I don't usually post stories like this, but this one struck me. Its an extremely sad story about a jogger killed by a pack of pit bulls in a rural part of Los Angeles. I can identify with this problem first hand, because on occasion I've encountered dog packs face-to-face while out jogging. On one such an occasion occurred in the fall of last year. I was trail running around the lake where we live and heard running behind me. I looked back and saw four large dogs in full chase, one right at my heels. I quickly found higher ground and grab a stick and swung just as the closest dog leapt towards me. I ducked, he missed, I and charged him yelling and swinging the big branch as an unwieldy club. That seemed to run them off. I'm 200lbs, physically very capable, maybe I was more than they anticipated, maybe they were just out for a run and a little too curious. Thankfully they weren't a pitbull pack from hell.
Unfortunately I had another run in with a pack a week later which did have a pit in the lead and changed my mind forever on this topic. I had learned to carry some protection from the first encounter so I had a large knife at the ready. The pit bull lead dog wasn't aggressive and they moved on. As for me, I got spooked. The knife wouldn't have made much difference, I realized I was still way under-armed. If a pack of pits turn on you there's not much to do but get away and fire from a safe distance. And for the Police officer in the story who shot one of the animals the dog just ran off. Anyone who's been in this situation knows what I'm describing is a high adrenaline scenario. Prayer is always a good thing, but either way I don't run in the woods unarmed any more. My best advice is bear spray, a Glock and keen awareness. Say a little prayer for the lady in that story and her family and read her story if you have some time today.
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