How to deal with dogs while walking/running

[Anonymous]

Right now, I unfortunately live in a part of the country where loose dogs are rampant. Some are owned, some not. Lots of pit bulls and the like, and sorry, but I am afraid of them. Some have chased me while driving before, so I am loathe to stray very far from my house. Needless to say, I've been unable to run for two years since we moved here. I have a packed schedule, so my lunch break is basically my only option, and I'd love to be able to work out outside. How do others handle this?

[Anonymous]

I give the owners major RBF. Carry pepper spray and sticks as needed, don't hesitate to use them.

I am appalled how awful many dog owners are in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Right now, I unfortunately live in a part of the country where loose dogs are rampant. Some are owned, some not. Lots of pit bulls and the like, and sorry, but I am afraid of them. Some have chased me while driving before, so I am loathe to stray very far from my house. Needless to say, I've been unable to run for two years since we moved here. I have a packed schedule, so my lunch break is basically my only option, and I'd love to be able to work out outside. How do others handle this?

Curious as to where you live.

I love dogs, but am afraid of pit bulls. They can be very aggressive if running with another dog due to a pack mentality that thrives on attacking prey.

You really need a taser gun, long stick, and/or pepper spray.

Truthfully, I would not run in an area with pit bulls running unrestrained.

Are you willing to share where you live ?

[Anonymous]

Hell no. I love the pepper spray idea. If you can get a stun gun do it.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I'm in the outskirts of Valdosta, Georgia. I've run into this frequenly in the deep south, unfortunately. (Back to DC in two years, thank goodness)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I give the owners major RBF. Carry pepper spray and sticks as needed, don't hesitate to use them.

I am appalled how awful many dog owners are in this area.

No owners around. They literally run loose. DH and I are persona non grata on Nextdoor for even bringing it up.

[Anonymous]

Carry pepper spray or a small bottle of bear spray.

[Anonymous]

Is it legal to spray a dog?

[Anonymous]

Honestly I wouldn't run in an area with loose pit bulls. No way. You'll need to find a trail you can drive to and get out and run/walk or else get a peloton and work out from home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm in the outskirts of Valdosta, Georgia. I've run into this frequenly in the deep south, unfortunately. (Back to DC in two years, thank goodness)

Why not call the local police dept and report that there are various off-leash dogs in XYZ Trail (or wherever youre run is)? It sounds like a small community (and presumably have mothing else to do) so surely they could send a car out to cruise the area, no?

[Anonymous]

Can you drive to a trail or part of the city where there are more businesses and less residential?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it legal to spray a dog?

Is this a serious question??

In case it is, of course it's legal to spray (or shoot) any strange untethered animal approaching you. See the case a few years in Algonkian Regional Park. Be wary of the wind and so you don't accidentally pepper spray yourself, but of course it's legal to do what you need to to protect yourself against approaching strange dogs.

[Anonymous]

Pepper or bear spray.

Years ago I ran a relay race in very rural NC once where it was known there were unleashed and fairly aggressive dogs on the course. Organizers highly recommended pepper/bear spray.

[Anonymous]

My sister lives in an area with wild dogs. She carries a smallish (5'' blade) buck knife with her on her runs.

[Anonymous]

Pocket full of milk bones to toss as a distraction?