Stray dog situation in Samoa

I'm hearing the situation is not very good and can actually get rather dangerous especially after sunset? Is the simple answer take a taxi for any longer trips after sunset quite valid? How about if you're just sitting somewhere, will they come to you?

Or is it more like, yes, plenty of those around but no need to worry too much about them. I've got some experience and while nothing too dangerous some unpleasant encounters. I'm not sure if I want to walk around with a stick either.

The dogs on Samoa weren't aggressive when I was there and I didn't really notice them. I walked around at night a few times without issue.

American Samoa, on the other hand, had some very aggressive dogs. Throwing rocks and swinging sticks required, regardless of the time of day.

The dogs are very territorial, especially at night. Because they are used to having rocks thrown at them, just bending down and acting like you are picking up a rock to throw at them will be enough to chase of many of the dogs.

taranaki_chick beat me to it. I found just bending over as if picking up a rock worked wonders. Ran into quite a lot of aggressive dogs in Apia.

I've heard of that bending down trick already. Apparently it works then.

having been bitten by dogs in Mexico i feel vulnerable bending over to pick up a stone so I always carry a small umbrella in samoa ( and fiji for that matter)
The dogs only really 'pack up' at night so many people wont notice them if they dont walk at night- taxis are quite cheap.
I have felt very intimidated especially early morning when I have been out, but the umbrella does the trick. Running and cycling are problems- you move the dog chases and i know of a few cyclists that take a stick with them and heard of an incident when a runner was bitten.
Dont let it put you off the pacific just take or borrow an umbrella or stick.

Try a squirt bottle of ammonia for aggressive dogs.

My plans actually changed to Tonga but there were no problems whatsoever. Plenty of dogs but they didn't really bother you at all. Not even at night.

It looked more like they are not stray dogs really. They wander around freely and have never seen a vet but somebody is most likely feeding them. That would probably make them less aggressive.

Just show them your copy of "Tongan Dog Recipes".... they'll leave you alone :-)

The dog problem is being tackled with a dog registration and neutering program that is gaining steam. It started in Apia where the problem was most apparent.

The other comments are good in that most dogs are territorial (they are trained to guard the owners fales) and wary of aggresive people. A shout of "Alu" - effectively "go away" with a hand raised as if holding a stone is very effective. A squirt with a water bottle equally effective.

The further from Apia the less the problem and Savaii has few problem dogs.

Ross

The dog problem is being tackled with a dog registration and neutering program that is gaining steam. It started in Apia where the problem was most apparent.

The other comments are good in that most dogs are territorial (they are trained to guard the owners fales) and wary of aggresive people. A shout of "Alu" - effectively "go away" with a hand raised as if holding a stone is very effective. A squirt with a water bottle equally effective.

The further from Apia the less the problem and Savaii has few problem dogs.

Ross