Vicious Dogs trying to maul me

[PackinPig]

I will reaffirm my bear spray suggestion. You already said that you are weak. Do you believe you will be able to raise up a shot gun and handle the recoil plus make an accurate shot while a dog is charging at you? You may only have seconds depending on the distance the dog is from you. And let's say the dog gets to you before you get a shot or before you know it. Will you be able to grab your shotgun with a dog latched to your arm. Bear spray is more logical, accessible, and keeps you out of uneccessary legal trouble.
You don't need to be walking around your neighborhood blasting dogs lol. Also, if you miss a dog and hit a person your in trouble.
As for the "spray dosen't go far enough" beliefs. I believe 35 feet is pretty far and you will be able to draw a can of bear spray and let it rip before you will be able to unshoulder your shotgun and get a shot off.
Depending on where you live (residential or rural) you will probably be questioned by Police if you are walking around with a shotgun.
Save your time and money and buy a can of bear spray. Check out some youtube videos and you can see the effectiveness. It is made for 500lb+ charging bears I'm sure it will work on a 50-100lb charging feral dog.

[Ryan]

snip... Carrying a stick as mentioned is illegal also as that is considered a club.

If a LEO around here ever issued a citation to an otherwise law abiding citizen for carrying a stick while walking... they would be tied up and tarred. I would gladly do it myself without hesitation. I would also throw said LEO into a pack of wild dogs... without any weapons... or a stick.

I agree with you. The problem is that when you carry a walking stick and use it as a club you are carrying a club-an illegal weapon in Texas. A sjambok is not illegal. I believe much more effective than a stick. I think a baton would be great too but again illegal. I think some of our Texas laws are just ridiculous but I don't write them. Carrying a club I believe is a class A misdemeanor.

Theoretically, you are exempt from 46.02 (Unlawful carrying of a weapon) if you have a LTC and are carrying a handgun, as well as the illegal club. But if you have LTC and carrying the gun, why bother with the club? Until OP gets LTC, I think an inexpensive shotgun is the best compromise...and you could club the feral dogs with it if you didn't want to shoot, although maybe that would turn the shotgun into an illegal club...

ScottDLS, am I reading your post correctly? If I have an LTC, does that mean I can legally carry an ASP?

[RogueUSMC]

I would consider a quick one-time heads up phone call to say "hey I am going to start carrying my gun every day on my walks in this neighborhood" in case a sheep neighbor calls the cops to "Baaa" into the phone about it, but I would not be calling looking for permission.

Agreed

[SHogun62]

snip... Carrying a stick as mentioned is illegal also as that is considered a club.

Carrying a stick around is indeed illegal, however, I'm hard pressed to believe an LEO would arrest someone just because their 40 dollar walking stick from Cabela's just became a defensive instrument.

[Jusme]

OC spray and a good solid walking stick until you get your LTC. OC spray has worked well for me when I run into mean puppies. I have emptied an entire can of spray on one dog before and he still kept coming back.

Also, if you live in the county and there isn't a county animal control then the sherrif office is responsible for all animal calls. A lot of people don't know this.

That's true, but even in Johnson County where I live, they only do a cursory investigation,( meaning they drive by and if they don't see a dog attacking someone right then they drive away) I have a story regarding just such an incident, I'll save for a better time.
I too hate to see dogs put down, but I value human life more. I also agree that dog owners should be held just as accountable for dogs attacking someone that they would if they had shot someone. I own three dogs and they are never out of my fenced in yard, without a leash under our control. Those who allow their dogs to run loose, are, in may opinion, just as irresponsible as those who shoot indiscriminately.

[dlh]

I believe in "greasing the wheels" to avoid friction with peace officers. It is almost guaranteed that if you start shooting dogs while you are walking along a roadway or a country lane that the 911 call will come in, "there is a man shooting from the roadway..."...Then of course the sheriff will send either a deputy or the game warden to investigate and yada yada..If they already know you and what you are about the encounter will go much easier on you. Just my opinion.

[ScottDLS]

snip... Carrying a stick as mentioned is illegal also as that is considered a club.

If a LEO around here ever issued a citation to an otherwise law abiding citizen for carrying a stick while walking... they would be tied up and tarred. I would gladly do it myself without hesitation. I would also throw said LEO into a pack of wild dogs... without any weapons... or a stick.

I agree with you. The problem is that when you carry a walking stick and use it as a club you are carrying a club-an illegal weapon in Texas. A sjambok is not illegal. I believe much more effective than a stick. I think a baton would be great too but again illegal. I think some of our Texas laws are just ridiculous but I don't write them. Carrying a club I believe is a class A misdemeanor.

Theoretically, you are exempt from 46.02 (Unlawful carrying of a weapon) if you have a LTC and are carrying a handgun, as well as the illegal club. But if you have LTC and carrying the gun, why bother with the club? Until OP gets LTC, I think an inexpensive shotgun is the best compromise...and you could club the feral dogs with it if you didn't want to shoot, although maybe that would turn the shotgun into an illegal club...

ScottDLS, am I reading your post correctly? If I have an LTC, does that mean I can legally carry an ASP?

I don't want to recommend that you do, but by the letter of the law you would seem to be OK carrying one IF you were also carrying your handgun and LTC.

PC 46.15...
...
(b) Section 46.02 does not apply to a person who:
...
(6) is carrying a concealed handgun and a valid license issued under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, to carry a concealed handgun;

So the argument would be that the WHOLE of 46.02 doesn't apply if you are carrying a handgun and LTC...and other weapon.

Not a risk I would recommend, but appears technically legal.

[Ryan]

snip... Carrying a stick as mentioned is illegal also as that is considered a club.

If a LEO around here ever issued a citation to an otherwise law abiding citizen for carrying a stick while walking... they would be tied up and tarred. I would gladly do it myself without hesitation. I would also throw said LEO into a pack of wild dogs... without any weapons... or a stick.

I agree with you. The problem is that when you carry a walking stick and use it as a club you are carrying a club-an illegal weapon in Texas. A sjambok is not illegal. I believe much more effective than a stick. I think a baton would be great too but again illegal. I think some of our Texas laws are just ridiculous but I don't write them. Carrying a club I believe is a class A misdemeanor.

Theoretically, you are exempt from 46.02 (Unlawful carrying of a weapon) if you have a LTC and are carrying a handgun, as well as the illegal club. But if you have LTC and carrying the gun, why bother with the club? Until OP gets LTC, I think an inexpensive shotgun is the best compromise...and you could club the feral dogs with it if you didn't want to shoot, although maybe that would turn the shotgun into an illegal club...

ScottDLS, am I reading your post correctly? If I have an LTC, does that mean I can legally carry an ASP?

I don't want to recommend that you do, but by the letter of the law you would seem to be OK carrying one IF you were also carrying your handgun and LTC.

PC 46.15...
...
(b) Section 46.02 does not apply to a person who:
...
(6) is carrying a concealed handgun and a valid license issued under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, to carry a concealed handgun;

So the argument would be that the WHOLE of 46.02 doesn't apply if you are carrying a handgun and LTC...and other weapon.


It's not a chance I'm willing to take, especially if I have my sidearm already. Although I wish we could carry one as a non-lethal option. They do work, and work well, in most instances. And they are small and light. It's just kind of mind boggling... Carry a gun, A-OK. Carry a metal baton that may prevent you from having to taking a life, NO WAY JOSE. Doesn't make much sense to me.

Not a risk I would recommend, but appears technically legal.

[allisji]

snip... Carrying a stick as mentioned is illegal also as that is considered a club.

If a LEO around here ever issued a citation to an otherwise law abiding citizen for carrying a stick while walking... they would be tied up and tarred. I would gladly do it myself without hesitation. I would also throw said LEO into a pack of wild dogs... without any weapons... or a stick.

I agree with you. The problem is that when you carry a walking stick and use it as a club you are carrying a club-an illegal weapon in Texas. A sjambok is not illegal. I believe much more effective than a stick. I think a baton would be great too but again illegal. I think some of our Texas laws are just ridiculous but I don't write them. Carrying a club I believe is a class A misdemeanor.

Theoretically, you are exempt from 46.02 (Unlawful carrying of a weapon) if you have a LTC and are carrying a handgun, as well as the illegal club. But if you have LTC and carrying the gun, why bother with the club? Until OP gets LTC, I think an inexpensive shotgun is the best compromise...and you could club the feral dogs with it if you didn't want to shoot, although maybe that would turn the shotgun into an illegal club...

ScottDLS, am I reading your post correctly? If I have an LTC, does that mean I can legally carry an ASP?

I don't want to recommend that you do, but by the letter of the law you would seem to be OK carrying one IF you were also carrying your handgun and LTC.

PC 46.15...
...
(b) Section 46.02 does not apply to a person who:
...
(6) is carrying a concealed handgun and a valid license issued under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, to carry a concealed handgun;

So the argument would be that the WHOLE of 46.02 doesn't apply if you are carrying a handgun and LTC...and other weapon.

Not a risk I would recommend, but appears technically legal.

I would assume that the opposition would argue that the intent of the law was to exempt only the handgun. Would it then be up to a judge or a jury to decide whether they enforce the law as written? Or whether they enforce they law in the manner that they assume it was intended? It sounds like a potentially long legal battle for a person who was abiding by the letter of the law.

[nightmare69]

Some local feed stores have poison you mix with hamburger meat to kill dogs. We had wild dogs running around when I was a child killing our chickens. The stuff works because we never saw them again. I hate to poison an animal but if they are a danger to you just think what they might do to a child. I would also contact the Sheriff's office and see what they can do.

[allisji]

Some local feed stores have poison you mix with hamburger meat to kill dogs. We had wild dogs running around when I was a child killing our chickens. The stuff works because we never saw them again. I hate to poison an animal but if they are a danger to you just think what they might do to a child. I would also contact the Sheriff's office and see what they can do.

I agree, I would hate to poison/shoot/kill a dog, however in the OP's situation it may be the only way to solve the problem. While carrying bear spray/pepper spray whatever may be a good way to get yourself out of immediate danger, it also only delays the problem until next time.

In his same situation I probably would carry the spray when walking, but at some point the dogs will probably have to be done away with. If there is no authority taking responsibility for the dogs, then he may have to find his own safe/legal measure to control the population. Poisoned meat may have unintended consequences. Could kill the wrong animals and endanger the scavengers who need animal carcasses to survive.

Sounds to me though that the dogs are only part of the problem in this man's area, albeit the more obvious and frequent problem. Sounds to me that the OP needs to pair that .38 special with an LTC and some serious pepper spray. In the meantime, get a shotgun and defend the home turf. And possibly a hunting rifle may be the best choice to control the dog population.

Should contact several DPS certified instructors and see if anyone can make special accommodations. I know that most will willingly separate the classroom training/testing from the range qualification. Perhaps someone would be willing to travel to teach the course...

[anygunanywhere]

I read somewhere Tylenol extra strength cap in stew meat is deadly to dogs.

I know someone that mixes Golden Malrin in canned cat food and raccoons only take about three steps before they drop dead.

So I have been told.

[yerasimos]

I am not a somebody here, but these are my suggestions and takeaways for the original poster's situation:

1. Buy the treadmill.

The way I see it, avoiding the feral dogs is the preferred pathway. I agree with the original poster that ideally, he/she ought to be able to walk around without getting mauled by the feral dogs. However, feral dogs, as wild animals by definition, do not understand a human being's inherent/Creator-endowed rights, the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Texas Penal Code, etc. Furthermore, the treadmill can be used indoors, regardless of weather conditions or how many feral dogs are roaming down the street. A TV set or book stand might help alleviate boredom.

2. Call and register for a LTC class in McAllen/Mission.

My suggestion would be to break up the drive between Roma and McAllen/Mission into manageable segments to accommodate medical condition. Drive 10-15 minutes, rest 10-15 minutes. If possible, travel with a friend/family member, or check in with a friend/family member via phone/text after completing each segment of travel.

I checked the link for the public transit available in Starr County, and what I found did not indicate any point-to-point, intercounty public transportation between Starr and Hidalgo counties. Google Maps did not yield anything either with regard to mass transit for the route between Roma and Mission/McAllen (east-west/north-south along US 83).




I would not choose the chemical sprays, as I perceive them as messy when used, and unreliable as a sole force option.

I am concerned that using a walking stick or cane effectively against multiple vicious/feral dogs may require more athleticism than the original poster can muster at the present.

With regard to the poisoned dog food, in this case I am not willing to accept the risk of collateral illness/death to unintended fauna that might find it (allisji alluded to this). Furthermore, positioning it optimally for only the feral dogs to find may put someone at risk of encountering the same dogs they seek to avoid.

I would not choose to open carry the shotgun for this situation. In normal day-to-day circumstances, I do not believe it is a good idea to openly walk around in one's own neighborhood, with route ending at one's own doorstep, with an item that criminals frequently covet. Also, I do not want my time, nor the time of sheriff deputies/police officers/911 operators, to be wasted with MWAG calls from nosy neighbors and busybodies who may be ignorant of the law or inclined to exaggerate or lie.