07/26/2022
I would like to share questions brought up during CCW training courses. The goal of this and future posts is to understand how to carry a firearm safety, responsibly, and legally. The first topic relates to using a firearm to protect their dog from an unleashed dog or animal attack when being walked on a leash. Can I shoot an aggressive or attacking dog to protect my dog, or what can I do?
There are real threats to your dog (i.e., property in the eyes of the law) from rogue, on the loose, or just aggressive dogs. A strategy I recommend is to also arm oneself with pepper spray (i.e., ideally pepper gel vs. pepper spray). In CA, Pepper Sprays and Gel containers must be no more than 2.5 ounces and have an expiration date to be carried and legally used for self defense. It can be used for your protection against human attackers, most vicious dogs, bears, mountain lions and other wild animals, but it can also be used to protect your dog. Since you CAN NOT use a firearm to protect property in a case like this, I highly encourage dog owners or anyone that walks, jogs, or rides bikes to purchase and carry pepper spray or gel. As an option, SABRE makes specific dog sprays for as low as $10 on Amazon that contain lower active concentrations and are considered to be more humane in deterring aggressive animals. Be safe out there!
