I live near some state land where many of us walk our dogs off-leash.
Several weeks ago I was just leaving as a guy came through the fence with a Cane Corso who immediately attacked my elderly german shepherd. The ower seemed fairly unconcerned. I was so dumbfounded I just put a leash on my dog and left.
This morning I ran into the same guy and his dog comes out of nowhere and goes for my elderly black lab. Neither time was skin broken, but it freaked me out and I’m sure my dogs were freaked out as well.
My question: what are my rights? I have a concealed carry license but don’t even own a gun. Should I start carrying just in case I have to shoot this dog before it harms one of mine? I was afraid to reach in and try to pull this Cane Corso off my dogs because I know what a wound it is capable of inflicting.
I would appreciate any advice.
Is there a Forestry station nearby? I would get ahold of a ranger and let them know what has happened. (Oddball question, why do you have a carry license if you don’t own a gun?) Are you sure his dog isn’t just rough playing? They are big dogs and they have “bad” reputations but maybe this is a big, young, rambunctious dog that he takes there to let off leash and play with other dogs? If a Cane Corso wanted to attack your dog, I’d bet it would have pretty significant skin tears. Either way, i wouldn’t leave without approaching the owner and asking/explaining what’s going on…
Who cares if the dog is rough playing? I would keep my dog on a leash and if the dog came near my dog I woulld call the police.
Wow, I’m so sorry – you might check out the “My Dog Wants to Play” thread here. Someone on there said they carry a Taser and have used it on a dog that attacked theirs. It’d be hard, I know, but if it were me, I’d give the owner a choice: you or your dog. Then I’d follow through.
Also, do you carry a cell phone with you? If not, DO. I run two miles a day; I carry my cell phone every day, and I have called the sheriff on crazy creepy stalker guy at the end of the road. This guy needs a wake-up call. Maybe a local sheriff would give him one.
[QUOTE=Laurierace;7141036]
Who cares if the dog is rough playing? I would keep my dog on a leash and if the dog came near my dog I woulld call the police.[/QUOTE]
Well, she’s talking about shooting the dog. I’d be a bit concerned about prosecution for shooting a playing dog. Also, a dog intent on playing is a whole different ball game to get stopped if needed than a dog intent on attacking.
Did you say anything to the owner? Like, “get your dog away?”
You said he seemed unconcerned, which means one of you is likely misreading the situation. I was not there and cannot say who is wrong.
Are you old dogs okay? You said there was no blood, and usually there is after an attack. How long did these attacks last? What stopped them?
I wouldn’t jump right to a gun, especially if you haven’t talked to the owner or a ranger yet. I’d go with pepper spray and risk hitting my own dogs or myself before I’d jump to a gun.
Have you spoken to the owner?
Why not do that before you bring a gun?
Are any dogs supposed to be unleashed in this area, or are you both breaking the law?
What type of damage has the Corso done in these attacks? Or is he just overzealous or trying to non-violently assert dominance?
Have you told him to keep us dogs away from your dog? I have had to be very firm with some people when I was worried about a dog fight or an old dog being injured by an over zealous younger dog. Some people are hard to get through to.
If that doesn’t work, then I would talk to AC or a park ranger. I would think that shooting the other dog would be difficult and would risk you shooting your own dog. That would be a last resort for me.
[QUOTE=chaserider;7141012]
I live near some state land where many of us walk our dogs off-leash.
Several weeks ago I was just leaving as a guy came through the fence with a Cane Corso who immediately attacked my elderly german shepherd. The ower seemed fairly unconcerned. I was so dumbfounded I just put a leash on my dog and left.
This morning I ran into the same guy and his dog comes out of nowhere and goes for my elderly black lab. Neither time was skin broken, but it freaked me out and I’m sure my dogs were freaked out as well.
My question: what are my rights? I have a concealed carry license but don’t even own a gun. Should I start carrying just in case I have to shoot this dog before it harms one of mine? I was afraid to reach in and try to pull this Cane Corso off my dogs because I know what a wound it is capable of inflicting.
I would appreciate any advice.[/QUOTE]
Good God, no don’t try “shooting in amongst 'em” (to quote Jerry Clower). No. Guns. K? You’ll wind up hitting your own dog like as not and then probably get arrested for malicious destruction of property/cruelty to animals/unlawful discharge of a firearm and maybe even assault with a deadly weapon if the owner thinks you were firing in his direction.
Now, let’s take a deep breath. Your dog was off-leash. His dog was off-leash. His dog did not attack your dog. How do I know? You were able to leash your dog and leave. No skin was broken. None of these things would have occurred had the other dog attacked your dog.
Honestly? Just stop going to off-leash areas. You are nervous about offleash dogs and you are afraid to break up a dog fight. You have elderly dogs whom you cannot protect from other dogs, be they over-exuberant ill-mannered but well-meaning jerks or actually seriously aggressive. In fact, by “freaking out” you can make the situation much worse. I don’t think you should put your elderly dogs at risk. Just take them for walks on-leash in areas where other dogs have to be leashed, too. Or let them off-leash in safe areas where other dogs aren’t allowed.
From your OP, i sort of assumed that you were running into each other at the parking area. Is it something where you can recognize him or his car, and just leave if he’s there? If you’re there first, and his car pulls up, leash your dog and make a beeline for your car. If he’s there when you get there, just don’t get out, take your dog somewhere else.
If you’re running into the guy out on the trail, though, obviously this solution wouldn’t be feasible. And yes it sucks that you have to alter your own plans just because this guy is inconsiderate. But if it were me, I’d much rather be a little inconvenienced than knowingly put my elderly dog at risk.
I’m going to hazard a guess this isn’t actually an off-leash area, just there haven’t been problems so nobody cares to complain. Even if it is, both dogs off leash= shared risk.
An actual Cane Corso attacking another dog will break skin. It may be an idiot, it may be rough housing, or it may be a young dog trying to dominate the easy targets, ie your old elderly dogs.
TBH, I can’t even address the gun issue. Seriously? Two non-bloodshed fights and you want to start shooting the place up? You’re out in the open, you’ll be focused on the dog and I’d put money on you’ll either kill your own dog or an innocent person you didn’t see in the background.
I think everybody here has raised some very valid points and I thank you all. My original post was written shortly after I got home and I have calmed down some.
If indeed a Cane Corso would have broken skin if it was seriously attacking, then this was just “play” even though my dog was screaming. Didn’t seem like play to me or my dog, but whatever…
I agree, shooting would just as likely end with me hurting my dog or myself, so that is out.
I always look for this guy’s car before I enter the woods and if I see it, I don’t take my dogs in. Unfortunately he was entering just as we were leaving, so that didn’t work.
I guess I will stop going there for a while until I can figure out a better solution. Frankly, I’m angry at myself for not going off on the guy about restraining his dog, but I was so concerned about my dog’s well-being at the moment and - tbh, what 59-year-old wants to go off on a young man with a Cane Corso when nobody else is within earshot if the guy is like his dog?
I do appreciate everybody taking the time to respond. I was obviously too close to the situation to be rational at the time.
BTW: answer to the oddball question about having a CCL and no gun - just haven’t had a chance to get to the gun store yet 
What pAint and Horsegal984 and the like have said x100. This was NOT a fight – no skin was broken on two elderly receivers of the behavior. Two elderly dogs and not so much as a graze. I would guess with fair confidence this was play or testing boundaries/see who will defer but it was NOT a fight.
Whether Cane Corso or not, any dog who wanted to break skin could have and would have. How did your dogs respond? You were able to leash them and leave and you said “I’m sure” they were freaked out, but did they act freaked out? In what way?
It doesn’t sound like the other dog kept up the interaction since you said you didn’t break it up and just waited it out. I’m not saying it wasn’t stressful for you, and maybe your dogs, too, but really, if the dog meant to hurt your dogs, they would have been hurt.
Actually, backing up a bit, what exactly was the behavior the dog did? What was the “attack” exactly? Running up to your dogs? Throwing your dogs down? Pinning them? Growling? Looming over your dogs until they bowed their heads? Attack is actually a very nonspecific term and it clearly didn’t include any biting in this case, since no skin was broken.
If no dogs should be off leash on this “state land,” all owners with unleashed dogs are at fault, whatever the unspoken agreement of those who walk their dogs there is. If there are no leash laws that apply to the land, maybe that’s another matter, but I do think it’s wise to just consider the age and fragility of your dogs.
I’m sure it’s upsetting to feel that you’ve been able to use the area in the past without any rough (to humans) greetings before, but no guarantee it won’t happen again with that or any other dog.
I’m really not trying to belittle your concern, but I do think it is VITAL to analyze what specific, actual behavior occurred and putting it in the context of normal dog-dog behavior. Dogs interact with other dogs this way. Since no one got hurt I am floored that you are considering such a huge, extreme escalation of the situation as bringing out firearms.
Again, I know it was upsetting and stressful and I know you don’t want to have to avoid this nice place to walk, but assess the situation calmly and realistically and decide on a reasonable plan to keep your guys, yourself, and everyone else safe and happy. I like the idea of finding other areas to walk for now, at least with your elderly dogs.
ETA: I don’t mean to sound like I’m okay with the guy letting his dogs run up to your dogs – not at all. He absolutely should have his dog under control, and if you don’t want his coming up to your dogs, then he should be willing to step up and control his dog. The owner was not without culpability here, absolutely.
Actually, I tend towards feeling like all dogs should be leashed in any public areas besides off-leash dog parks. I even leash my mannerly dogs on the beach and out hiking in parks and am sad to see so many assume my dogs are ill-mannered. Quite the contrary; I just obey the regulations, and if leashes are required, I use them, even when no one else in sight is using them. Not to be all goody-goody, but I want dogs to be accepted in places and if they are off leash, they may not be for long.
When I’m riding my bike (or horse), I carry a water pistol filled with ammonia and don’t hesitate to squirt any dog in the face with it if he’s going for a chunk of my leg. Believe me, the next time I ride by the same area, I’m left alone. :yes:
although it might not have been a fight to hurt another dog, that doesn’t mean it was ok for the other dog to get all up in the elderly dog(s) business either.
I don’t advocate using a gun or a taser, but I might go without a dog and talk to the owner about the fact that my elderly dogs could have been injured. If that is unproductive, I’d probably carry some mace or a ball bat or something. I have 2 senior dogs and I’d be livid if my dog were jumped by an out of control loose dog.
Responsibility needs to come from both parties, the other dog needs to have a bomb proof recall if he’s going to be off lead.
[QUOTE=threedogpack;7141527]
although it might not have been a fight to hurt another dog, that doesn’t mean it was ok for the other dog to get all up in the elderly dog(s) business either.
I don’t advocate using a gun or a taser, but I might go without a dog and talk to the owner about the fact that my elderly dogs could have been injured. If that is unproductive, I’d probably carry some mace or a ball bat or something. I have 2 senior dogs and I’d be livid if my dog were jumped by an out of control loose dog.
Responsibility needs to come from both parties, the other dog needs to have a bomb proof recall if he’s going to be off lead.[/QUOTE]
agreed. your best course of action may be to be upfront with this “gentleman” regarding his errant dog. i love corsos, but i am afraid they attract the wrong crowd of people - often the type that do not have much dog or training knowledge.
you can approach him next time you see him - i am sure by now he would recognize you, and calmly tell him that his dog needs to have a respect of space. who knows? maybe the gentleman doesn’t know any better (which sounds to be the case). and if he is nonchalant about his dog “assertively playing” with your dogs, chances are, it is happening to other people too. which is very dangerous, as most dogs may not be as submissive or tolerant as your dogs were. stick up for yourself (calmly) and bring a spray gun next time you are in his neck of the woods.
in addition, also speak to the park ranger or the coordinator in charge of the woods. accessing the woods is a privilege, and if the man is making patrons like yourself uncomfortable, his privilege needs to be revoked.
When I worked Animal Control, we had a similar issue with a pair of huskies attacking other dogs at a common place for people to walk dogs off-leash. It was a pain to deal with, because I was never there for any of the “attacks”, but finally based on the huge number of complaints, I was able to start issuing tickets based on the violation of the town ordinances (Dogs are actually allowed off leash; the ordinance stated something like “Dogs must be on leash or under voice control” - obviously they weren’t under voice control). I don’t know exactly what wound up happening; he refused to pay the ticket, we all went to court, but before court actually started, his lawyer and the city attorney worked something out. The dogs did stop being an issue for the town, so I assume he found somewhere else to take them.
I’d look in to what the actual laws are on that property; if dogs aren’t allowed to be off-leash, buck up, keep your dogs on leash, and if it happens again report it. If it is “under voice control”, start filing complaints when it happens. A paper trail is a good thing if things escalate.
And please, please don’t bring a gun into the situation. Something like pepper spray is often recommended, but outside, with yourself and your dog within “wind” range, I’d personally be hesitant. I would certainly start carrying a walking stick though, and try to head the dog off before he even gets to yours.
I am one of those who hates the ideas that certain breeds get labeled as aggressive and n’er do wells when IMHO, it’s really the owner who is an obliviot that is the problem.
BUT…a few weeks ago, a dog, a PB, came after my horse and me when we were walking down a public road. I didn’t report. One week later, same dog attacked a neighbor and her dog resulting in significant injuries to both.
I felt guilty as heck for not having run it up the flagpole sooner. I maybe could’ve prevented someone else from being hurt.
[QUOTE=chaserider;7141448]
I think everybody here has raised some very valid points and I thank you all. My original post was written shortly after I got home and I have calmed down some.
If indeed a Cane Corso would have broken skin if it was seriously attacking, then this was just “play” even though my dog was screaming. Didn’t seem like play to me or my dog, but whatever…
I agree, shooting would just as likely end with me hurting my dog or myself, so that is out.
I always look for this guy’s car before I enter the woods and if I see it, I don’t take my dogs in. Unfortunately he was entering just as we were leaving, so that didn’t work.
I guess I will stop going there for a while until I can figure out a better solution. Frankly, I’m angry at myself for not going off on the guy about restraining his dog, but I was so concerned about my dog’s well-being at the moment and - tbh, what 59-year-old wants to go off on a young man with a Cane Corso when nobody else is within earshot if the guy is like his dog?
I do appreciate everybody taking the time to respond. I was obviously too close to the situation to be rational at the time.
BTW: answer to the oddball question about having a CCL and no gun - just haven’t had a chance to get to the gun store yet ;)[/QUOTE]
I am sorry your dog was scared. It doesn’t sound fun and it shouldn’t happen, but there wasn’t damage and you cannot escalate to a gun. That’s just such a leap for me. Your dog wasn’t hurt but you’re willing to kill this dog without trying anything else? If you’re going to carry, you need to work on when it’s appropriate to draw.
I’d talk to the owner. If you don’t want to attack him, say your dogs are old and frail and easily hurt and can’t handle rough play, so please keep his dog away.
Are dogs legally allowed off leash there? How’d the incident end?
I’d carry pepper spray before anything else. Even if you hit your dog, it won’t kill anyone but will break up a dog fight. I would talk to the owner first and say that because your dogs are frail if he can’t keep his dog off you would use pepper spray to prevent injury, though you’d hate to do that.
