Carrying a club-- Illegal?

Thanks everyone for the input. I think I'll go with a 2 prong defense. A walking stick of some kind for the times like I have experienced when we were surprised. Then a small can of mace in a holster if excement is hitting the fan. I want to refrain from having to pack heat for dog protection as I can forsee lawsuits from the owner and animal rights nuts about excessive force. Where we walk is close to a elementary school and the college so guns are not a good idea. I may be nuts thinking a walking stick and mace would stop a dogfight but...
A friend of mine's dog was attacked in his own yard by a neighbors monster dog. He had to jump on the dog and eventually choked it to death. His wife had time to get a shotgun, but he was unable to get a clear shot. Maybe the mace would have broken it up???
Thanks again,
Stonecove
 
Thanks everyone for the input. I think I'll go with a 2 prong defense. A walking stick of some kind for the times like I have experienced when we were surprised. Then a small can of mace in a holster if excement is hitting the fan. I want to refrain from having to pack heat for dog protection as I can forsee lawsuits from the owner and animal rights nuts about excessive force.
Know your local laws.

In Ohio, it's perfectly legal to shoot a dog to protect YOURSELF.

It is however UNlawful to shoot a dog to protect your DOG.

Of course if you do anything to protect your dog from the attack, that has the possibility of making YOU a target, at which point you can shoot the attacking dog.

That having been said, in the instances of which I'm aware (one or two), the authorities have given great deference to the victims of dog attacks, either against themselves or against their own dogs when they are in close proximity. Apparently, Ohio cops and prosecutors have the sense to realize that it's REALLY tough to read an aggressive dog's "mind" to know if it's after you or your dog who's standing 6" away from you.

The rule here appears to be, law or no law, "Control your dog, and if you don't, don't whine if it gets shot." There have been enough notorious vicious dog attacks in Ohio to cause the public to have little sense of humor about the matter.
 
Thanks everyone for the input. I think I'll go with a 2 prong defense. A walking stick of some kind for the times like I have experienced when we were surprised. Then a small can of mace in a holster if excement is hitting the fan. I want to refrain from having to pack heat for dog protection as I can forsee lawsuits from the owner and animal rights nuts about excessive force. Where we walk is close to a elementary school and the college so guns are not a good idea. I may be nuts thinking a walking stick and mace would stop a dogfight but...
A friend of mine's dog was attacked in his own yard by a neighbors monster dog. He had to jump on the dog and eventually choked it to death. His wife had time to get a shotgun, but he was unable to get a clear shot. Maybe the mace would have broken it up???
Thanks again,
Stonecove
When you say MACE, I hope you actually mean pepper spray. Real mace won't get the job done. Pepper spray will.
 
Get a steel cane that doubles as a single shot 12 ga. shotgun. If the buckshot don't kill him .......he'll never be able to hear again. Bob
 
I'm from Michigan also sir and I'm sure you're aware our CPL is for handguns only and over size knives, shocking devices, batons and some defense sprays are illegal.

I would suggest those multi use objects such as the walking stick, umbrella etc suggested already. Before our CCW law I did service work and kept a large socket breaker bar in the cab with me as it was a tool as well as a 5 cell mag light.
A customer once gave me a fishing club he made and sold. It was lathe turned and had a bead chain to wrap around your wrist and was labeled as a club for fishing. He'd done his research and claimed if I had that and fishing tackle in my truck I was legal.
I have electrician buddy's that carry a heavy chunk of copper wire as well.
Anything one could have a legit use for while walking should pass a legal test I'd think.

Check the laws but I believe your CCW is legal if you don't enter school grounds and legal then in a vehicle while dropping off or picking up your child if you stay in the vehicle in Michigan now.
I'd check the state's web site and contact the State Police to be sure first but would carry your CCW if possible too.
I've parted two pits fighting twice and no easy task and glad it wasn't me they wanted to hurt and yes lead pipe doesn't work on them either I learned.
 
Killing a domestic animal could be considered a Felony… I hope there are no Progressives in Michigan :-)

Michigan
Michigan Legislature - Section 750.50
Michigan Penal Code 750.50 – Animal Abuse

Michigan Legislature - Section 750.50b
Michigan Penal Code 750.50b – Maliciously killing or injuring

Animal Cruelty is defined as: “Fail to provide an animal with adequate care; Cruelly drive, work, or beat an animal. Carry or cause to be carried in or upon a vehicle or otherwise any live animal having the feet or legs tied together. Carry or cause to be carried a live animal in or upon a vehicle or otherwise without providing a secure space, rack, car, crate, or cage in which all animals may stand, turn around, and lie down during transportation, or while awaiting slaughter. Abandon an animal or cause an animal to be abandoned, in any place, without making provisions for the animal's adequate care, unless premises are temporarily vacated for the protection of human life during a disaster. Willfully or negligently allow any animal, including one who is aged, diseased, maimed, hopelessly sick, disabled, or nonambulatory to suffer unnecessary neglect, torture, or pain. Tether a dog unless the tether is at least 3 times the length of the dog as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail and is attached to a harness or nonchoke collar designed for tethering.” The first offense of such is a Misdemeanor with a fine up to $1000 and/or imprisonment up to 93 days and/or community service for not more than 200 hours. The second offense of such is a Felony with a fine up to $2000 and/or imprisonment up to 2 years and/or community service for not more than 300 hours. The third or subsequent offence of such is a Felony with a fine up to $5000 and/or imprisonment up to 4 years and/or community service for not more than 500 hours. In all of the above, the convicted shall pay for the prosecution of his case and may be required to forfeit the animal(s) in his charge and may prohibit the ownership of animals for a period of time or permanently for a second conviction. Exemptions are made for fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife control, horse racing, operation of a zoological park or aquarium, pest or rodent control, farming, husbandry, and research.

Malicious Animal Cruelty is defined as: “willfully, maliciously and without just cause or excuse kills, tortures, mutilates, maims, or disfigures an animal or who willfully and maliciously and without just cause or excuse administers poison to an animal, or exposes an animal to any poisonous substance.” This is a Felony with a fine up to $5000 and/or imprisonment up to 4 years and/or community service for not more than 500 hours. In addition, the convicted may be required to pay for his prosecution, the cost of care of the animal victim, psychological evaluation and treatment, and may be prohibited from owning domestic animals. Exemptions are made for fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife control, pest or rodent control, and research.
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IMHO, it is FAR better to have a stout walking stick that is comfortable to walk with... and totally legal. Carrying things that appear to be weapons, can end you up in fronty of a judge, because often jurisdictions give a permit to carry a firearm but "any other weapon" is prohibited. The walking stick needs a combination of strength & heft but not be overly burdensome. Any of the ideas suggested would work if pressed into defensive service... but those who appear within the realm of usual walking gear will avoid questions by neighbors & Police.

I am not opposed to stout wood, high tech carbon fiber or what have you.
Russ
 
ASP = Club in Texas, a no no.

OC Spray, wonderful for four legged critters and two legged critters. Once serving a Misdomeanor Warrant, the Perp let his German Shepard out the back door as I was going to the Front Door. I hit the Land Shark with the OC. As I left (Perp wouldn't answer the door) the dog was still dragging it face in the dirt. For a couple of days after that when I would show, the dog would leave for other parts of the yard when I walked trough gate.

Always carry a piece if OC doesn't work and fall back to Plan B.

Rule 303
 
For those considering the "tire thumper", if you keep it in your vehicle, take the leather thong or wrist strap off it. In several states, it's considered a concealed weapon with a wrist strap, but not without. I had a nice discussion with a trooper about that years ago.
 
Take a look at the Walkabout XL from Cold Steel, I used one for 8 months after foot surgery. Really nice and solid. Outstanding as both a walking stick or defensive stick.
 
Another source;
Kingfisher WoodWorks LLC: Standard Staffs
You are looking for a Hanbo on this page.
These are hand made out of very dense Hickory, very strong, medium heavy, hard, and slightly elastic.
He will make what every length you want. I use one that is 39.5” long, used for striking you would hold it like a Katana that is about 6” from the end.
When walking the dog the other thing is to figure out how to have hands free, what works for me is a retractable leash with lanyard connected to my left side.
 
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