Seeing domestic cats catch mice/birds, I’d imagine the tiger would catch you before you even knew it was there …
Tangental amusement: There was once a thread on the other flashlight forum about a dude who wanted to build a walking stick shaped device of batteries that would emit huge number of lumens for a short period of time (like a photo flash), in order to stun/scare off lions in Africa. I believe he was planing on stacking 24 CR123 cells or something similar.
Needless to say, the technical practicalities and questionable effectiveness was pointed out, I think the poster was determined to build one anyway, never saw build pics or heard from the guy again, my question was always whether the pipe bomb of batteries got him or the lions
Also to add: is there even anywhere on earth (other than a zoo) where you’d get lions, tigers and bears?
There is such a thing as bear mace.
That’ll stop some wild animals.
There’s also wasp spray, which is cheaper but might be more lethal.
And then, of course, there are firearms.
Be sure that whatever you plan to use in self-defense is legal where you are.
Going around shooting wildlife isn’t a particularly great strategy either. A lot of it is protected - I will admit I don’t know the law in regards to killing a protected species in self-defence, which almost certainly varies from state to state anyway (the main dangerous wildlife around here is alligators, which are explicitly legal to kill in self-defence only, and black bears, where pepper spray or even a big stick is enough as a deterrent), and I’d certainly shoot a bear rather than it attack me or someone else (although it really depends on the type - I think if you shoot a grizzly bear with something like a .22 or 9mm, you’re probably more likely to piss if off than deter it…), but it’s not going to be my default response, I’d always try to deescalate and scare it/retreat first.
Or, my example about a dog - there is absolutely no way I’d have killed it there. It wasn’t a threat to the life of physical safety of either me, my dog, or another person, plus the owner was within sight and earshot, and not to mention that as a dog owner myself, I have more empathy than that (not to mention the fact that my dog was right there to the point there is no way I’d have used any ranged weapon due to collateral damage…).
Now that critter would have earned the muzzle flash treatment if it were in my yard and killed my dog. Even here, I believe it would be considered justified.
And, keep in mind that I love dogs. Some just don’t deserve to be left alive.
I’m not a lawyer, but a retired Sheriff’s Deputy. As far as personal or that of a third party human, humans always comes first. Critter attacks you can defend yourself or others. Pepper spray works really well on all mammals, the better it’s nose the better it’s effect. It does not affect birds, reptiles or insects. Wasp spray is only a mildly irritant and listed as a poison right on the side of the can along with a don’t misuse warning. No agency issues wasp spray for self defense so probably a bad idea to use.
If your ever attacked and trying to figure out if your life is more important than the attacker either human or animal. Worried you might get arrested for not letting the fauna eat you. I can answer this for you “Your life comes first and self defense is legal”. As far as the original post, could a flashlight be used for defense against dangerous animals? NO. On a force continuum we don’t use lesser force to defend against greater threats.
True, it would have been justified if you could prove your Moms dog or you were in danger. It wasnt the pitbulls fault, more so your neighbors for being irresponsible animal owners. I cant judge the situation, but it sounds like a lack of both containment and training. The dog wasnt under control. It shouldnt even have access to your yard.
As for the firearms part, I dont know, depends on legality and availability but it sounds like overkill to me. Sometimes we get other peoples dogs breaking into sheep farms and attacking sheep here and thats a legal way for the sheep owner to shoot the dog.
In my opinion, non lethal methods are the best against animals. A burst of pepperspray or a tazer will surely show the dog whos the boss.
Sound of a stun gun usually scares dogs away, no guarantee but more likely than not dog will change its mind, unless that dog is an aggressive dog in attack mode, in that case you use the strongest defence you have available.
