When Dogs Attack
Thursday, February 7th, 2008Laura and I decided to go for one of our nice walks again today. The temperature was in the 40s, so we figured it would be nice to get out of the house. We went out to the driveway and I remembered that I forget my pepper spray for the bear. I usually bring a stick too, but haven’t done that in a while. I ran back into the house and grabbed the pepper spray and we went on our way. Sometimes, I feel like one of those granola types…you know, with the walking sticks and everything. I try not to come off like that.
We made it down to the corner and made a right, towards the river and the little pond we like so much. Usually, we will make it all the way to the end of the road and turn around. I think that makes the walk a full three miles. That’s a pretty good exercise day, with all the hills and everything. We walked a bit further and I decided to take some video, since I brought my video camera. That’s probably why I initially forgot my pepper spray, I was so focused on remembering the video camera. I did take some video and will post it in my next entry.
For some reason, Laura decided to keep walking. I guess she was in the zone. I finished up the video and had to run to catch up to her. When I finally got up there, I told her that the one part on my body that feels the most tired from the run is my shins. Isn’t that weird? We continued on and walked past this house with three barking dogs. Every time we walk by this house, we have to put up with these dogs barking their asses off at us. They are tied up to trees and have no shelter. We can’t figure out why these people own these dogs. All they do is bark and it seems like no one is taking care of them. Perhaps it is the old “protection” thing. You know, the “I have a house that no one in their right mind would rob, but I need three barking dogs anyway” kind of house. They really ruin the whole road. I am sure the neighbors love it. Now, let me tell you, these are not three little poodles, they are three large black lab mixes. They are always trying to get loose to do who knows what. Again, we walked past them up to the pond.
We finally made it to the pond and began our walk back down the road. We made it almost to the driveway of the barking dogs and Laura said, “Do they have another one? I see one in the backyard.” Right at that moment, I heard a “snap.” Then, right when we got to the driveway, I saw this big black dog barreling down the driveway towards us, barking like crazy. My first thought was that he would stop at the edge of the property line and just bark. Well, as it turns out, he ran right towards us, barking and snarling all the way. I was standing in between the dog and Laura and Holly (our dog). This dog tried to get to Holly to apparently kill her. He ran to my left, when I realized this might be a good time to use my pepper spray. I took the pepper spray out of my pocket and sprayed the dog as he was circling around me trying to get to Laura and Holly. I think I only got his side, because he continued to make it around to Holly. Laura kept trying to shield her. She was probably also wondering what the hell I was doing because she had her back to me. The dog got around and bit Holly in the back. I turned around and kicked the dog in the side and sprayed it in the face. Laura was in the process of trying to lift Holly up so she could use her legs to kick. The dog ran back into the driveway all the way to the house. I saw the dog use its paws to try to clear its face of the pepper spray when it decided to come back for another round. He ran back, barking all the way and when he got to the end of the driveway, he stopped and I gave him another spray, which didn’t reach him. He turned around and ran back to the house, when again, he decided to come back for another try. I was still standing there with the pepper spray, so he turned around and stayed there.
Needless to say, we were a little shaken. We walked back to the house and I called the police. They told me they would contact the dog control guy so he could come out. I told them that this dog was nuts so they should really send a cop out too. The dog control guy came over to our house and I gave him the information. Then, he left and went up to the house. He told me this was the second time this week the dog got loose. Then, the cop came to our house and I gave him the information. He then left and went up to the house. When he came back a little while later, he informed me that the owner wasn’t home, but the kids tied the dog up. Later this evening, the dog control guy called me a few times and let me know that this guy was going to get a bunch of tickets. He was getting one for not having shelter for the dogs, for having one of them loose, not having them registered with the town and some other stuff. I told him that I want to see the rabies paperwork and for the guy to apologize to us. I am also going to file a complaint and go to court. Can anyone say, “Jerry Springer?”
I decided that it would be good to continue to walk on our favorite road. I am going to be a little more prepared this time. If we are going to be living here for the next year or so, I am going to buy a few cans of bear spray. The cop told me that’s the good stuff and can shoot up to 30 feet. Here is what I am thinking of. Also, I am going to start carrying my bat. If this ever happens again, I swear I am going to blind the dog and club him to death. I’ll even chase him if need be. I really am not going to put up with this crap any more.
