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I was bitten in the upper arm by a Rotwellier ten years ago; large unleashed dogs have scared me ever since.I'm so sorry this happened to you!
I'm scared to death of any barking dog after being attacked by a pit bull as a young woman.
I wonder if carrying a pepper spray can is permitted in Spain?
No. Not anywhere in Europe that I know of. A big stick is legal though. So is an axe, but I find it a bit heavy!
To all those walking from Triacastela to Sarria. Beware of dangerous dog that bit me quite badly this morning.
It's not a matter of "not" liking dogs, it's a matter of wanting to feel safe while walking. I've been scared of dogs a couple of times too, on the camino, but thankfully they never came after me!Oh, this is so so sad to hear this. Galicia is particularly bad with big loose dogs. It was in Triacastela that I shared a table at breakfast with a peregrina who was waiting for a taxi. She said she just couldn’t cope anymore walking alone with all the BIG dogs at every farm and village she walked through. To add insult to injury another pilgrim said to her that if she didn’t like dogs she shouldn’t be walking the camino. What??
thanks for the warning we’ll be there in a few days. I’ll be stick ready. Whack!!!To all those walking from Triacastela to Sarria. Beware of dangerous dog that bit me quite badly this morning.
The location was about 20mins after leaving Triacastela, you walk down a hill into a very small hamlet of about 2 or 3 house plus some farm buildings. There is a vending machine in one of the houses. As I walked across a bridge over a small stream there was a very large herding dog lying in the road. I glanced at it..nothing more..and it went for me and gave me a nasty bite on my arm. Have just finished at Sarria hospital getting a tetanus injection. If you see this dog..stay well clear of it.
No elephants either, I'll bet, so it works for them too. Bears? Snakes? Tigers?No scary dogs turned up,
Johnny Hallyday was usually at the second bar, the dogs instinctively know that. RIP my dear friend.Another vote for carrying a trekking pole - on the via Podiensis every farm has a dog whose job it is to warn you off in French. This isn't a problem as they are chained up - until you get into the Basque country where they roam free. I've lost count of the number of times I've walked backwards for about 100 metres down a country road, followed by a dog telling me loudly what it's going to do to me if I don't clear off. At least, I think that's what they were saying, but I don't speak Dog French, so that's just a guess. They could have been giving me advice about accommodation in the next town, or asking if I liked Johnny Hallyday, but I doubt it.
However, I escaped unscathed simply by pointing the business end of my trekking pole at them until they got bored (dogs have a very short attention span) and turned back.
Agreed. I had some unpleasant incidents with both individual and packs of aggressive dogs on the Sanabres this year. I followed some advice I had previously read on a thread here, to pick up a rock and ostentatiously threaten to throw it. It worked, but it takes a strong nerve, particularly if a dozen of them are coming at you. I do not think it is guaranteed to be always successful either. In particular, I do not believe it would deter a couple of the fortunately restrained german shepherds I have encountered.Working/country dogs respect rocks and staffs/poles/sticks. They have been smacked by them their entire life and know the pain compliance. Do not be afraid to use whatever force you have available to prevent a dog attack.
True, an actual trained working guard dog would not let a rock thrown his way stop his attack or you better put a big rock in his face at high velocity, but fortunately would be highly doubtful one would encounter such a valuable, expensive dog running vagabond on the Camino. Same goes for the huge mastiff sheep guard dogs. Simply to valuable to be running amok. Those ruffian dogs I encountered were no doubt owned by someone, but semi feral in nature. Perhaps their working days were over and they're let loose to pasture.Agreed. I had some unpleasant incidents with both individual and packs of aggressive dogs on the Sanabres this year. I followed some advice I had previously read on a thread here, to pick up a rock and ostentatiously threaten to throw it. It worked, but it takes a strong nerve, particularly if a dozen of them are coming at you. I do not think it is guaranteed to be always successful either. In particular, I do not believe it would deter a couple of the fortunately restrained german shepherds I have encountered.
The dozen or so I mentioned were actually huge sheep dogs! Mastiffs, I guess, and untethered. Guarding a small pen of doleful sheep located about 60 metres from the path. I had got lost, and they were not expecting pedestrians, to say the least. I had to walk past the damn things 4 times, and after the first encounter I took a large detour around them in through a neighbouring ploughed paddock. The craziest thing about it (other than me preparing to meet my doom) was that the first time, as they eventually backed-off, I could see in the distance behind them a fox slinking up on the far side of the sheep pen, hoping to snaffle a meal. The dogs were having such a whale of a time putting the wind up me that they had neglected the sheep they were supposed to protect.True, an actual trained working guard dog would not let a rock thrown his way stop his attack or you better put a big rock in his face at high velocity, but fortunately would be highly doubtful one would encounter such a valuable, expensive dog running vagabond on the Camino. Same goes for the huge mastiff sheep guard dogs. Simply to valuable to be running amok. Those ruffian dogs I encountered were no doubt owned by someone, but semi feral in nature. Perhaps their working days were over and they're let loose to pasture.
I have a friend who owns two mastiffs. Not for work but for pets. Quite friendly, but one quickly becomes aware of their strength and power when playing with them. They drag me around like a rag and I am a pretty big guy. I have no idea how I would deal with a rogue one on the Camino path.
If roaming loose AND/OR you think it might be lost: Call Local police: 092, or APACA: 881.973.068– this is the Association for the Protection of Road Animals. Many times I've experienced this, and although I think its cute that they follow me, I often think about the fact that they could be or are lost.
If a dog is injured, proceed as if it was a human: Call Emergency: 112, provide it with shade and shelter, water if deemed necessary, but never move it. Also call APACA: 881.973.068.
If you suspect maltreatment or abuse of a dog along the Camino: Call SEPRONA: 062 (This is a unit of the Guardia Civil for Nature Protection Services) and deal with the locals in the case of animal abuse.
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This is awful to hear! I was attacked by a large dog in the Portugues Way, walking between Ponte de Lima and Rubiaes. It was before the hill climb at a road underpass. I was lucky it did not break skin as it tore holes in my pant leg and sock, taking me down. I was alone and had no stick.To all those walking from Triacastela to Sarria. Beware of dangerous dog that bit me quite badly this morning.
The location was about 20mins after leaving Triacastela, you walk down a hill into a very small hamlet of about 2 or 3 house plus some farm buildings. There is a vending machine in one of the houses. As I walked across a bridge over a small stream there was a very large herding dog lying in the road. I glanced at it..nothing more..and it went for me and gave me a nasty bite on my arm. Have just finished at Sarria hospital getting a tetanus injection. If you see this dog..stay well clear of it.
To all those walking from Triacastela to Sarria. Beware of dangerous dog that bit me quite badly this morning.
The location was about 20mins after leaving Triacastela, you walk down a hill into a very small hamlet of about 2 or 3 house plus some farm buildings. There is a vending machine in one of the houses. As I walked across a bridge over a small stream there was a very large herding dog lying in the road. I glanced at it..nothing more..and it went for me and gave me a nasty bite on my arm. Have just finished at Sarria hospital getting a tetanus injection. If you see this dog..stay well clear of it.
Interesting....that is the one that attacked me and I hit with my trekking poles as I mentioned in my earlier comment on this thread. A Rottweiler type of dog. That is exactly where I had my encounter and I recall another dog nearby inside a fenced area which was also barking.This is awful to hear! I was attacked by a large dog in the Portugues Way, walking between Ponte de Lima and Rubiaes. It was before the hill climb at a road underpass. I was lucky it did not break skin as it tore holes in my pant leg and sock, taking me down. I was alone and had no stick.
I was wondering the same thingI wonder if carrying a pepper spray can is permitted in Spain?
I was wondering the same thing
I was under the impression spray was legal. However, I carry a spare packet of biccies for little dogs, give the big ones a wide berth and take the rubber tips off my pacer poles just in case. Tried taking a trebuchet but it was too big for the hold!No. Not anywhere in Europe that I know of. A big stick is legal though. So is an axe, but I find it a bit heavy!
I was under the impression spray was legal. ...
Extremely unusual on the CF as there are so many walkers and the dogs are already to full of older pilgrims! Not sure what JC has to do with your question…...Jesus Christ. Dog attacks are something I hadn't considered at all when planning my Camino, the only thing I was concerned about was meeting cattle on the way. I have a fear of cows, and one of my hopes for the camino is to try overcome that fear. Now I have an extra thing to be worried about lol
How common is this on Camino Frances? Can anybody who has walked it recently confirm that they walked it and weren't attacked? Make me feel better please!!
Remind me not to walk a Camino with you.Where possible I also keep a pilgrim between me and malcontents of ANY kind.
Extremely unusual on the CF as there are so many walkers and the dogs are already to full of older pilgrims! Not sure what JC has to do with your question…...
I am scared of dogs too and may I reassure you, nothing ever happened (whilst I walked it) on the Camino francés . You’ll be fineSorry, didn't mean to be blasphemous. I'm Irish, it's just the way we talk......
I hope your right, that dog attacks are a rare thing
Not at all. Where dogs are not used to herds of pilgrims, more so.ow common is this on Camino Frances?
Don't bother. Pick up a rock, or just pretend to, and bellow 'NO,' or 'OIGA' at the dog with a deep voice (a squeaked feminine 'noo' won't do it). That works better, and at a distance. At closer quarters, water in the eyes from your squirt bottle works wonders. The surprise effect can turn a monster into a spooked puppy in an instant - and no harm is done to anyone. Your sticks are the last resort when the dog's in striking distance.Where can you get pepper spray in Spain and Portugal? I had no real problems with dogs however I want to be prepared for next time.
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How common is this on Camino Frances? Can anybody who has walked it recently confirm that they walked it and weren't attacked? Make me feel better please!!
Dogs are not a problem at all, I met lovely friendly dogs all along the Frances. You will meet a cow or two, plenty of sheep and the odd bull or goat, they also see a lot of pilgrims and arent concerned.Jesus Christ. Dog attacks are something I hadn't considered at all when planning my Camino, the only thing I was concerned about was meeting cattle on the way. I have a fear of cows, and one of my hopes for the camino is to try overcome that fear. Now I have an extra thing to be worried about lol
How common is this on Camino Frances? Can anybody who has walked it recently confirm that they walked it and weren't attacked? Make me feel better please!!
Dogs are not a problem at all, I met lovely friendly dogs all along the Frances. You will meet a cow or two, plenty of sheep and the odd bull or goat, they also see a lot of pilgrims and arent concerned.
But now bulls have been bought in to the conversation. What is the suggestion for dealing with them? I plan to just stand still distance and hope they feck off lol
HiTo all those walking from Triacastela to Sarria. Beware of dangerous dog that bit me quite badly this morning.
The location was about 20mins after leaving Triacastela, you walk down a hill into a very small hamlet of about 2 or 3 house plus some farm buildings. There is a vending machine in one of the houses. As I walked across a bridge over a small stream there was a very large herding dog lying in the road. I glanced at it..nothing more..and it went for me and gave me a nasty bite on my arm. Have just finished at Sarria hospital getting a tetanus injection. If you see this dog..stay well clear of it.
As I am getting ready to continue the Via Francigena South and on to the via Egnatia to Istanbul, i wonder about dogs. On all my caminos I never had a problem but as there is always a first time I thought besides my sticks a whistle might be a good idea. I wonder if you could tell me the brand and where to shop for? Thank youI carry a whistle ...one used by the U. S. Coast Guard. It can be heard for a mile in undulating waves and stormy weather. I used it three times on the Portuguese Camino. While nary a single person was around (or made their presence known) it did deter the advancing, encircling dogs. The biggest offender was a mastif sized dog about 3-4km south of Ansiao. His side kick, what appeared to be a yellow lab, seemed indifferent.
It’s unsettling. Even a cadre of three to four small ankle biters worry me.
I share your angst when seeing an untethered dog, am grateful for the ones that are, and hope to heck their rope isn’t fraying nor their fence too low or unweildly!
I carry a whistle ...one used by the U. S. Coast Guard. It can be heard for a mile in undulating waves and stormy weather. I used it three times on the Portuguese Camino. While nary a single person was around (or made their presence known) it did deter the advancing, encircling dogs. The biggest offender was a mastif sized dog about 3-4km south of Ansiao. His side kick, what appeared to be a yellow lab, seemed indifferent.
It’s unsettling. Even a cadre of three to four small ankle biters worry me.
I share your angst when seeing an untethered dog, am grateful for the ones that are, and hope to heck their rope isn’t fraying nor their fence too low or unweildly!
If you are walking outside of western europe, you may be as well investing in Rabies shots. Just be aware they don't give you immunity, they just give you more time to get to a hospital. You still have to get the rather painful injections if you do get bitten. :/
As to when you are out in the middle of nowhere and find aggressive dogs, uncap your poles and shorten them to the minimum height. They are pretty effective if you need to poke something.
Karl, check with a marine supply store. They should have whistles! I’ll try to find my old one for a brand name.As I am getting ready to continue the Via Francigena South and on to the via Egnatia to Istanbul, i wonder about dogs. On all my caminos I never had a problem but as there is always a first time I thought besides my sticks a whistle might be a good idea. I wonder if you could tell me the brand and where to shop for? Thank you
Karl
i think i saw this dog in that same hamlet! i avoided eye contact and just kept walking slowly by and praying it wouldnt move and fortunately it did not pursue me - it sure was a scary looking dog. so sorry to hear it went for you. i hope the bite doesnt impact your journey any more than it already has. buen caminoTo all those walking from Triacastela to Sarria. Beware of dangerous dog that bit me quite badly this morning.
The location was about 20mins after leaving Triacastela, you walk down a hill into a very small hamlet of about 2 or 3 house plus some farm buildings. There is a vending machine in one of the houses. As I walked across a bridge over a small stream there was a very large herding dog lying in the road. I glanced at it..nothing more..and it went for me and gave me a nasty bite on my arm. Have just finished at Sarria hospital getting a tetanus injection. If you see this dog..stay well clear of it.
The original post is from 2019i think i saw this dog in that same hamlet! i avoided eye contact and just kept walking slowly by and praying it wouldnt move and fortunately it did not pursue me - it sure was a scary looking dog. so sorry to hear it went for you. i hope the bite doesnt impact your journey any more than it already has. buen camino
lol well apparently it's still there! frankly i had just had a bathroom mishap with pee all over my pants and i thought maybe that put it off! sorry- i know that's more than you need to know!The original post is from 2019
I thought you were going to tell me you had tried out one of those female urinary devices that cause ME to pee down my leg! Hahaha!lol well apparently it's still there! frankly i had just had a bathroom mishap with pee all over my pants and i thought maybe that put it off! sorry- i know that's more than you need to know!
actually that IS what happened lol! those come in handy but are sometimes hit or miss! at least maybe that helps keep aggressive dogs at bay!I thought you were going to tell me you had tried out one of those female urinary devices that cause ME to pee down my leg! Hahaha!
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