Thank God they are fast...

Margi

Margi

Premium Member
(even if they aren't too smart!) I am used to the usual bad actors around here--rattlesnakes, bobcats, coyotes and Colorado river toads, but yesterday was a first. In the evening, I took the boys out on the empty old fairway for a few minutes as the sun went down for a quick game of fetch. It's been so blasted hot they are bored silly from lack of exercise. I didn't see the beasties off in the desert, but Koko did, and the next thing I knew Fillion was streaking after him. Two javelina were in the desert brush and my two were chasing after them! As soon as I realized what was happening I started running and screaming for Fillion (who ignored me of course). When I caught up enough to see, a smaller one continued through the brush as the adult (probably the mother) turned and charged Koko. He turned tail and hightailed it back, as Fillion blew by him toward the nasty critter. She charged him and he ran back a bit and then turned to have another go at her! I'm still running and screaming as she charges him again. This time he got scared and ran back to me. Thankfully the sow went after her young. I got Fillion leashed up and shakily made for the house. He had one paw bleeding, but it turned out he cut it on a rock or sticker bush. Koko was fine. I wrenched my hip running thru the brush and rocks.

If you are not familiar with the collared peccary aka javelina, have a look at this pic. It's from a humor article in our newspaper, but the pic is real.
http://tucson.com/news/opinion/fitz...cle_09266699-518c-5b39-9450-4dc405fb0240.html

Dogs tangling with them often get disemboweled or severely maimed. When I told my husband what had happened and remarked my dogs weren't too smart, he said, "You were running towards a sow charging the dogs, and you think the dogs were stupid??" hehehe guess he had a point, but its interesting what one will do without thinking if your dog is in danger.
 
oh - luckily nothing happened, what a monster.

Luckily, we have no dangerous animals in our country.

Think your husband was the one who had a point :lol:

- but I had absolutely done the same as you :yes: without thinking just one second in whether it was sensible or not -
just attempt to rescue my dog.
 
What a terrifying looking thing! Those teeth look like they could do very serious damage. What an awful ordeal for you all. So happy that things turned out well :yes:.
 
What we won't do to defend our dogs. I am so glad you are ok, and that the boys are not bad off either. I have been in those crazy situations and all you do is run toward danger trying to make sure the furbabies aren't harmed. Going out to exercise your woofs because it is hot and they are bored. Boy can I relate, and then stuff like this happens and you are running, fearing for their safety, and goodness knows they aren't heeding your words because they are in hot pursuit of something dangerous. Chalk it up to another day living with crazy stuff. If it runs, sheltie's want a piece of it. This I know...At least you have an ending that isn't gruesome, phew. Count your blessings for that!!!! Tell hubby, he probably would have done the same thing, logic doesn't factor in when presented with such situations. You are about damage control to those you love, no matter what.
 
I would suggest that you carry a weapon,rifle or pistol. But unless you are trained like my wife and I are then you could carry a can of wasp spray. They will shoot 20 feet and won't kill. Unless its a wasp. If your baby's got any on them it will wash off. Lots and lots of water. Glad to hear that there were no serious injuries.

Yes they are very fast. Amber can chase down a squirrel. Then when she is done playing with it she will just sit there and watch it run around looking for a place to leave the yard.
 
dkean said:
I would suggest that you carry a weapon,rifle or pistol. But unless you are trained like my wife and I are then you could carry a can of wasp spray. They will shoot 20 feet and won't kill. Unless its a wasp. If your baby's got any on them it will wash off. Lots and lots of water. Glad to hear that there were no serious injuries.

Yes they are very fast. Amber can chase down a squirrel. Then when she is done playing with it she will just sit there and watch it run around looking for a place to leave the yard.
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Hubby said basically same thing--that I need to go to the range. However a quick check of the law finds I would be in a heap of trouble. From the Arizona Game and Fish official site:
"Homeowners have a legal right to use all reasonable measures to protect their property from damage by wildlife, but those measures shall not include capturing, injuring or unlawful killing of big-game animals. Javelina are classified as big-game animals in Arizona and are protected by state law." (Also its illegal to fire a weapon within 1/4 mile of any residence.) So basically the javelina is more important than people or property.
I never got within 20' before this scenario played out, so the wasp spray wouldn't have helped. However it's a good idea for protection during a regular leash walk around the 'hood!
 
When I traipse through the woods, especially in newer areas. I arm up. I carry a knife. Only because I am good with them. I also have pepper spray and a safety horn. I have used the horn for coyotes, and once with a bear long ago. But in your scenario not sure those would have helped. Hind sight is 20/20, when an event is occurring, it is fast, and you react, most of the time not even considering all the possibilities. Prevention is best, but not always how stuff plays out. Be prepared, be safe, but don't get crazy about wouldas, shouldas, couldas!!!!!
 
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