 Barked: Tue Jan 17, '12 11:23am PST |
 | |  | | "At fault" isn't really the correct term. I'm not sure if there is one. The situation that can happen if you are walking, someone attacks you, and your dog attacks the attacker, is that the attacker can counter-sue (because they are almost certainly up on criminal charges at this point) to have your dog deemed "dangerous" or "vicious" and euthanized. You end up having to prove that your dog was acting under stress, and is not inherently vicious.
The same thing can happen if someone breaks into your house, which is why "Beware of Dog" signs are a bad idea. If you want to post something to alert tresspassers to a dog on the premisis, cutesy signs or doormats ("My Siberian Husky can make it to the gate in 30 seconds, can you?") are the way to go. Or a simple, neutral "Dog on Premisis."
As to arming myself while walking... Personally, no, I don't. But, the areas I walk in these days are well populated by familar faces. And I almost never walk alone.
I used to, though, when I lived in a different area and it was just me and Vance. Pepper spray, steel-toed, high top boots and a sturdy walking stick. You can blind, hit and kick an opponent with ease. Plus if an animal charges you, you can block or kick them in the face and the boots will take most of the bite. The stick can double as a "break stick" if things really go south. |  |  | |  |
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