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The neighborhood where I grew up has gone down hill. I can't get my parents (81 and 92) to leave because it's home and our whole family is fiercely independent. I've turned them on to pepper spray. If you use it, you throw it away because the plastic seal leaks after it's used. I bought a box of 'em and Mom has used three in the last two years on strays threatening her and her dogs.

No complaints from her neighbors, in fact they tell her she's smart to defend herself. Of course, the folks with problem dogs don't want official attention. Now, these same folks get huffy if Mom talks to them or tries to reason with them. So.... she doesn't try to influence bad people, and she will spray their dogs or them if they threaten her property.

In short, we choose not to live in fear. And there are lots of options before choosing deadly force.
My two cents,
Nick