Help needed for developing strategies...

[10-Ring]

1st -- moving IS NOT an option.  This is  a serious question --
What can be carried or done?  I am in some of the uglier parts of town for work so it's really about just doing my job & getting out of dodge but in the afternoons, I take my puppy for a walk & have already had to deal w/ a couple of stray dogs that have gone after my pup.  I carry OC, but sometimes -- esp when it gets windy, I wonder what else I can do to improve my security when I'm out...

[Oohrah]

How about a tazer

[10-Ring]

what is the legality of using a taser on a dog? or any threat for that manner?

[alone]

10-Ring,

Get a good stick.
Either a stout walking stick, or stout cattle cane will work.  Sticks have distance.  The way you carry yourself is important as you know, and "sometimes" a stick , along with how one carries themselves, gives off signals to predators in such a manner they would rather find easier prey.

Is there anyone else you know/ trust that also has a dawg? Just thinking if so, and walking dawgs together, would apply the "safety in numbers" idea.

[kt]

Do you live in a state that has CCW for its citizens?

If so, ( I think its something like 38 of the 50 states now) maybe you should get a pistol permit and carry a small defense gun. Fill out the paperwork, take the course, and enter a new life. It was the best thing I ever did when Virginia passed concealed carry for it's citizens.

[10-Ring]

CCW is reserved only for the rich and famous 
The safety in numbers thing is good but only works weekends
I have thought of a cane or walking stick, but just not sure of the legality of actually using to keep distance between me & an assailant plus I already have one hand occupied w/ my dog's leash, I'd like to keep at least one free just in case

Code:

[Muggins]

To be honest, my first thought was a cane or walking stick.

I understand that one hand will be occupied with the dog's leash, but if your dog is walking to heel (left side) then you'll probably have the leash in your left hand.  Assuming you are a right hander (not all people are) then you can carry your cane in the right hand and use it to fend off dogs with your dominant hand.

If dogs are your biggest worry, then you need to communicate in doggie terms with your attackers .... looking big, being threatening, making noise and inflicting enough pain to get your message across.  They are defending territory, you're trying to tell them "leave us alone".  A bit of posturing followed by a whack with a stick ought to get the message across to a lot of dogs.  If they're more determined you're going need something more ... that may be OC, or a firearm.  Even the toughest dog is going to find being beaten with a stout stick to be quite uncomfortable .... its a good place to start and depending on your age and the image you project a cane can be entirely expected or explainable.

If you're worried about 2 legged critters then a cane is still a good place to start, but it might pay to rethink things.  That may include walking your dog elsewhere (like a park) or it may include carrying something else.

Canes or walking sticks are mobility aids.  If you make it clear that you're carrying the cane as a weapon then you're doing it wrong.  A temporary knee injury, a touch of arthritis, gout, lumbago, galloping syphilis, whatever ... its a medical aid.  You just happened to use it to keep an assailant at bay because it was handy.  The legality of carrying and using a walking stick .... well, I'm afraid you'll have to check that out yourself, but I seriously doubt there's a law on any books that prohibits the carrying of a cane or walking stick.  The use of such an aid as a makeshift weapon was expedience rather than pre-meditation.

If you don't think a cane or walking stick is a viable option and the safety in numbers idea isn't going to fly ... I'd seriously consider walking your dog in a park or somewhere a little "safer".

Muggins

[Curly]

Cold Steel <www.coldsteel.com> has a 42" and a 54" Sjambok which would work just fine. At $15 or $25 retail respectively, they're reasonably priced. It's essentially a short, stout whip that inflicts a lot of damage when properly used, plus Cold Steel has a two-volume DVD available which instructs you on how to best use it offensively or for self defense . I've seen one completely rip through a cardboard IPSC target, top to bottom.

[fiacha5]

 Well based on what little info you have given I would have a couple suggestions:

   If you cant go somewhere safer... avoidance is best

   Call the local cop shop on their non emergency number and ask em what the rules are...

   lots of joggers and runners are useing dog sticks, its a short cane or chunk of good old wood....

  Rocks work, if your walking, a couple good throwing rocks in the pocket , also an old friend used to keep a good throwing sticks , lots of dogs are just playing a game and if you can give em another one they will chase the stick ...

   call the local dog catcher if they are wild dogs, and or the health department get the wild dogs picked up, if these are home dogs that are just running loose be polite to the owners but let em know you wont put up with being assaulted by the dog ....

    If your worried more about two legged snakes, of course here youll be told to get a gun, if you decide to do that get the training to go with it, if arent part of a special class in your area , and cant get one then plan b. would be change your patterns...

  Walk in lighted areas, like a super market or walmart, 3 or 4 spins around the building isnt a bad puppy walk, go in the morning before work most of the knuckleheads think noon is too early to get up

   Keep your cell phone open and keep talking , its better if there is a real person on the other side but faking it works to.

  Get to know the locals , most folks again wont bother a good neighbor, learn the rules for your community, its amazing how far a little good manners will get you.

  Be a warrior, man or woman, how you carry yourself will let people know if your predator or prey, dress smart, what do people wear around you, blend in dont dress up , or down for the area.

  ----------------------------
   Get to understand the threats in your area, ask the cops about what problems they have in your area, then adapt your behavior to those problems, it might mean always going the same way at the same time to develope a safe route, it might mean never going the same way in any pattern, you might need to drive a few miles to get to a better place to walk the puppy.

   take a couple martial arts classes, tell em your goals, a good one will quickly give you some basic tools, in movement and actions to avoid problem people and adjust for dogs or wild game, depending on where you live.. 

  Its your island !!!!!!
   

[Railway]

First of all you do have to defend yourself.  I'm guessing your city or state does have leash laws.  If the dog is free roaming then more than likely the owner is already at strike one.  Second if it is agressive and attacks someone that is obviously attempting to keep within  the law and they have their dog on a lease, I guess it is too bad for the dog because it wasn't being properly taken care of. 

Secondly the police will probably respond to an incident.  They question they will probably ask (again I don't know your area or laws) is who was breaking the law.  Finding the other animal was loose the next question that will have to be answered is was the action reasonable.  I would say a dog: very agressive, attacking citizens walking down the street would fall into the reasonable aspect. 

Even law enforcement has to answer for their actions.  It is the justification of reasonableness (If a normal citizen ((In my case a law enforcement officer)), having the same information known at the time the act was comitted, would have acted or reacted in the same manner).  If a normal person would have acted/reacted in the same situation then I would say you have nothing to worry about.

There possibly could be some court issues come up but again they would have to prove your acts were not reasonable or normal.  The problem is the person who is not concerned about the animal they have claimed the right to have and take care of.  It shouldn't be put on the law abiding citizen obeying the law.

Again learn the laws of your area and most of all use your head.  I sure hope the laws in your area don't decree that you don't have the right to protect yourself and property, especially if the other party initiates it by breaking the law in the first place. 

[Bob F.]

80# female neighbor jogs before daylight. Swears by a stun gun/contact type for dogs. Says merely triggering the arc will turn a dog, something the don't like about the sound?!?!