the only trustworthy animals are cats.

[datasuspect]

i never had one turn on me or fuck with me while i was walking.

i take this new route that carries me through some ponds and dirt roads and dumps out onto a small road that connects to a longer road that goes to the regional airport. all low key, low traffic, fragrant with magnolia and honeysuckle.

dr. says i need exercise and this takes about 1.5 hours to do. started my new regimen sunday. minimal traffic, quite pleasant, and very peaceful.

except for this monstrous fucking german shepherd who comes out of nowhere and lights my ass up with barking, snarling, and a curious standoffishness like it wants to dive bomb me.

i just kept walking and he tailed me, carrying on like this for about .5 mile.

by the time i got to the crossroads, i called the cops (they function as animal control here) and they said they'd come out there.

made it the airport (found a long piece of rebar along the way) and turned around.

by the time i came back to the area, i saw the cop making the turnaround at the old boat launch and i flagged him.

he told me to hop in and i showed him where the dog was (a smallish gravel road with about four houses on the property).

i ask him about the legality of dispatching a domesticated animal. he said, "you gotta protect yourself if you're being attacked."

so what i'd really like to know (because i am not a dog person) what the likelihood is of being attacked from a domesticated dog. he belongs to people and has a collar. i don't want to obtain "less than lethal" products like pepper spray or a taser to immobilize the beast, nor do i want to shoot it (i have a conceal/carry license but don't usually carry a gun while walking, but i can).

the most curious thing the cop said was, "i don't trust any dog, not even my own."

is it possible to make friends with defensive animals? i think he was pissed because i was walking close to his territory. the dog might be SOL though, because they're putting in a subdivision across the road.

cop gave the people a ticket for not restraining their animal.

[jpgray]

1. Depends on the breed, the environment, etc.

But a large, strong dog is far more dangerous when it does something unpredictable than, say, a kitty. That said, I've had dogs I could trust completely with other people. Not all dogs end up that way.

[wildhorses]

2. feed it a big hunk of meat

it will like that;)

[datasuspect]

3. a big hunk of .45 hollow point

joking.

i was thinking about carrying some dog biscuits and a collapsible baton with me.

[wildhorses]

4. that sounds reasonable

but, it would like meat better:bounce:

[datasuspect]

5. who doesn't like meat?

except godless communists

[wildhorses]

8. and something called vegans

:hide:

[Deep13]

6. kitty kitty kitty kitty kitty

So, pretty much "kitty."

[Kali]

7. you obviously don't live with a hairball hacking, carpet pissing,

furniture shredding little fishhook-containing furball of trustworthiness, do you? :rofl:

[datasuspect]

9. actually we got a real old cat

she just lays around and grunts.