Last night two men (yes men not kids) I think tried to mug me or whatever *shudder to think* last night when I had foolishly [?] took the dog awalk across ther road onto the field.. it was just around 7.30 pm... We live just off east bank road, and we walk Shea, along with many others on the fields above Midhill and near Daresbury Road

I apparently reacted correctly, when I realised they were following me, and stopped and turned and faced them. However one man carried on walking past me, i.e behind me while the other started to talk to me. Both were dressed in dark tracksuits and gloves. They were around their mid twenties to early thirties, I would say. One , the taller and the younger of the two, had mid lenth hair and the other, and the shorter, had skin head, both looked a little 'weathered' shall we say!

Shea, stood between myself and the guy doing the talking, though when I realise that the other guy was moving up the road and could come behind me, both Shea and I turned so we could see them both. She came very close to me , her fur stood up, I have hardly ever seen her 'hump', - she was my protector! She stood and stared them out.. no growl, no snarling... though you could feel her presence. She made her self look twice as big as she is, anyone who knows Akitas knows they seem to blow themselves up when feeling threatened or showing off!

The one facing me trie to make 'small talk' about the dog... i.e was she an Akita ?? I said yes add ing though not a freindly one! He asked if she was bitch, I said yes, but followed by saying she had been neutored... he said he had an Akita he wanted to breed/get rid of... etc. and did I want it! Shea just stood there, glaring at him.. I could feel her tension and she could feel mine...

Eventually the man called to the once facing me and they both walked away... towards The Norfork Park area, and I and Shea walked (staggered) back home... shaking....

wtf it was 7.30...and I was walking my dog...

I felt sick for the rest of night mainly because of the 'what ifs', and annoyed with myself because perhaps I was stupid walking her across there - though it's was well lit and as I said it was only 7.30 for goodness sake!

But I was and still am so angry...how dare they!! Who do they think the are, what gives them the right to scare people

I hate feeling scared and vunrable.. I have'nt felt like that in a long time..

My girl howver was a star... she stood there, and would have stood her ground come what may. I knew then that she would have protected me with her life... I just knew it and I am sure that's why Ididn't panic so much, and appeared to be calm and in control.

We didn't call the police last night becasue I thought what could I say... they actually didn't do anything - indeed they only 'talked ' to me about my dog, However common sense prevailed this morning, after speaking to a friend, and I called the police and gave them a description of the men and told the what happened.

So anyone around this area please be careful, stick to the pavements in the evening...

But hurrah for our dogs.... Hurahhh for Shea....she earnt her keep for the rest her days last night as far as I am concerned..........

You're right, nobody should have the right to make you feel scared and threatened like that. It's such a shame.

Well done Shea though, I guess it's just proved what you already knew; she's a star!

Well done shea xxxx I would hate for me to be out in that situation cos my dogs wouldnt even notice! :(

That sounds really scarey Shullie, I'm not suprised that your proud of Shea, its times like that when all of our bonding and hard work with them comes to the fore :)

Nice one Shea, but Shullie, how awful! for you

I remember how scared I felt in Norfolk Park when a guy came out of nowhere n my dobermutt gave him 'what for'- the first time I'd ever seen her bristle and show what she's made of. I've also had the 20 questions about her breed and breedability before too which I'm always suspicious of and I'm just relieved I own a breed that will protect me if it comes to that (a gypsy in Newcastle once told me she would guard me with her life and that was just before the scary event in Norfolk Park!). Anyway, sorry it gave you an anxious night -give Shea a huge hug from me and thanks for sharing the story- it may warn others to watch out in that area.

Wow good girl Shea, no doubt they were after her and its a good job you said she was speyed.

Not trying to scare you even more, but I would make sure they dont follow you home, people like this may attempt to steal her if they liked the look of her. Some Gypsys once took a shine to our Cavvy many years ago and even tried to get my sister to let go of the lead, pretty scary.

Hopefully she gave them a fright bless her.:love:

My sister did say she wondered if they were after her.... and we have had people ask a few times about her, she's become a beautiful dog- not that ever wasn't to us...

She's been very close these last few days... bless her,- they know when you are upset.

My sister did say she wondered if they were after her.... and we have had people ask a few times about her, she's become a beautiful dog- not that ever wasn't to us...

She's been very close these last few days... bless her,- they know when you are upset.

I've had same with Ailsa 'has she had pups? Do you show her?' from dubious looking characters which always makes me suspicious.

Ever thought that he may just have been chatting and had no ill intent ???

It may not have SEEMED that way, but you never can tell.

Ever thought that he may just have been chatting and had no ill intent ???

It may not have SEEMED that way, but you never can tell.

yeah that did cross my mind, and why I didn't call the police straight away... as I thought that is what they may say... as in reality they did just 'talk' to me

But the fact they followed me, I changed direction abruptly and so did they... and that one tried to get behind me makes me feel that it was something more.

I am not a nervous person, I am very upfront and not easily scared and there was a definatley a threateneding feeling about it... and we met lots of people on our walks and Shea has never reacted as she did... though I know she would have felt my anxiety down the lead etc.

I have a friend in sheffield with a very well bred Rotty. She has had him taken out of her garden before and thankfully her other half realised as they were walking him away down the road and gave chase and got him back. She has also been offerred 3k for him and had people following her. It is serious and i think more common than we realise.

what a wonderful girl you have and hugs for you for standing up to em x

I'm so glad that Shea stood up for you Shullie- I hope that Molly would look after me so well if I ever needed her to (she's only bared her teeth once so far, and that was to protect Petie shihtzu against a bigger dog that was attacking him).

That's aweful, I walk my dog round there and have thankfuly never had any trouble. Maisey's probably too small to actually protect me.

That said, there are some drunks around there that talk to you without realising they're intimidating people. I hope this doesn't stop you going out with your dog. I have done some personal safety training, a few suggestions - why not get yourself a personal attack alarm and carry a torch after dark?

not a bad idea geckoqueen- attack alarms are getting pretty reasonable to buy now- sure i saw some in Home bargains on the Parkway last week for a couple of pounds- last one I bought clost me about £20!

I met another woman last night with a small dog... can't remeber the breed.. but fluffy... and cute, she said she has been approched to... though it was in the summer, she is now scared to death to walk the dog just in case, and even more carefull of letting people know where she lives. Apparently dog snatching around this area is rife... :(

I know last year someone did try to break into Shea's pen.. (it's 18 foot by 12 foot and 12 foot high!) but she scared them off.. though it shook her up - hence she isn't put out when I am not in! I rather have a chewed up house...( she is better now and doesn't chew...). that was in the middle of the day, she was popped outside while I had nipped to the shops. She' hates the central heating ... makes it far too warm for her. I have to say this year it hasn't gone on yet... I am making everyone wear jumpers and such...lol saving my dog and saving my gas bill!

I'm getting an alarm too....

Well done Shea, and you for staying so calm.
I once made the mistake of walking my hounds through a dark field one evening after work dressed in my ASDA uniform which was dark and my ASDA cap. (i must have looked like a young kid with my cap on) suddenly out of the dark a young man started to shout and pace furiously towards me asking who the hell i thought i was? i was standing waiting for my hounds to "wee wee" (both hounds had dissapeared into the shadows!) I panicked and began to run shouting the hounds in my special Call (when i need them back urgently i have a special call) The guy was running after me with a gas can in one hand, a lighter in the other. Seconds later i saw the can turn into a flame thrower and the darkness lit up my Ciara at my side teeth bared, slobbering, quivering, growling huge "mad as hell" hound in the night. I saw the guy faulter in his steps and as i was nearly at the road he backed off. My other hound "Cassie" being only a 5month old pup at the time ran to greet him, he didnt know she was wanting a fuss and thought she was backing up Ciara and he fled. I DID TOO. The hounds were my saviours that day and the gentle giants my deerhounds are can turn into monsters now if they feel my fear. Hounds are great and your Akita deserves a big bowl of chicken fillets. Well done you for calling the police, now the police are on the watch out for these guys.
THE MASK

Also its a good idea to change your daily walk routine often as Dog thieves (if thtas what they may have been) sometimes watch for your routine and make their move that way. My friends dog was dognapped like that!
THE MASK

Do you know of neighbours with dogs that might want to join you for walks?

Do you know of neighbours with dogs that might want to join you for walks?

sadly no... :( Shea does have a small friend across the road, i did mention walking together, but she works so.... however we do vary our walks... for Shea's and myself's sanity ...it would get boring otherwise... we do - well did also try and get further a field, up to Graves, Millhouses, Encliffee etc - but the car died a few weeks ago ( on way home from holiday), and so we are at present carless and confined to the local area.