Tough one - loose dog - their property

[EdnaBambrick]

I sincerely appreciate the advice from all here.

I think getting the Post Office and the local animal control are good first steps. I have some bear spray that I could carry as an alternative (or to supplement the gun).

I know whatever situation occurs, it will develop very dynamically. The dog could be on or off their property in a matter of seconds and where and when I'd actually fire would not be of my choice.

Now here's the missing part I didn't mention earlier so as not to prejudice the forum. The dog owner is a drug dealer with possession convictions in Texas and from observation appears to be dealing out of this house currently.

Shooting or spraying the dog could escalate into more trouble than I want because it's pretty clear the guy is an idiot and may have little to lose.

More than anything I'd just like him and his dog to go away and I remain just a citizen. A free one.

[rotor]

I'd be inclined to also warn the dog's owner that if their dog actually attacks me while I'm getting my mail, I'm not going to wait to get bit before I do something permanent to stop the attack. You have a right to defend yourself. They have zero right to leave a dangerous dog loose on their property. It's pretty open and shut.

Technically you are on better grounds if the offending dog attacks your dog if you are going to shoot it. Buy a sjambok for $15. That will solve your problem.

I've been trying to find a sjambok for sale. Most of the ones I've seen are out of stock.

Wouldn't that qualify as a club? Can you legally carry one?

I specifically asked this question of my local chief of police and have an email from him that a sjambok is NOT a club and is not illegal to carry.

[rotor]

Technically you are on better grounds if the offending dog attacks your dog if you are going to shoot it. Buy a sjambok for $15. That will solve your problem.

I've been trying to find a sjambok for sale. Most of the ones I've seen are out of stock.

http://www.osograndeknives.com
I have the 42" one. Ebay has them too.

[KLB]

complaints to animal enforcement.

Yes. Whatever else you do, establish a record of frequent complaint. Keep track. Then, if you have to resort to violence of some sort, you can prove repeated efforts to do otherwise.

[C-dub]

Contacting various authorities is a great first step in documenting your concerns and maybe they'll even do something about it so you don't have to.

Secondly, I would flat out openly carry the bear spray in my off hand.

Thirdly, the dog being loose in the manner you've described is considered "at large" by many municipalities no matter how good it's obedience is. I'm not sure if there is a state law governing this. You never know when the moment will occur in any dogs head to decide what it wants is more important than obeying their handler.

[suthdj]

I think you should also report this to the local Postmaster.
If you have formal, written reports to both the Postmaster and animal control and they are unable to control this situation, you have even more justification to protect yourself.

Post office just wont deliver to that street as long as dog is out, had it happen once when I lived in WI many years ago and everyone gets the notice about none delivery and why.

[FCH]

...Now here's the missing part I didn't mention earlier so as not to prejudice the forum. The dog owner is a drug dealer with possession convictions in Texas and from observation appears to be dealing out of this house currently.

Shooting or spraying the dog could escalate into more trouble than I want because it's pretty clear the guy is an idiot and may have little to lose....

The dog owner may very well be much more dangerous than the dog. If he truly is dealing out of his house, the police are probably aware of him. Don't take chances. Call the local police non-emergency number and request an escort to your mailbox. Tell them why. This should get some attention.

[The Annoyed Man]

TAM, it may be but I would probably take my chances if I could get one and had a menacing dog nearby. I live in the country and wouldn't hesitate to carry it on my walks.

Would be interested in a definitive answer though if anyone has one,

Whoops! I almost "reported" your post instead of quoting it!

I have one of these: http://www.whistlecreek.com/hawrootwalst.html. In fact, it's my carry-on weapon when I fly. It's left over from my pre-back surgery days, but it is a genuine shillelagh, and you can whup the tar out of someone with it. But I don't carry it on my walks any longer. A Glock 43 weighs less and is easier to carry.

[Salty1]

By "charging" do you mean running at you in an agressive manor? The reason I ask is I know and have owned many dogs that would run up to people wanting a pat or to play, there is a big difference. Most laws state that off property the dog must be leashed, on property the dog must be under the owners control so a dog trained to come when called does not have to be leashed.

I would first of all speak to the resident of the house and voice my concerns in a friendly manor. That conversation would dictate my next step. If the conversation does not go well then it is time to speak with animal control and document every occurance. Pepper spray or bear spray is a logical defense tool for this type of situation and you can easily justify why you used it. Shooting the dog is going to cause you many headaches and possible charges that you will have to defend yourself against. Good luck and I hope this can be easily resolved......

[mojo84]

Whoops! I almost "reported" your post instead of quoting it!

Near Freudian slip.

That walking stick you linked to looks nice. I like how they match them to the size of the person that uses it.

[thetexan]

Yes. It is possible for you to be justified in shooting a dog that is threatening you. The test is essentially the same as defending yourself against a human.

It requires a reasonable belief that it is immediately necessary to prevent serious bodily injury or even death.

However, you should check your local ordinances which probably include the necessary elements regarding nusaince animals to justify your making a complaint wit animal control.

If a dog attacks me (one that can harm me...I'm not going to shoot a yorkie)...I will dispatch the threat. I almost did just that several years ago when a Dalmatian charged my three year old.

tex

[WTR]

I would not use any device that allows the dog to get within arms length of me. Pits ate built and have the mind set to absorb physical pain. This is what I and some very respected professionals use http://counterassault.com/ and shoots up to 30 feet.

[mojo84]

I would not use any device that allows the dog to get within arms length of me. Pits ate built and have the mind set to absorb physical pain. This is what I and some very respected professionals use http://counterassault.com/ and shoots up to 30 feet.

Is that legal to carry in Texas? Texas has laws regarding the size of cannister.

[EdnaBambrick]

I would not use any device that allows the dog to get within arms length of me. Pits ate built and have the mind set to absorb physical pain. This is what I and some very respected professionals use http://counterassault.com/ and shoots up to 30 feet.

Is that legal to carry in Texas? Texas has laws regarding the size of cannister.

I've looked for 30+ minutes all around the web and it's just not clear. 'Small container' is the language used.

I don't think I'd trust a 1/2 oz container against a big angry dog.

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/D ... /PE.46.htm

(14) "Chemical dispensing device" means a device, other than a small chemical dispenser sold commercially for personal protection, that is designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of dispensing a substance capable of causing an adverse psychological or physiological effect on a human being.

Why do Texas politicians write so many ambiguous laws?

[EdnaBambrick]

Why do Texas politicians write so many ambiguous laws?

After a few minutes of thought I figured out why..... bad laws keep the lawyers and courts profitable and busy.