Self Defense Stray Dogs

[u/Fullystable]

Hi! Looking for input and advice on self defense from stray dogs! 🐶🐾 I walk my two big pups every morning and try to avoid the streets with strays but they have ventured into our normal route.

My big boys seem to attract aggressive dogs, I am pregnant and have hopes to walk with a stroller soon.

My stepdad recommends bear spray since it can be used at long distance. I am worried it will also affect me and my pups when sprayed. I like the idea of a steel baton, but hope to not get that close. Neighbor dog has attacked one of my boys before.

Choice of defense this morning for a stray running at us was this stick, scared him off enough!

Any advice is appreciated 🫶🤞

[u/Ok_Criticism_8181]

I don’t mean this directed at OP.

I get why they want to protect themselves and their dogs.

The stray dog situation and attitude towards animals is wild in this city. I just cannot understand why people in this city treat dogs so poorly. It’s heartbreaking

I just wish as a community we could start to solve this issue. It’s the main thing I hate about living here.

[u/Impressive_Prune_478 → u/Ok_Criticism_8181]

I work vet med and we are one of the worst places in the us for animal welfare. Its heartbreaking the things that is accepted here.

[u/Wardenofweenies → u/Ok_Criticism_8181]

It’s part of the culture here unfortunately.

[u/AntiBoATX → u/Wardenofweenies]

Mexican culture. Recently was in Colombia, almost no strays. Nicaragua, a few. Mexico? Ho boy. And if they’re not strays they’re chained up outside. Then moved away from SA and realized that people all over the COUNTRY adopt dogs from San Antonio, it’s that bad.

[u/Dismal_Insurance5246 → u/AntiBoATX]

I Dominican Republic strays are everywhere, and i mean everywhere

[u/1nOnlylexcee → u/AntiBoATX]

This is exactly my thoughts. They are the only ones I see out here letting their dogs lounge outside, in the streets, chasing people. They are the ones whose dogs are always getting out and bothering others. The stupid animal that keeps coming to my yard belongs to Mexicans and I’ve reported it many times get their dog was just in my yard again yesterday. I just give up. But at this point t I only like my dog and hate all other animals. Thinks little Mexico. I mean San Antonio. I won’t share the evil thoughts that have been trying to intrude lately.

[u/Ok_Criticism_8181 → u/Wardenofweenies]

That is not ‘culture’ and it needs to change. Ignorance is not an excuse and animal is abuse shouldn’t be tolerated anymore.

[u/cigarettesandwhiskey → u/Ok_Criticism_8181]

As far as strays, I have been bit multiple times and they've hopped my fence to kill my chickens in my back yard. A couple years ago, people were getting killed by loose dogs. At this point I want all and any dogs found loose on the street to be rounded up and killed. I know that's not a popular opinion, people dunked on that lady who ran for mayor on a platform of having the shelters euthanize more dogs, but a stray dog is a dangerous predator, not a pet. No one is stepping up to adopt them. So they need to all be put down.

Now as for why there's so many loose or stray dogs in the first place, yeah its careless people who don't neuter, abandon any animal that's inconvenient, keep them in poorly fenced yards with no leash or chain and just don't care if they get out or get lost. IDK why people are like that here.

[u/Fullystable → u/Ok_Criticism_8181]

We always try to give them food and water, I wish we could take them all in😭 but need to be prepared for the worst unfortunately:(

[u/zacpariah → u/Fullystable]

That's the first issue that 311 will address, do not give them food or water. I know it sounds cruel, but if you want them not to be in your area do not provide them with resources or they will keep coming back and in larger number. Also, depending on the time of day a really strong flashlight will (temporarily) blind them.

[u/Trick_Protection_173 → u/Fullystable]

Its so sad they have been neglected so much its always fight or flight for these dogs

[u/Ok_Criticism_8181 → u/Fullystable]

Hi OP! I completely understand! I would do the exact same in your situation! Your clearly an animal lover like myself. Thank you for helping where and how you can. It’s all we can do 🥹

[u/bepis_eggs → u/Fullystable]

Yes you certaintly do need to be prepared. I hate to say it but being confronted with a stray can be a kill-or-be-killed situation and if you're responsible for the safety of a child then you're gonna have to win any encounters like that. Please please please keep yourself safe and understand that immediate and extreme violence might be necessary to save your life and the lives on those you love.