Am I a bad person for using pepper spray on big dogs?
Mailmen use this too. I like to take walks in my neighborhood but often encounter a loose dog and usually big ones like Dobermans, Rotwrilers, and Pitbulls. I have used the spray and it has worked however I worry about running out. It’s awful that I have to resort to this but so many people here like leaving thier pets off leash. I think they do it to protect thier property.
There are some good answers so far. I have a couple of answers I’m considering to pick but I’ll wait till the last day before I vote. The question may sound silly to some but I assure you there are some folks out there who think it’s bad. Case and point – I had a big biker-type neighbor who yelled at me for using it on his unleashed dog that was charging me. The idiot was standing right next to his dog when it happened. I’ts the owners, not the dogs I have a problem with. After I was bit by a pit I started to carry the pepper spray and was afraid to use it at first, thinking what if it don’t work or I miss his head and they bite me for trying. I’ll have to say thiough it has worked on some big ones like the Rot that is always out. I don’t have to spray him anymore — just point the bottle at him.
I want to make clear a few things. I don’t want you to get the wrong impression of me. The only time I had used the spray was maybe 3 times and these dogs were big and showing me that they were indeed agressive and off their leash or not fenced in. And in response to one of the answers, I have every right legally to defend myself with pepper spray even if the dog was on his property. If the dog is charging you and he’s not restrained you don’t have time to see if he will stop before he leaves the property. They are not likely to stop anyway and how would you know who’s dog it is if its not fenced in?
I’ve decided to let you guys pick the best answer. I found a couple answers I agree with but I’m interested in seeing the results of a unanimous vote.
By Umuru, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
Nope, I don’t think you’re a bad person at all. In fact, I think the idiot that would leave a large-breed dog unleashed to terrorize his or her own neighbors is worse than bad. Any dog can be dangerous, but some are much better at it than others! A Rott, Doberman or Pit could easily kill an adult. I honestly feel that whenever you see this happening that you should call the local SPCA and have the animal removed.
In California, it is illegal to let your dog run around unleashed. I’m not sure about where you live, but if you’re Californian, and that dog bites you (or anyone else) it will be put to death. I’d rather be pepper-sprayed than dead
In the long run, your neighbors are being dangerously neglectful. Their free-range pet could end someone’s life. I repeat, YOU are not the bad person.
By Mary D, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
no its fine i carry a knife lol
By dukalink6000, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
As long as they attack you, it’s OK
By kherabro, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
no man thats cool
By crazylolita, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
oh my god, your horrible.. just scream at them or use a horn! you can hurt them i hope they bite you all at once
By jonjon22, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
no its fine…..my dad used to use it at our old neighbor hood
By Matt Beezy, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
If you do it out of torture for the animal, it’s bad. If it attacks you, it should have known better in the first place.
By Valerie, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
no you aren’t a bad person for doing that. dogs like that are dangerous, and they need to learn to keep their distance.
By old cat lady, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
If the dogs are off-leash and not fenced behind an owner’s property you have every right to use the pepper spray.
Animal Control should be notified of this situation in your neighborhood.
By Coche, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
No, if you use it to protect yourself, that’s fine.
By PPKY, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
You gotta use whatever to protect yourself. But I found Stun guns
works better !!
By Ginger/Virginia, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
Using it in self protection sounds reasonable. Carry an extra can with you, or come up with a strategy in case you run out.
By sined, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
hehe first of all! what kinda guy carries pepper spray? but yeah if they attack you its fine. you should take this up with the mayer or something. make him put up a sign or something else like that. its just not cool to be attacked while walking around
By angel_catz, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
Yes, you bad person you.
By Fulltime in my RV (I wish), April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
I’ve never seen a dobie attack when it didn’t feel it’s master or master’s property were in jepordy.
Now, a Pitbull…. kill ‘em (humanely) all before they can reporduce. The breed was developed to kill other animals & a child is just another animal to them. I can believe that a pitbull out in public would attack you, but a dobie???? I odn’t think so. Not unless it’s been abused.
By minnie, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
no its fine i use it on my old boyfriend………..so it should be o.k for dogs if their trying to attack….and im sure a dog bite is way more painfull then pepper spray.
By bad_girrrl666, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
I agree that people should keep their dogs in their yards but pepper spray? What the hell are you thinking? Use something else. Please?
By paul wall lover 1, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
yes i love animals
By lisa7777, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
hey better to spray them first than for them to attack you u first. whatever the case dogs should be on leads in my opinion if there out on the streets i know i wouldnt like to grable with a doberman
there are gonna be people that think what you do is wrong but owners should take more respoanabilty for their dogs and keep them on leads to avoid anyone being hurt
By MotherBear1975, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
Or the foolish dogs jump the fence or dig under. Make sure the dog is aggressive, not just curious. Is the tail wagging? are the ears up or laid back? Things like that. Don’t use it on a curious or friendly pup. And you could show the dog who is boss without the spray… my Pit’s brother isn’t being treated great… he charged me in an obviously aggressive manner… when he jumped at me, I sidestepped him, scruffed him mid-air, and put him on his back. he still tried to bite me, but I was in control… once my knee was on his chest he couldn’t get to me. I know that sounds awful, but my kids were with me, and I don’t go by mMotherBear for nothing.
I’m just glad my own pup wasn’t with me that day, He would have protected me, and I don’t want him exposed to that sort of thing.
In response to one of your other answers… A pair of dobermans were the free range terrors of my neighborhood when I was growing up. bit more kids than I can count and Treed me in my own yard more than once.
By Romeo, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
if they attack you thats a great way to stop it…
its better that then seriously hurting or even killing a dog by hitting them
By Mindy Jo, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
as you can see by all your answers your question is not easy. My bichon and I have the same problem with unleashed big dogs in my neighborhood. A squirt of water to the face works and if that doesn’t a bit of gravel thrown NEAR the FEET always works…no, don’t hit the dog but the close noise near the dog will startle them and make them back off.
By Surfer_Girl_59, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
First — Umuru — I’m a Californian and not every dog that bites you (or anyone else) will be put to death. Don’t give out misinformation about the laws of our state.
Second, no — if you have menacing dogs in your neighborhood — and the owners are doing nothing to resolve the problem then you absolutely have a right to protect yourself.
Lastly, an alternative to pepper spray is actually ground pepper. Try walking with a Ziplock bag of ground pepper in your pocket. If another dog does come out to cause trouble, simply throw a handful of the pepper in the dogs face. It burns slightly and causes them to sneeze. Trust me, that will take any interest that dog has in you away!
Hope that helps!
By xxpinkxvamprissxx, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
If you are soo worried about that why don’t you just call the police. It not that hard to dial 911.
By Kelly S, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
You had best make sure that they are off the owner’s property. If they are just barking at you, then no, but if they are off their property, and you have reason to think they will actually bite you, then I would think that would be reasonable.
If you are spraying them preemptively than no, I don’t think you are justified.
By thirsty mind, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
NO sweety what is the alternative sacrificing a limb?!?!
By Joe, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
Actually it’s pretty smart. The only problem with only using OC is that a dog become very target fixated very quickly and with a small target area they are easy to miss!
I suggest a metal baton as well. Like an ASP or even an economy model. Not to strike the dog with, but they will only bite it once. IT HURTS!
Keep on sprayin’ and if you need more come and see me. Fox Labs and DPS are two of the best.
By Liana H, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
Uh hello mr phsycopath yea mysnooty nieghbor did the same thing to my dogs
By LadyCockatiel, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
I wouldnt use it unless the dog was coming at me to attack me, but it would be better then getting biten without it. I would never use it on innocent dogs barking at me for walking by or anything like that though. I’d have to feel really threatened before I pushed the button on it at a dog.
By harleybaby, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
It is okay as long as you only use a little of it to much can hurt the dog. Just be careful with it and yourself.
By sherry c, April 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
yes using pepperspray can blind this animal. dogs are very territorial they think they are protecting their property that you running past . there are other ways . take an empty can of pepsi put three dimes in it seal the top . keep it in your hand while you are running the sound is extremely annoying to the animal any animal they will not run towards you but away from you. will you enjoy your run dog free for the price of 35 cents. and the added bonus is you will never run out of it inmagine going to use that spray and the can is empty. shake and run and enjoy