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I'm out on my evening walk. Suddenly a German Shepherd rushes toward me. I yell at his owner, who sits on the steps leading up to her apartment to call her dog back before it gets to me. (We're in a dog-friendly community). I told her to call him back and get a leash. She was careless and made rude remarks.
Before it was over, she coaxed the dog to attack me. She kept saying 'get her!' over and over. The poor dog was confused but was trying to learn to attack, it seemed. He was fairly young, but still big enough to do damage, so I was frightened. I called the police and pulled out the pepper spray and told her that I did not want to harm the dog, so pleaded for her to call it off. She instead got up and ran toward me still coaxing the dog to attack me. I shielded myself between a panel of a partial fence and some bushes. She came up to me in attack mode and continued to coax the dog to attack. I was still on the phone with the police and was quite frightened. I didn't want to hurt anyone but when they came within two feet of me I sprayed pepper spray near the dog. She was hoping the dog would attack but I think he was too young. So she started to fight me, and I sprayed her in the face. It was the first time I sprayed this pepper spray (or mace I have no idea) but it was foamy and it stopped her and made her turn away. I got her in the nick of time before. Because if she started in on me there is little doubt the dog would have taken up for its owner. She scurried back up the stairs and called her dog to come with.
The police arrived and I explained everything.
Now that I've had a chance to gather myself, I realize she was trying to train the dog to attack. The dog was young and learning. She put the dog into harms way. I'm glad I didn't spray the dog but I sprayed her instead. The dog was taking in instruction from her.
So tomorrow I will talk with the head of animal control about this issue.
Does anyone agree that it was not the dog's fault but the owner? And the owner should not be allowed to have a dog that she intentionally puts into harms way like this?
I have many many witnesses when they pinned me between the fence and the bushes. There was nowhere else for me to go for cover.
The woman, by the way appeared inebriated or half asleep. I couldn't tell, but she seemed pretty reckless and she was around 50 years of age.
No, this certainly wasn't the dog's fault and you are lucky to have had the pepper spray with you. I don't blame you ONE little bit for spraying that woman in the face. That poor dog was confused. Obviously, attacking people isn't his nature.
The sad thing about this situation is, is that the woman is going to continue to encourage her dog to attack. Animal control probably can't do a thing unless the dog actually attacks someone. Once it does, in all likeliness, he will be put down because of the owner's stupidity.
I agree with gouligan. What a horrible thing to do to you. And the poor dog will end up dead thanks to her strange and uncalled for behavior.
Wow, you just can't fix stupid.
the police should have done their job and put her in jail and called animal control to come pick up the dog and hopefully the dog will never learn to attack so she will get rid of him and he will have a chance to be in a good home with good people . That woman should have been taken into custody and delivered to the jail . You need to be very careful that she does not come after you again . I hope the poor dog gets into a better home . I fear for you and this poor dog . If I were you I would press charges for assault and battery and have her locked up but since the police did not seem to want to do their job it seems little will be done to this woman . You need to keep up your guard .
So what did the police do? What was their response?
I would go down to the police station and speak directly with the person in charge of the case, be very clear that you are following up on what happened, and want to know what action was taken to ensure that you and this woman's dog are safe.
I would also speak directly with animal control and again be very clear about what happened, what the police response was, and your concern for both you and this dog.
I don't hold out a lot of hope for this dog's future if it stays with this lunatic woman, but you need at least to get this situation on the record with both the police and animal control.
What a horrible story! Please let us know how this pans out. I feel sorry for the dog (and for you, of course), and I hope that poor animal is taken away from that whacky woman.
I still cannot fathom why she was not arrested unless this is a very small town and she is related in some way to law enforcement and anyone who says that does not happen ,has never lived in a small town . I did live in a small town and we had a lunatic neighbor who was always causing trouble but because she was a cousin of the police chief nothing was done and if you pressed charges the sheriff would be pulling you over constantly for causing trouble with the pcs cousin or whoever . Happily I got the he*l out of that town and never looked back . Crooked , crooked , crooked . OP I hope you get some satisfaction out of the police station that you seriously need to go to and press charges against this woman .
It's not the dog's fault. If it wants to hurt you, you would be getting stitches that night.
I don't know how you spoke to the owner when you asked her to get the leash. Some people, especially the drunk ones, are not stable in the mind to begin with. I had a similar confrontation in my neighborhood a year ago.
I was walking my dog on our usual route, on the sidewalk. We were allowed to use the grass (common areas) as poopie areas as long as we pick up the poop. A woman in her late 40's came out ofa nearby house, walking towards me. She was in her pajamas, red eyes, messy hair, smells like beer and didn't seem all there. Yells at me that I am on her property. I replied calmly no, not according to our HOA, and I was nowhere near her house. She took a few steps forward and my dog charged at her. Luckily I had Pebbles on a leash and I told her to sit/stay. The lady backed away and continues to ramble on how the sidewalk belongs to her too. I just walked away from her knowing that you can't argue with a drunk.
Next time, if the dog charged at you, don't move. Don't make any loud sounds. Back away slowly while you dial 911. Get on top of someone's car trunk if you can.
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