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I found myself really angry for the first time in a long time today. We were walking down the beach road at Kahakai Park this afternoon and out of nowhere two medium sized healthy dogs charged around the corner barking harshly at us. They were working in unison as if to attack skillfully. The hair went up on my neck and I screamed loudly to GET BACK while making frantic motions trying to protect me and my wife. My wife was scared and screaming wildly as she scooted around me not to get bitten. Finally the owner showed up and I screamed at him too in ugly words I care not to repeat. We didn't get bitten, but were scared out of our wits. The owner was saying he was sorry and his dogs don't bite. I couldn't read the invisible sign while trying to avoid their teeth. Any dog that comes charging is assumed to have a purpose of attack. I screamed to the owner that people shouldn't have to go through that experience. Somehow my hand hurts and my voice is out from screaming. I don't blame the dogs. They must have been in the area long enough to feel they dominated the park. It is the owners fault to assume that the dogs don't bite and won't chase people. There is no right to have dogs out without a leash unless its in a fenced park or home. Had I had a walking stick things could have gone way wrong and been very ugly. Fear will make you do things that you may regret. That could have been a child attacked if they had run. Then the owner would have to put his dog down and or face charges. With a little common sense on the owners part this incident shouldn't have taken place. Please keep dogs leashed in open public areas or parks.
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Some dog owners seem to think that everyone else loves their dog as much as they do. Same goes for those who think it's really cute when their insolent kids run around a nice restaurant terrorizing the place, others don't think it's so cute. It's a new trend in our society to be inconsiderate, I guess.
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What a shame. There should be leash laws. And more that, responsible owners.
Aloha au i Hawai`i,
devany
www.myhawaiianhome.blogspot.com
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Vince,
So sorry this happened to you to upset your calm. Glad you or your wife weren't hurt. Your account is so telling and well written, thank you for sharing it with us. I'm once bitten thrice shy.
mella l
mella l
Art and Science
bytheSEA
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There seems to be a lack of serious obedience training in the big Island. I have never seen so many hand shy (physical correction being the best way to make a dog aggressive) or un socialized dogs about.
Me thinks the focus on producing pig hunters rather than companions may explain much. The issue is that even serious pig hunters will demand obedience and socialization from their dogs. In a good breeding program unwanted (aggression towards human tendencies) genes eliminated.
There seems to be a whole class of wanna bee pig hunters / dog breeders with big aggressive dogs and no training skill or responsibility in Puna though. Letting them run loose in the hood (in in the park!) at times– therein lies the problem.
Even though the courts have handed down some big civil judgments I have yet to see a criminal case holding the owner seriously responsible – we may want to change that – there is very little difference between a 150 lb aggressive dog and a loaded 38 in my opinion.
In the meantime, I would recommend a “walking stick” or bag of dog treats to manage the overeager woofers when hiking. I am afraid the dog issue is one of those tough cultural issues (differences) that, ever more in focus as we become less rural.
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I think aside from the pig hunters that there is also a certain population that use dogs as "guard dogs" here. They too are lacking training and often seen chained up in horrid conditions, and worse yet allowed to roam free. There is a house (completely fenced) by the "secret beach" in Hilo that has about 8 mangy looking dogs, each on long chains. There is obviously no way that they could go free, but the dogs are strategically chained in a way that you also could not walk in side the property and not get attacked by one or two of them. They are laying in the dirt, usually no food or water in sight and barking fiercely. I always feel sorry for the neighbors.
Aggressive dogs, even when chained are scary and give kids and other people that have a fear of dogs a reason to be afraid. It is really sad, as it perpetuates that fear. We should respect animals, but not have to be afraid of them. It is the owners that are at fault.
I agree on the big stick, or maybe even a can of mace if you really are afraid.
Aloha au i Hawai`i,
devany
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Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that we do have a leash law in Hawaii County. I was told by a neighbor that someone on our road was fined for repeated violations before Bear and I moved here. The dogs in question did not harm anyone, but were supposedly quite annoying. The Humane Society handles these cases initially, but will resort to legal action when friendly intervention doesn't work. Unfortunately, all it takes is five seconds for an unrestrained, untrained dog to ruin somebody's day . . . or worse.
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Frantically waving your hands and screaming wildly isn't generally considered to be the best response to what could be an attacking dog; however you were rather startled. Not to try to put any blame anywhere, so don't take it as such, but such actions could confuse a dog who wasn't going to attack into doing exactly that.
True, having a walking stick could have made a bigger problem. A walking stick could have been considered (by the dog) to be a very aggressive maneuver and they may have attacked out of a need to defend themselves. I've not generally seen good results when shaking a stick at a dog. Well, except when they will bring you the stick back when you throw it.
Many times, if you stand stock still and say to the dog in a authoritative tone of voice "Dog! Sit!" they will actually do it.
Dogs are also very territorial, so if you cease moving forward and slowly back up while facing the dog, yet not staring at it, it will generally quit being aggressive. Talking to it in a happy voice also will lower the aggressive tendencies.
All of this is just dialog on how to interact with a strange unknown dog. Not any of this has any intent to suggest this is the way it should be, just to suggest options in case you should find yourself in a similar situation. In an ideal world all dogs are happy and not barking or attacking and never escape their yards. Probably we could wish the same for people, but I'm sure they will prefer to escape their yards.
"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson
"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson
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Walking stick - euphemism for a nine iron ... although I had a five wood I liked for a while.
The number one thing that will prompt a dog is fear ... heart rate, perspiration, eye contact are all signals - nothing signals I’d like you to take charge of this encounter " as much as fear. I have had some real reservations turning my back to some local dogs.
Carry some cookies, get to know the neighborhood dogs, burglars do – grin. Trained dog won’t take treats for that reason btw.
Toss em away from you, back to its home area, as you walk by, if he still wants (gets close enough on his charge) to have a nip, bean em with a nine iron hard enough to stop em, is my strategy. Has been for years – handy to have for rattlesnakes, mountain lions and mountain bikers high on testosterone too.
Btw spray is very effective – some jurisdictions require permits training to carry though. Mostly concerning concealed carry. Any state county rules we know of out here?
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Jerry,
You are right,there is a leash law. I completely forgot. One of our neighbors had a puppy running loose, not just once, but every single day. When I would walk my dog, she would follow us all the way home, 2 blocks away. It was a pest, but very sweet dog. Well the people that lived across the street from them called the police(not animal control)and had the owners cited. The guy that called the police was mad because the dog pooped in his front yard. When I heard the story from another neighbor, I laughed, I thought it was silly, though it was a good thing, as the people gave the dog to some friends who could take better care of it.
quote:
Originally posted by JerryCarr
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that we do have a leash law in Hawaii County. I was told by a neighbor that someone on our road was fined for repeated violations before Bear and I moved here. The dogs in question did not harm anyone, but were supposedly quite annoying. The Humane Society handles these cases initially, but will resort to legal action when friendly intervention doesn't work. Unfortunately, all it takes is five seconds for an unrestrained, untrained dog to ruin somebody's day . . . or worse.
Aloha au i Hawai`i,
devany
www.myhawaiianhome.blogspot.com
www.eastbaypotters.blogspot.com
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