dog park

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Kyo

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so i went in the park today to let my shephered/rott mix play and i was coming up to the benches in this park. An orange dog was coming up to me and she looked like she wanted me to pet her. So, I lowered my hand down and she started barking at me! Caught me off guard. The first second I snapped my hand back, the second moment I was almost going to reach for my weapon but then I had a second thought and decided to wait it out. Well, it was a good decision, because the owner came and took care of it. Dog was about 50 pounds, came up to my knees or higher. I was actually worried about getting bit, hence the thought of a draw.
Kinda gave me a good perspective because I instantly realized I had an option of defense instead of just backing away and hoping nothing would happen. The dog later came up and licked my hand as if to apologize. It got me wondering if I did something to scare it. she let me pet her :D
 
unfortunately you take that risk by entering a "dog park". Knowingly going inside a place that is designated for animals, you assume the risk that another dog may or may not like you or your dog.
 
I carry when I go to the park, too...

But my threshold for drawing is a lot higher than a nippy dog.

I did see a little girl a couple weeks ago let out a high pitched scream that riled up all the big dogs at once and they started chasing her. Her dad interceded right away but it was too much even for him and several owners had to break up the pack.

That same little girl got one nervous mutt worked up later that same visit and I had to pull the dog off her since I was the closest adult.

Stupid kid.:rolleyes:

There are some BIG dogs at my park... around 150 pounds, that if they got out of control and on top of a 2-legs there'd be no choice for restraint other than shooting them.

Sounds more like you have to work on your dominant stance around the dogs, than worry about shooting each nervous dog you come across. There are legitimate situations where you might be forced to put a dog down with a carry gun, but you're likely to encourage those situations if you don't have the right "alpha" feel to you as a 2-legs.
 
I think you made right choice by ultimately not drawing. Gunning down Cujo in a park full of dog lovers is unlikely to go well for you unless somebody was being mauled. When I've gone to such places in the past, I usually carried a can of pepperspray in addition to a handgun. Never needed either, but a non-lethal option is nice to have available.

azredhawk44 said:
Stupid kid.
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Dog parks I've been to usually prohibit children, and I think it's a good idea. Dogs don't belong in playgrounds and children don't belong in dog parks.
 
I go -- occasionally -- to only one very quiet, very large dog park in a rural area. The urban parks are too apt to attract guys (always :rolleyes:) with pits or other dog- or human-aggressive breeds, who think it's cool to have a dangerous dog. I've heard too many horror stories of dogs being mauled, or people being badly bitten when they've, for instance, intervened to stop fights. Even if you have the means to defend yourself and your dog, a fight is still too apt to result in a dead or injured animal and/or a trip to the hospital for a person.

It's sort of like going to a bar in a bad neighborhood -- not worth it. There are lots of other fun places to go with the dog, better things to do with her.

Stupid kid. :rolleyes:
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Nuh-uh. Stupid parents. Not the kid's fault.
 
The worst I was ever bit when I worked for Animal Control was by a tiny little dog that looked like a dust-mop. It was sitting there, not moving, looked about 100 years old, and I reached down to check out the tag on its collar. *SNAP* It really got ahold of me. Ouch.:)

When presenting your hand to an unfamiliar dog, it's a good idea to keep it in a fist at first. Only the hugest dogs can get their jaws around a fist, regular sized dogs will just bounce their teeth off your knuckles if they try to bite. Sticking your fingers out extended and exposed to chomping is generally a bad idea.
 
I preach less-lethal (in addition to your CCW) to everyone I can, at every opportunity I can. This is one situation where a good expandable baton, can of mace, or Kimber PepperBlaster would be a great companion.

Not every situation warrants a firearm, I hope at least someone is listening here...
 
Not every situation warrants a firearm, I hope at least someone is listening here...
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I'll agree with that - and am closing the thread because there's little left to be said about this one that hasn't been said already.

pax
 
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