What is Reddit's opinion of SABRE RED SABRE Protector Dog Spray with Key Ring, 14 Bursts, 12-Foot (4-Meter) Range, Humane Dog Attack Deterrent, Maximum Strength Allowed By EPA?

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Alternatively, you could get pepper spray. My brother in law was a dog runner for a while and always carried spray in case something like this happened. Not an endorsement, just a starting point to check out something like this. Especially since if you don't shoot frequently, hitting a running dog in a high adrenaline situation is unlikely so better to spray it.

Here's another dog pepper spray: https://www.amazon.com/Spray-Maximum-Strength-Protector-Deterrent-All-Natural-Effective/dp/B07RRYG769

Iirc it might be more effective than the Halt! spray.

>and I'm sure it'll be effective enough on a human if I have no other options

It will. Dog/Bear sprays are regulated as pesticides, but they're the same thing as "people" pepper spray. There's just an upper limit to how strong they can be, unlike with "people" spray. With "people" spray you can get something with more pepper, and you can also get them mixed with tear gas, like Freeze +P.

I'm so, so close to picking some up. Just need to figure out how to attach it in a way that's easy to access and easy to carry with me so it doesn't get stolen. I'm so, so very fucking sick of getting chased by unleashed dogs.

I haven't bought it yet because I don't know if it can be fired upside down, which I imagine is the most common angle to fire pepper spray at dogs behind you. Some brands advertise they can be fired at any angle.

OP, depending on where you live (it sounds like in a house), you may have recourse through your city or HOA (if applicable). I’m fairly certain most HOAs do not allow walking of off leash dogs. And many cities have ordinances that specify dogs must be leashed in public.

It might be a pain in the ass to eventually get someone to come out or to file a report, but if there are rules against off leash dogs where you are, you should put in some time to get a report filed with the local police/animal control/etc., and make sure people walking their dogs off leash know that a report has been made.

As far as protection goes, they have dog specific pepper spray: https://www.amazon.com/Spray-Maximum-Strength-Protector-Deterrent-All-Natural-Effective/dp/B07RRYG769#aw-udpv3-customer-reviews_feature_div

My advice would be to get and carry the spray, and if an off leash dog approaches you or an aggressive dog is pulling toward you, you say “If your dog comes any closer I WILL spray it immediately.” You may be called a Karen and you may get yelled at or threatened, but walking unleashed and aggressive dogs is unacceptable.

Do not get bear spray. Bear spray usually comes in a gel form with a longer spray range. If a dog is close enough that it’s a threat to you, you want an actual pepper spray, not a long range gel. Also be aware as the other commenter stated, you will likely spray both the attacking dog and your own. But if a truly aggressive and large breed dog is approaching/threatening/attacking, it’s better to have your own dog sprayed and alive than your dog injured or worse.

Also, I would recommend carrying a small sharp blade: https://www.outdoorlife.com/gear/best-self-defense-knives/?amp

If a pitbull latches on, it is very likely you will be able to get it to unlatch unless you physically injure it or choke it to sleep. There are many videos online of pitbulls being hit with wood posts, bats, and bricks and still not unlatching. Use a small sharp self defense blade to the attacking dog’s underside and belly.

There are far too many instances and news stories recently of aggressive dogs attacking others in public, and the owners immediately taking the dog and retreating. No. Those people do not get off that east. If a dog attacks your dog in public, you should be prepared to end the attack in any way necessary, including physical violence.

This subject holds a place very close to my heart. My brother in law lives in South Florida, and has an amazing yellow lab. He has however been attacked twice in the last two years on walks by off leash pit bulls. The last one, the pit bull latched on to his lab’s leg, and my BIL had to choke the pit bull out to get it to release, all while the owner (a small, young tattooed woman) just yelled at the top of her lungs. My BIL is a large man (6-4, 240), and he said he still struggled to choke out and subdue the pitbull.

Fortunately his lab didn’t suffer any major permanent injuries. There’s superficial damage still and scarring, but the vet said it was a miracle there was no tendon/ligament/bone damage.

Anyway, to come full circle…under no circumstance though can you afford to be timid with an attacking dog. Be quick and decisive with your actions. Run and get knot shelter first and foremost if you can. If that is not an option, then pepper spray, and final resort - a sharp self defense blade to the vital areas to incapacitate the attacking dog.

I wish we didn’t live in a world where people are stupid enough to walk large, aggressive breeds off leash…but we do.