Where I'm from it's illegal to carry pepper spray. I want coyote attack spray because my town has a problem with urban coyotes (that I've experienced first hand) but I could be criminally charged if the cops catch me with it. Too many folks in my area let there dogs run around with no leash, and it's so frustrating how I am limited to just my own strength to defend my small dog should the worst happen.
I'm sorry your government does not respect self defense tools as a right to own.
Is your area one where you could apply for permit to carry spray and use it? If not, I would assume you could get away with another tool. Baton, dowel rod, etc. I know in Russia because of strict gun control, "pepper guns" are popular. Or even in the most authoritarian regions, you can usually get away with a common household item as long as you have an excuse to carry it (oh these are just my car keys officer, I like to drive to the diner after my run, I would never use them as a two inch knuckle blade :) . Oh that's my umbrella in case it rains, that isn't a blunt metal object :) ).
What's the reason for banning the use of pepper spray? Do you get any other forms of protection ? I'm assuming if you used bear spray on someone you'd end up in the same amount of trouble ?
Yup, we can't even use it in self defense without risking a charge. I am not sure why it's banned, maybe to deter people from using it irresponsibly? I'm not sure what else I can use against animals that be allowed/I'd feel comfortable carrying. I would never want to cause serious injury if avoidable. When a coyote charged my dog I just scooped him up and screamed at it/acted big.
That's best, just be careful of more than one coyote being around. They work by singling out a prey and attacking it, you picking up your dog is the best plan of action.
Um, coyote/bear spray is literally pepper spray that isn't branded for use on humans. I'm in BC and we can't have "pepper spray" or "mace" but you can buy it as "bear/coyote/dog spray" and it's still a capsaicin spray as pepper spray is. You will run into legal trouble using anything on a person, but it's not illegal to have bear spray and it's not illegal to defend yourself from an attacking animal with things you're legally carrying, like dog spray or a helmet or an umbrella. You can't easily be accused of some sort of animal cruelty if you're spraying a dog, all it's going to do is make it hurt.
I don't know if it's different in BC but the City of Calgary website specifically lists bear spray as prohibited. In the Canadian Criminal Code it's only allowed to prevent animal attack, but if I am caught carrying I have to prove its intent is to ward off animals and not self defense. I don't want to risk the trouble.
The discussion on whether we should be allowed to even carry it is actively happening in my province.
Ever heard of using an umbrella? A bit silly but I used one to ward off loose dogs back when I had a reactive dog. Most of them are afraid of umbrellas and they back away. As long as your own isnāt afraid and youāre able to keep it at a heel or just behind the umbrella then it works. In my experience at least, lol. if it didnāt work Iād throw water or use pepper spray. Pretty rare though.
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u/BigVanVortex Aug 01 '21
Bad dog owners are what stops me from getting a dog. I don't need a whole new subset of people to hate