What would you do?

This is one for the ladies really. It could happen to you gents too I suppose but I think it's less likely!

I've just mentioned on another thread that there was an incident in my town recently where two men tried to take a woman's dog off her while she was walking him. They began by stroking and complimenting him, but then asked if they could walk him. When she said no, they tried to forcibly grab the lead from her and pull the dog away. She said if her dog hadn't started growling and snapping at them they probably would have taken him.

I spoke to my partner about it and he asked me if I genuinely knew what I would do in that situation. Bruno gets a lot of compliments while we're out but it never even occurred to me that someone would try and take him!
I think I'd probably panic, or scream to try and get someone else's attention. My partner told me if they come near me or act aggressive to me, I should scream "rape" as loud as I can. Most men are terrified of the thought and might not think twice about stealing a dog or pushing me over but wouldn't want to get caught up in that kind of trouble. He also said if they threatened me with a knife or any kind of weapon, to just hand the dog over and get a good look at their faces. He said he'd rather have me back in one piece than let me be hurt over the dog.
Apparently if something like that happens it's a good idea to try and make conversation with them. Ask them what they're trying to do. Buy time to take a good look at what they look like so you can try and remember.

It's a scary thought (and OH doesn't want me out after dark on my own, because we know the men are in the area) but do you know what you'd do?

I honestly don't know what I'd do, but I know what Dempsey would do. He'd bite them, and mean it. He really isn't overly friendly with strangers & there's no way he'd let a stranger take his lead - I don't even know if he'd let a friend take his lead!

It's a difficult one Rosie because although rationally We should save ourselves I Know 100% I'd do everything in my power to stop them taking my baby I'm afraid I would most definitely risk myself because she's my baby it'd be like someone trying to take my hooman child I wouldn't just let them take them to save myself. and Darcy is my daughter xx

Why don't you buy an attack alarm and carry it whenever you take Rosie out. They let out an awful noise when activated, it might make you feel safer.

I don't think Rocky would let anyone get that close to me really, he is very protective of me thankfully. I would do everything I could to avoid being in the situation in the first place, I don't go out with Rocky late at night and if Rocky needs to go out both hubby and me go earlier in the evening, other than that he will go outside in the back garden to toilet before bedtime. We always carry a big torch with us at night which is great for shining in peoples faces.

For anyone who does need to walk alone at night some tips:

I would always try to walk in a busy place with many people in the area. More witnesses the better.
Always let someone know where you are going and how long you will be, if you can.
Carry a torch to shine in peoples faces, it's not very pleasant and they will probably turn around and bugger off.
Carry your belongings in a backpack and wear comfy footwear, a pair you could run in if necessary.

Daisy is so friendly she's go off with anyone but there is no way I'd let anyone take her of me!

I don't know either, and don't know what Vinnie would do.
I do know there are certain people he really senses he doesn't like so I would hope they wouldn't mess with him or me. 

I have an alarm that I carry on evening walks, just hope it never happens and I never have to use it Xx

My hubby won't let us walk after dark. Tip is super protective of me aswell.

I think Bruno would be protective when he's older but seen as he's still a puppy I think there's little he could do against two men! Nor I!

I honestly can't imagine daisy protecting me, she loves everyone and is a right scardy cat!

I always walk in the dark with the boys on my own, but I'm very intimidating - or so I'm told so that tends to put most people off thankfully, but I'm a bit of a fighter so id give as good as I got PLUS Chance being a big human aggressive ambull who is at his most protective at night wouldn't stop to think before he bit someone and by god he'd mean it.

I also have the boys attached to my walking belt at night so harder to take the lead from me

an ex gf of mine had something very similar happen to her in town in the middle of the day. two guys started petting the dog and chatting to her when one started to un-clip the lead from the dogs collar.
IIRC she shouted as loud as she could and yanked on the lead and they walked off really fast. I guess she had daylight and a lot of people around on her side though.

Omg not really given if much thought I do go out at night but nit Kate and usually in lit areas. Not sure what Oz would do but. Would like yo think he would protect me as he us very sensitive to certain situations. I think. Will get myself an alarm though thanks

To be honest, the kinda places that I walk it would be no use shouting cause we're in the middle of nowhere, but if it came to it I'd take Biscuits muzzle off. She also wouldn't let anybody take her lead.. And although I wouldn't want her to feel like she has to protect us, from previous experience I know that she would. When I lived in Central Bristol a guy approached us and tried to touch my shoulder and she hung onto his sleeve for dear life.. That was when I first adopted her however and she is a little more sociable now!

A guy was stabbed here recently for his staffy!!

A very tricky topic.

If people are in hearing distance, screaming stop him, pedo is one surefire way to get everyone's attention.

As a bloke with a noted lack of empathy for the worse elements of our society, I'd do far more than I would wish to reveal on this board.