I carry a stun stick. Thank goodness I've never had to use it but we have a loose pit bull on our street that has just started growling and barking at neighbors...no one knows what it'll do if another dog is on leash outside at the same time. (efforts to get the dog restrained or, better yet, evict the family, have been futile...the landlord has been no help...animal control is requiring actions that no neighbors are willing to do because of probable retribution by this large family) Stupid people.
I'd bought a can of bear spray but figured I might not want to use it if there was any breeze whatsoever. I gave it to the neighbors to keep in their stroller for when they wanted to walk to the park with their two youngsters.
This is the baton I have: Bad Ass Stun Baton Night Stick
It sounds like Zach is OK....glad he wasn't hurt.