Why I carry when I fetch the paper -- and at other times.

[alfsauve]

Okay, yes, I live in an urban area.  Subdivision...35+ year old subdivision.   But, my driveway is 125' long, most of my 1 acre lot isn't cleared, out the back of my lot is a major drainage creek and several dozen acres of undeveloped land, and the county reported a pack of 8-10 coyotes not 1/4 mile from me.

This may not have gotten big play in the national news, but it is a sad story and why being prepared is important.

 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32451471/ns/us_news-life/

" A former college professor and his wife were apparently attacked and killed by nearly a dozen dogs along a rural northeast Georgia road where their bodies were found mutilated, authorities said Monday.

Preliminary autopsy results from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation showed Sherry Schweder, 65, likely died of injuries suffered in a dog attack, Oglethorpe County Sheriff Mike Smith said. Autopsy results for her husband, Lothar Karl Schweder, 77, were not yet available, but Smith said it's likely he was also attacked by dogs because the scene was so grisly."

The sad thing is she was killed first, he came along later looking for her and got out of his car, unarmed.  I know he was concerned about his wife and obviously didn't think about the danger he was putting himself into.  

[Pathfinder]

I'd carry something with more than 8-10 rounds!  

I saw the article about this couple, very sad situation. Always helps to know what's going on in the neighborhood, although there hadn't been reports that these folks could have tapped into.  Good reason to go healed all of the time.

[ericire12]

I had to stand down two stray dogs while my wife loaded the kids in the car one time. They were squared up to us at about 50 feet away, and looked like they were interested in a fight. I had to stand between them and the car and tried to give them the best stare down that I could while the wife was taking care of the kids. Nothing ever happened, but I sure was glad I was armed at the time.

I also had a run in with a charging lab that came at us while I was out trick or treating with my boy last year. We were walking down the middle of the road in my inlaws subdivision..... Dog came charging at us from across a yard, and I squared up and started yelling "NO, NO, NO" and tried to act more aggressive then he was being. It ended peacefully. He pulled up and completely backed off about 40 feet or so from us -- Yet another time I was sure glad I was armed! 

[r_w]

Sad story. 

Lone strays worry me, a pack is condition RED.  SSS

[blackwolfe]

I had a friend of mine go out to get his mail and newspaper one afternoon.  He was carrying as usual but was protected by his firearm in an unusual way.  He was struck by a drunk driver.  Although he suffered some serious injuries the gun was hit first and helped to spread the impact.  He believes his injuries would have been more severe had he not been wearing it.  They drunk was arrrested and not much happened to him.  My friend still suffers some problems from it and eventually lost his job as he was unable to return to work.

[Sponsor]

[Bidah]

We have dealt with dog packs and viscous loose dogs for years.  We carry all the time, and when we leave the house we commonly carry a rifle as well.  Heck, the wolves and coyotes are nary an issue. Even the grizzlies are not so much of a problem.  Just about everybody up here will shoot an unknown dog on sight, especially if they do not have a collar.  Aggressive.. DRT.  Get hurt up here and it can easily be an hour before you can get help.  Breeds that I am most wary of are Poodles (standard), Labs, Retrievers, Spaniels, Rotts, Dobies, and Terriers.

-Bidah

[shooter32]

We have dealt with dog packs and viscous loose dogs for years.  We carry all the time, and when we leave the house we commonly carry a rifle as well.  Heck, the wolves and coyotes are nary an issue. Even the grizzlies are not so much of a problem.  Just about everybody up here will shoot an unknown dog on sight, especially if they do not have a collar.  Aggressive.. DRT.  Get hurt up here and it can easily be an hour before you can get help.  Breeds that I am most wary of are Poodles (standard), Labs, Retrievers, Spaniels, Rotts, Dobies, and Terriers.

-Bidah

I'm suprized the wolves haven't put an end to the loose dog problem? People dump off their unwanted dogs when they find out that cute little puppy in the window grows up and gets no training.   

[tombogan03884]

I'd carry something with more than 8-10 rounds!  

I saw the article about this couple, very sad situation. Always helps to know what's going on in the neighborhood, although there hadn't been reports that these folks could have tapped into.  Good reason to go healed all of the time.

Path, according to the news story I saw they DID know about the dogs, They had been trying to find out who they belonged to for a while and one of their neighbors had been putting out food for them.

I had a friend of mine go out to get his mail and newspaper one afternoon.  He was carrying as usual but was protected by his firearm in an unusual way.  He was struck by a drunk driver.  Although he suffered some serious injuries the gun was hit first and helped to spread the impact.  He believes his injuries would have been more severe had he not been wearing it.  They drunk was arrrested and not much happened to him.  My friend still suffers some problems from it and eventually lost his job as he was unable to return to work.

That has got to be the most unusual defensive handgun use I have ever heard of. The driver should have got Jail time.

We have dealt with dog packs and viscous loose dogs for years.  We carry all the time, and when we leave the house we commonly carry a rifle as well.  Heck, the wolves and coyotes are nary an issue. Even the grizzlies are not so much of a problem.  Just about everybody up here will shoot an unknown dog on sight, especially if they do not have a collar.  Aggressive.. DRT.  Get hurt up here and it can easily be an hour before you can get help.  Breeds that I am most wary of are Poodles (standard), Labs, Retrievers, Spaniels, Rotts, Dobies, and Terriers.

-Bidah

Bidah, I was surprised to see Spaniels and Terriers on your list. 
Up here in Maine and NH the game laws state that if you see a dog chasing Deer you have a duty to try to shoot it. Not sure if that is still the case but I know they passed the law in the late 60's.

[Woody]

I went the the ATM machine this morning and there are 6 ft high bushes next to it. Some joker comes out from the bushes toward me and I pulled my 3 1/2 "Gerber out and starting cleaning my finger nails. He turned right around and walked off.

[tombogan03884]

I went the the ATM machine this morning and there are 6 ft high bushes next to it. Some joker comes out from the bushes toward me and I pulled my 3 1/2 "Gerber out and starting cleaning my finger nails. He turned right around and walked off.

If it had been a full size 1911 he would have RUN.