Weapon For Dogs

[rodogg]

So firstly I should point out that I LOVE dogs, I really do. Anyway, I went for a walk yesterday and came across around a dozen dogs (not all at the same time), some of which were absolute monsters and not one was on a leash. It's kind of getting a bit out of hand in my area. I can't legally carry a knife as I live in Ireland, so I was wondering what could I do to prevent a possible attack and to make myself feel safer and more comfortable. Should I just report what's happening to someone, like a dog warden? Chances are, as it's a small town, that putting dogs on leashes might not be enforced.

Thanks!

[Judge Luco]

If a knife is out of the question I would suggest a sturdy walking stick,and reporting it.

[Whitedog]

A good hardwood walking stick and pepper spray for less than lethal. Probably not the best solution but it is a starting point. The pepper spray has limitations, you have to keep wind direction in mind so you don't spray yourself.

[Sig_Op]

larger dogs are much less likely to attack then smaller dogs. Don't shot signs of fear and you will be okay. If you show signs of fear they know it.

[opgenorf]

Sharp pointy object meets dog::: Dog usually loses. I too am a dog lover, "Not Literally"-for all you sickos out there, but it tends to be nerve racking when you have a ton of dogs, sometimes in packs of 3-4 at a time. Having been raised around German Shepherds, I would suggest you stay away from any dogs that are silent, that look like they want to bite--All the obvious of course.

Other than that--Carry a pointy strong pen if you can't carry a knife or really anything big and heavy to nail the sucker in the head with. Eyes, Noise, Head in general is what you should go for.

EDIT: I am not suggesting hurting a creature unless you are being ATTACKED-- as in it has its teeth in your leg. Having had my butt chewed on, I can say it is not fun.

[banana-clip]

Mailman have been using this for years. Get this and the handle from a shovel and you should be fine.

[rodogg]

Thanks for the responses guys! I definitely have no intentions of hitting a dog unless I feel its going to attack, but I was wondering if I DID hit a dog that was attacking me, with a stick, would it deter it much?? I cant carry pepper spray in Ireland either. I was looking at a few of cold steels items like their walking sticks and the "Sjambok", does anyone know are they any good?

[Haze]

One would clearly be better with a gun, but a stick and a good set of boots will work as long as you have the "natural attributes" to use them. Trying to jab at a dog with knife that's swinging its face at you is non starter. Unless you can actually subdue the dog and get a good stab in your probably better trying to choke it out or break it with your hands.

I live in Taiwan and there is a big problem with ferral dogs here, I have been charged many times but only actually properly attacked twice. On both of those occasions a pocket knife would have felt about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike. As mentioned just having the balls to stand up to a dog is usually enough to have them back down. If it does want to taste you will quickly realise that anything you have in hand will feel rather inadequate. Given you live on the Emerald Isle a big stick and a quick foot will be your best ticket to not getting mauled.

[RubiconSS]

Yeah, not sure a knife is all that effective anyway. An attacking dog needs to be kept at a distance, too fast and fluid a situation. A plain old "squirt bottle" with a water/ammonia mixture make sure the bottle has the ability to shoot a stream vs spray.
That's all you need.

[Ryanol]

Loud noises, standing tall - never underestimate the dominant factor walking on two legs as opposed to four has.

But yeah most important thing I'd say is keep your hands and face away from the business end if the animal.

[kalis]

Being as you're in Ireland, try & find someone who knows how to use a Shillelagh, and have them give you a few pointers. Otherwise, a few practice sessions on a car tire (The impact is similar to flesh) will give you some feedback as to the effectiveness of your swings. Good luck to you.

[djjonny]

was also thinking shillelagh but are those legal in Ireland?
(sorry have no idea about Ireland weapon laws)

[arty]

My wife was attacked an bitten by a large dog. The owner couldn't control it. He was a retired judge, so we had no legal recourse.
Medical bills were paid for, but the pain lingered.
I recommend a long walking stick. I wound up carrying pepper spray and a garrotte that I carved myself. I wanted a stick that is at least 36" to a meter long, and the available ones were too short.
See
http://kriscutlery.com/documents/philippine.html
Any long walking stick will do, and it might be good to have a brass knob at the end - or something similar. You don't want to be close enough to use a sharp object like a knife.
Just make sure that the stick is strong and won't break. A short one won't do it. Animal control in the area where I live recommended a walking stick and pepper spray.

[jackknife]

You're in Ireland, get one of your best native defense tools; a blackthorn stick. I've carried one for over 30 years now, and it's been very effective on two occasions to get an attacking pit bull off of our Welsh Corgi. I'd think a good blackthorn over there would be a lot easier to get than over here. :thumb up:

Even in the U.K. I doubt they have outlawed walking sticks.

Carl.

[rodogg]

was also thinking shillelagh but are those legal in Ireland?
(sorry have no idea about Ireland weapon laws)

Yes well the walking stick version is certainly legal I saw someone carrying one but a few days ago! Im not too sure about the other types of shillelagh which are basically clubs though...

[Reasoned1]

Difficult to carry, but maybe they'd like a bowl of radiator fluid...

[mossyhorn]

I like to walk an area that is also used by others to walk their dogs. It's private property that was once a golf course. There are signs all over stating dogs must be on a leash. It's amazing how many neglect that requirement. I usually take along a stout walking stick when I walk that area. I've owned dogs most of my life and I find folks that can't control their animals extremely annoying.

[Bai Lang]

I don't love dog but it I am offered it by friends overseas I don't turn it down, that would be rude- "Kagogi its whats for dinner"

Dogs cause a lot of problems attack and put alot of people in the hospital in the states every year and even kill- about 20 annually mostly children. I should say- its not dogs causing the problem its not their fault they are dogs after all- its the dogs owners who will not or cannot control them that cause the problems. Also their are few laws that hold dog owners accountable for the damage that their dogs do.

A gun or a bow would work best but if you live in a unfree area where you can't own or carry firearms-


http://www.swordsfactory.com/index.p..._image&pID=334

This may work--

[killgar]

Yeah, not sure a knife is all that effective anyway. An attacking dog needs to be kept at a distance, too fast and fluid a situation. A plain old "squirt bottle" with a water/ammonia mixture make sure the bottle has the ability to shoot a stream vs spray.
That's all you need.

This is exactly what I was thinking. Except I'd say skip the water and just fill the bottle with pure amonia. Be sure to "prime the pump" of the bottle before heading out by pulling the trigger a few times and make sure the bottle is working properly. It often takes a few pulls of the trigger to get the contents of the bottle up through the tube and ready to fire. If any cop types ask why you are carrying a bottle of amonia, well, just say you were bringing it over to lend to a friend or family member who wanted to do some house cleaning. I don't imagine it's illegal to carry a bottle of cleaning fluid, even in Ireland.

And as others have already suggested, I'd suggest carrying a heavy blunt object.

I would also strongly suggest that you prepare yourself for the worst case scenario- winding up on the ground while being attacked by a dog or dogs. Anything can happen in a fight, you could trip, stumble, fall, be knocked down, etc. I would suggest carrying a good screwdriver in a makeshift sheath so that if all else fails and the dogs are upon you, you will have something to use as a last ditch stabbing weapon. If you are ever attacked by a dog or dogs, you will agree that there is no such thing as being "over armed".

As far as general mindset when it comes to dogs, I say never trust a dog you don't know. And though it's important not to show fear in the presence of a dog, some dogs will attack you no matter how much of a fearless bad-ass you are. Dogs are extremely territorial and may attack anything they perceive as an intruder in their territory. And then of course there is rabies and other ailments that can affect a dogs mental state and make them both violent and fearless.

When I go out for a neighborhood walk I assume that every loose dog I see plans to attack me. And even though I'm armed, I always turn right around and walk the other way. Never give a dog the benefit of the doubt.

[otis66]

How about a Shillelagh.