius. Yeah, not very tough or intimidating. But I did find the dogs, who by this time were stalking another woman. I managed to swerve my tiny car in between them, preceded to jump out once again yelling and screaming for them to, “Fuck Off!” This time they ran into what was apparently their owner’s house.
Out of seemingly nowhere, about ten neighbors came out. All of whom had been dealing with these two terrors for weeks, including two women who had already been physically attacked. I called animal services who apparently already had a case on these dogs. Of course my peanut gallery is off the hook with sarcastic commentary at this point. Seriously, they had a report of two people who had been attacked by the SAME dogs yet they were still out and about on the streets? Oh the snail pace action of government agencies. I guess I was the straw that broke the camel’s back, or perhaps third times a charm, because this time - they actually came out.
Now most dog owners I’ve known throughout the years have been responsible people who care both about their pets and other human beings. That however did not seem to be the case here. The neighbors had tried numerous times to tell her what her dogs had done but the owner abruptly denied it and closed the door on their faces. When animal services arrived and knocked on her door, the owner literally barricaded herself inside and refused to even answer the door. The police also received the same greeting when they arrived and tried knocking. At this point I was taking notes on how to get away with a crime. Clearly naive, I had no idea you could get away with simply not answering the door when authorities knocked. Hours later, with plenty of strange negotiations, animal services were able to remove the dogs from the house and owner.
I have to say, it was terrifying to be attacked by dogs. And this is coming from a person who loves dogs and is not generally scared of them one bit. But I am outraged at people who are irresponsible with dogs and do not understand, or care, how dangerous out-of-control, untrained dogs can be to humans and other pets. In my situation, I can’t help but think if a child or pet had been attacked by these two dogs, the outcome might have been much worse. But it is always the dog owners fault, never the dogs.
“Over 4.5 million people are attacked and bitten by dogs each year in the United States”
Over 4.5 million people are attacked and bitten by dogs each year in the United States and approximately 16 people die from these attacks annually. When I learned that, I was sadly not surprised. We have approximately 78 million dogs here so it’s not surprising that we have so many dog attacks. It’s extremely disappointing though that many of these attacks could be avoided with proper training along with more initial, thorough vetting in the animal adoption process.
I know for me, hindsight doesn’t really help. But at least I’ve learned the hard way what to do if ever attacked again. Here are some suggestions I’ve collected. Apparently, three things I actually did do - screaming like a crazy woman, kicking and looking for the owner - are NOT advisable. Do as I say, not as I do I guess.
If a dog attacks:
Keep your hands and arms in front of your body to protect yourself.
Don’t put your hand near the fighting or attacking dogs’ mouths, or touch the dogs where they could easily turn around and bite you.
Do not grab collars.
If the dog bites you and isn’t letting go, move your arm or body part into the dog’s mouth, rather than trying to pull it out. This will prevent more damage to you through tearing.
Keep the dog from shaking its head or your body if they do not release.
Children should curl themselves into as tight a ball as possible and be as still as possible.
As hard as it is, teach children to not squeal or cry if possible - that only increases the excitement of the attacking dog.
If the very worst is happening, curl yourself over your child.
If the dog attacks your dog, do not put any part of your body between the two dogs.
Find objects to put in between the two dogs (chair, umbrella, garbage can lid, etc.).
Picking up your small dog is likely to cause the attacking dog to jump up on you, potentially causing you harm.
Not picking up your small dog is likely to increase the danger and harm to your dog. You’ll have to decide, given the situation, which is wiser in the moment.
If you do pick up your dog, don’t swing them back and forth facing the attacking dog. Try to place your dog between a barrier of some kind and yourself. Lean into a wall or even toss your dog into a fenced area if need be. Be aware that the attacking dog might be able to jump that fence.
Do not kick or punch the dog if possible (that might escalate in their arousal).
Once the attack is over, immediately get yourself, your dog or your child away. Don’t turn around, try to get further control of the situation, or try to find the owner.
““Discipline isn’t about showing a dog who’s boss; it’s about taking responsibility for a living creature you have brought into your world.” – Cesar Millan”
