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In a split second, your life can change...
Two pit bulls came after Reece and I when we went out on our walk about an hour and a half ago or so.
We had just barely left the house. I saw two dogs walking toward us out of the corner of my eye. It took me a second to realize that they were pit bulls, and their postures suggested that we weren't about to have a friendly visit.
I stopped dead in my tracks as I saw them approach. Reece read my signals and immediately stopped. I made sure there were people around...I was stopped right in front of someone's house. Their garage door was open, and there was someone in the garage.
The pit bulls sniffed at Reece. Her hair stood up on end, her tail stuck straight out...not her usual friendly posture when she greets other dogs. I think she was reading my tenseness and responding to it.
We stood as still as possible. I made reassurances to Reece..."everything is going to be ok. Everything is going to be ok." And I knew it was a total lie. At any second, either one of those pit bulls could decide to attack.
To my relief, one of them lost interest and started wandering off. The other one looked to be following suit. Once their backs were turned, I ever so slightly turned myself toward home. My movement caught their eyes, and they came back again. This time, one of them snarled and snapped at Reece.
What were the people doing in the garage? Absolutely nothing to help me, that's for sure.
Just at that moment, a red car pulled up alongside me. "Are those your dogs?" I told him no. I told him that I was scared. He said that those dogs had come after his dog earlier that day. He urged me to get in his car and he told me that he was calling 911.
I debated whether I should get into a car with a total stranger, but as those pit bulls were still circling us, I didn't think I had a choice. I instinctively felt that he wanted to help. The pit bulls started circling his car...when I felt that we were enough out of harm's way, I opened his car door and thrust Reece inside and got in myself.
He drove us home. I walked in the house and told Lance what happened. He looked out the window and saw the pit bulls and immediately grabbed his sweater and stormed off down the street.
He found the dogs' owner. The guy who helped me was already at the house. Together, they confronted this man and Lance told him in no uncertain terms that if those dogs ever harm one hair on my head or Reece's head, Lance would kill them first and ask questions later. The guy who helped me had already called the police. The guy who owned the dogs was making excuses, and he said that he just moved into our neighborhood today.
While all this was going on, I was back at home with Reece, coming completely unglued. How close we were to disaster. How close we were to losing Reece...to them possibly attacking me and me either becoming seriously injured or losing my life. Those dogs ARE vicious. I'm convinced of that, despite their owner's insistence to the contrary. I held Reece and cried while Lance was down there telling that man that his dogs were not welcome in our neighborhood.
And I have still seen no sign of the police.
I'm afraid to walk her now. I'm terrified of this happening again. Lance is talking about getting a concealed weapons permit, just so we can walk our dog. What kind of world do we live in?
We had just barely left the house. I saw two dogs walking toward us out of the corner of my eye. It took me a second to realize that they were pit bulls, and their postures suggested that we weren't about to have a friendly visit.
I stopped dead in my tracks as I saw them approach. Reece read my signals and immediately stopped. I made sure there were people around...I was stopped right in front of someone's house. Their garage door was open, and there was someone in the garage.
The pit bulls sniffed at Reece. Her hair stood up on end, her tail stuck straight out...not her usual friendly posture when she greets other dogs. I think she was reading my tenseness and responding to it.
We stood as still as possible. I made reassurances to Reece..."everything is going to be ok. Everything is going to be ok." And I knew it was a total lie. At any second, either one of those pit bulls could decide to attack.
To my relief, one of them lost interest and started wandering off. The other one looked to be following suit. Once their backs were turned, I ever so slightly turned myself toward home. My movement caught their eyes, and they came back again. This time, one of them snarled and snapped at Reece.
What were the people doing in the garage? Absolutely nothing to help me, that's for sure.
Just at that moment, a red car pulled up alongside me. "Are those your dogs?" I told him no. I told him that I was scared. He said that those dogs had come after his dog earlier that day. He urged me to get in his car and he told me that he was calling 911.
I debated whether I should get into a car with a total stranger, but as those pit bulls were still circling us, I didn't think I had a choice. I instinctively felt that he wanted to help. The pit bulls started circling his car...when I felt that we were enough out of harm's way, I opened his car door and thrust Reece inside and got in myself.
He drove us home. I walked in the house and told Lance what happened. He looked out the window and saw the pit bulls and immediately grabbed his sweater and stormed off down the street.
He found the dogs' owner. The guy who helped me was already at the house. Together, they confronted this man and Lance told him in no uncertain terms that if those dogs ever harm one hair on my head or Reece's head, Lance would kill them first and ask questions later. The guy who helped me had already called the police. The guy who owned the dogs was making excuses, and he said that he just moved into our neighborhood today.
While all this was going on, I was back at home with Reece, coming completely unglued. How close we were to disaster. How close we were to losing Reece...to them possibly attacking me and me either becoming seriously injured or losing my life. Those dogs ARE vicious. I'm convinced of that, despite their owner's insistence to the contrary. I held Reece and cried while Lance was down there telling that man that his dogs were not welcome in our neighborhood.
And I have still seen no sign of the police.
I'm afraid to walk her now. I'm terrified of this happening again. Lance is talking about getting a concealed weapons permit, just so we can walk our dog. What kind of world do we live in?
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I am SO SORRY this happened to you. You did everything right. (And, three cheers to the guy who helped.)
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I've had vicious dogs come after me before (they shimmied out of a small opening in the garage door of their house). I know that you are supposed to hold your ground. And that's exactly what I did the first time. And I'm still here to tell that tale. I'm just glad that Reece picked up on my body language and held her ground as well. She didn't growl at them...she didn't try to be playful either. She just stood very still. I think we both knew how very very important it was at that moment to keep our cool.
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there is just no excuse for letting dogs run around unsupervised, no matter how "friendly" they are supposed to be.
if the police isn't showing, maybe you can call Animal control?
I googled and ran across this (not sure if it is the right county):
http://www.kingcounty.gov/safety/AnimalServices/complaints.aspx
Animal Care and Control Report of Complaint or Problem
Filing a complaint form is only the first step in the process. Read tips about communicating with the pet owner, before you send the complaint.
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Call 206-296-PETS (7387), extension 24, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; OR
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Download, print and mail or FAX a hard-copy complaint form (DOC, 127KB) to:
o Mail to King County Animal Care and Control, 21615 - 64th Ave. S, Kent, WA 98032; or
o FAX to 206-205-8043
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Download, save as Word document, fill out, and e-mail completed complaint form (DOC, 127KB) to pets@kingcounty.gov.
this is so craptastic!
I am glad you two are ok!
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Again, thanks. I really appreciate you taking the time to look this up. I had planned to do it myself, but I just needed some time to calm down and get my wits about me again.
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I know I would be shaking and not able to do anything in your place.
I hope the complaint gets them rolling...
and I would definitely call the police too. 1 complaint they might dismiss, but with 2 complaints it is less likely
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Your incident is just one more reason why I have a concealed handgun license. You never know when, where, or how something like this might occur. I know that with my gun, at least I have a tool to protect myself and my family in a incident like that.
I was attacked by dogs in my own yard about a year ago. It was a few harmless dogs that got together in a dog pack and became vicious. They charged off the street at me. I yelled at them and realized they were not going to run away this time. My son was with me at the time. I took one step past him, unholstered my weapon, and drew a bead on the lead dog. I honestly let him get to close because I did not want to have to fire. When he was less than 6' from me I had taken all the slack out of the trigger and there was less than a ounce of pressure between him and eternity. Fortunately he turned and ran. I had a very short, very terse conversation with my neighbor who's dog it was afterwards.
Again...I'm glad you are okay. But Lance should get his concealed weapons permit anyway. Some of the animals roaming the street walk on 2 legs.
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I can save him a great deal of money in terms of what to get and what to consider. Just let me know. I'll be happy to send you my cell phone number.
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Definitely submit a complaint to animal control and do so EVERY time the dogs get out. Call the police every time the dogs get out too. Encourage your neighbors to do so as well. It might save someone from injury.
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I'm glad you're ok!
That part of Jon's death really pisses me off, but I refuse to be a victim. If someone breaks into my house, I'm going to blow their brains out.
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I'm completely behind Lance's idea to get a concealed carry permit. Just don't forget that you're generally the one who walks Reece, alone. You should get one as well. I've been carrying for a couple years and I really recommend it. If you want advice on a good carry weapon, let me know. I'd be more than happy to let you know what I have as well as what I've tried and hated. emptyhomestead at gmail dot com if you need me.
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