Woman Attacked By Bear? on 331

[LarsAtTheBeach]

We were in the area over the weekend running my Labrador Retriever gun dog. (Training). At a friends large farm.
My wife noted, I hope nothing comes out of the woods after me. I reminded her:
A- we are not at top of food chain up there.
B- it's why I carry a sidearm when I'm "up the country".

Be safe out there.

 

[Teresa]

Dang. I've been a little nervous when walking nature trails in our state parks and forests alone. Wondering what's in those woods. I usually take my big lab Shadow. She would protect me but I'm worried for her.

 

[LarsAtTheBeach]

Dang. I've been a little nervous when walking nature trails in our state parks and forests alone. Wondering what's in those woods. I usually take my big lab Shadow. She would protect me but I'm worried for her.

I've been face to face with a wild coyote. Unarmed. It won't happen again.
And while my Lab is a professionally trained hunter/retriever...she stands no chance in a fight with a wild dog.

However, I'm a nature junkie. And a predawn walk in the woods with coyote howling in the near distance is hair raising and exhilarating.

And this is not chest beating on my part. As I'm as moved watching nesting birds and swarming butterflies.

 

[Teresa]

My lab isn't trained but she's a true alpha and can be aggressive though I've never seen her hurt another animal.. I have seen her put other dogs in their place quick. I'm sure she would fight a wild animal and be protective of me but I don't know what would be the outcome.

 

[debesquire]

I've been face to face with a wild coyote. Unarmed. It won't happen again.
And while my Lab is a professionally trained hunter/retriever...she stands no chance in a fight with a wild dog.

However, I'm a nature junkie. And a predawn walk in the woods with coyote howling in the near distance is hair raising and exhilarating.

And this is not chest beating on my part. As I'm as moved watching nesting birds and swarming butterflies.

Teresa and Lars: If you are going walking in the forest, especially alone, you need a livestock guardian dog- specifically a Great Pyrenees. Preferably two of them. They can handle coyotes easily (that's what they have been bred for) and bears (that's what the shepherds and silviculture workers of British Columbia use them for). Only trouble is they are nocturnal and not suited at all for the Florida climate and have a host of other traits that make them "challenging" (see my post from a good while back when someone was trying to sell Great Pyr puppies on SoWal). But they are the best there is for protection against coyotes and bears in the wild. Don't know how they would do up against a bobcat, but infinitely better than a Lab I'm sure.

 

[debesquire]

Teresa and Lars: If you are going walking in the forest, especially alone, you need a livestock guardian dog- specifically a Great Pyrenees. Preferably two of them. They can handle coyotes easily (that's what they have been bred for) and bears (that's what the shepherds and silviculture workers of British Columbia use them for). Only trouble is they are nocturnal and not suited at all for the Florida climate and have a host of other traits that make them "challenging" (see my post from a good while back when someone was trying to sell Great Pyr puppies on SoWal). But they are the best there is for protection against coyotes and bears in the wild. Don't know how they would do up against a bobcat, but infinitely better than a Lab I'm sure.

Just looked it up and Great Pyrs are also protection from bobcats and wolves.

 

[BeachRob]

My lab isn't trained but she's a true alpha and can be aggressive though I've never seen her hurt another animal.. I have seen her put other dogs in their place quick. I'm sure she would fight a wild animal and be protective of me but I don't know what would be the outcome.

Between a dog and a bobcat? I do. Ever listen to Jerry Clower?

 

[James Bentwood]

Bobcats are shy and mostly nocturnal. The report says the attack happened when the woman came out of a building. Probably surprised the cat into reacting.

 

[Will B]

All the bears up here in Atlanta are found around Piedmont Ave. Wasn't one of them, was it? Just sayin...

 

[John G]

Victim's clothing being DNA tested to determine type of animal in attack

Now having DNA testing to determine the "type" of animal?

Waiting for Bo-Bo and the Squach hunters to show up.

The Herald / Breeze did run a skunk ape story about two years ago...

FWC will test for DNA but WCSO can't find its noise meters it allegedly purchased to monitor noise violations...

(Go ahead, sign in and opine Misty)