Spring 2009 - National Association of Professional Pet Sitters

• Make sure someone knows where you are
and your pet sitting schedule.
• Always think rationally—if you are in fear
call 911.
Physical Self Defense
Physical self defense classes are good and
often taught by local police departments. If you
are physically inclined, this is great and you
should learn any martial arts or defense
maneuvers possible. Physical self defense can
start by "diplomatically" talking to the attacker.
Unfortunately, we are often pushed into a
strategic defense position with maybe 10 seconds
to think. Worse yet is the total surprise
situation where you must simply decide how to
strike the attacker. Unless fully trained, this is a
very difficult proposition. Below are several
sites to read about such defense training
options.
• Good site on discussion of self defense:
http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/
self-defensetraining.htm
• Guidelines for choosing a self-defense
course:
http://www.magicstream.org/selfdef2.htm
• Training on DVD's:
http://www.targetfocustraining.com/ and
http://www.tactselfdefense.com/
• Good overall site on personal safety:
http://www.ou.edu/oupd/welcome.htm
Stun Guns And Pepper Spray
Pepper spray and stun guns are very appealing
on first thought. They are simple, should be
effective, and are easy to carry. Limited training
is needed so these should be a natural solution
to people working in uncomfortable surroundings.
But do they really make sense if you are
face to face with an aggressive attacker? Is a
handgun a better, or worse, option?
Stun guns seem attractive but they are useless
until the attacker is within arms length. You
must touch the person with the machine for it
to work unless you have a TASER device that
flings the electrical prongs into the person. But
what if they have a heavy coat on—will it
work? What if the batteries are dead? What if
you miss with your one shot? Do you really
want that person to come within arms length of
you to use the stun gun? Pepper spray also
sounds appealing but a drugged up mugger
often is unaffected by this spray—they just
keep coming. Pepper spray on a group just
antagonizes them—one person gets the spray
while the others circle around you.
Firearms Safety and Training
For many people, firearms are viewed as a reasonable
last defense but personal firearms
remain a sensitive subject since it may be a
moral issue. Some may think the threat to kill
or maim the other person is too great, thus
falling back to stun guns and mace. Over 300
people have died from TASER and stun gun use
in just the last eight years and many have been
blinded by pepper spray. These are not the zero
harm solutions many people think.
It is interesting to note that many police officers
support educated personal firearm usage.
The simple sight and sound of a firearm with
proper handling tactics are often the best
deterrent of all and no one gets hurt with many
citing a 99% prevention rate without any other
defensive action. In a dark environment, the
sound of racking in a bullet is remarkably
effective, and an integrated laser sight lighting
a red dot on the attacker further increases prevention
rates without firing a round. Even the
most aggressive persons understand you are
serious and you will not be a victim.
Firearms are still our best defense but you
must commit to proper training and use.
Although firearms can be the ultimate deterrent
in a life or death situation, things can also turn
very bad for yourself should you not have proper
training on when not to use or brandish a
weapon. Do not be afraid of simply stopping by
your local gun shop and discussing firearms for
protection. Most shop owners are very knowledgeable
on pointing you to proper training and
hardware and they are sensitive to properly
outfitting the customer.
Firearm laws vary state by state and you must
be very aware of these. Not only is the ownership
regulated but the class of gun, accessories,
and right to carry can vary considerably.
For more information go to
http://www.handgunlaw.us/.
Finally, no matter your personal views on
firearms, a ride and drive with your local police
department is highly recommended. They will
gladly expose you to the real life in your city or
county, sometimes showing things you never
thought were going on in your area and how to
respond to them.
Most importantly, use your head, and think
ahead, at all times. ■
Legislative Update
Bill to Ban
Wild Animals
as Pets
Due to the recent chimpanzee attack in
Connecticut many feel the need to prohibit possession
of wild animals such as primates.
U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer introduced H.R. 80,
the Captive Primate Safety Act, which would
ban the interstate commerce in apes, monkeys,
lemurs, marmosets, and other primates for the
pet trade. It would complement state laws on
the possession of dangerous exotic animals,
since many of these animals are purchased
over the Internet and through other interstate
instruments. Blumenauer’s bill passed the U.S.
House overwhelmingly by a vote of 323-95, and
is now pending in the U.S. Senate.
“The owners of these animals are playing
roulette with people's lives,” says Nicole G.
Paquette, senior vice president and general
counsel for Born Free USA. “For the safety of
people and animals, the legislature must act
now to prohibit dangerous wild and exotic animals
from being kept in private hands.”
For more information on this topic go to:
http://www.hsus.org/press_and_publications/pr
ess_releases/senate_introduces_captive_primate_safety_act_022509.html.
The NAPPS Network • 15