There seems to be spray to repel just about anything: mosquitos, bees, wasps, even bears! But what about dogs? Our Pittsburgh dog bite lawyers are always looking for ways to help our clients — especially a child or children — avoid being bitten.
Does “Dog Repellent” Spray Actually Work?
Most of the information on the web about canine repellents comes from the companies that sell such repellents. For example, a copy called SABRE that makes dog repellant spray writes this about its product:
Pepper spray is one of the best ways to stop an aggressive dog or pack of dogs from biting you, and SABRE Protector® Dog Spray is specifically formulated for use on aggressive dogs. . . . Spraying an aggressive dog will irritate the nose, eyes and skin, temporarily incapacitating it, without causing long-term damage if used correctly. It is compact and [can] easily carried on your belt, in a pocket or purse when you are walking, jogging, or riding a bike. . .
Because these pepper spray canisters fire multiple bursts, you can spray more than one animal if necessary. You can also deliver repeated bursts if one dog keeps on attacking.
Moreover, a company called “Postal Products Unlimited, Inc.” writes this:
When an aggressive dog attacks, stop them with this Back Off Dog Repellent and Holster. The durable holster ensures safety by keeping the repellant at Letter Carrier’s fingertips. The dog repellant helps prevent dog attacks and is accurate up to 10′. The can contains approximately 10 bursts.
For more, click here.
However, our review of the information offered by SABRE and “Postal Products Unlimited, Inc.” failed to uncover any objective proof — such as the results of an independent study — to establish that dog repellents actually work!
Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Who Carries Spray?
As the say goes, action speaks louder than words. The United States Post Service (“USPS”), for example, provides — at its expense — dog repellent to its employees carrying mail. The USPS knows about dog bites. For example, the USPS tracks the number of animal attacks on postal workers in each state. The USPS has this to say:
Q. Why is a repellent necessary?
A. Each year Postal Service employees sustain more than 3,000 painful dog attacks and bite injuries, resulting in loss of time from work and costly medical treatment.
By contract, Amazon does not require its drivers to carry dog repellant, at the time of writing this article. However, many have criticized Amazon for failing to do enough to prevent dog bites. Click here for more.
Legal to Carry and Use Canine Repellent Spray?
The short answer is: yes. However, it’s a form of “pepper spray,” so keep the rules governing pepper spray in mind. For example, here’s how one company that makes pepper spray describes the laws in PA:
Pepper spray is legal to carry in Pennsylvania for individuals 16 years of age or older. However, there are certain restrictions on the type of pepper spray that can be purchased and used. Only pepper spray that contains oleoresin capsicum (OC), the active ingredient in red chili peppers, is permitted. Other types of irritant sprays, such as Mace, are not allowed in the state.
For the laws of other states, click here.
How to Safely Use Dog Repellant Spray
The USPS provides the following information:
A. Spray the repellent directly at the eyes, nose, and mouth of the attacking dog by pressing the control on top of the container. Direct application must be made. The effective range is up to 10 feet. Effectiveness against trained attack dogs is not established.
Q. What makes the repellent effective?
A. The repellent consists of 0.35 percent oleoresin capsicum (extract of cayenne pepper) and 99.65 percent mineral oil propelled by an inert gas contained in an aerosol spray can.
A. Within 10 to 15 minutes, the effect of the repellent will wear off, and the dog will return to normal. The repellent leaves a yellow stain on the dog’s hair, which is removable by washing. This coloration helps identify an animal if a check for rabies is necessary.
A. The repellent produces marked discomfort to the eyes for about 10 minutes, but there are no lasting harmful or damaging effects. People who are inadvertently sprayed with the repellent should avoid rubbing their eyes, face, and other affected areas, and should irrigate the eyes, face, and other affected areas with large amounts of clean water. If it is sprayed on clothing, use commercial spot removers or have the clothes dry cleaned. The repellent itself has a faint, pleasant odor and is mustard yellow in color.
Key Take Aways about the Usage of Repellant
Relying on any spray that’s designed to cause eye and respiratory problems carries risk. For example, you could accidentally spray a child, elderly person or other person especially susceptible to eye or respiratory harm, which could cause a serious outcome. Also, there exists limited data that dog spray actually works, except to give the person carrying a sense of security, if false.
The bottom line is this: the best “deterrent” of an animal attack is to avoid dogs that could be dangerous. Know that any dog can become dangerous, and look for warning signs of an impending attack: the dog acting unusual (ears going back), or aggressive,
Let’s Get Started
We know about more than animal repellant. We love putting our experience to work, helping victims of animal bite related attacks and injuries. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation regarding any canine attack in Pennsylvania.