Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I live in Greece and every day when I walk my dog I run into groups of stray dogs (usually 3 or 4 large dogs). Sometimes I run into other people who own large dogs and let them run around free, even though by law this is prohibited. Police just don't care. Sometimes these dogs attack my 4-year-old male lab. I always tend to get in the middle to protect my dog, I try to kick the other dog or yell at it to make it go away, sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. Yesterday, a german shepherd that was not on a leash attacked my lab and grabbed him by the throat trying to strangle him, while its owner was just standing there watching, doing nothing to stop his dog from hurting mine! I screamed and kicked but the german shepherd wouldn't stop and my lab started crying like he was really hurting. I ended up falling down and getting slighty injured. Then the shepherd for some reason appeared to back off and his owner grabbed him in obvious fear that his dog could now hurt ME as well, as I was lying on the ground!
Here is my question. My lab NEVER bites. He's so sweet to humans, he will let a person take his food or even hurt him without biting! Does that mean that he also can't bite other dogs in case he needs to defend himself? What can I do?

I really don't know what advice to give you especially if people who should be leashing their dogs choose not to. Strays are bad enough, but the incident with the German Shepherd is horrible.

I hoestly don't know what to recommend for you to do. I know in the past I've carried a large umbrella to scare away dogs off leash. When the dogs start charging us, I just "pop" open the umbrella in their path. That scares, startles, discourages the majority of them. My friend throws tomatoes at the dogs that charge her.
-----
Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

Thanks for the tips! I didn't realize this could happen anywhere else than Greece...I mean, dogs off leash. I found that stray dogs get scared easier. That german shepherd was the most dangerous dog I have run into during my walks, especially since he seemed to be practically encouraged by the attitude of his owner!

>>I live in Greece and every day when I walk my dog I run into groups of stray dogs (usually 3 or 4 large dogs). Sometimes I run into other people who own large dogs and let them run around free, even though by law this is prohibited. Police just don't care. Sometimes these dogs attack my 4-year-old male lab. I always tend to get in the middle to protect my dog, I try to kick the other dog or yell at it to make it go away, sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. Yesterday, a german shepherd that was not on a leash attacked my lab and grabbed him by the throat trying to strangle him, while its owner was just standing there watching, doing nothing to stop his dog from hurting mine! I screamed and kicked but the german shepherd wouldn't stop and my lab started crying like he was really hurting. I ended up falling down and getting slighty injured. Then the shepherd for some reason appeared to back off and his owner grabbed him in obvious fear that his dog could now hurt ME as well, as I was lying on the ground!
>>Here is my question. My lab NEVER bites. He's so sweet to humans, he will let a person take his food or even hurt him without biting! Does that mean that he also can't bite other dogs in case he needs to defend himself? What can I do?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If your dog starts thinking he must defend himself from other dogs, he may begin biting them first--in other words, he may become the aggressor who starts the fight. It is very important to protect our dogs from being attacked by other dogs. If you have access to potty facilities for him that don't put him at that risk, it would be better to use those. A dangerous situation like that is not a good place to walk a dog just for exercise.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

People who aren't going to be responsible for their dogs need to NOT have them...

I am not familiar with Greece's laws, but if it is legal to carry pepper spray I would suggest that.
Dogs have eyes, and pepper spray will make those eyes hurt, without causing permanent damage. A few sprays and they will recognize that you aren't a person to mess with.
Once your done getting the shepard off you, spray the owner for being a jerk.
j/k

A stun gun/taser would also work, BUT, I don't know if a dog could withstand a taser without dying, so I would look into that first. Granted the owner is at fault for letting the dog attack, but you don't want a "they killed my dog" law suit.