LIVE from the Camino Dog attack

[Antnix1]

Anyway.. no damage done unless it gets infected. Pic attached.

I started the Mozarabe from Almeria on Saturday and today (Wednesday), after 25km of walking and about 100m from the albergue Lacho, a stupid woman watched as her 2 stupid dogs ran up to me after I walked past and one bit my leg on the calf. She seemed to live on that street and let her dogs roam free.

Instead of apologising she started arguing and basically saying it was an open-mouth nip. Well, maybe so but who's to say it wouldn't be worse if she wasn't outside (or maybe she's the reason they attacked, I don't know). And at least I was wearing long trousers rather than shorts.

The albergue is private and about 1km from the city, and i find dogs are more unpredictable when they're not socialised to passersby incl pilgrims, and tend to be more dangerous when there's more than one. Also, the dogs were not small but more medium sized.

Maybe the hiking pole set them off but at least a pole can be used as a weapon if they actually set out go do damage. It's making me wonder how safe the rest of the route will be, and should i buy pepper spray (i believe it's legal in spain but not sure of its availability)

 

[rainswift]

I don't use poles (and don't want to), but this makes me think I should take an umbrella to defend myself against dogs if necessary. (With all the added advantages having an umbrella brings). I hope you are okay and it heals up quick!

 

[Bradypus]

I don't use poles (and don't want to), but this makes me think I should take an umbrella to defend myself against dogs if necessary.

In my experience dog attacks can happen with little warning. How would you intend to carry the umbrella for quick-draw access?

 

[dbier]

I'm guessing that there's no Centro de Salud in the area....TBH, I would report this to the Guardia Civil. You don't know if she's vaccinated her dogs, and you don't know if you're the only victim.

Open mouthed makes no difference...it broke skin and may have transmitted infection.

Also tell the hospitalera/ o.

 

[CWBuff]

I can see the possibility of dog being non-vaccinated, but.... here in US in most of the states - you call police - the dog is dead! (yes I've seen and know of numerous incidents where that happened to some friends and acquaintances - their dogs.)
when everything is said and done - the dog IS an animal - they bite. I'm sure there will be lots of Esteemed Members who'll disagree with me but given the overall outcome (and yes with a bit of Prayer that it wont get infected.... to which I would try to treat the wound ASAP before I would call the police) I would say "let the biting dogs lie"

 

[rainswift]

In my experience dog attacks can happen with little warning. How would you intend to carry the umbrella for quick-draw access?

I tried this last night when it started to rain - the umbrella is slotted into the compression straps and water bottle pocket on my right side. It's very quick-draw! I just reach back and grab the handle, then poof I have ready to go! (It's a longer umbrella, not a compact one). It felt great, like drawing a sword!

 

[TravellingMan22]

Anyway.. no damage done unless it gets infected. Pic attached.

I started the Mozarabe from Almeria on Saturday and today (Wednesday), after 25km of walking and about 100m from the albergue Lacho, a stupid woman watched as her 2 stupid dogs ran up to me after I walked past and one bit my leg on the calf. She seemed to live on that street and let her dogs roam free.

Instead of apologising she started arguing and basically saying it was an open-mouth nip. Well, maybe so but who's to say it wouldn't be worse if she wasn't outside (or maybe she's the reason they attacked, I don't know). And at least I was wearing long trousers rather than shorts.

The albergue is private and about 1km from the city, and i find dogs are more unpredictable when they're not socialised to passersby incl pilgrims, and tend to be more dangerous when there's more than one. Also, the dogs were not small but more medium sized.

Maybe the hiking pole set them off but at least a pole can be used as a weapon if they actually set out go do damage. It's making me wonder how safe the rest of the route will be, and should i buy pepper spray (i believe it's legal in spain but not sure of its availability)

The pepper spray seems a good option to me! I had to run the gauntlet from a big number of dogs last night (non Camino)! It is legal in Spain with certain conditions.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola @Antnix1 . I feel your pain. First action - visit the nearest medical centre or pharmacy and get the wound treated professionally; Second action - yes report the incident to the nearest police station. Be as specific as possible about location and time of day and also that the woman (owner) of the dogs was present and did little to prevent this attack.
If you can not get "pepper spray" then a bag of pepper powder might fill the bill.
Best wishes, Buen Camino

 

[WGroleau]

Definitely should have immediately been reported to the local police or the Guardia Civil.

I saw very few dogs in my time in the Camino, and all but one was friendly.

The exception was a tiny little thing barking up a storm at me but not approaching. His owner said "¿Porqué no te callas?" and I laughed because it was shortly after the king of Spain became famous for saying the same thing to the nut case from Venezuela.

I encountered hundreds of seemingly vicious dogs in Perú, but most would back off if I turned to face them. And all (except one) would flee if I pretended to pick up a rock. Fortunately, for that one, there was a large stick on the ground next to me.

 

[TravellingMan22]

Definitely should have immediately been reported to the local police or the Guardia Civil.

I saw very few dogs in my time in the Camino, and all but one was friendly.

The exception was a tiny little thing barking up a storm at me but not approaching. His owner said "¿Porqué no te callas?" and I laughed because it was shortly after the king of Spain became famous for saying the same thing to the nut case from Venezuela.

I encountered hundreds of seemingly vicious dogs in Perú, but most would back off if I turned to face them. And all (except one) would flee if I pretended to pick up a rock. Fortunately, for that one, there was a large stick on the ground next to me.

Indeed. Many back if of you motion towards them. I had loads last night. One chap gave me a stick from his balcony and then a thing like a whip and then came down and gave me a lift to my hotel on the back of his motorbike! … and I couldn’t get in so another mob of dogs turned up. I was armed with rocks and stones but it felt inadequate!

 

[Bradypus]

I saw very few dogs in my time in the Camino, and all but one was friendly.

It varies a lot across different Caminos. In general on well-trodden paths like the Frances and the Portugues local dogs are either confined behind fences these days or are well used to passing pilgrims and have little interest. A different matter on less popular routes like the Mozarabe where they can often be less used to strangers. I re-read my 1990 Camino diary within the last few days and was surprised how often I wrote about encountering aggressive dogs on the Frances at the time. A pilgrim friend I showed the diary to made the same remark.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@Antnix1 , I concur with those that suggest you should report it to the Guardia civil, and of course to the Hospitalero's.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I was bitten by a Rottweiler ten years ago and the dog had to be impounded overnight to check for rabies. I was told to get a Tetanus shot which I promptly did. I could have had the dog put down, but the owners were new in the neighborhood and I didn't want to start trouble. They immediately put up a fence and I never once saw the dog being walked again.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Indeed. Many back if of you motion towards them. I had loads last night. One chap gave me a stick from his balcony and then a thing like a whip and then came down and gave me a lift to my hotel on the back of his motorbike! … and I couldn’t get in so another mob of dogs turned up. I was armed with rocks and stones but it felt inadequate!

Where ARE you @TravellingMan22? It doesn't sound like you are on a Camino path to me!

 

[MinaKamina]

Update you TETANUS vaccination if you haven't done so already, Antnix1.

Spain (peninsula and islands) has been Rabies-free since 1978.

The Guardia Civíl won't come running for a tiny scratch caused by what appears to be a snap.

 

[TravellingMan22]

Where ARE you @TravellingMan22? It doesn't sound like you are on a Camino path to me!

Kampot, Cambodia, middle of the night, listening to dogs barking, and wondering whether I should have gone on the chaps motorbike without a crash helmet but it felt the best trade off at the time! Dogs look a lot less healthy here and medical facilities a lot poorer!

All this to save USD3 on the price of a tuk tuk!

Update. Morning prayer has just started at 5am and the dogs seem to have momentarily stop barking. Not sure if the two are connected.

 

[Antnix1]

Op here.

Mercedes from the association messaged me, and the hospitalero is going to speak with the dogs' owners.

It really is just a graze but those irresponsible dog owners need to know that dog bites can cause dangerous and deadly bacterial infections, not to mention the danger the dogs are to children and smaller animals. The dogs are clearly pets that aren't trained or socialised and egged each other on. Personally I'm not for destroying animals but owners should be given criminal convictions - without exception - for incidents like this and be banned from keeping animals.

I was dreading the dogs being outside ready to greet me this morning, fortunately they weren't. Today should be easier, all downhill to Guadix.

 

[TravellingMan22]

Op here.

Mercedes from the association messaged me, and the hospitalero is going to speak with the dogs' owners.

It really is just a graze but those irresponsible dog owners need to know that dog bites can cause dangerous and deadly bacterial infections, not to mention the danger the dogs are to children and smaller animals. The dogs are clearly pets that aren't trained or socialised and egged each other on. Personally I'm not for destroying animals but owners should be given criminal convictions - without exception - for incidents like this and be banned from keeping animals.

I was dreading the dogs being outside ready to greet me this morning, fortunately they weren't. Today should be easier, all downhill to Guadix.

With you in spirit! Big penalties in UK for owners though not sure how can get a proper wrap!! Few ‘face offs’ with dogs this morning but ok. Carnage last night. Very rare to see anyone walking where I am, especially 10pm at night - everyone is on scooters - so no doubt I caught their attention!! Anyway thankfully Grab (local equivalent to Uber) is working here and the 5km journey is less than $2 so happy days! Anyway best wishes!!!

 

[wisepilgrim]

The Guardia Civíl won't come running for a tiny scratch caused by what appears to be a snap.

The Guardia Civil is obliged to uphold the law, and the law about unleashed dogs is very clear. This was a "snap" from a dog aggressive enough to have a go at a pilgrim, but the important part is that it was not secured in a public space.

 

[t2andreo]

Anyway.. no damage done unless it gets infected. Pic attached.

I started the Mozarabe from Almeria on Saturday and today (Wednesday), after 25km of walking and about 100m from the albergue Lacho, a stupid woman watched as her 2 stupid dogs ran up to me after I walked past and one bit my leg on the calf. She seemed to live on that street and let her dogs roam free.

Instead of apologising she started arguing and basically saying it was an open-mouth nip. Well, maybe so but who's to say it wouldn't be worse if she wasn't outside (or maybe she's the reason they attacked, I don't know). And at least I was wearing long trousers rather than shorts.

The albergue is private and about 1km from the city, and i find dogs are more unpredictable when they're not socialised to passersby incl pilgrims, and tend to be more dangerous when there's more than one. Also, the dogs were not small but more medium sized.

Maybe the hiking pole set them off but at least a pole can be used as a weapon if they actually set out go do damage. It's making me wonder how safe the rest of the route will be, and should i buy pepper spray (i believe it's legal in spain but not sure of its availability)

If the bite mark is a puncture as opposed to a scratch, GET TO A CENTRO DE SALUD in the next town that has one! Report the attack, get treated. Go to the police if necessary to get help.

Time is of the essence with a dog bite. If the dog was registered and had current rabies vaccination, then you are just watching for infection. The police can check this out. The Centro de Salud should be able to hook you up with antibiotics.

All pet puncture wounds must be considered infected. Also, you have no way of knowing if the dog had a current rabies vaccination. There is a three-shot anti-rabies vaccine that can be given near but after the current bite and may still be effective.

I have been bitten by many animals, including by my own pets. But, I have also received the three-shot prophylactic rabies vaccine before being bitten. Actually, it was administered by accident, but that is a funny story best told over beers.

The funny part of this is that I can say - yes -I have had all my shots - including against rabies.

Hope this helps and that you are soon well and out of risk.

Tom

 

[Teddie]

Update you TETANUS vaccination if you haven't done so already, Antnix1.

Spain (peninsula and islands) has been Rabies-free since 1978.

The Guardia Civíl won't come running for a tiny scratch caused by what appears to be a snap.

Rabies is in the 'BAT' population ( they fly in from Africa ), "Rabies-free" is due to vaccination program ( if the owner adheres, penalty aside ).

 

[Antnix1]

If the bite mark is a puncture as opposed to a scratch, GET TO A CENTRO DE SALUD in the next town that has one! Report the attack, get treated. Go to the police if necessary to get help.

Time is of the essence with a dog bite. If the dog was registered and had current rabies vaccination, then you are just watching for infection. The police can check this out. The Centro de Salud should be able to hook you up with antibiotics.

All pet puncture wounds must be considered infected. Also, you have no way of knowing if the dog had a current rabies vaccination. There is a three-shot anti-rabies vaccine that can be given near but after the current bite and may still be effective.

I have been bitten by many animals, including by my own pets. But, I have also received the three-shot prophylactic rabies vaccine before being bitten. Actually, it was administered by accident, but that is a funny story best told over beers.

The funny part of this is that I can say - yes -I have had all my shots - including against rabies.

Hope this helps and that you are soon well and out of risk.

Tom

Thanks Tom. Spain is free of rabies.. and rabies can be spread by a scratch as well as a puncture.
Tetanus is usually caught through punctures rather than scratches.

 

[JoeBoston]

I had a somewhat similar experience in Zubiri, although without an actual bite. At the beginning of the bridge into town a woman was walking her dog. As I went to take a photo of the bridge the dog leapt for my throat. The woman didn't seem to care!
I noticed that a lot of people who live on the Camino Frances seem indifferent to the behavior of their dogs.

 

[t2andreo]

Thanks Tom. Spain is free of rabies.. and rabies can be spread by a scratch as well as a puncture.
Tetanus is usually caught through punctures rather than scratches.

I hope that it is as you say. Even if rabies is not a concern, infection is.

If you are going to tough it out, please watch for striations, or vertical lines, running up or down the arm from the bite site. This is a classic infection sign.

It is my view that many folks in rural Spain likely have "farm" dogs that are not registered or vaccinated. Rabies is endemic, though in small numbers in the wild. It may not have popped up so as to be counted. But, I would personally not take any chances. In humans, rabies is a nasty disease, if not caught in time.

Hope this helps - good luck.

Tom

 

[t2andreo]

Apropos of this thread, look at something related that popped up in today's new threads:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/new-law-affecting-dog-ownership-in-spain.84837/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email

 

[judydaisy]

I'm pretty sure too that of now -ish all dog owners in Spain are obliged to have insurance for dogs. Whether or not that covers them (the dogs that is!) if they attack and cause harm I don't know but, it is another string to one's bow!

 

[JulieJH]

I walked the Mozarabe from Almeria to Cordoba in late October last year and had ZERO trouble with dogs. There were dogs, of course, but they were all behind gates or enclosed in yards. I remember thinking that the Association (who does such a wonderful job all along this route) must have done some outreach to dog owners. I do think that some dogs can be more unpredictable - perhaps even more aggressive - when their owners are around. I've never carried pepper spray, but would wield poles if necessary. When encountering dogs with their humans along a narrow-ish trail or walkway, I typically hold my poles quietly aside until we are past one another.
There was one day between Guadix and Granada in beautiful forest (just past a scout camp) where signs posted said we might encounter dogs on their own who were not stray or roaming free but were working dogs, herding livestock. Indeed an hour or two (or three) later, my sister and I encountered head-on a huge herd of sheep coming down the path. We heard them approaching for some time - the older ones at the front and rear wore bells and other trappings - and when the time came, we stepped aside behind some trees to watch them pass. There was no human anywhere in sight, just one very impressive Spanish Mastiff bringing up the rear. As he approached us, he became very suspicious and growled in our direction as he slowly walked by. Just making sure his precious flock was not in danger. It was one of many unforgettable momants along this beautiful Camino!

 

[Drifter]

If you've not had a Tetanus shot in the past 10 years, then that needs to be renewed.
If a bite draws blood, then that should have antibiotics given.

 

[Bogong]

Anyway.. no damage done unless it gets infected. Pic attached.

I started the Mozarabe from Almeria on Saturday and today (Wednesday), after 25km of walking and about 100m from the albergue Lacho, a stupid woman watched as her 2 stupid dogs ran up to me after I walked past and one bit my leg on the calf. She seemed to live on that street and let her dogs roam free.

Instead of apologising she started arguing and basically saying it was an open-mouth nip. Well, maybe so but who's to say it wouldn't be worse if she wasn't outside (or maybe she's the reason they attacked, I don't know). And at least I was wearing long trousers rather than shorts.

The albergue is private and about 1km from the city, and i find dogs are more unpredictable when they're not socialised to passersby incl pilgrims, and tend to be more dangerous when there's more than one. Also, the dogs were not small but more medium sized.

Maybe the hiking pole set them off but at least a pole can be used as a weapon if they actually set out go do damage. It's making me wonder how safe the rest of the route will be, and should i buy pepper spray (i believe it's legal in spain but not sure of its availability)

I read this, and various of the responses, with alarm. First thing, report it to the authorities. Second, and far more important, check with the nearest Medical Centre. I’m not sure what the ststus of rabies is in Spain now, but it’s not worth taking a chance. They would advise you. Have you been inoculated?

De Colores. Bogong

 

[Antnix1]

I read this, and various of the responses, with alarm. First thing, report it to the authorities. Second, and far more important, check with the nearest Medical Centre. I’m not sure what the ststus of rabies is in Spain now, but it’s not worth taking a chance. They would advise you. Have you been inoculated?

De Colores. Bogong

No, rabies inoculation is not routine and usually not recommended.
The status of rabies in Spain is there hasn't been a human case in decades even though most people don't vaccinate their dogs.
Anyway, I'll roll the dice. No rabies shot. As for tetanus, i had a vaccine within 10 years as far as i recall. I don't think the bite was deep enough to be considered a high risk.

 

[dbier]

Bit of a side point:

While I cannot independently testify to the accuracy of this article, it seems relevant:

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Spain placed at high risk for rabies virus

<span Style='color:#780948'>archived</span> - Spain Placed At High Risk For Rabies Virus Keep up with the Latest News In English Murcia Costa Calida Spain

murciatoday.com

Spain is "rabies free" in that there are no human cases of rabies that are contracted *in* the country.

This is in comparison to the US. All cases reported to the CDC in the US were from bats, dogs, or raccoons (when the source was known). Several, but not all, were contracted outside the country.

"Twenty-five cases of human rabies have been reported in the United States in the past decade (2009-2018). Seven of these infections were acquired outside of the U.S. and its territories."

And unless we miss the point - rabies is *not* curable, only preventable. There have been only *2* cases of human rabies in the US that survived, both of them youngsters.

 

[trecile]

I read this, and various of the responses, with alarm. First thing, report it to the authorities.

Definitely, to hopefully keep another pilgrim from being bitten.

 

[William Garza]

To be very unfair..the owner gaslighting you about it being only an open mouth bite..it seems she has a lot of experience with deflecting from facts about her doggo biting people.
A bite is a bite and I sincerely hope your healthy and warm!

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola - Re Rabies Vaccination! I had mine (a three dose event) back in 2010/11 as I was going to be in a part of Tanzania where I was more than 72/96 hours from Nairobi (the major centre for Rabies in East Africa). Yes in the case of Rabies prevention is the best policy. As for "no cure" well the advice I was provided was that vaccination extends your treatment window and reduces the need to have "gama-gobulin"(please excuse the spelling I am doing this from 15 year memory) directly injected into the affected wound.
If you are at risk of infection, you may require treatment consisting of a combination of rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine. (downloaded from NSW-(Australia) Govt Health site
Cheers

 

[Damico Walking]

I tried this last night when it started to rain - the umbrella is slotted into the compression straps and water bottle pocket on my right side. It's very quick-draw! I just reach back and grab the handle, then poof I have ready to go! (It's a longer umbrella, not a compact one). It felt great, like drawing a sword!

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0082/1231/6239/files/giphy_4.gif?v=1559188390

 

[rainswift]

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0082/1231/6239/files/giphy_4.gif?v=1559188390

yes, exactly like that!

 

[Drifter]

My only concern about using the tip of a trekking pole, or umbrella, is poking the dog in the eye.
Also, if the dog is close enough to touch with a pole/umbrella, he's only 3 feet away, which is getting a little too close for comfort. If there are 2 dogs (which is even more of a pack mentality) it's even worse.
With a little mail-man spray, the worst thing to happen to the dog is sneezing and watery eyes for a few minutes (giving you enough time to get far away), and nobody gets hurt.

 

[Jay Es]

We are on the Mozarabe at the moment. 400 km up the road now in Cordoba. We've had no trouble with dogs, but are very aware of the possibilities. This is our 3 rd Camino and have not so far been all that bothered by dogs. Ones that do roam free are usually put off approaching by picking up a rock. No need to throw it, they obviously associate picking up one with it being thrown at them.

 

[Barbara]

These things are best dealt with by a donkey. Mine used to push dogs away gently (once) with a hind leg. If it came back she would push it hard enough to lift it off the ground and drop about 50cm. I only saw one come back for a third attempt. Resulted in a short flight, hard landing and it ran away yelping. I apologised to the owner ( sort of) and he said not to worry, it was a good lesson for the dog.

 

[chinacat]

These things are best dealt with by a donkey. Mine used to push dogs away gently (once) with a hind leg. If it came back she would push it hard enough to lift it off the ground and drop about 50cm. I only saw one come back for a third attempt. Resulted in a short flight, hard landing and it ran away yelping. I apologised to the owner ( sort of) and he said not to worry, it was a good lesson for the dog.

A flying lesson?

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

These things are best dealt with by a donkey. Mine used to push dogs away gently (once) with a hind leg. If it came back she would push it hard enough to lift it off the ground and drop about 50cm. I only saw one come back for a third attempt. Resulted in a short flight, hard landing and it ran away yelping. I apologised to the owner ( sort of) and he said not to worry, it was a good lesson for the dog.

I knew I'd forgotten to pack something!

 

[Drifter]

14 Reasons Why a Donkey is the Ideal Hiking Companion

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@Drifter , that was BRILLIANT!! I couldn't keep eating, I was laughing too hard!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

14 Reasons Why a Donkey is the Ideal Hiking Companion

Thank you for posting this! I have a donkey and a horse boarded a few blocks from my home. I used to feed them carrots and apple slices until the owner requested me not to do it. I much preferred the little donkey's cute looks and personality over the horse's. She is adorable and her name is June. There are some very cute YouTube videos of donkeys as family pets.

 

[chinacat]

When you have equines it makes you wonder why no-one would feed your dog, cat, budgie etc but wouldn’t think twice about feeding your horse

I don’t know enough about donkeys to comment but I’ve had horses on various diets in the past and these would have been compromised by food offered by strangers.

It’s also important to know how to cut up an apple, for instance, to avoid causing choking.

 

[Barbara]

14 Reasons Why a Donkey is the Ideal Hiking Companion

Absolutely spot on.

 

[Barbara]

When you have equines it makes you wonder why no-one would feed your dog, cat, budgie etc but wouldn’t think twice about feeding your horse

I don’t know enough about donkeys to comment but I’ve had horses on various diets in the past and these would have been compromised by food offered by strangers.

It’s also important to know how to cut up an apple, for instance, to avoid causing choking.

Donkeys can tolerate changes to their diet much more easily than a horse will. Dalie had some interesting items that she would seek out, one of which was chocolate, some of which I would steal from her. I often ended up waiting while she munched her way through large amounts of cereals. I was once offered a coffee while I waited. She ravaged a rosemary plant in a church garden while I was talking to the priest, who luckily took it in good part. I did try to discourage people from feeding her chips with tomato sauce. No need to cut up apples for a donkey. Just hold it while they take the first two bites, the third bite will be the last. Take your bite first. Or park the donkey under an apple/walnut/peach/cherry/tree for ten minutes. She didn't like cabbage or potatoes, but rice pudding was a favourite, though not as good as ginger biscuits.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

No need to cut up apples for a donkey. Just hold it while they take the first two bites, the third bite will be the last. Take your bite first. Or park the donkey under an apple/walnut/peach/cherry/tree for ten minutes. She didn't like cabbage or potatoes, but rice pudding was a favourite, though not as good as ginger biscuits.

It sounds like Dalie really liked sweets.
I would cut up apples in thin slices for June so she could take them from me between the wire fence with her cute lips. The slices were long enough that I didn't worry about getting accidently bit. I'd bring them in a sandwich bag and have fun feeding them to her for a few minutes while I talked to her. It became where I'd call her name and she'd come sauntering across the pen to me from the other side. I wouldn't give her the apple uncut because it would be a "one and done" and soon cost me my whole bag of apples!
I always notice the donkeys and horses come to the fence when I walk by on my Caminos so assume pilgrims often share. I never have anything to give and had no ideas they like chocolate, but I'm not giving that up!

 

[chinacat]

Horses & apples: just cut through from the top as if you’re cutting an asterisk in it.
If it’s a large apple, I’d cut it into even more ‘slivers’.
You should get 8(+) thinnish slices.

 

[Marbe2]

I have met many untethered and stray dogs, as well as been pained by seeing heavily chained and clearly lonely isolated dogs behind fences along the CF. In addition, over many years of hiking I have passed hundreds of loose dogs. The vast majority of dogs are friendly! I start greeting and talking to every dog I see in advance of them getting close. I also keep dog treats in my pocket should I need them. Don’t panick! Stay calm and speak in a welcoming voice and keep walking with an eye on the dog.

Last year we met a young woman as we were walking between Samos and Sarria who was afraid to go any further because there was a tethered dog close to the path. My sister told her not to worry as she described me as the dog charmer! I am not. Many ferocious sounding dogs may just want someone’s attention. A little socialization often goes a long way. I am not advocating ignoring the fear response one may have, but suggesting that often a continued soft voiced gentleness and a treat maybe just what the dog requires.
That dog,the young woman was afraid of, I was eventually able to calm down and pet ina few minutes. Most often those dogs just want your attention.

On only one, rare occasion, have I encountered a dog that attempted to bite me. This happened to me as I passed the dog (coward). It was medium sized. It tried to bite me from behind as I passed It, I screamed out a high pitched long Nooo and threatened it with a quick hit from a pole on its behind. It went away immediately.

Please,most dogs just want your kindness and love! Talk gently to them, smile, say high! Give them your forehand if they engage and let them sniff. Pet them. They are not your enemy.
.

 

[VNwalking]

I also keep dog treats in my pocket should I need them

This can work wonders..

It’s also important to know how to cut up an apple, for instance, to avoid causing choking.

And make sure to take out the seeds.
I will never forget a call we went to when I was working as as an assistant for an equine vet. A kind-hearted family with a backyard shetland pony had been feeding her massive quantities of apples they'd gotten from a local grocery. Her gums were bright red and her breath smelled of almonds. She died of cyanide poisoning, from all the apple seeds.

 

[Barbara]

This can work wonders..


And make sure to take out the seeds.
I will never forget a call we went to when I was working as as an assistant for an equine vet. A kind-hearted family with a backyard shetland pony had been feeding her massive quantities of apples they'd gotten from a local grocery. Her gums were bright red and her breath smelled of almonds. She died of cyanide poisoning, from all the apple seeds.

Eek. How many apples did the pony eat, approximately? I'm quite concerned about this, as I have a donkey and a mule at home. Looking at one small donkey, bigger than a Shetland pony, and the mule is a good bit bigger. Also, does this get more or less of a problem as the apples ripen?

 

[TravellingMan22]

Glad

I have met many untethered and stray dogs, as well as been pained by seeing heavily chained and clearly lonely isolated dogs behind fences along the CF. In addition, over many years of hiking I have passed hundreds of loose dogs. The vast majority of dogs are friendly! I start greeting and talking to every dog I see in advance of them getting close. I also keep dog treats in my pocket should I need them. Don’t panick! Stay calm and speak in a welcoming voice and keep walking with an eye on the dog.

Last year we met a young woman as we were walking between Samos and Sarria who was afraid to go any further because there was a tethered dog close to the path. My sister told her not to worry as she described me as the dog charmer! I am not. Many ferocious sounding dogs may just want someone’s attention. A little socialization often goes a long way. I am not advocating ignoring the fear response one may have, but suggesting that often a continued soft voiced gentleness and a treat maybe just what the dog requires.
That dog,the young woman was afraid of, I was eventually able to calm down and pet ina few minutes. Most often those dogs just want your attention.

On only one, rare occasion, have I encountered a dog that attempted to bite me. This happened to me as I passed the dog (coward). It was medium sized. It tried to bite me from behind as I passed It, I screamed out a high pitched long Nooo and threatened it with a quick hit from a pole on its behind. It went away immediately.

Please,most dogs just want your kindness and love! Talk gently to them, smile, say high! Give them your forehand if they engage and let them sniff. Pet them. They are not your enemy.
.

Glad you were unscathed. Sounds a bit scary. I think no-one wants to harm dogs even the aggressives one, but just hoping that a few kind words and ‘some love’ is just not enough for me. I don’t have that skill set. We have seen the death toll figures! I have had two weeks of no aggressive dogs but have just been surrounded by about 5 or six of them. I had nothing to defend myself with and it was pretty frightening. Thankfully some people came to my rescue. Again I will stress I have no desire to ever hurt a dog but we must also think of victims/potential victims!

Anyway safety back at my home stay in the company of these 3 delightful dogs!

 

[VNwalking]

Eek. How many apples did the pony eat, approximately? I'm quite concerned about this, as I have a donkey and a mule at home. Looking at one small donkey, bigger than a Shetland pony, and the mule is a good bit bigger. Also, does this get more or less of a problem as the apples ripen?

They were feeding her apples instead of grain! So quite a lot and for an extended period - not likely to be too much of a concern under normal circumstances, just something to be aware of. And my understanding is that the precursor is in the seeds, so ripeness is not an issue. It's also in cherry seeds and some kinds of leaves.

 

[chinacat]

And in apricot kernels?

I was a bit perplexed by your post about the pony, VN.
But I realised that there must have been a huge number of apples to have caused such poisoning.
I’ve never cored apples for horses but I only fed them sporadically.
I had enough problems with our chestnut mare giving all the trees in our field a horizontal trim (from underneath).

 

[Barbara]

They were feeding her apples instead of grain! So quite a lot and for an extended period - not likely to be too much of a concern under normal circumstances, just something to be aware of. And my understanding is that the precursor is in the seeds, so ripeness is not an issue. It's also in cherry seeds and some kinds of leaves.

Thanks for that. My lot get grass/hay, nothing else as they aren't working unless it's very cold. I believe there is also cyanide in apricot kennels but I didn't know about apples.
So, looks like they were getting them by the barrowload. That amount of sugar can't have been ideal, either.

 

[VNwalking]

Yes bitter apricot kernels too, although presumably horses and donkeys would be more likely to spit them out than cherry pits.