Big Scare yesterday!

L

LadyMcBeth

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Yesterday I was walking Daisy to the supermarket to get our bottle water jugs filled up, and on the way back out of no where comes this scruffy, gang- looking guy (a few bandanas, on his head and pocket) and asked if this was the sheltie I was having put down...I said no, did he live in my apartments. He said no, but got real vague. He asked me if I wanted her. I retorted I just got her. Then he asked me if he could help me home (I had two water gallon jugs and Daisy on a leash), and I said no...but I got really scared. We resumed our walk, with me looking over my shoulder the whole way.

He wanted Daisy. He didn't look like a dog lover, he looked like he would be a person who went to dog fights or something. I kept picturing my Daisy in a dog fight ring as warm up for a fighting pit bull. There are lots of them in Texas.

I was so scared, two hours later I was still shaking.

I was walking almost before sunup (when the sky is barely lit) but we walk through a parking lot which is well lit. The problem is there is no traffic at that time of morning. I am sure he's seen us before.

I also think he was high on something.

I ordered pepper spray for joggers when I got home (with wrist band). I have a friend who is an ex-sheriff and he said wasp killer is better for preditors, and to carry a can in a fanny pack. And to walk later, when the sun is well up and there is more traffic.

I am still upset. Tonight I am walking with two ladies in my apartment building at 7pm, but it is still in the 90's then, and with Daisy's extra weight, as well as my own, I am not sure we can take a long walk.

It is terrifying...of course someone would want a beautiful sheltie, but why if he thought I was going to put her down?
 
LadyMcBeth said:
Yesterday I was walking Daisy to the supermarket to get our bottle water jugs filled up, and on the way back out of no where comes this scruffy, gang- looking guy (a few bandanas, on his head and pocket) and asked if this was the sheltie I was having put down...I said no, did he live in my apartments. He said no, but got real vague. He asked me if I wanted her. I retorted I just got her. Then he asked me if he could help me home (I had two water gallon jugs and Daisy on a leash), and I said no...but I got really scared. We resumed our walk, with me looking over my shoulder the whole way.

He wanted Daisy. He didn't look like a dog lover, he looked like he would be a person who went to dog fights or something. I kept picturing my Daisy in a dog fight ring as warm up for a fighting pit bull. There are lots of them in Texas.

I was so scared, two hours later I was still shaking.

I was walking almost before sunup (when the sky is barely lit) but we walk through a parking lot which is well lit. The problem is there is no traffic at that time of morning. I am sure he's seen us before.

I also think he was high on something.

I ordered pepper spray for joggers when I got home (with wrist band). I have a friend who is an ex-sheriff and he said wasp killer is better for preditors, and to carry a can in a fanny pack. And to walk later, when the sun is well up and there is more traffic.

I am still upset. Tonight I am walking with two ladies in my apartment building at 7pm, but it is still in the 90's then, and with Daisy's extra weight, as well as my own, I am not sure we can take a long walk.

It is terrifying...of course someone would want a beautiful sheltie, but why if he thought I was going to put her down?
Click to expand...

First and foremost, I'm so glad you are safe! That sounds like it could have gone SO very dangerous and indeed he sounds as if he was very sketchy! I'd be more afraid to find out how he knew about you (as you say you've never seen him before). How he knew about AnneBelle. Why he wanted Daisy. Why he wanted to walk you back to your apartment. Why he knew you?!?! I'm so glad he didn't insist further and just let you go.... I too would have been freaked as I too go on my walks alone .. I'm glad you and some of the other walkers in your apartment joined together to go on some daily walks together - exercising is always better in a crowd, definitely a lot safer too. Stay safe Beth, I will be praying that you and Daisy don't have another run in with that guy! <3<3 Much love
 
First of all, I am SO GLAD the both of you are safe. Please don't take any chances with your safety. It's scary that he knew so much about you. It's just not safe for you to be walking alone anymore!

I live in Georgia (think very hot, very muggy), in a large subdivision in a very rural area. It used to be a very nice, solid, middle-class neighborhood when I moved here in 1996, but I moved away for a few years and just came back. Now, we have more than a few unsavory-looking people in the neighborhood.

My husband leaves for work at 3:30 am, and Bela and I do our morning walk just before daybreak to avoid the heat. I've always felt safe walking my dogs in this neighborhood over the years, but now I'm not so sure. I know all my immediate neighbors, and they are nice people for the most part. Further up the street, however, there lives a family who keeps at least six pit bulls.

Their dogs are ususally confined to a pen and a fenced back yard, except for when a group of teenagers takes one or two of the dogs on a walk - OFF LEASH. They do this about 4-5 times a day some days. I don't have a fenced yard, and my back yard is thick woods, so Bela goes "walkies" in the front yard. Those dogs have run up to us and growled before - they seem to be absolutely unsocialized and I suspect they are fighting dogs due to their scratches, gashes, torn ears, and general demeanor.

I am so afraid that these dogs would freak out and attack me or Bela in our own yard. I own a small .22 pistol, and am a good shot (I practice once a week), but am uncomfortable in "packing" when I am innocently just trying to walk my dog. I overheard these young men with the dogs make some comments about sending their dogs over to "mess up" Bela while we were out last week.

I've called animal control, but unless the dogs are running around without any owners around, there's nothing we can do. The dogs have gotten out several times roaming the neighborhood, and I'm thinking seriously about getting a havaheart trap put in the yard.

Don't risk both your life and your dog's by walking alone. I've had to start carrying pepper spray and a small air pellet gun. And I talk to NO ONE I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH.
 
I am so sorry. I had a similar experience when on my way home from a dog show and stopped at a gas station one night. Ordering the pepper spray was a great idea. Hopefully you will never have to use it, but it's nice to know it's there in case you ever do need it. Hopefully you won't run into this guy again.
Jaynie- Are there leash laws where you are? Even if the owners are present, their dogs should be on leash at all times. If they make more threats, I would go a step further and call the police. They are threatening yours and your dogs safety, and that is unacceptable. The trap isn't a bad idea. Then maybe some of them can be rounded up and handed over to animal control. Doubt the miscreants would even bother to go pick their dogs up.
 
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Beth and Jaynie your stories scared the bejeepers out of me and made me very grateful that I live where I live. Most of my neighbors have lived here for years and a lot of them I've known my whole life. If I lived where you do I'm not sure I'd walk my dogs at all or at least not in the neighborhood. Be very, very careful both of you and stay safe!
 
When I walk, I carry a large solid heavy wooden cane.

It scares me to think of what you two are going through. Be safe - walk when it is safe to do so.
 
Oh boy - that is very scary! Probably best to avoid that place for a while. I'm sorry you put into such a frightening position. So many people are nuts. Pepper spray is an excellent idea and don't be afraid to use it.

Jaynie, I'd be scared (and mad) to death if I thought someone was talking about having their pit bulls hurt my dog on purpose! Although the trap sounds like a good idea, I'd be cautious about it - if they know you put it out they could be revengeful. We lived next to some gang types for a short while a few years ago and it was just frightening what they were capable of.

Be careful, both you gals!

Sharon
Asta and Ally
 
Do you have a cell phone with an earpiece? If you don't have an ear piece, I would invest in one and wear it when walking. Even if you are not on a call, you could pretend to be in conversation with someone when you are approached. No one would ever know that there is no one on the other end of the call.

I agree with the others - be extremely cautious when dealing with those people who have the pit bulls.
 
I go EVERYWHERE (including inside the house) with my phone and earpiece, as I have spinal problems and I'm apt to fall quite a bit.

I've started walking with a child's aluminum baseball bat. I hate that my neighborhood has gotten that bad, but I just can't risk it otherwise.

Yes, we do have leash laws, which are prominently posted as you enter the subdivision. But we live so far out that once you call the authorities, it could be as much as two hours before they arrive.

I've been shooting air gun cleaning pellets made of felt (from inside the house) at these loose dogs if they venture across my property lines. For the most part, they stay out of my yard unless someone is outside.

I don't know what else to do but to drive 20 minutes in to get to the dog park.
 
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