If a stun baton is similar to a high voltage livestock prod there could be a few negative consequences for a dog that it is used against, but I can't imagine that they would be worse than if you were to use a regular baton. A potenial downside would be how close you would need to be to the animal and the risk of hitting your own animal.
Has anyone used a pepper spray product called (I think) BEAR AWAY? It is supposed to be a fairly high strength pepper spray in an oily carrier that is dispensed in a fairly thick, fog-like manner.

I have not personally used Bear Away, but I was recently at a sportsmen's show and saw a product like it advertised. Bear spray (repellent) is a pepper type spray. It sprays a large amount per dose in a bigger area than say a dog repellent because bears are BIG. The can is also a lot heftier than the smaller ones and so may be more awkward to carry. They are also more expensive and if you don't use it, it will eventually evaporate in the can and you'll have to replace it anyways. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I read of a study on another police dog site about tests being done on police dogs with pepper type sprays and CS gas. I think they wanted to know what would happen when they sent a dog into a room after using CS gas. It seems that it had very little effect on the dogs and in some cases simply 'reved' them up even more. The pepper sprays might work on some dogs but so would a kick in some dogs guts, a good working dog would just tear your leg off.

I see alot of points that have been made on this thread. I also understand everyone's reason for wanting to do what they do. I think though the bear type pepper spray is the best idea for a couple of reasons.

A)99% of all the dogs people encounter are either non-protection dogs or working dogs that have practically zero training. Most aren't nerve sound and will panic when they're exposed to this.

B)When using the pepper spray you've done nothing legally wrong and aren't put in a legal bind with the authorities compared to other ways to stop it.

C)There's always going to be a chance that your dog will be in danger, there's no legal 100% proof plan to this problem. Just like it could get mentally damaged or killed in a car wreck while the puppy is young. Things will happen.

The main thing I'd think is trying to eliminate this from statistically happening. There's always going to be an X factor anytime.

On the stun gun issue I think it might not be too much (I don't know though) BUT with the pepper spray you can do it from a distance while the strange dog is coming at you and your dog.

Handheld stun devices may or may not work on dogs, but...as Brad has pointed out...one real negative is that you must actually touch the device to the animal in order for it to work. If it is a no-go, you are now wrapped up with an agressive dog! (Same goes for human attackers)

There seems to be a good bit of confusion about the various "Pepper Spray" products and their effects, etc. Since I once did a pretty thorough staff study on OC sprays, and sprayed over 2000 officers and recruits in training over a period of several years, perhaps I can try and give a brief explanation...brief being the operative word...if possible. (I would ask that you bear in mind that much of this info is several years old and I am sure there has been some updating of these products.)

Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is...for lack of a better descriptor...the "Hot stuff" in cayenne and several other varieties of peppers. Basically, oil of pepper. It is mixed with one of several carrying agents in strengths from 1/2 to 10%.

This mixture is placed in a can and pressurized with a propellant gas so that it will "spray" out when the button / trigger / etc. is activated. Various types include "mist" or "cone-shape" spray patterns, "stream" patterns and foam.

Yes, I am very aware of the tempest in a teapot over alcohol based sprays (those that use isopropyl alcohol as a carrier)...it is mostly BS. Unless you expose alcohol based spray to an open flame in close proximity, you will get no fire. In fact, you can put out a cigarette with them with no problems. We will come back to alcohol in a moment. (Before anyone pipes up about the guy set on fire in NYC, and the handful of deaths after OC was used on suspects, you shpuld be sure of your facts...I spoke directly with the NYC Sgt. in charge of the ESU run that day, so I know what happened...and there were MANY other factors involved in the deaths)

OC acts as an "inflammatory" agent. It causes the pupils of the eyes to dialate and the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth to swell, cutting off the "deep breathing" capability temporarily. Because it does not effect the cartlidge of the nasal passage, life-support breathing is not effected. It also "burns"...a lot...but does not cause physical injury. Thus, to be effective, OC should be delivered directly to the eyes/nose/mouth areas.

Since it is the OC that does the work, it is in our best interests for the carrying agent to evaporate as rapidly as possible. Alcohol is cheap, safe to use on humans and evaporates fast. It is nearly ideal for use up close on attackers or LEO suspects when used in a cone-spray. The theory on foam is that it will be wiped into the eyes when the bad guy tries to wipe it off. Alcohol or foam do not do well, however, for the type of spray pattern we typically want for use against dogs, which is a stream that will reach 12-15ft, thus giving us a "standoff" capability.

Here, other carriers work better. The downside to the straight-stream units is that you must actually spray into the mouth in order to effect the breathing...with a mist, the dog/suspect will breathe in the particles. Either way, dogs are not as effected, generally, as humans, and humans are not always effected to a significant degree.

The studies done on PSD effectiveness in an OC environment show that they can still smell anf function, but it will degrade performance somewhat. Most dogs one would meet on a walk, etc., will leave you alone after one or two brief bursts.

After exposure, use cool water, dishwash detergent (for the oil) and flush eyes with plenty of water. A fan might help some. No matter what, after exposure to a serious dose, you are gonna burn for 15-45min!

Bottom line...get a straight-stream unit of reasonable capacity (check laws, some places restrict the size of units for lawful use by civilians) and don't bet the farm on this stuff. It IS good...VERY good...but it ain't perfect...and remember, even though no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy, that's no reason not to HAVE a plan!

Tasers, stun batons, stun guns, cattle prods. . .are all stupid.

VanCamp..
So are you saying a Dazer or pepper spray is better? I remember on another thread you advising the use of lead projected at high speed <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I'm just curious about "legal" options.
Thanks again for all replies.. previous and those to come!

The Dazer sounds like horseshit to me. JMNSHO

I think spray will work in most cases if used in the "I wonder if I'm going to go bite these guys" stage. After that all bets are off.

Guess what Rage, firearms are legal with a concealed weapons permint (CWP). I've got one, imagine that. Maybe it isn't legal in your state. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

The problem I have with using a firearm against a dog is having to deal with the police and the dogs owner. Basically the same situation that Trooper spoke of with using a Taser.

Where do you all walk your dogs? If you are walking in the park, in the middle of a town, or in a neighborhood, NO ONE is going to appreciate you capping a dog - cops or anyone else. If it hasn't attacked your dog yet, you are going to look like a freaking phsycho - "Well he was looking at my dog all mean!!" If it has already attacked your dog, people are going to think that two dogs got in a fight (big deal) and you escalated the situation into a totally dangerous one. Either way, the cops will think you are way out of line and probably kick your ass, and the people in the area will have had the crap scared out of them and will totally want you prosecuted for endangering them and their children (even if you didn't).

If you walk in an unpopulated area, then whatever. I think if I was worried about stray dogs I would spend the $30 on the sonic thing, just so I could try it first and hopefully avoid having to shoot or pepper-spray a dog. I'm not worried though - so far I've never met a mean stray.