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In my experience dog attacks can happen with little warning. How would you intend to carry the umbrella for quick-draw access?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.
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!In my experience dog attacks can happen with little warning. How would you intend to carry the umbrella for quick-draw access?
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.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)
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!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.
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.I saw very few dogs in my time in the Camino, and all but one was friendly.
Where ARE you @TravellingMan22? It doesn't sound like you are on a Camino path 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!
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!Where ARE you @TravellingMan22? It doesn't sound like you are on a Camino path to me!
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!!!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.
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.The Guardia Civíl won't come running for a tiny scratch caused by what appears to be a snap.
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.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)
Rabies is in the 'BAT' population ( they fly in from Africa ), "Rabies-free" is due to vaccination program ( if the owner adheres, penalty aside ).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.
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
I hope that it is as you say. Even if rabies is not a concern, infection is.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 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?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)
No, rabies inoculation is not routine and usually not recommended.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
Definitely, to hopefully keep another pilgrim from being bitten.I read this, and various of the responses, with alarm. First thing, report it to the authorities.
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!
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!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.
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.
Absolutely spot on.
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.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.
It sounds like Dalie really liked sweets.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.
This can work wonders..I also keep dog treats in my pocket should I need them
And make sure to take out the seeds.It’s also important to know how to cut up an apple, for instance, to avoid causing choking.
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?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.
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!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.
.
They were feeding her apples instead of grain!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?
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.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.
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