PlanetMace Blog

How to Use Pepper Spray Against an Animal

If you are attacked by an animal such as a dog or wild mountain lion or bear, you can use pepper spray to effectively disable the animal for long enough that you can get clear of the situation and avoid further encounter.

Pepper spray is a great solution for protecting yourself, as unlike a gun, you do no permanent harm to the wildlife, or otherwise put yourself at harm. It works as an inflammatory; inflaming the assailing the mucus membranes of the animal’s eyes and lungs, making it impossible for them to attack or pursue you.

If you are approached by a vicious canine and are armed with a pepper spray self defense product, simply stand your ground and face the dog without staring directly into the dog’s eyes. Hold your pepper spray close to your body so as not to extend your hand out where the dog could potentially bite you, and point it in the direction of the animal. If the animal approaches, spray a 1 to 2 second burst of spray in the direction of the animal’s face, and continue this until you dissuade the animal and it backs down.

If you don’t have pepper spray, you should maintain your ground and be sure not to run away, as this will excite the dog, and you’re unlikely to outpace a fit full-sized canine. Try to act confident, and if you are actually attacked, roll up into a fetal position and use your arms to protect your face and neck.

The reality is that animals pose a real life threatening concern for anyone living in any city or suburb of America, and a simple investment in a pepper spray self protection device could potentially save your life or the life of someone you love.