Self Defense Against Non Humans

When we think of being attacked, most of us see darkly dressed human figures in dark locations in our minds. Few of us consider that the attacker may very well have four legs, and could attack on a beautiful day, in front of numerous witnesses. Not all attacks are from human beings. Many attacks are from animals!

When we take self defense classes, we are not taught how to remove ourselves from the sharp grip of a dog's mouth or how to get out from under the weight of a huge bear. Instead, we are taught how to deal only with attacks from human beings. This is a mistake.

Depending on where you live, and what activities you participate in, you are at risk of being attacked by an animal. Just as human beings are fairly unpredictable, animals (both wild and domesticated) are also unpredictable, and probably more so. How many times have we heard of the family pet turning on a child or its owner? It happens, and you must be prepared for it.

Pepper spray works on humans and animals. Guns, knives, and tasers also work against such attacks. The difference between a human attack and an animal attack is that the animal won't think to take the weapon away from you and use it against you. However, regardless of what you are protecting yourself against, laws concerning the possession and use of certain weapons still apply to you.

A high-pitched personal alarm may be your best bet. These small devices emit such high-pitched noises, usually 120 decibels or greater that they hurt the animals' ears and scare them away. These are also the least expensive and dangerous choices, costing less than $20 for a good personal alarm.

The most important thing is to be aware of your surroundings, and pay attention to animals. Remember that they don't require unpopulated areas to attack as they don't care who sees them. Also, if you are out walking or jogging where dogs or other wild animals may be, don't wear headphones with music blaring. You need to see and hear what is going on around you!

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