Originally Posted by Franceen (Post 3698879)

Thanks so much for all the replies. The umbrella idea sounds the best and, so far, the only one I could try legally. We are not allowed to have mace, pepper or any other sprays. Nor or we allowed a taser. Anything resembling a weapon eg cricket bat, would be deamed illegal. I think I would have a hard time convincing them I was off for a game/from a game in my disability scooter - wickets, balls or not - Ha! Ha! Ha! Worth considering though! It is hard to defend yourself legally over here. Somone suggested a loud horn, which you can buy here (has a pressurised canister to blow the horn), but that would upset my dog terribly as I hear that they are REALLY LOUD. So, that would be a last resort. I am going to google defensive umbrellas now and see if I can get one.

Isn't it awful that we have to resort to this sort of thing because other people are so selfish and inconsiderate. We actually have to consider hitting their animal to protect ours! I LOVE animals and HATE the idea of being forced to do that to save myself and my dog- what is wrong with people that they force us into this situation. They don't seem to even think about their dog getting hurt - how can they love their animals.

Thanks again. Any more suggestions anyone?

Originally Posted by Nancy1999 (Post 3698716)

I was just boiling mad after a walk yesterday. A woman had a large dog running loose and I told her about the leash law, but she ignored me. I didn't want to get too close, so I let it go. It's not too bad if I just have one dog, I pick him up, but with two dogs, it's really difficult. I'm wondering if fines should be bigger, but I'm going to start calling the police every time it happens, we live by a park, but it's not a dog park, and there are plenty of signs that say a dog must be on the leash. Irresponsible people ruin it for everyone; the police shouldn’t have to handle this type of nonsense.

Originally Posted by Franceen (Post 3698696)

In my area several Yoirkies have been attacked by other dogs while out on their walk, some fatally. The owners of these dogs are totally unrepentant and seem to always get away with it. I have spoken to so many Yorkie owners on my walks, whose dogs (and their owner, while trying to protect their Yorkie!) have been bitten by other dogs. I cannot keep Toots inside forever - how can I protect her - I feel so unsafe when I take her out each day. People refuse to keep their dogs on leads and always assure you that their dog would never attack another dog, but it happens all the time. I have had a big dog jump on me to try to get to Toots and the owner yelled and yelled until the dog left us alone, but they shouted that he would not have bitten !!??!! I was so shaken up as it was a pit bull . - a breed that is illegal over here but are owned, anyway. It is very scary for me, as I am disabled with arthritis and use a disability scooter. I wish I could take a cricket bat with me or something similiar to hit the attacking dog with, but this is illegal here. I feel so vulnerable. The council seem to be powerless to help, as they do not have the manpower to patrol these areas and enforce the law. There are signs up saying keep your dog on a lead, but people ignore it. We do not have 'dog parks' as such here, so we walk our dogs in local parks, beach, cliff tops etc. I try to chose times when the least amount of people will be walking their dogs which is usually a very inconvenient time! I grab Toots as soon as I see another dog, so she is up and down all the time. This alone won't save her from attack as the dog could easily jump on me to get to her, which has already happened. It is nerve racking. Anyone got any legal ideas which may be useful to prevent an attack?

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly (Post 3699119)

My current umbrella came from an "antique" store, is very old and heavy but when it is done, I will purchase one of the umbreakable ones from the web.

Originally Posted by KazzyK810 (Post 3699165)

A brolly can be a useful weapon. My Nan (a few years back when she was in her late 70's) was attacked while she was walking with her yorkie down to the shops, not by a dog, but by a mugger, and she fought him off with her brolly!