OC based animal repellents are legal to purchase and possess. If you're ever stopped, the correct answer to the question, "Why do you carry this item?" is, "There is a large dog on my way home that has jumped the fence/isn't chained up/want's to make my body parts a snack." Of course, then I'd have to ask why you're getting asked that question in the first place.

If you say something like, "This area has some dangerous 2-legged predators", you may get a dangerous weapons charge.

OC and Canada...legal for 4 legged critters. Now...if you're ever attacked by a 2 legged one, you *are* permitted to use any weapon of opportunity if you feel your life is threatened, or if an attack could cause you or another grievous bodily harm.

Just note that I've read reports of 2 legged ones shrugging off OC hits because they have a tolerance to it from eating insanely spicy food.