Off Leash Dogs

[ptoemmes]

What is your opinion of the best non lethal way to deal with off leash dogs?

Let me explain. I walk my two German Shepherds on leash in a typical suburban neighborhood. The city has a leash law. To tell you the truth, personally, I am all for well trained/managed off leash dogs. Mine are not and probably never will be.

A few moths ago, my wife and I were walking the GSDs and an off leash dog amidst his human family bolted out of their yard, across the street, and engaged my male GSD. Ended up begin no contest, but I did suffer a bite even though I knew enough to stay out of the middle of it. Stuff happens in a dog fight. Fortunately the off leash was up date on shots so all I needed was antibiotics (they do not stitch dog bites) and all ended well for all - human and dogs. Off leash dog family got cited cause you cannot get treated for a dog bite down here without reporting it.

Anyway...off leash (back yard escape) happens more that it should and normally I can avoid a situation. I do carry while walking but I have no desire to kill an attacking stray much less risk a 45ACP (P45) ricochet.

I figure a loud bang from a small revolver - maybe with a rat/snake shot load - carried along with the P45 might work.

Also toying with an S&W Governor with bird shot 410 loads for same. Figure that may be fun to shoot as well. I am aware of the Judge/Governor 410 shot shell HD debate and do not wish to poke that sleeping dog if you will.

But I thought I'd ask first.

Thanks,

Pete

[Tinman507]

how about mace or another aerosol defense system?
We carry the Kimber Pepper Blaster

[LaP]

My wife uses a canister of FOX pepper spray. It has a rating of 5.1 million scoville units (approx twice the strength of most spays)

If you get in close and spray that stuff right into thier muzzle and mouth, it ought to make them reevaluate their current activities.
My wife has used it once in the past few years. She sprayed an attacking dog at about ten feet and it took off in full gallup.

[Popeye]

That pepper blaster looks like the real deal. Not only will it protect you and your dog, but it might just teach the attacking dog that it's not a good idea to go after other animals.

[ptoemmes]

I like the range and timing on that pepper blaster.

Thanks,

Pete

[dkmatthews]

What about wasp/hornet spray? It should have a longer range and be less likely to blow back in your face (or the face of your own dogs).

[joshh]

pepper spray makes more sense. a dog would have to be biting the hell out of me or posing a serious threat to the well being of a child for me to shoot it. i love dogs and a swift, well placed kick will usually stop them without shooting them. not to mention shooting something that close to you and in a suburban setting. i carry with a defensive round for real threats of life. not for a dog.

[Tinman507]

The Pepper Blaster is a gel that's propelled out of the device. No blowback.
Not sure about the toxicity of wasp & hornet spray.
I wouldn't want to hurt the poor lil pup, just re-educate.

[dkmatthews]

The Pepper Blaster is a gel that's propelled out of the device. No blowback.
Not sure about the toxicity of wasp & hornet spray.
I wouldn't want to hurt the poor lil pup, just re-educate.

Good to know, Tinman!

[les strat]

Two words: Cattle prodder

[wyntrout]

You're getting closer. When I last had a dog... almost 8 years ago... I carried a stun gun in addition to my CCW when we walked. Florida's permit is for weapons... knives, billy clubs or blackjacks, stun guns... any legal weapon.

The discharge from a stun gun... the noise... is enough to keep most dogs at bay. I only used mine a few times and the noise and light kept a large dog away. I never had to actually shock the dog, but I was ready. You have to pay attention to the length of discharge as it can ruin some devices with too long a discharge without contact.

I wanted a choice... something besides lethal force to stop someone's pet from being injured. I figured it might work better against a pit bull, too. Then there are racoons and other small wild animals as well.

You can buy stun guns at gun shows for $10 to $15, and some have small built in lights and are rechargeable. The last one I bought is 1.5 million volts and has a lanyard that you have around your wrist. If the stun gun is grabbed from you and the lanyard pulls off, the SG is deactivated. I paid $15 to $20 for that.

It's troubling, the ease with which you can get these things. Even small punk kids can take you to the ground and hurt you with those things. I think that if you're armed and someone attacks you with a stun gun, you had best stop them before they disable you and do whatever they want to you... including taking your pistol and using it on YOU! They can totally OWN YOU with a stun gun!


Wynn

[jocko]

I carry always when I walk outside as it is a 4 mile through the cuntry walk . Never had one incident "yet', but no stun gun for any dog that takes a bite out of me. He will get one bite and then he is bought and paid for. Sorry I love dogs owned them all my life, when properly taken care of by an owner they are never an issue.

A pitbull that chews on some helpless older person or a young child is also someone's pet

[Bawanna]

"It's troubling, the ease with which you can get these things. Even small punk kids can take you to the ground and hurt you with those things. I think that if you're armed and someone attacks you with a stun gun, you had best stop them before they disable you and do whatever they want to you... including taking your pistol and using it on YOU! They can totally OWN YOU with a stun gun!"

Part of the Taser training at our dept involves getting tased so you know what your dishing out and what you'll get if the BG gets your taser. Not allowed to carry one till you been tased. It provides a good foundation if you have to shoot someone because they have a taser.

We do the same thing with Pepper Spray. Either will incapacitate you so that your life is in real danger.

I did the pepper spray thing (sucked really bad). Haven't done the taser, I hate electricity and I wouldn't be allowed to carry one anyway.

[jocko]

agree, great one, ur on the money wth those comments. never been tased, I have tried pepper spray and stupidily forgetting and the damn wind blowing it right back inmy face. It is not good, we went theour that tear gas spray drill in boot camp. It wast errible but it indeed gaveu a snese of what it can and will do.

[wyntrout]

I know it's not the same, but I've shocked myself... short burst through clothing and my daughter let me zap her butt. But it's totally different than a real burst to the trunk of the body. A sustained burst will take you down and worse. I did the short burst with a 25 or 50Kvolt model... my first, but I ain't messing with the 1.5 million volt model I purchased last. I lost the weaker one for a year or so... thought I put it someplace for easy access. I hadn't used my bike in a LOOONG time and it's stored upstairs in a spare bedroom... and now the attic. I finally noticed the stun gun in a holster on the bike! It's good for repelling dogs that like to chase bikes, too.

Wynn