Bear Spray vs Pepper Spray

**BDX2** · May 1st, 2022, 01:07 PM

I really hate to beat a dead horse, but I'm very torn here. I've posted just a few months ago concerning the neighbor illegally training and boarding new strange dogs that have been out of his control several times. (Just defending my 17 pound shih-tzu on walks), I have no issue personally with dogs, they are much more likely to be small dog aggressive than human.

Several people here suggested pepper spray, which I'm very grateful for the suggestion, it really eases my mind knowing I wouldn't have to shoot a dog or draw my weapon.

My family has strict orders to keep the spray on hand, and they've been doing it 😆.

For the life of me I cannot get it out of my head, there's a remote chance I'll regret not using bear spray instead. Much more effective in the rare chance it's needed, but there could be legal ramifications if it came to using it.

There seems to be a voice of common sense on this forum and I'm not ashamed to say I'd like to hear your opinion, if it were you.

I'm frequently dealing with large aggressive beasts that go crazy at the sight of mine. I witnessed it again this morning as my son walked our dog up the driveway while a snarling spitting pit bull was held by a leash on my neighbors property. God forbid something like that unfolds. I wouldn't be pondering legalities should any of us need it.

Thanks for Reading,

Joe

**Emptymag** · May 1st, 2022, 01:18 PM

What legal ramifications are you talking about?
Is there some law that says "bear" spray is only to be applied to bears?

**BDX2** · May 1st, 2022, 01:31 PM

Yes, the standard answer is bear spray is to be used on bears, not humans or dogs. How legal, or illegal it is depends on locality.

**Emptymag** · May 1st, 2022, 01:41 PM

That's nuts.
Take a Sharpie and cross off "bear" on the label.

I have the answers to all of life's difficult questions.

**BDX2** · May 1st, 2022, 02:17 PM

Yeah I mean if I'd need pepper spray then bear spray would be the bomb.

**BDX2** · May 1st, 2022, 02:20 PM

I just took a walk over the in laws with the pooch. Started talking to my cousin across the street from them, his golden retriever somehow knocked the pepper spray off by the pocket clip and instantly held it in his mouth.

He's not trained and there's small teeth marks in it....

**jthrelf** · May 1st, 2022, 02:37 PM

I think a good pepper spray will be more convenient than bear spray (in terms of size) and get the job done well. The Foxx Labs 1.5oz stream is a good start. The POM sprays are even smaller and seem to be highly recommended.

A knife would be good to carry as well.

**t1066** · May 1st, 2022, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by BDX2

I just took a walk over the in laws with the pooch. Started talking to my cousin across the street from them, his golden retriever somehow knocked the pepper spray off by the pocket clip and instantly held it in his mouth.

He's not trained and there's small teeth marks in it....

One of the dogs my wife had before I met her used to dig the pepper spray can out of her purse and sneak it away. When she would find it, he had bitten on it hard enough to get it to leak through the can. Apparently he liked it enough he would lick up the seepage. This happened a couple of times before she gave up on carrying it in her purse.

**Bang** · May 1st, 2022, 02:50 PM

How about mixing your own juice that smells like skunk. That way a skunk will get the credit.

**eagleclaw** · May 1st, 2022, 04:20 PM

The last time I did research on bear spray vs pepper spray I found that pepper spray was more stronger. Bear spray has a much lower concentration of oleoresin capsicum, and should only be used as a bear deterrent. The reason is pepper spray shouldn't be used on bears or any animal is may permanently damage the animal sense of smell. Since most animals use their sense of smell for food and enemy detection, pepper spray could handicap the animals in the wild.