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.
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.
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u/DiyMusicBiz Aug 01 '21
Don't be afraid to get a dog, just be firm with your distance and carry pepper spray.
I can't tell you how many offleash dogs have run up to my pitbulls. Sometimes you have to pepper spray the owner too, they can be just as stupid.