Hello,

I just found this board and am hoping someone here may have suggestions for a very upsetting event my dogs and I had a few days ago.

I have a 35 pound 5 year old Lab/Cocker female and a 4 year old 65 pound ?Border Collie/Ausie/etc female, she looks like a "farm dog".

We hike in the mountains around Santa Fe almost every day, until the closed all the parks for 2 months because of fire hazard.

We were allowed back in recntly, so I went on my favorite hike starting at the ski run. We made it about 100 yards when we were charged by 2 pit bulls, off leash (as were mine, as are EVERYONES) with halters, one went straight for my larger dog, and she hid behind me, then they stood there deciding what they were going to do next. I said loudly, "whose DOGS are these?" and from waaay far away I heard a whistle and off the pit bulls went.

My question is, if the pit bulls decided they wanted to kill my dogs, what can I do to save my dogs? I have never been particularly afraid of any dog, and have chased off german shepards when they have started in on my bigger dog. But these types of dogs send chills down my spine. I mean, we were completely minding our own business and the one went directly for my larger dogs throat.

I don't ever want to feel that helpless again, and I would value any suggestion on effective ways to protect my dogs in another similar or worse situation.

ThanK You!

Several things come to mind that you can do to protect yourself. Carry a firearm, if it's federal forest land you are allowed to carry a handgun with no permit within the park, such as in the Serrias, check with the local sherrif. Carry some mace or pepper spray, carry one of thoes neat sound stun guns, (there is a thread about them on here somewhere I forget where) carry some bear spray. Thats about all I can think of.

Thanks, Lonny!

BTW, I, in no way, want to ruffle the feathers of any pit bulldog owners out there.

I'm afraid until I encounter a reallly old, fat, 3 legged, crippled pit bull, instead of the pure, wall to wall, down to the EYELASH, muscle bound pit bulls I have seen to date, I will have a certain amount of trepidation.

Eve N.

One approach is to carry a bamboo clatter stick. Use this as if your a decoy in a face attack and the average dog will back off. It's a non-lethel way to scare off dogs. I did find a cool walking stick at the sporting goods store. It is designed for mountain climbing. It telescopes in length and has a rubber tip for traction. Of course if you find ice on your path (or wild dogs) the rubber tip comes off to reveal a nice sharp steel spike (if only it was spring loaded!). <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

On a popular hiking trails a gun maybe out of the question besides hitting a fast moving dog with a gun is not easy (unless you have a shotgun). One problem with missing with a gun is what is behind your intend target (lack of back stop). You could kill or damage something or (god forbid) someone.

Once the dog stops to plan his attack as in your situation (a gun then would work, but the back stop problem still exist). I think the Taser (wire feed shock device, that can render a man unconcisous). I recommend the Taser over the Stun gun because unlike the SG, Taser gives you a degree of saftey (5ft - 10ft). With the Stungun you have to hold it in your hand and touch the dog with it. A tough dog, like a pit could bite while being shocked.

I think the Taser or a high powered pellet C02 handgun, would be the safest bet.

So maybe the Taser, Pellet pistol or a form of bear repellant, would work along with an heavy stick across the legs applied after the repellant is used. Only if the dogs still acted aggressive. Pits Bulls are determined dogs thats one of their traits.