Animal Repellents

Animal repellents can be good personal protection devices, if you are

• An early morning jogger
• A hunter
• A delivery person or postal worker
• A cyclist who likes wooded areas
• An avid hiker or walker

Dogs can break free of leashes, and even wild animals can be found in unlikely areas. There are a number of ways to protect yourself in case of animal attack, and many of these methods are both humane and effective.

You may choose to use the same personal protection device (pepper spray, stun gun, Taser, Mace, etc.) that you keep on hand in case of attack. However, some products are designed with animals specifically in mind. These include:

• Ultrasonic equipment These are designed with dogs in mind but can also be effective on other animals. This kind of equipment is ideal protection for walkers, joggers, cyclists or delivery people. Ultra high pitched sound blasts (undetectable to human ears) force the attacking animal into submission. These cause no permanent damage. They can also be used to train dogs.
• Personal alarms that emit a loud blast to ward off animals.
• Bear spray These are often specifically designed products, with intensely hot pepper spray, a gun for long range (20 feet or more) and shotgun delivery.
• Some pepper sprays are designed specifically for use on dogs (with a low SHU threshold) and come with accessories for easy attachment to bicycles and vehicles.

Remember: it is best to maintain a defensive posture.

• Leaving the area should be your first defense.
• Educate yourself about local animals, bear activity, etc.
• Know the laws regarding pepper spray and mace in your area.
• Keep your defense spray handy, e.g., not packed in the bottom of a knapsack.

We recommend pepper spray as the safest, most versatile and most effective repellent and overall personal protection device.