Stiltzkin

My little brother was attacked by a dog today and I would like to know if pepper spray is a good option for repelling future attacks, or should we consider something else? I looked up some information on pepper spray and it is supposedly the best way to prevent dog and other animal attacks. What is your experience? Can you recommend a brand or something?

My dad took my brother just now to go see a doctor, so he should be all right.

texxasco

Hello,

First off...I hope your brother is feeling better after his run it with that dog.

When selecting a brand of pepper spray, I usually prefer a blend of CS & OC (CS is tear gas & OC is pepper spray), and one with a dye that will "mark" an assailant for a period of time, which aids in identifying the aggressor if needed.

Here's a couple of law enforcement website, where you can purchase whet you want. All are law enforcement grade, and should do the trick.

http://www.galls.com/

http://www.streichers.com/

__________________
...A Bad Day of Fishing is Better Than a Great Day at Work!

Thorny

I've been unlucky as far as dogs and culture are concerned. I had a German Shepard Dog when they were the "big mean evil dogs that kill people." Then I had a doberman--guess which breed was next in the news. After that, I had a statfordshire bull terrier, which then was branded the dreaded "pit bull" of 6:00 news fame. Now I have a rat terrier, and I'm just waiting for them to be the new evil puppy breed of doom.

My shepard would sit in the yard and watch people walk by. She got blinded by a jogger who freaked because *gasp* it's an EVIL SHEPARD! and sprayed her in the eyes.

The real problem isn't with dogs, it's with bad owners. Spray the frickin people who don't socialize and train their animals, and the ones who can't keep them under control.

Also, know how to approach a strange dog. I've had my dog on a leash on heel, and been amazed at how some people will stick their hands and faces right in the dog's face! First, my dog is doing a job: walking on heel. Don't distract them. Second, my dog is A DOG! Dogs can react to lots of squeaking, rapid movements, and tasty pieces of meat/scary pieces of meat in their faces in a rather obvious way.

I don't want to blame the victim, so if the problem is with strays or dogs not under control, then it's time to be a bit more actively defensive. Be aware that for most animals, spraying them will just piss them off. Don't ever run from a dog, you'll just turn on their prey drive. Sometimes you can even command a strange dog: tell it "NO" in a low-pitched, firm voice *even if the dog doesn't speak your language.*

Dog bites should get reported to your local health department. The dog will be checked for a current rabies vaccination or quarantined. There might also be vicious dog laws on the books to force the owner to kennel the dog.

Given the choice between using a weapon on a dog, or considering something else, I'd have to go with something else.

MSD

Get a CS/OC combination and a dog is disabled for long enough to run. Don't bother to try it on people wihtout a backup weapon, it's worthless.

tec-9-7

I'd actually suggest trying your local gun shop. Normally they keep an array of pepper sprays as well and have decent information on which are effective and which aren't.

Stiltzkin

In response to Thorny:
My brother walks home every day from the spot where the schoolbus drops him off, which requires passing by a condo complex. One of the tennants in the condo owns two dogs. Today, they decided to go after him even though he was actually on the other side of the street from where the condos are (our apartment complex is across the street from where the condos are, meaning that my brother never has to actually be on the side of the street where the condos are). So my brother didn't do anything to provoke these dogs. He says that they just came at him from across the street like they had every intention to do him in. As they came at him one of them slashed his calf with its teeth and my brother shouted angrily at them, and they actually ran off. So I think my brother did the right thing, and he was attacked anyway--so using a weapon is definitely the preferrable choice, as far as I'm concerned. And yeah, it was reported; Animal Control came by and took the dogs away from the uncooperative owner who refused to believe that his dogs had attacked my brother.

I'm also scared that the owner might try to retalliate against my brother because he still refused to believe that his dogs did any wrong, so having the pepper spray can't hurt. My brother will definitely be changing his route though.

texxasco

The reason I suggested a CS/OC combination is because it is more effective than pepper spray alone.

The pepper spray merely burns, while a blast of OC/CS makes breathing difficult, and the OC attacks the muscuous membranes whether you get a real good face shot or not.

You could go to a gun shop as well (as tec-9-7 posted), most gun shops carry various types of personal protection devices. But, if you really want a non-biased opinion of what works best and what doesn't I recommend you google and/or see what is offered on a good law enforcement supply website. Most law enforcement agencies know and trust both Galls and Streichers.

Glad to hear your brother did nothing to provoke the dogs. Young kids often do, and the dogs get a bad rap. But, not all dogs are bad as we all know. Dogs attack for lots of reasons, and a dog that attacks many not always be considered a threat. Sometimes it is just a weird combination of circumstances that leads to a dog acting out of character. I advocate the use of a self defense spray against a dog for two reasons -

1) the spray does not harm the dog, nor will it have any long term effect on the dog.

2) It beats trying to fight a dog, because the person and/or the dog could come out worse when it is all said and done. For instance, I have a friend who owns a few acres of land and has some small farm animals (chickens, goats, etc). He has lost animals to dogs coming on his property and attacking. These days he'll shoot a dog on sight if the dog wanders on his property. I'd rather see him use some sort of spray, and then capture the dog in a cage for transport to the local shelter. A spray just seems more humane for everyone involved.


I agree with Thorny in that usually dogs are aggressive due to poor socialization by their owners, or for other reasons such as abuse, etc by their owners. But people have a right to protect themselves, and when faced with a mean dog they should do just that. A self defense spray, used properly and accurately, will buy someone enough time to get away with no further harm to the dog or person.

__________________
...A Bad Day of Fishing is Better Than a Great Day at Work!

cj2112

You want a minimum of 10% OC (the active ingredient in pepper spray, aka oleoresin capiscum) I'd reccomend First Strike if you can get it. This reccomendation comes from both having it used on me, and having to use it on a neglected rottweiler belonging to my neighbor.

Strange Famous

I dunno if pepper spray works on dogs or not. It might just make em mad and bite more. I know what you are supposed to do is get behind them, grab their hind legs and rip them apart as hard as you can, breaks the back... but obv kills he dog, so you'd probably only want to do it if it was seriously threatening you.

I think Ive read dogs can hear higher pitch sounds than humans, and you can get like these high pitched whistles that a human couldnt hear but would drive a dig nuts, that might be a good option? As you can use it from range, you'd have to be right up to the ting to pepper spray it in the eyes.

But if i comes to it, the hind legs thing definitely works, and so does if you grab its jaws and rip them apart with main force, but putting your hands round its mouth does have obvious risks.

As for dogs themselves, like any animal, I guess soem can be safe and some can be aggressive, and in some circumstances most dogs can be provoked to attack, and some will attack with no provocation. As they are pack animals, I think it might be the case that attack is the best form of defence, and a show of aggression may intimidate them or make them see you as a more powerful member of the pack... like your brother showed anger and the dogs fled when they attacked.

__________________
"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."

The Gospel of Thomas

Uncle Pony

OC is going to be illegal to carry to school isn't it?

sasKuach

Having had my share of run-ins with dogs, I know that a big issue is attitude. This is a cliche, but dogs can really sense fear...
Every time I've been attacked, I was scared _before_ it happened.

I'm curious, how is your brother around dogs? Maybe you could look into getting him comfortable/confident around dogs. That combined with a weapon would be better than a weapon alone. If your brother can control his emotions it'll get him farther than just taking out his spray whenever a dog eyes him funny.

Rob