Author Topic: Bad dogs and big calibers (Read 1084 times)

bulletstuffer · « **on:** November 07, 2011, 03:09:48 PM »

I was deer hunting the big north woods this weekend. There is a lot of wolf sign up there hence the back up 44 to the contender super 14 45 70. I was walking down a gravel road to my hunting spot when I saw something standing on the ground leaning into the bed of a truck on the side of the road with the tailgate down. It didn't quite register and as I approached I was surprised is was a huge black dog in its prime. It fell to all fours and started coming towards me barking aggressively. Both guns were holstered but the 44 was out quickly and I was thankful that it was with me.

The dog must have sensed that I was not afraid as I held my ground even though my nerves were on high alert and it veered off into the woods. I saw its head pop up just over the hill to my right about 40 yards away. It disappeared on the other side and I didn't see it again thankfully. All this happened in about 20-30 seconds. It all happened so fast and everything was pretty much on auto pilot.

Has anyone else run into aggressive dogs while hunting?

Bulletstuffer

Old Syko · « **Reply #1 on:** November 07, 2011, 03:28:03 PM »

Hunting mushrooms in the spring with the wife and another couple when we were charged by a pack of wild dogs. This was in an area where idiots who no longer wanted to take care of fido dumped them. A model 67 Smith in 38 special killed the first two that were 80 to 100 pounds each and the rest disappeared almost immediately. Not an unusual event in this area.

briarpatch · « **Reply #2 on:** November 07, 2011, 04:34:59 PM »

Many, many years ago I was bow hunting on my cousins land in NC. I was in a draw between two low ridges, sitting on a log that was located by a game trail. I was well hidden from the game trail and waiting for a deer.
I heard sticks breaking from something moving fast up the back side of the ridge and a buck deer broke across the top and came toward me at a hard run. About 10 yards behind him was a pack of dogs from big to little, spotted, solid and some with collars. There were, I would guess about 10 or so.
I did not move as all I had was a bow and was afraid that pack would concentrate on me. I was a lot slower than the deer.
The deer ran by just a few feet away and dogs followed. I would imagine the deer did not fair well.
Been nice to have had a good semi auto or pump shotgun with 00 buck. When they ran by I could have stepped out and cleaned house.

Shu · « **Reply #3 on:** November 08, 2011, 12:21:24 AM »

My wife and I were fishing, She walked up to the outhouse when I heard a large dog bark. I turned and saw she was being menaced by 3 large dogs and the owner a man in his 50's was standing there watching. She peppersprayed the dogs and when he approached her she pepper sprayed him also. He and his dogs were whining around. I stood guard at the outhouse for her. We went back to fishing and this idiot came down to the shore with his dogs to yell at us. I pulled my 40 out while she called the sherrif on her cell phone. The guy and his dogs were becoming more and more aggressive yelling about the pepper spray. I asked the guy to leave or I would shoot his dogs. The deputy arrived as he was leaving. He flagged the deputy down and told him about the pepper spray and my pistol. The deputy sorted things out and issued a citation to the guy for not having his dogs on a leash. He told me if it happened again just shoot the dogs. The idiot wasn't smart enough to have them.

Conan The Librarian · « **Reply #4 on:** November 08, 2011, 04:02:50 AM »

We hunted them in Georgia. A 44 magnum is just a peashooter against these dogs because they kill more like an arrow than like a high velocity bullet. This gives the dog plenty of time to attack you if you are at close quarters. Use a reliable shotgun with #4 buck. The idea is to stop them "rat nao!"

thejanitor · « **Reply #5 on:** November 08, 2011, 04:21:44 AM »

I was approached by a pack of 6 -8 when I was walking along a road with no houses within a mile. I had nothing but picked up a bottle to use as a club and kept yelling at them... several stayed in the woods but two little gutsy ones were coming through the ditch and getting close and seperating to either side of me.... I kept yelling and they did just leave but all the barking with the hair raised on their backs had my shorts in a bit of a wad. You are pretty much helpless if you don't have anything to defend yourself. I now always have at the minimum a pocket knife or walking stick.
thejanitor

Dee · « **Reply #6 on:** November 08, 2011, 03:12:50 PM »

Well this post otta get me plenty of negative comments. I Policed in an area that had a lot of Mexican migrants. The Mexicans LOVED their pit bulls, and chow chow, and fought the pit bulls. When they had made enough money, they would go back to Mexico, and many times simply RELEASE their pit bulls and move away. We had orders to shoot any pit bull that show any type of aggression. I have no idea how many I personally shot, or how many other officers shot in that ten year period.
Last year I shot a large aggressive dog in my front yard, and post that on a thread. Used to when I was a kid, most big dogs in my area of the world were big ole friendly curs, but in the last fifty years the different breeds have come in, and some are a pain in the ass.
Most of the macho groups of folks, (and no I ain't talkin ethnic groups) like the macho type dogs, like pit bulls, and rotties. Myself I like the Blue, and Red Heelers, and the smaller ones like the Jack Russells, although when the one I have is gone, I don't want another one. He's a little "backhoe" machine, and I'm tired of the diggin.
So to end this post. YES! I have had LOTS of encounters with LOTS of aggressive dogs. Almost every encounter ended the same way.

Casull · « **Reply #7 on:** November 08, 2011, 03:44:44 PM »

Dee, you won't get any negative comment from me. I really like dogs, but I have no use for pitbulls. The rotties I've been around have been big puppies. But, I don't care how many people I hear from that say that pitbulls are the most loyal, friendly breed out there, "its just how they are raised". Because, it seems like damn near every time a pitbull maims or kills someone, the owner always says "but he never showed any signs of aggression".

Hooker · « **Reply #8 on:** November 08, 2011, 04:48:51 PM »

Years ago my momma would take a stroll around the neighborhood every evening. A fellow on the next block had large dog that would get after her and scare the day lights out of her. I talked with the owner and he thought it was funny and said the dog hadn't hurt her and if she was scared maybe she shouldn't walk past his house. So I started walking with momma in the evenings. One evening the dog came charging into the street growling and showing his teeth. I yelled at the dog but it kept coming toward us.
I got between the dog and momma and when the dog lunged I broke his sternum and then smashed his scull on the blacktop.
The owner came running out of the house cussing me for killing his dog I broke his nose and left him laying in the street next to his dog.
Come to find out from the guy's ex girlfriend that he would sic the dog on folks passing by just for kicks.
Never have like having to kill a dog but it felt good busting that jerks nose.

Pat

jakeemt · « **Reply #9 on:** November 08, 2011, 05:00:20 PM »

"But they never showed any signs of aggression" yeah right is what I always think when I hear that. Those people probably don't know a dog from a hole in the ground. All dogs (unless maybe sissy dogs like pomeranians) show some signs of aggression that's part of being a dog. A good owner will curb and control that behavior.

Swampman · « **Reply #10 on:** November 08, 2011, 10:24:09 PM »

Any dog found in the woods during deer season without it's owner will likely be found there in the spring by it's owner.

mechanic · « **Reply #11 on:** November 09, 2011, 12:28:01 AM »

Years ago I built a new house, the first in a new subdivision. Over the next year I killed more than 30 dogs, (lost count), that had been dumped there. Some were pathetic and starving, some were downright dangerous. Since I had no neighbors at that time for most of a mile, any dog was a stray in my mind, and I had two little girls.

Ben

Mikey · « **Reply #12 on:** November 09, 2011, 12:55:53 AM »

In nys it is legal to eliminate domestic pets that are harrassing wildlife - i.e., loose dogs that are chasing deer. I have encountered large dogs in the woods before and as long as they are not aggressive toward me or anyone I am with, they can go their own way.

This is how I found my last German Shepard. I initially took her for a large coyote or a smaller wolf but then clearly saw she was a Shepard, and pretty skinny. She was not aggressive, but curious and after a bit would hang around. Later I saw her again and got her to come to a open can of dog food, which she inhaled, and then let me slip a leash on her. Her first 10 days with us were at a dog rescue facility where she was checked for bugs, worms and all sorts of other stuff, got her shots, got bathed and groomed daily and was fed well. She later graduated first in her class from obedience training and since has been leaving piles of dog hair in the corners of our rooms when she rolls and rubs against everything. She is a great 'find'....

Pits and Rotties - love'm all, individually though. I have met a good number of each but have never felt concerned - especially when they climb into my lap and are thankful for a rub or a scratch. My latest adoption from a shelter is part pit, or looks like it - part short haired retreiver, part chipmunk terrorist, part pit, mostly laplug and kisser. I once met a pit in the woods that was chewing on a log - he and his Newfoundland buddy were having a great time. When I asked them what they were doing they took notice and came bounding up and each found a leg to lean against for some scratching and petting. Dogs are not tough to read and a abused dog can always be read easily - they are not comfortable near humans and especially stranger and what some take for aggression is, I feel, fear and warnings to leave them alone. With the way some people treat their dogs I can't blame the dog though.

And Hooker - ya shoulda busted more than his nose.

Shu: I think your wife should have continued to nail that idjit with her pepper spray until the police arrived - now that woulda taught him something.

Dee · « **Reply #13 on:** November 09, 2011, 01:21:15 AM »

Some here know, and some don't that I am an ex-police K-9 "trainer" and handler. I too love big dogs. Especially German Shepherds, and Belgium Malinoises. However! What many don't understand about dogs is. The dog thinks like a dog. Sure he's friendly to the hand that feeds him, but many dogs see themselves climbing to the top of the pack order by dominating their sibling pack members. i.e. the wife, if she is a little shaky with the big dog, the children, and VISITING CHILDREN. This is where you get into trouble with breeds like the pit bulls, rotties ect.
When I was picking prospective police dog pups, I broke them down into three drives. Prey, Social, and Defensive drives. PREY DRIVE, is what causes a dog to WANT TO CHASE A BALL. It is an instinct that is very strong in most pit bulls, and there is nothing like a running, screaming, bunch of little kids to TRIGGER THAT DRIVE, which sometimes causes, and otherwise friendly dog to go to far. They can no more help it, than wagging their tail when their happy to see you.
You may not like that fact, and some will not accept it, but lets just say, that I truly hope you get away with that attitude for the "children's sake" and others "outside the family", to quote Hillary.
My personal patrol dogs were SOCIALIZED to my family, but there were boundries set, that my family knew, and the K-9 was never completely trusted. An example was: We had a crab apple tree in our front yard. The blue grass in our yard was lush due to my watering and care. In the evenings, the family many times would go out and lay around in the yard, joking and playing. One year I forgot to have the blooms sprayed, and we got crab apples. YUK! My wife picked one up, and threw it at me. The K-9 went and laid down in front of her. She thought that was kinda neat, so she threw another. This time, he laid AGAINST her, but showed no signs of aggression, but some stress. She still thought it was a game, and threw another. He nipped her, and the game was over.

myronman3 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 09, 2011, 03:40:37 PM »

Quote from: Conan The Librarian on November 08, 2011, 04:02:50 AM

We hunted them in Georgia. A 44 magnum is just a peashooter against these dogs because they kill more like an arrow than like a high velocity bullet. This gives the dog plenty of time to attack you if you are at close quarters. Use a reliable shotgun with #4 buck. The idea is to stop them "rat nao!"

how many dogs have you shot with a 44? i have shot a few with a 45, and they go straight down.

i have never had to shoot a dog in defense, but i have shot quite a few dogs. having a gun is a great idea and makes sure the dog does not forget who wears the hat and has the thumbs. it also changes how you act and that affects how they act.
spray works great, too. i have some stuff that has pepper spray, cs, and mace combined. i used it on a large dog here one day, i almost shot it but remembered i happened to have the spray. so i used it, and it worked like a champ. if i wasnt in town, i woulda just shot it.

gypsyman · « **Reply #15 on:** November 09, 2011, 08:18:53 PM »

I remember as a kid, pedaling around on my bike,there was one house that had a pretty good size dog. And, it would always run out and bark at me. I was raised with german shepards and border collies, so dogs didn't scare me. My mother fixed up an old spray bottle of mostly water, with a little bit of amonia. The next time I rode by that house, I gave that dog a good spray in the face. He always gave me extra room when I pedaled by his house after that. gypsyman

Old Fart · « **Reply #16 on:** November 10, 2011, 02:16:51 AM »

We used amonia back when we were kids on our paper routes.
Mom wouldn't let us take a gun with us. ?

That stuff does work if you mix it thick enough.

powderman · « **Reply #17 on:** November 10, 2011, 01:56:07 PM »

Quote from: Old Fart on November 10, 2011, 02:16:51 AM

We used amonia back when we were kids on our paper routes.
Mom wouldn't let us take a gun with us. ?
That stuff does work if you mix it thick enough.

YEP, never had to spray one twice. POWDERMAN.

yellowtail3 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 10, 2011, 06:17:18 PM »

Quote from: thejanitor on November 08, 2011, 04:21:44 AM

You are pretty much helpless if you don't have anything to defend yourself. I now always have at the minimum a pocket knife or walking stick.thejanitor

Yep. This last June in CA I was walking in West Covina when a dog charged out of a house, jumped fence, and attacked me. It got a mouthful of belly and tried to pull me off my feet, while owners were screaming at it and I was hitting it. No stick, no gun, no knife, no rock - nothing. Never want to be there again. It was a bulldog/mastiff mix, around 90 pounds.

I've got a pretty good scar. Even a .22 Jennings would have been nice to have had when needed. But you know, I was in CA, they're hostile to carrying there, and... it could have been worse.

Casull · « **Reply #19 on:** November 10, 2011, 07:19:35 PM »

Quote

Yep. This last June in CA I was walking in West Covina when a dog charged out of a house, jumped fence, and attacked me. It got a mouthful of belly and tried to pull me off my feet, while owners were screaming at it and I was hitting it. No stick, no gun, no knife, no rock - nothing. Never want to be there again. It was a bulldog/mastiff mix, around 90 pounds.

I've got a pretty good scar. Even a .22 Jennings would have been nice to have had when needed. But you know, I was in CA, they're hostile to carrying there, and... it could have been worse.

Bad dog, bad gun laws, bad situation. Frightening. Glad you were able to come out of it (I need someone to argue with).

quasne.inc · « **Reply #20 on:** November 10, 2011, 07:47:11 PM »

Not exactly on topic, but my dad told us right after he and my mom got married they would go visit his brother often and every time they did his dog would run up and urinate on my mom. After a few times my dad got sick of it and when the dog ran up to the fence my dad peed on the dog and it never did it again. Dont know if its true or not,(prob not), but it makes for a great story and reminds you, you gotta let them know you are the pack leader.

ratdog · « **Reply #21 on:** November 10, 2011, 09:26:21 PM »

not braging but i have shot a lot of dogs in my day out here they used to run in packs we had a yearly dog hunt.now that i have moved to the city i always carry my 9mm when i am out for a walk.i have two dogs of my own and they don't bite anybody if they

tried i would get rid of them.

OldSchoolRanger · « **Reply #22 on:** November 11, 2011, 05:54:13 AM »

Quote from: Casull on November 10, 2011, 07:19:35 PM

Quote
Yep. This last June in CA I was walking in West Covina when a dog charged out of a house, jumped fence, and attacked me. It got a mouthful of belly and tried to pull me off my feet, while owners were screaming at it and I was hitting it. No stick, no gun, no knife, no rock - nothing. Never want to be there again. It was a bulldog/mastiff mix, around 90 pounds.

I've got a pretty good scar. Even a .22 Jennings would have been nice to have had when needed. But you know, I was in CA, they're hostile to carrying there, and... it could have been worse.

Bad dog, bad gun laws, bad situation. Frightening. Glad you were able to come out of it (I need someone to argue with).

YT - I didn't think a dog would dare attack you, you seem too ornery to bite.

Happy that your doing well. Hoped you got satisfaction from the owners.

Casull - Yep, at least YT doesn't wear a tin foil hat.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #23 on:** November 11, 2011, 06:50:18 AM »

Where I hunt there are packs of wild dogs some years. The area is close enough that people from Richmond bring unwanted dogs out and dump them. They last until hunting season . The guys who trap get some , the dog warden says shoot them . In Va its a felony to kill a dog other than self defense so there are alot of sd shootings some seasons

srussell · « **Reply #24 on:** November 11, 2011, 04:44:47 PM »

i had to shoot my sisters pitbull. they thought it was funny to watch it play with half a concrete block. i told them it was getting out of hand. well the dog cornered my son and got aggressive so bang . i cant blame the dog for that, it was the way it was raised but on the other hand you cant let one hurt you are someone else

mechanic · « **Reply #25 on:** November 12, 2011, 07:19:48 AM »

Any dog, even lap dogs can become overly agressive. As Dee pointed out above, this is the dog's nature. We had a miniature poodle that bit my grand daughter once. She spent the rest of her life outside.