I walk my beagle 1-3 miles every day. Phone,wallet,folder,stout walking stick and a handgun.

We've been attacked by off leash dogs 4 times last year .One pit bull type dog got an expandable walking stick broke over his eyes/snout, then a .38 pointed at him at which point his owner all the sudden took an interest in calling his dog off......

I now carry a much stronger stick. For awhile i tried a ball pean hammer as it swings better one handed, but the site of the stick often makes folks heal or leash their dogs while the hammer went unnoticed .