Personal safety alarms and sprays

I don’t worry about dog-snatchers but my Yorkie x is so tiny she wouldn’t stand a chance if a big dog grabbed her. She’s very happy around the friendly labradors and retrievers that we see regularly, but a couple of staffies in the village (different owners) are walked off lead, with zero recall, and both have bitten smaller dogs and snapped at the leg of one owner trying to protect her cockerpoo. I don’t know how I’d get my dog away if she was being attacked, and it’s now a constant fear if I see an unfamiliar dog approaching. She’d be dead before I could beat a staffie off with an umbrella.

Re dog snatchers. Vary your walk route and time of day and other patterns, find a walk buddy, be aware that dog snatchers will use knives to cut the lead if they target you (they can sell dogs to buy drugs or use dogs for dogfight bait ….sadly this is real ….don't underestimate the desperation and nastiness of these people) Look out for secret markers having been put on your gate post as a marker as someone with a nice small dog. Get cctv and security motion activated lights on your home and signage. Get a big dog as well or walk with someone (you know and trust) who has one. Stay safe.

Crime rates are higher in cities. I assume people go to cities.

For years , I walked up a lovely quiet, country lane. Absolutely loved it, but now, due to lung and knee problems, I can’t do that walk. Just as well. Last week a woman was knocked down and assaulted by a stranger. Fortunately, another walker heard her screams and the maniac escaped. 😡
So please be careful, all.

I shudder now at what I used to let the kids do when they were younger.
I wanted them to have some freedom. Which they did. But I wouldnt do the same thing nowadays.

I live in a rural place.

Sad I know but I personally would not go anywhere isolated these days
Not worth the risk or stress

Look into strobing torches. But if you get a decent one with strobing function you can have it handy to discombobulate any assailant. Ledlenser is the make I have - never had to use it in defence, but on dark walks it is handy. If attacked the hope is the blasting light in eyes would buy me time to clear off or get help.

There are some police approved[which I assume is correct] personal alarms.

But personally, I would rather not put myself and a dog, deliberately in a probably vulnerable, situation.

It is horrible to feel unsafe. I would think about changing where you walk, or at least vary times etc. keep your house keys and mobile in your pocket. Weapons of any sort can be turned against you and if there is more than one person that wouldn’t really work anyway. I know you love your dog and would be devastated to lose it but if a thief is determined to take it then a safety wrist strap may put you more at risk of harm . How realistic is the risk ? Have dogs ebb snatched around you ? A personal alarm could not be used against you and would certainly kick up enough noise to possibly put off a thief …

Sago

I carry a can of Deep Heat spray, probably illegal but I don’t care, apparently when sprayed in the eyes it’s excruciating but will not cause long term damage.

For context I have had a knife held at my throat.

Good plan sago

Grannylynj if you want to meet up with grans in Perth, go to Forums and Meet Ups. If you start a thread there people will see it and respond.

I carry a can of Deep Heat spray, probably illegal but I don’t care, apparently when sprayed in the eyes it’s excruciating but will not cause long term damage.

For context I have had a knife held at my throat.

A ny meet us perth area?

But I’m a elderly lady☠️

I do like the so g walking the dogs Stones I think

I’m much more careful about where I walk my dogs now. As well as the risk of a small number of people, there are other people who pose a risk with their uncontrolled dogs

It’s not fair on you but I agree about going somewhere you feel safe. I walk a friend’s dog and there is one beautiful walk that I completely avoid now because I don’t feel safe there.

Would it be possible to walk your dog in a place where there are more people? As for alarms and spray if there is no one around to help it’s probably not helpful and coukd be turned back on you.
Chances are you will be fine but your family are probably right to be concerned for you.