Why punish the dog? Pepper spray the owners that let them run around without a leash.

Hmm, having your dogs off leach in an area with leash laws can result in bad thing happening to your dogs.

Smoking can cause cancer.

Driving without a seatbelt can result in you dying in a crash.

Breaking into someones house can result in you being shot.

When my family had our dog he was ALWAYS on a leash when he was off our property. Unless of course he got loose, which happened.

I see these dog owners are crying because they are actually being called out on their lack of courtesy toward everyone else.

Yes the owners should keep their dogs leashed. No that doesn't give this douche the right to spray dogs unless in self defense.

The dog came running at my girlfriend and was within 6 inches of her when I sprayed it

Was it growling? Barking? Did it attempt to snap at her? Or was it just running? Because dogs can be enthusiastic sometimes.

Methinks Bob Berube is the guy who calls *DUI when someone is driving 46 in a 45 MPH zone.

House of Tards: Methinks Bob Berube is the guy who calls *DUI when someone is driving 46 in a 45 MPH zone.

And, you may well be correct, but at the same time, I've been out walking with my daughter and had a huge mastiff come bounding and snarling, scaring both me and my child shiatless. The owner yelled for it to stop four times before the damned thing finally halted, and when I yelled at the lady for not leashing the dog, she shouted a few expetives back, at which point, I pulled out my cell and dialed the cops. I told her she had five seconds to get lost, or she'd spend the rest of the day in a cell awaiting word as to whether I was actually going to file charges.

My kid still doesn't like to walk on that street, and I don't blame her a bit. If I'd had pepper spray, that dog would have been in a world of hurt. The woman too, as I understand the vet bills would have been quite expensive.

I'm giving Bob the benefit of the doubt until I hear more of the story.

House of Tards: Was it growling? Barking? Did it attempt to snap at her? Or was it just running? Because dogs can be enthusiastic sometimes.

Thus the use of mace, takes care of that enthusiasm. BTW, dogs don't have to be growling or barking before they bite someone.

Boritom: And, you may well be correct, but at the same time, I've been out walking with my daughter and had a huge mastiff come bounding and snarling, scaring both me and my child shiatless.

And I completely understand that. A snarling mastiff coming at you is (IMO) dangerous. It's true we need more information here. I think it's the fact that this is a guy with pepper spray that makes me think he smells a lot like Massengill.

House of Tards: Was it growling? Barking? Did it attempt to snap at her? Or was it just running? Because dogs can be enthusiastic sometimes.

If it's a dog you don't know, probably better safe than sorry.

Good for him! I've pepper sprayed loose dogs myself. Loose dogs were a huge problem in the city I used to live in, and I would get chased probably half the time when I rode my mountain bike around town. I even went to a city council meeting to complain about it once; surprise surprise, I wasn't the only person there to discuss that particular issue.


House of Tards: Was it growling? Barking? Did it attempt to snap at her? Or was it just running? Because dogs can be enthusiastic sometimes.

Methinks Bob Berube is the guy who calls *DUI when someone is driving 46 in a 45 MPH zone.

The dog "aggressively approached" her according to TFA, and was within six inches when he sprayed it. What the hell was he supposed to do, wait until it bit her?

Crosshair:
Thus the use of mace, takes care of that enthusiasm.

It was pepper spray. Not mace. For someone who's manhood gets turgid over gun porn, your knowledge of non firearm-based weaponry is severely lacking. Interesting. Also, good to know that your idea of a good thing is to mace people's family pets.


BTW, dogs don't have to be growling or barking before they bite someone.

Really? I was unaware. Thanks for pointing that out! Did you know that most dogs that are not trained as attack or guard dogs also have a certain set of behaviors that usually precede aggression? Did you also know that nowhere in the article was this mentioned?

And since you stated the following:

When my family had our dog he was ALWAYS on a leash when he was off our property. Unless of course he got loose, which happened

How would you have liked your dog being maced/pepper sprayed?

Because clearly all these people are inconsiderate assholes, while in your case it was just an honest mistake.

House of Tards: Did you know that most dogs that are not trained as attack or guard dogs also have a certain set of behaviors that usually precede aggression?

Wow, are you really that stupid? Please note that you used the word "usually". Are you aware of what that word means? And would you be willing to give a dog that is running loose an opportunity to bite one of your children or someone else close to you because they "usually" act a certain way before biting?

House of Tards: Really? I was unaware. Thanks for pointing that out! Did you know that most dogs that are not trained as attack or guard dogs also have a certain set of behaviors that usually precede aggression? Did you also know that nowhere in the article was this mentioned?

Irrelevant. Some dogs bite, some don't. When someone's dog runs at me, I don't know if it is a biter or not, so it is going to get sprayed. My safety is more important than your pooch's.

Also, good to know that your idea of a good thing is to mace people's family pets.

It's good to know that your idea of a good thing is to allow reckless dog owners to endanger people.

AntiNorm: The dog "aggressively approached" her according to TFA, and was within six inches when he sprayed it. What the hell was he supposed to do, wait until it bit her?

"Agressively approached" tells me nothing. Was the dog moving at a brisk trot? A full run? Also, this is in his words, so call me dubious about his objectivity here.

And six inches? ZOMG! Was this a pit bull? A teacup poodle? A wolf hybrid? Maybe it was trying to attack her. Maybe it wanted to be petted. Maybe she had a big ol' stick of beef jerky in her hand and the dog smelled it. These matter.

Mostly this article is sorely lacking in relevant details. My instinct is just to hate the guy because he comes off as a wiener.

AntiNorm:
It's good to know that your idea of a good thing is to allow reckless dog owners to endanger people.

Please point out where I said this.

Considering I just had a lovely dinner with one of my friends who was bit while defending his dog from another dog, I am getting a kick out of some of these replies.

It is totally reasonable to pepper spray a dog that is running straight for you. Be glad the guy wasn't concealed carrying instead, and that your irresponsible ass still has a dog.

/Apparently the dog that bit him was a Katrina rescue dog that just hates white dogs. (Yes, really.)

CravenMorehead: House of Tards: Did you know that most dogs that are not trained as attack or guard dogs also have a certain set of behaviors that usually precede aggression?
http://forums.fark.com/cgi/fark/comments.pl#b
Bold
Wow, are you really that stupid? Please note that you used the word "usually". Are you aware of what that word means? And would you be willing to give a dog that is running loose an opportunity to bite one of your children or someone else close to you because they "usually" act a certain way before biting?

Are you really that stupid? Do you think there is only one possible solution to this problem? Do you not realize that there are multiple ways to solve a problem? Do you not realize that I said usually to give Crosshair a slight benefit of the doubt?

If it's my child, and there's a dog who's intentions are unclear, I'm going to, and this is a wacky farking solution I realize, PICK MY CHILD UP.

I'll trust my older friends and family can take the course of action that they see fit to take, TYVM.

And I have seen off leash dogs where they shouldn't be. And I *don't like it*. However I've also never been bit or snapped at. Maybe I'm just lucky. Maybe I'm not in pants-pissing fear of dogs.

/Off to a BBQ. Let the me-bashing continue until I get back.

House of Tards: "Agressively approached" tells me nothing. Was the dog moving at a brisk trot? A full run? Also, this is in his words, so call me dubious about his objectivity here.


Here's the dictionary definition of "aggressive" (from OSX's dictionary):

aggressive |əˈgresiv|
adjective
ready or likely to attack or confront; characterized by or resulting from aggression : he's very uncooperative and aggressive | aggressive behavior.
• pursuing one's aims and interests forcefully, sometimes unduly so : an aggressive businessman.

"Ready or likely to attack or confront". So, this guy believed that he was in imminent physical danger -- which makes pepper spraying a reasonable response.

Please point out where I said this.

Look back at your 2008-07-26 08:26:33 PM post.

House of Tards: However I've also never been bit or snapped at.

Well, that explains it. You're just talking out of your ass.

House of Tards: Was it growling? Barking? Did it attempt to snap at her? Or was it just running? Because dogs can be enthusiastic sometimes.

If you see a young black gentleman running toward your girlfriend when you're out in the middle of nowhere, and he's within 6 inches of her, are you going to assume that he simply wants to talk?

Or, are you going to assume that he intends on doing her harm and take him out?

I just get the feeling this guy is really a douche more than a protector of himself and friends.

-------------------------

SchlingFo: If you see a young black gentleman running toward your girlfriend when you're out in the middle of nowhere, and he's within 6 inches of her, are you going to assume that he simply wants to talk?
Or, are you going to assume that he intends on doing her harm and take him out?

You don't own a dog do you? Dogs run to people, they are excited to meet new faces. They are pretty social creatures.. your analogy is highly, highly flawed.. or you're trolling.
-------------
how damn ever...
in public places where there are leash laws AND people around..leash your dog.

I've pepper sprayed a rottweiler for charging me at night after repeated requests of his owner to leash him. Not one week later the dog bit a guest of mine.

So someone please explain why (in a place where it is mandated that dogs be leashed) one should refrain from preemptive action within one foot of contact when you have a child with you that could get mauled?

Dogs are DOGS....People are PEOPLE....

I would, without hesitation, eat DOGS.....

I would NOT, at ANY provocation, eat people.

Dogs are FARKIN dogs....People are people....

Please, those who are can confused, learn the difference.....

Dr.Knockboots: You don't own a dog do you? Dogs run to people, they are excited to meet new faces. They are pretty social creatures.. your analogy is highly, highly flawed.. or you're trolling.

The latter :)

Yeah, I know how dogs are. Sometimes, dogs are obviously running toward someone in good spirits. Other times, it may not be so obvious.

If the dog is off the leash and is running toward someone, and the person says they looked aggressive, I'm going to take that person's word 10 times out of 10.

We don't know what the dog looked like, and we know that the dog wasn't injured. No harm done, no foul. The dude didn't kick the shiat out of the dog. He didn't shoot the dog. He just gave the dog a face full of pepper spray to keep the dog away from his girlfriend.

Mailmen carry pepper spray with them as a matter of course. And, the vast majority of them pepper spray any dogs that run at them. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

I wish there was a way to have the owner feel the pepper spray at the same time as the dog, however. It's the owner's fault the dog got the spray. The dog was just being a dog.

Dr.Knockboots: I just get the feeling this guy is really a douche more than a protector of himself and friends.

This guy sounds like a douche. That is all.

lexnaturalis: This guy sounds like a douche. That is all.

Because he's not able to determine whether the dog charging toward him just wants to play or wants to attack?

If you can't tell, you err on the side of caution. Pepper spray is not unreasonable. It does no permanent damage; it just makes the dog uncomfortable enough to stay away.

Dang... somehow, my comment got eated...

Dr.Knockboots: I just get the feeling this guy is really a douche more than a protector of himself and friends.

That's not an assumption I'm willing to make. If anyone has ever lived in one of these semi-upscale neighborhoods with the big, lucious parks for resident use, you have probably seen a few instances of people out walking their dogs leashless. They don't clean up after them, let them go up and sniff strangers because they're "Curious and friendly," and generally disregard the safety and comfort of others. They seem to think that, because the dog didn't eat their rugrat's hamster, it'd never bite anything with a pulse. The problem is, dogs can smell fear, and usually become fearful themselves when they do. They go on the offensive, because that is instinctive for any animal, especially any animal that was evolved from a species of predators. Wolves, coyotes, foxes, all related to the humble schnauser, loyal beagle and unpredictable mastiffs. The leash laws are there for the protection of the dog, as well as the people.

I submit that the real dog haters are the ignorant asstards who let them roam freely. If you really care about your pet as a member of the family, shouldn't you take every appropriate precaution to protect them?

I don't know your dog. For all I know, it's a hungry stray, and I look like a pork chop in their thought bubble. It's sad so many loyal and friendly family pets end up injured or killed every year because their owners can't be bothered to protect them, but at the same time, it's even worse to think how many people each year are mauled or even killed by a family pet of someone else's, for the same reason.

SchlingFo: If you can't tell, you err on the side of caution. Pepper spray is not unreasonable. It does no permanent damage; it just makes the dog uncomfortable enough to stay away.

True, it'll usually make a dog want to stay away, though there are some notable instances otherwise.

I recall a story told by a touring cyclist who talked about three dogs who had decided that he was a great target. He pepper sprayed them; two peeled off, but the third, some kind of bull mix, simply closed its eyes and kept running until it hit a tree.

soze: He pepper sprayed them; two peeled off, but the third, some kind of bull mix, simply closed its eyes and kept running until it hit a tree.

God, that probably left him with an nice pair of brown pants :)

SchlingFo: soze: He pepper sprayed them; two peeled off, but the third, some kind of bull mix, simply closed its eyes and kept running until it hit a tree.

God, that probably left him with an nice pair of brown pants :)

That's why most cyclists carry a melee weapon as a backup.

/tire pumps, silly. ;)

Crosshair: I see these dog owners are crying because they are actually being called out on their lack of courtesy toward everyone else.

Exactly. Problem is, folks dumb enough to let their dogs run around without a leash don't understand the idea of courtesy.

House of Tards: Yes the owners should keep their dogs leashed. No that doesn't give this douche the right to spray dogs unless in self defense.

The dog came running at my girlfriend and was within 6 inches of her when I sprayed it

Was it growling? Barking? Did it attempt to snap at her? Or was it just running? Because dogs can be enthusiastic sometimes.

Methinks Bob Berube is the guy who calls *DUI when someone is driving 46 in a 45 MPH zone.

There's a leash law. The dog invades personal space, the dog gets pepper sprayed. If the owner thinks the dog is under voice command, the dog would never have gotten that close.

I'd pepper spray you too.
I'd also pepper spray anyone that called them self a Parkite. That's just begging for pepper spraying.

/sells pepper spray
//doesn't really sell pepper spray

It's not like the dogs were killed. They endured some temporary pain due to the idiotic nature of their owners. If you don't want your dog hurt, keep him leashed.

It's not my responsibility to act a certain way with your dog.

Keep them the f**k away from me unless I give you permission to do otherwise.

In some cultures, this is known as seasoning the meal before you cook it.

responsibility

I am firmly on the side of the pepper sprayer. I have two dogs, and I am extremely tired of having to fend off unleashed dogs, because their owners are too farking lazy to hold a leash. I especially love it when they say, "Don't worry, he's friendly!" Terrific, but one of mine isn't, and I don't want a freaking dog fight.

If the dog owner is too stupid or lazy to leash their dog, they deserve what they get.

House of Tards: Boritom: And, you may well be correct, but at the same time, I've been out walking with my daughter and had a huge mastiff come bounding and snarling, scaring both me and my child shiatless.

And I completely understand that. A snarling mastiff coming at you is (IMO) dangerous. It's true we need more information here. I think it's the fact that this is a guy with pepper spray that makes me think he smells a lot like Massengill.

You are right. He should have carried a gun & shot the dog instead.

Put a damn leash on your dog. The owners are lucky it was just pepper spray, not a bicycle, car, DA dog, rabid animal, large cat, etc...

/dog owner
//dog lover
///dog doctor

Crosshair: Hmm, having your dogs off leach in an area with leash laws can result in bad thing happening to your dogs.



LOL
Hey dog owners! A lot of bad thigns can happen to your dog when you don't have it leashed! (sprays dog with pepper spray) SEE!! SEE what I mean!!

lantawa: Dogs are DOGS....People are PEOPLE....

I would, without hesitation, eat DOGS.....

I would NOT, at ANY provocation, eat people.

Dogs are FARKIN dogs....People are people....

Please, those who are can confused, learn the difference.....

I know the difference. People suck. Dogs don't.

If I were to run into the pepper-spraying dude from the article, I would happily buy him a drink.

soy_bomb: In some cultures, this is known as seasoning the meal before you cook it.



With fried rice or steamed?

/aisle seat
//I'm sooooo ronery

House of Tards: Yes the owners should keep their dogs leashed. No that doesn't give this douche the right to spray dogs unless in self defense.

The dog came running at my girlfriend and was within 6 inches of her when I sprayed it

Was it growling? Barking? Did it attempt to snap at her? Or was it just running? Because dogs can be enthusiastic sometimes.

Methinks Bob Berube is the guy who calls *DUI when someone is driving 46 in a 45 MPH zone.

just how close would you let the dog get? six inches seems pretty close to unwanted contact.

The owners should be glad the guy was using pepper spray and not a taser

Babbs: lantawa: Dogs are DOGS....People are PEOPLE....

I would, without hesitation, eat DOGS.....

I would NOT, at ANY provocation, eat people.

Dogs are FARKIN dogs....People are people....

Please, those who are can confused, learn the difference.....

I know the difference. People suck. Dogs don't.

Your friendly pooch is three missed feedings away from eating your arm.

Please have your dog sprayed or neutered.

Heffaloo: If I were to run into the pepper-spraying dude from the article, I would happily buy him a drink.

And if I ran into you, I would happily pepper spray your ass.

Heffaloo: Babbs: lantawa: Dogs are DOGS....People are PEOPLE....

I would, without hesitation, eat DOGS.....

I would NOT, at ANY provocation, eat people.

Dogs are FARKIN dogs....People are people....

Please, those who are can confused, learn the difference.....

I know the difference. People suck. Dogs don't.

Your friendly pooch is three missed feedings away from eating your arm.

So? It's called instinct. What's your excuse?

Leash your dog and the posters won't be necessary. It is about being a responsible dog walker. Don't blame the dog.

The dude should have sprayed the dog owners.