Hi,
I know this subject has been discussed at length. I tried to do a search, but I'm doing something wrong.

What are the legal implications, say, if I was to carry a sturdy stick to defend myself from aggressive loose dogs (their owners are present, and clueless.)

I just had to kick the #!!^% out of 2 dogs that charged my girl while on a walk. These dogs were flat out, charging. Not a friendly, bounding type greeting. The owner was a butthole to me also.....

Does anyone know of any web sites that might provide an implement to carry....

Thanks,

Linda

You gotta check your local laws on that, I carry pepper spray

I suspected that Dennis. I'm concerned that with pepper spray, if the wind is blowing, I might get hit with it also.

thanks for the reply!

linda

Hi Linda,

My husband took an old broom handle, drilled a hole through it near the top and ran a piece of rope through it. That way I carry it like a ski pole. When we do encounter these situations, I always tell the people to get their dog/dogs under controll (while I start swinging the handle). The last thing I want to do is hurt another animal. However, at all cost I will protect myself and my dog or anyone else with me. I use this with dogs on the loose with their owners and dogs who are allowed to roam at the end of their retractable leashes. Thankfully, the broom handle has been very effective. Just swinging it seems to wake up the owners and ward off any loose running dog.

Linda, Ed Frawley has said (and I agree) that you might be on safer legal ground if you say that you were concerned for YOUR safety as opposed to your dogs (even if that isn't the case).

No matter what you carry with you, don't forget your strong attitude. Body language and attitude are easily read by dogs and so far, knock on wood, acting like I own the world has kept me free of confrontations. Notice I said "acting!" I don't confront, and I don't run away. I ignore, as if those dogs are too insignificant for me to bother with.

I have to say, if I were ever charged like you were, I'd probably feel safer with a sturdy pair of boots on...I'd kick under and up to the jaw if I could. I want my face as far away as possible from the dogs, and you'd kind of have to lean down to hit with a stick.

Carrying something can give you the extra confidence to project yourself strongly.

Also, make sure your dog allows you to handle the situation or your dog could accidentally cause a confrontation by *her* body language and attitude.

Is the guy threatening to press charges?

The guy, and his wife/girlfriend just grabbed their dogs and kinda slinked away. He was rather smug, which really ticked me off. My dog is from the shelter, tends to be reactive. However, I have worked soooo hard with her, and she has been really good. However, these dogs came from around a bend in the trail....its hard for me to have her sit/stay/focus on me when she feels threatend that way. Otherwise, she has improved tremendously. It just blows my mind, that this guy did not recognize the body language of his dogs were quite aggressive!!

My sturdy hiking boots did come in handy!!!

I just wonder if the tables would turn if I was to use an implement to defend myself vs. the boots. The kick did back the one dog down!!

My husband thinks I should have had my cellphone, and dialed 911. We were in a park, and they were obviously not obeying the leash laws!!??

Thanks for all the advice folks!

Linda

linda

I have had to kick at a couple dogs off leash-one was actually just a week ago and almost once today(dog was on a leash but took off b/c the kid, who was under supervision of about 5 adults, wasn't holding the leash tight, had comments from the adults like "that dog'll kill him"(no, my dog is under control-E-collar) All I did was look in their direction for a couple minutes, then ignored them. I'm not about to have some stupid dog or owner put my dogs and myself at risk. The people where I live don't care about leash laws and the peole who do leash their dogs are the ones quite literally under attack by these idiots and their dogs.
Advice to people walking dogs on-leash that encounter off-leash dogs(I know most of you already know/do this):
First thing I would do is move your dog behind you and yell at the oncoming attacker(strange dog). Then prepare to kick at(sometimes you have to make contact)the intruding animal. If the animal is with an owner that is knowingly(or unknowingly) let the dog run amuck and cause trouble(up to you whether you want to say something to them or not)and gets upset at you kicking (at)their dog, just walk away and/or add a comment. I don't see the need to explain why their dog just got kicked if they saw what happened, if they didn't see why the dog got kicked, simply say that it wouldn't have happened if they would've followed leash laws.

I carry a second leash myself, plus my boots... I have no problem lashing a loose dog to a tree and demanding the owner go get a "GD" leash of their own.

Since we're on the topic (again it'll never end with those types) Saturday some guy in my neighborhood who carts his dogs around loose in the back of his truck! Drives down the road I am walking my dog on and let his THREE dogs out of the back and then got back in the truck and drove up and down the road while he had the dogs chase the vehicle!! I don't know what's worse, laziness, or stupidity!?! I immediately puy my pup in the car, thankfully I had it with me, and let him see me take his license plate; the report will be going to bylaw today. It never ceases to amaze me sometimes.