Question:
Can I legally pepper-spray a dog if it tries to bite me?
anonymous
2010-10-02 23:34:55 UTC
I jog on this trail by a river and stupid dog owners let their dogs run free.
Ten answers:
?
2010-10-04 06:48:01 UTC
Definitely yes. This is an act of self defense. Any act of defense which your life, liberty and property is in danger, you can do so as long as it is justified. Just be careful in doing so. Better yet to talk to the owners first or report to the local police.
Moondog
2010-10-03 07:53:38 UTC
I've read a number of your Q&A and you seem to have a fear and dislike of dogs. Why are you in the dog section if not for the reason of upsetting dog lovers?



You would want to be very sure the dog was attempting to bite you and not just come up to greet you before you start spraying pepper spray around or you might have a very angry, aggressive dog owner to deal with.



Jog somewhere else where owners must keep their dogs leashed.
anonymous
2010-10-03 06:39:44 UTC
Yes you can. There are also "spray's" that are made to use just on animals. I would buy one of those before using regular pepper spray. You have to protect yourself first and foremost. If a dog comes at you to hurt you , do what you have to do!
Feli
2010-10-03 06:55:13 UTC
I love dogs and I think that they're amazing creatures... But if someone else's dog ran up and got a hold of my arm/leg, i'd just punch it in the nose.. Or hold it in the air by the collar and take it to the owner and tell them to "train their bloody dog!"



Some dogs instinctually like to chase things/people that move/run away from them, so if one did chase you and you stopped and turned around, I doubt they'd bite you, they'd just want a pat. Either way, pepper spray is fine but I would wait until the dog ACTUALLY bit me first, that way if the owner gets mad at you, you can always say: "You're lucky i'm not a jerk, otherwise I could sue you and get the dog euthanized."



On a side note, when I get a dog and train it right I will also let it off the leash in parks and along rivers; some dogs are trained to be good in that situation, others are aggressive and chase you, and others are just extremely social and lack training, they won't bite you but it's annoying having dogs run up to you when you just want to enjoy your run without needing to stop each time.



Edit: that guy above me is right to an extent.. while any dog that I owned wouldn't chase or attack others, if someone sprayed it I so would follow them home and throw a rock through their front window.
patriciajean43
2010-10-03 11:52:43 UTC
I would think so.You have a right to protect yourself.Here is an interesting article;http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=939&S=1&SourceID=60.Also there are other sprays made specifically for dogs.Here is an article that discusses a spray and other methods for defense.http://www.guardian-self-defense.com/securityblog/?p=57
Cheryl
2010-10-03 08:57:46 UTC
it depends where you live ... in the united states you can pepper spray whatever you want ... you can tase whatever you want ... in canada you could "bear spray" a dog but if you hit the owner or any person, that would be a crime ... but make sure you are in danger before taking such extreme measures ...
rrroomba
2010-10-03 06:39:05 UTC
Pepper spray laws vary locally so you would need to check with your local police department.
anonymous
2010-10-03 07:52:58 UTC
in my state i can shoot a dog if it trys to bite me.

NM.

use pepper spray.you have a right not to get chewed up by a dog.

i love dogs i have one right now on my lap.

pepper spray will not work on a pit bull.

they should be BANED
KimG
2010-10-03 06:47:54 UTC
I must admit that I may be one of these 'stupid dog owners' you refer to, but that's okay coz I always call people who run 'stupid'. Anyway my dog barks at people if they are running at a speed towards me; this is MY form of self defence. He doesn't try to bite them (or anyone - he has perfect biting inhabition). If you decided to spray my dog because of a few woofs I would follow you home and vandalise your 'stupid' house and **** in your 'stupid' mailbox and just generally torment you and your 'stupid' family til I got bored of it. Isnt generalising fun? I'm sure most dog-owners would do exactly the same so you can't say you were not warned.
Marmar
2010-10-03 06:36:02 UTC
If you are in fear of being hurt or your life yes, you can as self defense. I carry mine with me also!!!


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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