Household cat killed by coyote in New Orleans

Although many people think they could never run into a coyote in a populated area, a number of wild animals are being forced into neighborhoods due to their habitats being destroyed. As a result, more humans and their pets are being confronted with coyotes, which can be dangerous without adequate protection on hand.

In New Orleans, the number of coyote sightings have sharply decreased as of late, according to The Times-Picayune. However, one incident recently occurred in the Harahan area involving a coyote and a household cat. Unfortunately, the feline was killed when it came across an aggressive coyote.

Although these instances are not as common in Harahan these days, animal experts are still attempting to raise awareness of the presence of coyotes. These animals, which are primarily active at night, are prone to attacking household pets that might venture outdoors during these hours. Experts recommend keeping all pets inside when the sun sets.

Individuals who want to increase their pet safety might want to buy pepper spray. When used properly, it can temporarily blind a wild animal and give a victim the chance to run for safety.

Coyotes recently spotted in San Francisco

Although city dwellers could never picture themselves running into a wild animal, many creatures have been forced into metropolises from their natural habitats as a result of construction. This happens to be the case in San Francisco where more people are coming into contact with coyotes, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Recently, wild coyotes have been spotted around the city, one of which even had to be shot and killed at a local park. Many residents are asking public officials to take protective measures, but wildlife experts say that coyotes are here to stay.

"The whole nation is having problems with coyotes," Kent Smirl, a Department of Fish and Game lieutenant, told the news source.

Almost anything can be considered food for coyotes, including cats and dogs. Many residents have reported animals going missing, and coyote experts say that it is no coincidence.

Those who want to increase pet safety and protect themselves against wild animals might want to buy pepper spray. When used properly, it can temporarily blind a coyote and give an individual the chance to flee to safety.

Dog attack leaves one injured

One Seattle woman and her dog were serverly attacked after a run in with a pit bull, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

The victim said she had been walking her dachshund when a pit bull charged at them and started attacking the small dog. The victim told the news source she wasn't going to let go of her pet.

During the incident the dog pulled them to the ground and held on biting her and her animal for some time.

Help came in the form to two men who had heard the scuffle, they approached with a stick as a way to break-up the attack. According to the news source, the victim received multiple bruises and puncture wounds to her face and limbs, her dog got an injury on his nose.

Police say a woman stepped forward claiming the dog as her own. She told officers the dog had been a rescue from the pound and had trouble in the past with other dogs but claims the animal had never bitten any people.

Whenever you're out walking your pet, know that you could come in contact with an unruly animal. Staying alert and even purchasing pepper spray to take with you may be a way to avoid such situations from occurring.

Vicious dog attack leaves one dead

Police in Hawthorne, Florida, are investigating the recent death of a 74-year-old man after he was viciously attacked by a neighbors two pit bulls, according to News4Jax.

The victim had been out in his yard gardening when the pit bulls got loose and ran over to him. The animals immediately starting attacking him, ripping off his right arm and severely damaging his left. He was on life support for five days before succumbing to his injuries, the news source added.

According to police records, this is the third incident involving these two animals. One man was attacked and bitten when taking care of a nearby home, while another was attacked upon entering the home of the dogs' owner. He had to get 40 stitches and is reportedly still having trouble using his hand properly.

In the previous two incidents, the dogs were quarantined but were given back to the owner. No charges were ever formally filed and the dogs were never declared dangerous.

Although it's not your job as an innocent bystander to be in charge, if you know certain animals near you could infiltrate your personal safety, you must stay alert at all times as animals can be unpredictable. If you feel unsafe, talk with your local police and carry pepper spray with you if you think you could come in contact with an unruly animal, as an added survival tactic.

Woman learns valuable lesson after dog attack

Taking in stray animals brings up the all too true fact that when dealing with unpredictable dogs and cats, personal safety must always be accounted for. In Bennington, Nebraska, a woman who is known for taking in homeless dogs to foster, found herself in a horrifying incident recently when one of her dogs turned on her, said Action 3 News Omaha.

According to an eyewitness and good Samaritan, he had been driving down the street when he noticed a woman lying on the ground with a dog on top of her. He pulled over and ran to assist the woman who he realized was being attacked.

The witness informed police that the dog was relentless and that it took a lot of effort to get the animal to release the woman.

If you're going to be working with high-risk animals, personal safety needs to be considered at all times. The victim should have had pepper spray or a air-horn on hand to ward off the aggressive dog. If she had one of these safety mechanisms available, this attack may have never occurred in the first place.

Woman recalls dog attack

A woman from Dorset, England, is still mentally and physically recovering after a pit bull attacked her and her pet. Susan Laidlow, 53, was walking her seven-month-old dog when she passed by another woman who had two canines of her own in tow, the Dorset Echo reports.

The walk began just like any other, but once she approached the other woman with a pit bull it quickly began the attack. Thanks to the quick-thinking action of three bystanders, the canine was pulled off the woman and the attack was stopped, but not before Laidlow suffered substantial scratches and bruising.

"It was running towards us really fast, showing its teeth, it was a really powerful dog," she told the news source."Within an instant it grabbed Sky and jumped on top of her. It went on for what seemed like hours."

Those looking to protect themselves and also boost pet safety may want to buy pepper spray. When discharged into the face of an attacking dog, it can make it difficult for them to see and breathe. 

Woman needs plastic surgery after dog bite

An unusual dog attack in Ottawa, Canada, left Anne Riel, a greeter at The Home Depot, needing plastic surgery. The owner of a shih tzu has been charged in connection with the incident after her pet bit off part of the employee's nose, the Toronto Sun reports.

Although the store has a no pets policy, it often looks the other way. Riel required at least seven stitches to stop the bleeding at first, and plastic surgeons say they will need at least three more surgeries to return the nose back to normal. The elderly owner of the offending dog was fined $610 for the attack and has to keep her pet muzzled when it's out in public, but for the victim, it may not be enough.

"I'm happy with [the action against the owner], but then what happens to the dog?" Riel said Monday.

Those looking to protect themselves from the possibility of a dog attack may want to buy pepper spray or animal repellent. The device can be used from as far as 10 feet away and can temporarily disable a dog who may pose a threat.

Florida boy injured while shielding brother from dog attack

A 7-year-old boy from Homestead, Florida, was seriously injured recently while protecting two younger children from a dog attack. Despite suffering wounds to his head, shoulders and arms, he shielded his 4-year-old brother and a friend from the brunt of the bites, The Miami Herald reports.

The attack started when the three boys were outside playing at around 7 p.m. The German Shepherd escaped from a nearby building and without any provocation lunged at the trio of kids. Eventually, the boys' father was able to scare off the dog with a shovel, but not before one of his sons acted bravely.

"Upon seeing the dog attack, the 7-year-old grabbed his brother and his brother's friend, the other 4-year-old, throwing them underneath a vehicle, and shielding them from the attacking dog," police spokesperson Fernando Morales told the news source.

Although a shovel may be an effective animal repellent, pepper spray is even more so. When discharged into the face of an attacking canine, it will make it difficult for the animal to see and breathe, allowing a victim to get to safety. 

Dog attack leaves Canadian woman needing surgery

A woman from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, remained in serious condition days after being attacked by an aggressive dog behind a building along the town's Main Street. The 45-year-old victim sustained wounds to her face, upper torso and neck in the March 26 incident and had to undergo hours of surgery to repair the damage. Responding officers were able to shoot and kill the dog after a brief struggle, The Chronicle Herald reports.

For the owner of the dog, it is not the first time one of his pets has been involved in such an attack. Nearly three years ago, neighbors of the man described a scene in which another victim was seriously injured by a pair of pit bull-like canines. No charges were filed as a result.

"The poor man, he was bitten from head to toe...like somebody took an axe or an ice pick to his whole body," one witness told the news source in 2008.

Though any dog can become aggressive, DogsBite.org reports that pit bulls tends to be responsible for the majority of serious incidents. According to the organization, which is a group dedicated to reducing the number of such incidents in the United States, about 1,000 people require emergency care every day to treat a dog bite. Additionally, of the 88 deaths recorded between January 2006 and December 2008, pit bulls were responsible 59 percent of the time.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, of the 4.5 million Americans bitten by dogs each year, children, adults males and other dog owners are the most vulnerable. However, experts say there are a number of ways individuals can prevent dog attacks.

The CDC recommends that parents teach their kids several tips to avoid injury. Chiefly, children should not approach unfamiliar dogs as they tend to be the most unpredictable. Furthermore, if one ever finds oneself in a position where a canine seems aggressive, the CDC suggests remaining motionless and resisting the urge to run, as that may only exacerbate the problem.

For families that are considering bringing a dog into their home, the group also offers some pet safety tips. For starters, spaying or neutering a dog will help reduce aggressive tendencies, and families should never leave infants or young children alone with the pet.

Still, there are some who may be looking for a more substantial way to protect themselves if they happen to come across a potentially aggressive dog. Pepper spray is not just an effective means of personal safety against humans, but it can work on animals too, and can be the perfect defense mechanism for joggers, postal workers or anybody else who may come across a dangerous situation.

While there are a number of animal repellents that offer protection against dogs, pepper spray is considered to be one of the most effective. Perhaps the biggest advantage offered by pepper spray is that it can be used from far away. While other repellents require an individual to get close, most pepper sprays are effective at distances up to 10 feet and provide a strong stream that will temporarily disable a dog.

When carrying pepper spray, experts suggesting keeping it in an easy-to-reach location such as a keychain so that it can be used quickly. Additionally, one may also want to practice with the device beforehand so that if it ever needs to be used, it's done so correctly.  

Young Indiana girl suffers vicious pit bull attack

A five-year-old girl from South Bend, Indiana, was attacked by a pit bull recently and suffered extensive injuries that required surgery. The animal nearly tore the victim's right ear off, and the girl was still recovering several days after the incident, Fox affiliate WSJV reports.

The victim was the granddaughter of the pet owner's girlfriend, and police say that the man was aware that the dog was potentially aggressive. Additionally, he did not have the necessary liscences for owning a dangerous animal. According to the news source, the dog also did not have its rabies shots up-to-date and was euthanized.

DogsBite.org reports that around 1,000 people are hospitalized due to canine attacks each day, and that in 2009, a study found that 59 percent of fatal dog attacks were caused by pit bulls.

Those looking to protect themselves from being a victim of a dog attack may want to buy pepper spray. When aimed at the face of an animal, it will make it difficult for them to see and breathe, allowing the user to get to safety. 

Rise in dog attacks has Missouri residents concerned

A spate of dog attacks in Fulton, Missouri, has city officials looking into changing animal control policy. The city council recently met to discuss the growing problem after a young boy was bitten by a pit bull just several days earlier, CBS affiliate KRCG reports.

While some residents have suggested banning notoriously dangerous dogs such as pit bulls, others don't think that will entirely solve the problem. It's not just people who are being injured by the animals, but other dogs as well. One such pet was Mickey, a the pet of Fulton resident Donald Beauchamp, who saw the entire incident happen and is concerned for other residents' pets' safety.

"The pit bull was on the corner of my house and the dog had latched on to my dog's left ear and neck and was actually trying to rip his neck off," he told the news source.

Pet owners looking to keep themselves and their four-legged friends safe may want to buy pepper spray or animal repellent. When sprayed into the face of an attacking animal, the device will temporarily disable it, allowing a potential victim to get away.  

Canadian boy attacked by sled dog

A young Canadian boy was recently injured when he was attacked by a sled dog. The incident occurred in Southend, Saskatchewan, and the 4-year-old victim had to be taken to the hospital with serious injuries to his face, CTV News reports.

The attack happened while the boy and a caregiver were tending to 14 sled dogs inside a reserve. Although the boy was told to stay inside the truck, he wandered outside and encountered an animal off of its leash. According to the news provider, the dog bit him and ran off before it was hit by a car.

"The dog ... did inflict some injuries on the youth before the care-giver was able to separate the dog from the child," sergeant Paul Dawson told the news source. "His injuries are serious but not life-threatening."

Those living in the neighborhood of an aggressive canine or looking to protect themselves against a dog attack may want to buy pepper spray or animal repellent. Such devices have proven to be an effective way to disable a dangerous dog and will prevent similar injury.

Boy needs 34 stitches after dog attack

A young boy in Hucknall, England, was seriously injured when a neighborhood dog attacked him. The 2-year-old required 34 stitches to close the wound on his face that was caused by a large Staffordshire bull terrier, the Hucknall Dispatch reports.

The incident occurred while the boy was playing at a neighbor's house, and he was rushed to the hospital soon after the attack. There were no witnesses so investigators are unsure of exactly how it started, but the dog's owners and the victim's parents are shocked because he had been around the animal numerous times before.

"We can't believe this has happened," the boy's father Brian Martin told the news source. "We have known our neighbors for three years and there have never been any problems with the dog before."

Individuals who come into contact with aggressive dogs may want to consider buying pepper spray as a defense mechanism. The device has proven to be an effective way to temporarily disable a canine. 

Iowa pet safety at the forefront after attacks

Few people know the importance of pet safety more than 74-year-old Tom Weinman. The Des Moines, Iowa, resident was walking his dog recently when a loose pit bull attacked it, and his pet suffered several bite wounds before the aggressive canine was restrained, the Des Moines Register reports.

The incident followed the death of a 3-year-old girl in Iowa and brings to light a significant issue when it comes to dog attacks. Weinman said that the incident came out of nowhere, but dog safety experts say that an animal can bite even if it does not appear to be angry.

"One of the major misconceptions is that if a dog is wagging its tail, it must be friendly. That is totally a fallacy," professional dog trainer Dana Fedman told the news source. She added that people like walkers and joggers should resist the urge to turn and run from a dog that appears to be aggressive and instead just stay still.

In addition to how one acts, carrying pepper spray as an animal repellent can be an added safety boost. When sprayed into the face of an animal, it will temporarily disable the aggressor without harming it.
 

Massachusetts boy, 10, attacked by dog on walk home

A young boy in Fall River, Massachusetts, had to be taken to the hospital recently after he was bitten by a dog. The 10-year-old victim suffered injuries to his face and legs and was released after treatment, the Herald News reports.

Police say the incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. while the boy was walking home from school with a group of friends. He told investigators that it was on his walk home that the canine broke through the fence in its backyard and began the attack.

Once the dog started biting the victim, passersby noticed the attack and attempted to help. One such bystander, Sandra Levesque, noticed what was happening as she was driving by. According to the news source, she assisted three men in dragging the aggressive animal off the youngster.

Whether you're a mail carrier or simply someone who lives near a large dog, pepper spray can serve as an effective animal repellent. The device has shown to be effective on attacking canines and makes it difficult for them to see and breathe.  

Family raises awareness after dog attack

Citizens of Peachtree City, Georgia, are warned to be vigilant after a local family's dog was attacked by a renegade black lab on a cart path recently. The dog, named Patches, needed more than 37 stitches to repair the wound on his side, The Citizen reports.

The attack occurred around 1 p.m. while Patches' family took him for a walk. Even though both Patches and the other animal were on leashes, the aggressive lab lunged forward and was able to knock him to the ground. According to the news provider, Patches' owner, Kevin Ellis, then took action and posted flyers around their neighborhood warning other residents about the dog that attacked their own.

"What really started gnawing at me is: what if I'm out there with the kids and our fishing poles, and the dogs got into it and the kids were in the middle of it?" Ellis told the news source.

Families who also live near an aggressive dog may want to consider buying pepper spray to defend themselves or boost their pet's safety. The device has been shown to make it difficult for animals to see and breathe and can prevent injury.

Garbagemen save the day in Florida pit bull attack

A pair of sanitation workers stumbled across a woman and her pet dog being attacked by a pit bull while out on the job recently, and managed to save her from further injury. Thanks to some fast action, the two men were able to subdue the animal and prevent it from inflicting any additional damage, the Macro Eagle reports.

The incident occurred in Marco Island, Florida, and began when the two men - Emilio Medal and Jorge Valdez - witnessed the attack at one of their regularly scheduled stops. They managed to pull the dog off the victim and secure it to a tree while they waited for animal control officials to arrive on the scene.

"Because of the quick thinking of these men, both the woman and her dog were spared more serious injuries," Officer Ed d’Alessandro said in a prepared statement.

According to Dogsbite.org, a website dedicated to preventing serious attacks, around 1,000 people in the United States are hospitalized each day due to injuries caused by dog attacks.

Individuals looking to protect themselves from such a fate may want to consider buying pepper spray. The device has proven to be an effective personal safety tool against dogs and humans alike.

Maryland police officer bit by pit bull near elementary school

A police officer in Baltimore County, Maryland, was recently attacked by a pit bull after responding to a routine call. The officer was alerted after receiving a complaint about two dogs running loose, The Towerlight reports.

Not soon after the officer arrived at the campus of elementary school Halstead Academy of Science and Arts the attack began. Police say that the man had just opened his door when one of a pair of dogs lunged at him, affording him very little time to prepare and protect himself.

"He got out of his car and before he could react, he was attacked by these dogs," lieutenant Robert McCollough told the news source. "One dog was captured and the second, a white female pit bull with an orange brown spot on her hind quarters, ran away from the scene."

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quailty, there has been a steady increase of hospitalizations due to dog bites recently, with an 86 percent rise from 1993 to 2008.

Those looking to protect themselves from an aggressive animal may want to consider buying pepper spray or other animal repellent. The device has been shown to be an effective way to turn back an aggressive canine.
 

Rash of dog attacks puts spotlight on pet safety

Dog owners in South Carolina are on high alert for their pets' safety after a pair of dog attacks have left other animals dead in their wake. Both incidents were the work of pit bulls, and according to The Post and Courier, police are still searching for the owner of one of the offending canines.

The first incident occurred when a pit bull mix lashed out and mauled a six-week old Labrador puppy. Police say that the puppy was in an area with many other dogs, but the aggressive animal singled out the young dog and dragged it under a table. Despite the efforts of the owner, the puppy died at the scene.

Mark Patrick, the man who operates the dog park where the attack took place, said that there are supposed to be designated areas for smaller and larger animals, telling the news provider that pet safety is "all about pet-owner awareness."

The second attack was the result of a pit bull that is believed to be responsible for at least four such instances around the Charleston area.

Pet owners who want to protect themselves and their pets from such an attack may want to consider carrying pepper spray. The device has proven to be effective at disabling dogs and allowing one to get to safety.  

Rash of dog attacks puts spotlight on pet safety

Dog owners in South Carolina are on high alert for their pets' safety after a pair of dog attacks have left other animals dead in their wake. Both incidents were the work of pit bulls, and according to The Post and Courier, police are still searching for the owner of one of the offending canines.

The first incident occurred when a pit bull mix lashed out and mauled a six-week old Labrador puppy. Police say that the puppy was in an area with many other dogs, but the aggressive animal singled out the young dog and dragged it under a table. Despite the efforts of the owner, the puppy died at the scene.

Mark Patrick, the man who operates the dog park where the attack took place, said that there are supposed to be designated areas for smaller and larger animals, telling the news provider that pet safety is "all about pet-owner awareness."

The second attack was the result of a pit bull that is believed to be responsible for at least four such instances around the Charleston area.

Pet owners who want to protect themselves and their pets from such an attack may want to consider carrying pepper spray. The device has proven to be effective at disabling dogs and allowing one to get to safety.