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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Bear/pepper spray and a bat.  Pro tip. If you’re going to have a bat with you ALWAYS have a ball. Probable deniability. Batting practice not a weapon. [/quote]

May I suggest a cricket bat? And cricket ball. I find a cricket bat easier to wield, and I’m a former 90 pound weakling!

My significantly larger-framed, athletic DH keeps the cricket bat on his side of the bed.

Our DS, then 4, was knocked down and attacked ON OUR DRIVEWAY by our neighbor’s wandering, at-large, roaming[b] Brittany Spaniel.[/b] I missed the attack by seconds; I was inside the door grabbing my keys for the walk to get DD7 from her bus stop.

Raced DS to ER where he received 8 stitches below his nostril and one on his cheek. Told by ER doctor that DS was millimeters from needing a plastic surgery consult - had the dog bitten closer to his lip line, there would have been a risk for disfigurement.  DS was placed in a papoose device because he was so fearful and distraught-this containment was considered preferable to sedating him.

DS screamed the entire time. The dog gouged his neck with its nails during the initial “take down” or swat. My heart is racing typing this out.

I so regret not killing that dog! I came out to see DS on the driveway and the dog trotting away. Had I been there five seconds earlier-I would have kicked or thrown it and I had to deal with that regret for a long time.

DS healed physically but developed needle phobia (still) and for years, was very uncomfortable and fearful around dogs…and cats. He is just now interested in friend’s dogs.[/quote]

Sorry this happened to you and your son.  I do want to note you mentioned the breed of dog...not a pit by the way![/quote]

+1 That must have been horrible. What happened afterwards, assuming you reported the dog and the owner?[/quote]

This PP. Truly, I was in shock. I scooped up DS and called the pediatrician and was on hold forever. Hung up, by the grace of timing and god, happened to get DH on his cell in between offices. DH raced home. Elderly neighbors watched my other DC and they were the ones who told me to call animal control/Fairfax County. I think I got back on the phone and finally thru to the pediatrician office who told me to take him to the ER. As we were leaving, Animal Control arrived and I filed a report. Officer went up the street to the neighbor dog owner.

In retrospect I should have called 911. Way too much time waiting on hold.

Neighbor was a complete dumbass. Came over the next day with apology gifts for DS-toys. Then DH and I got a very strange speaker phone call from neighbor and her DH - I’m certain they had an attorney present to ask how DS was faring. Another nosy neighbor heard what happened and under the auspices of concern came over to ask me if we were going to file suit against the neglect neighbor.

Their dog was quarantined per animal control rules (no idea if this was in house or at a facility). Dog unfortunately not destroyed but sent to live with an elderly relative.

A few months later, I saw the neighbors son out “walking” a different, UNLEASHED DOG. I drove up beside him and screamed at him. Not my proudest moment (and I had my kids in the car), but I was furious. I shouted something like, 8 stitches and a trip to the ER! Here we go again! Really? You’re not leashing THIS dog, either?”

I think our insurance covered all modest costs. We later received some standard insurance letter from the neighbors company mentioning that the incident had been reported and resolved.

Neighbors moved away years ago. No contact with them afterwards save for one neighborhood gathering where the dog owners saw me and asked very generally how DS was.[/quote]

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