Australian MP Critically Injured, PM Says Car Attack Was Deliberate

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The Ready Brief #228

Practical preparedness for uncertain times

Loose dogs are one of the least discussed hazards of an evacuation. Pets slip out of damaged homes and yards or get left behind, and a frightened dog can turn defensive even if it is normally friendly. Animal control may be stretched thin or redirected during floods, fires and storms, so a dog blocking your driveway can become your problem to solve. Today's issue covers what to do when one stands between you and your car.

Dealing with Aggressive Dogs During Evacuations

After natural disasters, loose dogs are a common and little-discussed hazard. Pets escape from damaged homes, break free from yards, or get left behind during hasty evacuations. Frightened, disoriented animals can become defensive and territorial, even breeds that are normally friendly. During flooding, fires, and storms, animal control resources may be stretched thin or redirected.

Understanding canine body language is your first line of defense. An aggressive dog typically shows specific warning signals: stiff posture, raised hackles (the fur along the spine), direct unblinking eye contact, bared teeth, and a low growl. A tail held high and rigid is a warning, not a greeting. A dog that's lowering its body, tucking its tail, and pulling its ears back is fearful, which can be equally dangerous because fear-driven bites are unpredictable.

If you encounter an aggressive dog during an evacuation or on foot, the most important thing to do is stop. Do not run. Running triggers a chase instinct that even well-trained dogs struggle to override. A dog can outrun you. You cannot outrun a dog.

Stand still, turn slightly sideways to reduce your profile, and avoid direct eye contact. Keep your hands at your sides or slowly cross your arms over your chest. Speak in a calm, low tone. Not baby talk. Not shouting. Just steady and even. The goal is to signal that you are not a threat and not prey.

If the dog approaches, do not reach toward it. Let it investigate if it needs to. Some aggressive displays are bluffs, especially from a dog that is scared and guarding familiar ground. If the dog backs off, slowly move away without turning your back. Give it space and create distance gradually.

If a bite seems imminent and you have anything in your hands, a bag, a jacket, a backpack, use it as a barrier between you and the dog. Offer the object instead of your body. If you're bitten, protect your face, neck, and throat. The instinct to pull away makes injuries worse because canine teeth are designed to grip. If knocked down, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears and neck.

For proactive measures during evacuations, carry a walking stick or trekking pole. It extends your reach and can be used to create distance without harming the animal. A dog deterrent spray adds another layer (see WHAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING). Check your state and local rules on carrying pepper spray first, and keep one in your go-bag if you live in an area with many stray or loose dogs.

If you're evacuating with your own pets, keep them leashed and close. A loose pet interacting with a stressed stray creates a situation that can escalate fast. Carry your pet's vaccination records, as bite incidents during evacuations may require proof of rabies vaccination.

After any bite, clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water, apply antibiotic ointment, and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Report the incident to animal control so the dog can be captured and assessed.

The broader lesson is that emergencies displace animals just like they displace people. Planning for encounters with stressed animals is a small addition to your preparedness that covers a surprisingly common scenario.

Add a dog deterrent spray to your go-bag.

A small canister runs about $12. Clip it to the outside of your bag where you can reach it without digging, after checking that your state allows it. This covers a scenario that most emergency kits ignore.

France's Custody Lists: 86% Minors in the School Protests, 77% Adults in Paris After Oct 17

The Justice Ministry counted 6,877 people in custody in the riots and mass looting that have spread from France now into Milan too. The Interior Ministry reports nearly 2,400 arrests and about 1,000 police injured. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez blames the ultra-left for taking over what was initially a student-led protest.

Source: French Justice Ministry, Anadolu Agency, Al Jazeera

Joe Teti served as a Force Recon Marine and an Army Special Forces soldier, then in a classified counter-terrorist unit, and later co-starred in Discovery's Dual Survival. His memoir, Lone Operator: How to Survive & Thrive in the Modern Age (2020), covers his service, his civilian career and the survival skills he teaches. The paperback lists at $14.95 and sells for about $14 on Amazon.

Our takeaway, not a claim from the book: in an animal encounter, calm and slow movement gives the dog room to back off. Stay still, keep your profile small, and leave it a way out.

Australian MP Helen Haines Critically Injured After Being Struck by Car Outside Her Office

Helen Haines, 65, an independent federal lawmaker, was hit by a Toyota Land Cruiser outside her electoral office in Wangaratta, Victoria, on Monday afternoon (Oct 19, local time). Police say her injuries are critical. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said "This wasn't an accident" and that the national counterterrorism team is investigating. Civilians detained the 43-year-old male driver and handed him to police, who found a knife in the vehicle. His motive is unknown. Victoria Police called it an isolated incident with no intelligence of an ongoing threat. At any public event, note two exits when you arrive, and consider a bleeding-control class such as Stop the Bleed.

Source: AP via KSL, Al Jazeera

SABRE Protector Dog Spray

About $12 for the 0.75 oz key-ring model, which its Amazon listing rates at 12 feet and 14 bursts. The 1.8 oz belt-clip model is about $16 with a 15-foot range. The listings say the formula is 1.0% major capsaicinoids, the maximum strength the EPA allows for self-defense sprays. Check local rules on carrying pepper spray before you buy.

We would clip it to the outside of a go-bag so it can be reached without digging. It is sold for dogs specifically, and the maker describes it as a humane dog attack deterrent.

Budget alternative: HALT II Dog Repellent, about $9, which its listing rates at 10 feet.

Overrated: Trying to befriend a scared, aggressive dog during an emergency. This isn't the time for rescue operations. Your priority is getting yourself and your family to safety. Animal control and rescue organizations handle loose animals after the immediate danger passes.

Underrated: Walking with a trekking pole or walking stick. It extends your reach, provides a physical barrier, and makes you appear larger. In areas with frequent stray dogs, it's the simplest deterrent you can carry.

Freeze-drying at home. The equipment has gotten cheaper and the results last decades. We'll cover whether it makes financial sense and how to get started.

How was today's issue? Tap one below. If you pick "Could be better," tell us what to fix.

PS: If you evacuate, take your pets with you. A leashed pet in your car is one fewer loose animal on the road behind you.

THE READY BRIEF is published for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing here is professional legal, medical, financial, or tactical advice. Preparedness looks different for every household. Use your own judgment, consult qualified professionals when the stakes are high, and adapt what you read here to your actual situation.