Someone came into my house :-(

[n3ophy7e]

I would warn neighbors (at your convenience, preferably during the day time) about what happened, and to be on the look out.

This is a great idea as well

 

[paranoid android]

The police had the nerve to threaten me with assault charges. I had roughed this guy up pretty badly, and apparently he was known to them as a crack/cocaine addict who regularly broke into cars and houses to fund his habit. I admit I did hit him several times after he gave up fighting, but I was on a huge adrenaline high and this was a very frightening experience for me. I became extremely angry with the police for even suggesting that I could be charged for defending myself and my home. They told me since he was so bloody and bruised, and that I didn't really have a mark on me, that they could charge me with the assault.

I live in canada and the same thing happened to a friend of mine who had a guy break in while he was sleeping. Some idiot just kicked the door in (it wasent exactly the strongest door or nothing) and woke my friend up right outta bed. My friend was no pushover so he went out and smacked him a few times then called the cops. The guy was busted up abit but nothing that a few stitches couldnt fix and he could have gotten it worse.

He almost got charged with assault causing bodily harm or some shit for doing that even though the twat busted in on him in the middle of the night. Thats kinda stupid on the cops part but then again cops arent known for their brains now are they?

I agree that a dop is the best weapon against home invasion. Noone in their right mind is going to bust into a place where they could have a dog attack them. You can grab a weapon on someone but if a dog jumps at you you are pretty well fucked. Most burgelers wouldnt break into a place with a dog too because of the noise the dog makes.

 

[Sadie]

I must say, this is the only thing that allows me to sleep at night, that I KNOW my dog will alert me if there's someone trying to break in. In my experience the dog has to be a particular type, i.e. very loyal but also very alert and intelligent, and well-trained. In this particular case it would also have to be great with children. So if the OP (or anyone else) is going to look in to it, all those things would need to be considered.

Dogs are Ideal. The qualities you've listed for a dog happen to be those of a stafforshire bull terrior. Poor things get a bad wrap due to bad owners but they are actually very kind creatures and loving. They're known as the nanny dog due to their fondness and protection when it comes to children. Though for HR reasons I must stress that no child should ever be left alone with any dog ( this is what they say )

I happen to have a staffy cross Jack Russell. She's amazing at alerting us if someone is about. Ironically she freezes with fear when anyone knocks the door and we're not in ( I tested this theory one day by coming home unexpected, knocking on the door and silently unlocking it. Flung the door open to find her in the hallway bricking it poor mite ). I really cant blame her. She protects the people she loves. My dog really doesnt give a fuck about my telly. I wouldnt have her any other way.

 

[hyroller]

sorry to hear about your ordeal

you definitely need to talk to someone. these kinds of episodes can haunt people for years, so if I were you I'd be looking into options for psychotherapy at your earliest convenience.... hugs

 

[n3ophy7e]

I happen to have a staffy cross Jack Russell.

That's what crossbreed my dog is too
He is an excellent guard dog and is brilliant with babies and children. My 2 baby nephews play with him and he just sits there patiently as they pat his face and touch his tail etc. So gorgeous. It's like he instinctively knows that they're fragile and that he needs to be careful and gentle with them. And the other night at my parents place for dinner, my 2 year old nephew Jack was asleep on his little mattress in the loungeroom and I found Cosby (my dog) sitting at Jack's feet, guarding him while he slept

Staffies are indeed super-loyal and gentle, as are Labradors and Retrievers (although their sheer size can make them a slight hazard for really little kids), and Collies are very loyal and gentle too. But any dog needs lots of training and good obedience if they're around kids, of course.


Bitter and Tainted, how are you doing hun??

 

[paranoid android]

^^^^ I like labradour retrievers there really good dogs. I like newfoundland dogs better but fuck are they huge. Good thing they arent aggressive at all. When i was a kid my friends newfie dog would tow us back up the hill that we where going down on a sled in the winter. Those fucking dogs are strong.

 

[Sadie]

That's what crossbreed my dog is too

How cool! They're awesome wee things aren't they? Mine knows I'm not myself these days and will not let me move an inch in the house with out being at my heels following me about and looking after me. I know its sweet but its getting old fast. Nearly broke my neck turning around a couple of times already as she's RIGHT THERE! She's a soft caring soul so she is.

 

[Ixchellian]

That's why I keep either a 9mm or my .38 on me at all times, even when I'm at home. Because you never know..... and it takes a lot less time to pull the trigger until it goes click, than for the police to arrive and not be able to do shit.

 

[Bitter and Tainted]

Wow so many replies!

And thank you for each and every one

After speaking to my GP she gave me a couple of sleeping pills and referred me to a trauma counciller.
I feel better just for having written it all down.
My SO is fantastic, but I don't like him to see me weak and not coping, in fact I don't like anyone to see me that way :-(
He's cut his hours down and has been coming home to pick the kids up from school with me so we can take them to the park each night while we have scorching weather..I really am very lucky to have him

I had to go see my doc yesterday for a joint pain thing and some blood work, and she still sat and had a chat with me for a further 15 minutes to see how I was doing, so i'm also grateful I have such and understanding doctor.

Again thanks so much for your support, it really does mean a lot.

xx

 

[Bitter and Tainted]

Oh, we have a dobermann, he's about as much use as a chocolate fireguard!!! 8)

Thing is, we moved here in MArch, it's my childhood village, the kind of place where eveyone knows everyone, I knew both sets of my neighbors before I moved in!!

Where we lived before was a bit rough, so I suppose I kinda let my guard down leaving everywhere open...I suppose nowhere is safe anymore

 

[amnesiaseizure]

I feel for you, went through a similar thing a couple of years ago where someone came into the house when my g/f and I were watching a film. Got in through an upstaits window and eventually made enough noise for us to call up thinking my housemate had come home early. They jumped straight out the window with my laptop, people's mobiles and some music equipement.

Left me feeling worried for weeks, always wondering if they'll be back to collect stuff they'd left behind.

However, the anxiety does fade and you do find ways to rationalise it in time. I think the idea of preventing your kid from playing outside is a little too much if you don't mind me saying though. It doesn't need to affect them like that and a burglar just isn't connected to people wanting to harm your child. I don't mean to sound harsh but I just couldn't help thinking of the little one stuck indoors when the risks aren't any different.

Anyway, stay strong and getting some counselling can't be a bad thing to speed up processing it in a healthy way. Burglars are generally just a bunch of cowards anyway, I doubt he'll come anywere your place again.

 

[Lysis]

Oh wow....this was just a plain scary story.

I like the dog idea. Even if it doesn't deter some people, I think it will deter the others. Plus, they start barking when people are around. It's annoying sometimes, but that warning can be a really good thing.

 

[Ixchellian]

An early warning doesn't do much if you got a tweaked-out perp already in your house. Plus.... ever watch "To Catch a Thief"?

And the sound of a shotgun or slide being racked isn't a deterrent. If you have to do that, then it's usually too late. The command "STOP OR I FUCKIN BLAST YOU" is. If that doesn't work, then whoever it is fully deserves to receive the Mozambique treatment.

Additionally, more than a few states now have "Castle" laws, so you don't have to worry about litigation. And remember, the police are NEVER going to arrive in time if things go bad.

So suck it up, buy a .357 (at least), get some self-defense firearms training classes so you know how to retain and use the thing, and stop living in fear.
BUT.... the caveat being you get at least some defensive firearms training. TOO MANY people just buy a gun, head out to the range, blast some targets, and call it good. All that really amounts to is ballistic masturbation. It feels good and is empowering, but when some freak shows up at your bedroom door with ill-will, that .38 on the bed-side table IS going to likely do you more harm than good.

Even if you hate guns, getting self-defense/combative training classes will help you a lot mentally and practically. Even the simplest thumb-bar, eye-gouge, or other pressure-point strike WILL bring even the most tweaked-out morons to their knees.

The most effective weapons in CQC are training & confidence. Weapons & alarms are just tools, and without the right mindset & training.... all the cops are going to be doing when they arrive is writing up the mess left behind.

I could go on and on.... so call me a right-winger and a gun-nut..... but not only did I spend almost 8yrs in the Army, I'm also from Detroit, and I learned early on about home-invasions. I just swore it'd never happen again, and I pity the fool who tries me.
The same can be true for you, if you get the right mindset and don't rely on a false sense of security.

 

[Z Y G G Y]

Bitter and Tainted - How have you been doing lately?

 

[prayersfor.rain]

I like the dog idea, that and asking your neighbors to keep an eye out for you (and you could do the same for them).

A long time ago my dad and one of our neighbors caught some guy in my back yard at like 2am. I guess he was trying to break into houses? someone saw him and he ran to hide in MY yard. I wasn't even awake for it but a while later I became afraid to sleep at night when it was dark (because you can't see outside). I spent a summer sleeping in different rooms and on floors to "confuse the bad guys". Actually, I wouldn't even sleep until the sun came up and I could see everything outside and THEN I'd switch around on the rooms.
You don't need to be that paranoid. No one does. I know it sucks.

Therapy did help me with that, so I'd look into it for sure.
Xanax really helps me with my anxiety so something like that (benzo) could help you out.

I'm glad you and your babies are safe. How are you feeling now?

 

[a2lambretta]

I'm so sorry to hear you were violated like that, especially in the presence of your child. When I was younger I had my family's home broken into and many very sentimental items stolen. Even though we didn't come into direct contact with anyone, it still left us all feeling extremely violated to say the least.

 

[paranoid android]

An early warning doesn't do much if you got a tweaked-out perp already in your house. Plus.... ever watch "To Catch a Thief"?

And the sound of a shotgun or slide being racked isn't a deterrent. If you have to do that, then it's usually too late. The command "STOP OR I FUCKIN BLAST YOU" is. If that doesn't work, then whoever it is fully deserves to receive the Mozambique treatment.

Additionally, more than a few states now have "Castle" laws, so you don't have to worry about litigation. And remember, the police are NEVER going to arrive in time if things go bad.

So suck it up, buy a .357 (at least), get some self-defense firearms training classes so you know how to retain and use the thing, and stop living in fear.
BUT.... the caveat being you get at least some defensive firearms training. TOO MANY people just buy a gun, head out to the range, blast some targets, and call it good. All that really amounts to is ballistic masturbation. It feels good and is empowering, but when some freak shows up at your bedroom door with ill-will, that .38 on the bed-side table IS going to likely do you more harm than good.

Even if you hate guns, getting self-defense/combative training classes will help you a lot mentally and practically. Even the simplest thumb-bar, eye-gouge, or other pressure-point strike WILL bring even the most tweaked-out morons to their knees.

The most effective weapons in CQC are training & confidence. Weapons & alarms are just tools, and without the right mindset & training.... all the cops are going to be doing when they arrive is writing up the mess left behind.

I could go on and on.... so call me a right-winger and a gun-nut..... but not only did I spend almost 8yrs in the Army, I'm also from Detroit, and I learned early on about home-invasions. I just swore it'd never happen again, and I pity the fool who tries me.
The same can be true for you, if you get the right mindset and don't rely on a false sense of security.

I agree with you in some respects here. I do think self defense courses are good but many are unpractical in real life situations and sometimes give people a false sense of security. If a person who has just taken martial arts or a self defense course of some sort runs up against a experienced street fighter they will probably get their asses kicked. Also there is no course that can prepare you for shooting a human being you just can't teach that shit. If someone busted into my house and didnt scare off at the sight of a 12 guage pump action shotgun then i would kneecap them with birdshot if absolutly nessasry and if my life was actually in danger. I wouldnt shoot to kill unless i was very seriously in danger of getting killed myself or someone i love being harmed. That i wouldnt feel paticularly bad about especially if they messed with my g/f or mother. I get alot more pissed off at someone trying to harm someone i love then someone trying to harm me.

I think Krav Maga is the most practical self defense training out there and if i was ever going to take a course in self defense this would be it. It's really just very dirty street fighting and teaches you to hit fast and hard in the right places. Granted ive used much of the same strategies in fights before because i was never a believer in "fair fights" 8) . Some people forget that they arent in a boxing ring fighting for a pay cheque but instead are defending themselves against serious danger. The person who doesent wind up in hospital is essentially the winner or atleast thats the way i look at it.

I do not condone violence in any way really but sometimes it is a necassary evil unfortunatly. Also you have to do your best not to let punks like this strike fear in you because that means that they have in a sense one. The chances of getting broken into twice is very fucking rare.