Dogs running loose in my neighbourhood - how do I protect myself walking?

[AbloyProtec]

If physically engaged, punch the dog in the nose - I am not kidding. It is EXTREMELY painful for them, moreso than a human.

[Cat_Whisperer]

@phreesh

1. Get a good look at the dog, note your location and call 311 to complain when you get a chance.<snip>

There was another off-leash dog on my walk yesterday, and although I had actually remembered to bring my phone, I had forgotten to look up the number to report them. You’re right - it is 311 here, too. Thanks for the reminder to look that up.

[Candyman74]

@AbloyProtec

If physically engaged, punch the dog in the nose - I am not kidding. It is EXTREMELY painful for them, moreso than a human.

That’s a bit too close to “put your hand in the dog’s mouth” for me!

[kushiel]

[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:37, topic:586365”]

I don’t know the rules in Calgary, but in many jurisdictions where pepper spray is “illegal,” it’s actually “regulated” and you can fairly easily obtain a permit to carry it. I can also say that when hiking in other parts of Alberta, I have seen people carrying bear spray on their belts. Perhaps they were breaking the law; perhaps bear spray is not treated the same as pepper spray.

Should you choose to carry bear spray, learn how to use it! Most sporting-goods stores that sell it will be happy to take a couple of minutes and explain everything. Keep it where you can grab it quickly, or it’s useless. Spray down, not straight out, or the dog can run in under the spray. If you wait until the dog is right in your face, it’s too late. Obviously, don’t spray it into the wind, or you will be an unhappy cat whisperer.
[/QUOTE]

Came here to recommend the same. Bear spray isn’t regulated in Saskatchewan*, so I assume it’s the same in Alberta.

*Well, it’s kept behind locks in my hometown right now, since some stupid teen decided it would be fun to spray an afternoon theatre showing of Toy Story 3. Thanks, asshole.

[medstar]

@The_Great_Cornholio

The OP needs to be very careful. Apart from the dogs running about that might possibly attack, there’s the possibility that a drunk driver might plough into them. The sun might give them skin cancer or a fucking great big eagle might possibly swoop from the sky and sink its talons into their head too. It’s possibly far too dangerous to be walking out on the street, best stay at home wearing a tinfoil helmet.

If the Law hasn’t bothered dealing with these dogs, I doubt they are actually dangerous. They may be boistrous, intimidating, and a total pain in the arse but not liable to attack a confident walker. If someone sees a loose dog and immediately shits their pants and panics, the dog is going to respond to that and get more excited - that’s going to involve barking and perhaps jumping up. That’s not “attacking”, even though it’s traumatic.

I won’t accept people getting violent with dogs for any reason, unless the dog already has sunk its jaws into someone. In that case I’d be the first to take it to the vet to have it put down.

I’m going to have to disagree vehemently with your insistence that someone wait until a dog has already “sunk its jaws into someone.” I know that long before that happens, I’m going to wave the dog off with a stick, a loud voice, or my foot. If the dog’s owner doesn’t like that, too bad. My well-being, health, and life are much more important than some dog’s need for aggressive posturing. If the dog’s owner attempted to stop me from defending myself, he/she would face consequences that would leave them unable to afford a pet for a very long time thereafter.

[misterW]

@Cat_Whisperer

For some reason (probably lack of enforcement), there is a real problem with dogs of all sizes running loose in my neighbourhood this summer. I walk A LOT around here, and I’m concerned that a dog may attack me at some point. I also understand that pepper spray is illegal. Is there a legal device that I can carry with me as I’m walking around to use to incapacitate a dog if it should attack me?

Why are you worried about being attacked? Have the dogs appeared to be aggressive?
Just because a dog is loose doesn’t mean it’s dangerous. Would you be scared to walk through a dog park?

[Cat_Whisperer]

Let’s put it this way - I encounter off-leash dogs almost every time I go for a walk, and I walk almost every day. I don’t think it’s likely that I’ll be attacked, but it is possible, and I’d prefer to be prepared.

I went to the Bass Pro Shop today, and bought myself a little canister of dog deterrent spray (0.5% capsaicin) - just what I was looking for. According to the clerk, it is legal here. They also had bear spray - my husband tells me that bear spray is legal in Alberta, you just can’t use it on dogs or people.

[Thrash_the_Almighty]

@Troppus

Edison meter readers carry umbrellas. Apparently the improvised weapon works two ways: as a stick, or as a suddenly large and intimidating shield.

I’ve always carried mace in my front pocket or strapped to my wrist while running and hiking.

I will second the umbrella suggestion. My father takes long walks and he always carries one of those old fashioned, large, umbrellas with the crooked handle. He mostly carries it in case of rain and to use it as a walking stick, but when he occasionally encounters a hostile animal he says some combination of shield, poke, and club always resolves the conflict with minimal hassle.

[Candyman74]

@medstar

I’m going to have to disagree vehemently with your insistence that someone wait until a dog has already “sunk its jaws into someone.” I know that long before that happens, I’m going to wave the dog off with a stick, a loud voice, or my foot. If the dog’s owner doesn’t like that, too bad. My well-being, health, and life are much more important than some dog’s need for aggressive posturing. If the dog’s owner attempted to stop me from defending myself, he/she would face consequences that would leave them unable to afford a pet for a very long time thereafter.

Yikes! Chuck Norris posts on the SDMB!