TexasCHLforum.com

Cedar Park Dad,

You have a PM.

And for me, I've tried other brands of pepper spray, including Fox Labs and the Freeze +P has in my experience worked the best.

One other consideration regarding pepper spray and dogs: Not all dogs will be discouraged even with a perfect hit in the eyes, ears, nose, mouth.

However, most will.

I had a Rottweiler attack me while out cycling. He was running to my immediate right and was getting closer and closer to my right leg when I unleashed a perfect hit of pepper spray from eyes to mouth.

He promptly dropped away and looking into my bar end mirror, I could see him stopped in the middle of the road shaking his head. Then to my horror, he restarted the chase and quickly caught back up to me. I pedal a mountain bike. They're not known for great speed unless you have a heavy wind behind you or are going downhill...

At this point, we passed by his apparent owner walking along the side of the road, who loudly commanded the dog to stop and fortunately he did.

And there was one other time I sprayed and accurately sprayed, but the dog didn't even seemed fazed. As it turned out, he didn't have enough stamina to stay with me and soon dropped off the chase, but I don't think it was the spray that stopped him. Old age maybe...

Without exaggeration, I've been dog attacked quite literally hundreds of times while out cycling. I cycle well out in the country. I've recently upped my milage from 25 miles a day to 28/30 so now I've even greater opportunity to avail myself to even more attacks. I've tried a variety of different routes, but no matter where I pedal there's always free ranging/attacking dogs. And, I'll be darned if I'm just going to stay home...

Rarely, do I go on a ride that I'm not attacked.

I buy pepper spray by the case.

I like Freeze +P - a combination of pepper spray and tear gas.

texas yankee,

Consider buying some Sudecon Decontamination Wipes and take them with you where ever you may come into contact with an attacking dog and get some of the spray on yourself or someone you care about. The wipes are very efficient at pain reduction. If you get spray in your eyes you can squeeze out some drops directly into your eyes and the pain will go away.

They're available at Defensive Devices for $1.49 or so.

Also, as I have mucho experience fending off attacking dogs with pepper spray while cycling, never spray above eye level or into the wind, for obvious reasons...

Also, an effective technique if the dog/dogs are attacking from the rear, don't turn around to spray if you're cycling. You have a great chance of crashing. Simply hold the can upside, while continuing to look ahead, press the trigger and rapidly wave it back and forth behind your back. (like the mark of Zorro)

I've actually experienced greater accuracy with effective spraying using this technique vs. spraying directly at them.

Also, if you use a stream style spray and have a direct ahead shot, aim just above the dogs head, again using the Zorro waving method rather a single stream. If you aim directly at the eyes or nose the spray will generally go low and miss.

texas yankee,

I wholeheartedly concur with your post.

I do think a 'minority' of dog owners believe their animals should be allowed to range free and if they come after you, you're supposed to remain passive.

If you defend yourself, you are in the wrong because their dogs just want to: Play, Simply Loves To Chase, But Won't Hurt You, They Don't Bite, and any number of other excuses that you're supposed to blindly understand and accept.

I'd love to hear from those that think when a human being is simply making their way walking, running, or cycling from point A to B, i.e., minding their own business while out in public, their dogs should be able to get within a space close enough to cause harm, but you have no right to defend yourself.

I know this type of dog owner is out there, because as some of my earlier posts state, I've experienced this bizarre type of thinking exhibited to me from some dog owners after being attacked and me defending myself.

So what is this type thinking base on?

Dogs are more important that human beings?

Blind to the fear a large, charging fanged carnivore can bring about to a person minding their own business?

Or, enjoy seeing the fear their dog inspires by terrifying human beings?

What say you?

Honestly, it's simple.

Dogs attack - People defend

Dogs don't attack - People don't defend.

Keep your dogs away from those who don't know them.

(dogs are equipped to injure - most especially large dogs.)

One more dog attack story: My very young daughter and I (at the time) jumped into the back of my pickup.

Why?

My new next door neighbor, had a free ranging Pit Bull, who attacked us, and it turned out to be his daughters. He was dog sitting.

I told him, if it happened again, I'd sue him. I didn't know him. I was outraged,

In my own driveway, I had to be put into this position?

The next day, the dog was summarily dismissed from his property and eventually he and I became friends.

Heck, he didn't know his daughter's dog was a maniac... He was gracious. He apologized. I accepted.

This was a true blue Pit Bull. If he'd gotten a hold of my daughter or me, oh man, I can't imagine, because at the time, I didn't carry....

So you, who think "my dog wouldn't bite you", think again.

Your dog won't bite YOU the owner, but not others, you inconsiderate lout!

Dogs that can injure humans (or other innocents) and you let them roam free, think!

Yes, THINK!

I have no quarrel with dog breeds.

I have a quarrel with large, attacking dogs, irrespective of breed.

It's really quite simple.

Dog owners: Keep your dog under control.

Free ranging dogs don't have priority over human beings innocently going about their business. Though, I think "some" dog owners think otherwise...

If your dog attacks me, I'm going to defend myself.

Many times, while out cycling, dogs come after me and I can tell some are simply curious. I don't spray them.

When they come snarling, emitting staccato, angry barks and snapping at me and try to bite me I have no obligation to NOT defend myself.

At this point in my experience, some dog owners think their dogs have a RIGHT to attack you while you're simply passing by on the street, and you should simply lay down and let them chew, bite, chomp you, because you shouldn't be in their territory.

Guess what?

I'll defend myself from your dog attacking me.

Another dog attack story.

As I'm pedaling along, I look to my left as I heard a dog furiously barking.

The apparent owner was a woman working in her garden.

As soon as the woman spotted me pedaling my guts out to get away she stood up, placed both hands on her hips and started laughing.

Then she saw me rip my pepper spray canister off my belt and hose her dog just he was about to catch me. He immediately stopped attacking and started scraping his eyes on the asphalt.

From a hearty good laugh at my expense she shouted every cuss word she could think of after I hosed her dog.

I could see her and her dog in my bar end mirror as I went on my way.

Next time I passed her house she held onto her dog's collar and said not a word.

No problem from then on.

victory,

Some folks think their dogs should roam free and there's another name for them: Inconsiderate Idiots!

Another dog story: I was attacked by 3 dogs on one of my fitness cycle rides. I peppered sprayed them effectively stopping the attack.

Just as I continued to pedal on, two guys in a pickup slowed down and the driver obviously angry, yelled at me "I'd like to see you come to my neighborhood and spray MY DOGS! He was outraged! I said nothing in order to avoid escalating his anger. They drove on.

Apparently, it was O.K. for the dogs to attack me, in this man's opinion, but not for me to defend myself.

This weird attitude baffles me.

What?

I'm supposed to LET THEM harm me?

Evidently, this yahoo thinks dogs SHOULD BE ALLOWED to attack humans. They're the victims, not the human, me.

Inconsiderate Idiot!

BTW, these were large 50/60 lb. mixed breed dogs, not some little cute dogs.

As a cyclist, most days, I'm almost always attacked by loose dogs while out in the country on fitness rides. Currently, I've upped my milage to 28/30 miles per outing so I come across even more dogs than I used to.

I carry very strong pepper spray, a large Spyderco serrated edge clip it knife and a Glock 19 with a spare mag.

Most of the time, when attacked, the spray (if I spray effectively...) will stop the dog/dogs in their tracks, but if I'm ever dropped to the ground (hasn't happened yet...) because sometimes they'll run in front of me while I'm doing best do get out of their territory and if my front tire goes over one, I'll probably spill to the ground.

If that ever happens, my Glock will be accessed, if I'm physically able to that is...

Today, was an exception. I did my milage while passing 2 German Shephards who were only interested in playful activity with each other and 1 Doberman Pinscher who also had no interest in me. Lucky me.

I love dogs, but recognize that some are threats. I harbor no general ill will toward them.

Those that own dogs and let them roam free are idiots.

Why do I say this?

Not only because I'm attacked by the free rangers, but the hideous number I see dead by the side of the road, obviously hit by vehicles.

Don't let your dog run free.

It's certainly not in his/her best interest, but not in humanitys in general.