Carry at the beach

Lohman;

In respect to how you handled the situation, you seemed to do just fine.

As for carrying because of dogs, well, I just don't think that's necessary.

Many eons ago I worked for a marketing firm, and my job was to go out 'in the field,' ask people a few questions to collect data and give away promotional merchandise. 'In the field,' for the most part meant going door-to-door. I was required to keep a log, in case someone else needed to go through the territory again in the future. I tracked a lot of data points, including whether those people had a dog, large or small, and friendly or not. In the time I had that job, I spoke to over 100,000 people, and almost 50,000 had dogs. Only once did a dog try to bite me, and that was due to the owner giving the dog an attack command.

During that time, I developed a simple mantra: head up, tail up=thumb's up. Head down, tail down/tucked=thumb's down. Many dogs will rush up to 'meet' you, but if their heads and tails are up/wagging, they're just curious or want to make a new friend, regardless if they're barking. If their heads are lowered and their tails are either lowered or tucked under, that dog probably is going to defend his space or otherwise be physically aggressive.

Of course, dog body language is more complicated than just that, but "head up, tail up" is so universal among dogs that it can probably be considered almost a scientific fact.

Anyway, I think a gun, and probably even pepper spray is overkill for dogs. A loud shout and/or a big clap or stomp of the foot is probably all you need for 99% the dogs you run into. For the 1% or so that require more persuasion, maybe pepper gel spray? At least it wouldn't fly with the wind as much. Probably.
 
Lohman;

Also, if you're looking for a hiking stick, you might look into a trekking pole, which is essentially a collapsible snow ski pole/hiking staff. Usually they collapse down to under 18". Pretty sure you can get a cheap one for under $15.
 
If I have a aggressive dog that goes after my dog I will reach down and grab him by the neck. if he opens his mouth to bit I will put my open hand all the way to the back and start choking the dog. Now will I get bit probably but I am in control of the situation not the dog. I don't want to hurt him but I will escalate it depending of how long it takes the owner to get off their butt and come get their dog. I could kill a dog with my hands, the dog senses it but I would never push it that hard anymore.
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Why does this remind me of the character Drax from the Guardians of the Galaxy movies?

"Nothing goes over my head. My reflexes are too fast. I would catch it."
 
Hiking stick is probably the best idea.

But if you wanted to carry, the NAA mini revolvers work well even after getting soaked, but choose one in .22 Mag since the ammo is much better than .22lr and will not fail after getting wet. There are even reports of a loaded mini going through the wash and the ammo was still good.

I like the Pug or Black Widow better than the standard Mini.
 
Seeing how I did post a legitimate answer previously (advising against going to a place where its close to impossible to be armed), and comparing it to your answer of "i'd kill the dog with my bare hands by putting my hand down its throat and choking it", I'd say that a little levity has been earned here.

Cmon, if you've seen the movie, you'd get the joke. Aint gotta take ourselves so seriously do we?
 
Are you saying if you had a firearm you would have shot a 40lb dog on a public beach in front of your and in the middle of other families? :eek:
 
Are you saying if you had a firearm you would have shot a 40lb dog on a public beach in front of your and in the middle of other families?
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In this particular case, because I did not doubt my ability to physically control the dog, I doubt it would have ever been an issue. The aggressiveness of the owners (one of them) afterwards made me a bit more concerned that I was not carrying. I don't think, given the size of the dog, that drawing the gun would have been needed because I had no question on my ability to deal with it directly.
 
Sorry I meant to add that I would second the concept of a walking stick or such. It will deal with a dog, while at the same time not opening you up to felony charges and potentially being shot for being a terrorist (not being snarky, they had a beach shooting in Texas a few years ago that started a major panic and that was before 9/11).
 
Its not snarky and I get the point.

A bit off point but something that has always stuck with me: Several years ago I got a call from my house that one of the neighbors dogs (from a 1/4 mile away) was standing and growling on my front porch. Now there was a general suspicion that said neighbor fought dogs (not just my suspicion but enough that the township was actually changing zoning rules because of this particular issue). I was not home so I called animal control. Animal control's first question: "You own a gun right?" and that was their proposed solution. I was told by several people with reasonable level of authorities that in the case of those dogs my property line was the point I should start shooting because at that point one of those dogs did present a direct threat to my well being. So it has always kind of colored my view on the general consensus in the area.

The dog on the beach was not of a size that shooting it would have been a reasonable solution.
 
As a CHler the only time I have drawn has been due to dogs (multiple pit bulls at once, and put off a threat by a rottweiler from an owner who thought it was funny to tease his Rott would get off and attack my daughter's wiener dog), just noting for full disclosure (well and that time someone said TexMex wasn't any good-clearly a Nazi spy!). Note because of the above I now carry serious stream mace for doggies when walking ours.

Three concerns which are helped by the stick:
1. Leaving a firearm unattended in an area with both children and thieves-think what could happen there. A stick, well thats just a stick.

2. Shooting a small dog in a public space that wasn't attacking. Thats going to have repercussions. A big threat dog, well less so but its not going to be good. As they say in real estate-location, location, location. A stick will be effective without the repurcussions.

3. Opening up on a public beach, absent being actively attacked that feels like all kinds of bad. Again a stick serves the purpose, and avoids the fight with the owner.

I'd think stick over pepper spray - in addition to shifting winds on a beach- to the same issue as leaving a firearm. Too easy for a kid to get a hold of and spray themselves or another child. Stick less likely.

I'll quit ranting now. Again none of this is meant as an attack or criticism-I have been in your shoes.
 
I think the stick idea is grand considering I have some staff training (though wow that's been awhile, might have to go back and consider a refresher) and more than one good hiking stick.

For the record though many of you have a different view of the amount of people on a public beach than what happens around here on a public night. Your point still stands just not to the degree you may think it does.
 
I agree that a stick might be a better choice. I probably would carry my LCP in a pocket and stay out of water high enough to get it wet unless absolutely necessary. I can live from now on without swimming at the beach.

I would not be reluctant to shoot a dog coming after a child either. I understand that it could be a legal nightmare and would make every effort to physically stop the animal, but if a child is in imminent danger I will use whatever force necessary to stop the threat. I doubt anyone here would question the use of deadly force to stop a life-threatening attack by a two legged preditor on the beach or anywhere else. While I am a dog owner and care more for mine than I do most people, an unrestrained, undisciplined dog in public is a menace and should be dealt with accordingly.

And for the record, how dangerous a dog is is not entirely related to its size. A 40 pound dog can be a serious threat to a child or most anyone else... internet ninjas notwithstanding.
 
but if a child is in imminent danger I will use whatever force necessary to stop the threat. I doubt anyone here would question the use of deadly force to stop a life-threatening attack by a two legged preditor on the beach or anywhere else. While I am a dog owner and care more for mine than I do most people, an unrestrained, undisciplined dog in public is a menace and should be dealt with accordingly.
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If you can make a determination about a dog that might just want to play and be absolutely sure it is a public menace and needs to be shot to death in public in that time frame of a second or three, good for you.......I don't know too many who could do that, myself included, even if I'm walking alone on a street, let alone on a beach where dogs seem to play around.
 
If you can make a determination about a dog that might just want to play and be absolutely sure it is a public menace and needs to be shot to death in public in that time frame of a second or three, good for you.......I don't know too many who could do that, myself included, even if I'm walking alone on a street, let alone on a beach where dogs seem to play around.
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While my threat assessment super powers are limited, anyone who has spent over about 10 minutes around dogs can tell the difference in one that wants to play, and one that is serious about a fight. If I step between a dog and a child to fend off an attack, and the dog continues its aggression it gets what it gets. If deadly force is required so be it, whether at the beach or the mall.

The odds are good that if any one of us ever has to use a firearm for self-defense it will be in public. I clearly understand my responsibility and liability in any such situation. Yes, using a firearm is using deadly force and so is using a walking stick. Using the force necessary to stop the attack is what we are trained to do.

I don't understand why there is a distinction being drawn between two and four legged attackers. A knife wielding thug or an attacking dog represent much the same threat of serious injury or death. I carry a gun to protect myself and those in my charge. I really don't care if that threat is from someone's puppy or a terrorist, my response is to stop the attack.
 
Maybe you can carry a canny pack or insist that your wife carry a beach bag, and maintain control over that storage space at every second.

Beach concealed carry is an oxymoron. Either go to the beach equipped for the beach or go there equipped to fight. Wearing a nice Speedo, as I used to, doesn't even allow a tactical knife.

Possibly the knife is your best and only sensible option.
 
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