Saltpork545 t1_jb445bv wrote on March 6, 2023 at 7:40 AM

Reply to comment by the_honeyman in Leash your dogs if you take them somewhere public. Just because your dog is friendly does not mean my dog is friendly. by snorlaxatives_69

Nope, this is actually a valid answer. The moment he picks up a blunt object and starts running at you purposefully threatening you, you are completely clear to bust out the pepper spray. That is not an assault charge and pepper spray done correctly typically doesn't actually harm dogs.

It can make them go more fight-or-flight, so once you spray them, get out of the situation and call the police. Some dogs will whine and cry, some run away, some get more aggressive.

LeeOblivious t1_jb5oo9g wrote on March 6, 2023 at 5:00 PM

While they probably might win in court, the question is will it be worth the time and expense. Because the probability of them being cited and having to go to court is better than 50%. It would be a he said they said type conflict and most police I've delt with tend to refer that to the prosecutor to deal with. So then you need to get a lawyer and spend time going to court.

I'd still call animal control and submit a report, so they have a record in case this has occurred before and they have a nuisance dog file open.

the_honeyman t1_jb448ff wrote on March 6, 2023 at 7:41 AM

And then I have a pissed off neighbor looking for revenge.

Saltpork545 t1_jb44lh0 wrote on March 6, 2023 at 7:46 AM

Yep, because of his temper and lack of responsibility.

It doesn't change the facts of the situation as you have laid them out. Letting dogs out without a leash and you getting between your dog and their dogs could have ended really badly for you. You just became the barrier that gets bit.

Him grabbing a blunt object and threatening you with it is grounds for self defense, particularly the closer he gets. If he was hurling insults from the porch and being an asshole but not being threatening, you can't walk up and pepper spray him. That's not the situation you laid out above.

So you can choose to not go that option, but understand what you did is not recommended. If your neighbor is a shitbird and it sounds like he is, treat him like one. If he did something that was a genuine threat against you, make him not do it again.

the_honeyman t1_jb44zci wrote on March 6, 2023 at 7:51 AM

Doesn't change the situation that escalating the problem does nothing but cause more problems. Wasn't asking anybody for advice on how to handle asshats, thanks tho.