imported post
Two days ago I had a dog charge at me as well.
Just before sunset I went out collecting non-smashed cans because I wanted some cans to shoot in a few days.
Whenever I look for cans I always go to the same big lot wedged between some houses and a road. (It’s about a tenth of a mile between the houses and the road and it is a strip about 8/10 of a mile long, full of nothing but dirt, sage brush, and abandoned junk.)
So this is where I was, and following a dirt path that took me near to the homes. (I was either walking down the middle or on the far side of the path, putting me about 15-20 yards away from the fence where the homes were.) I spotted two children near a hole in the fence some distance up ahead. I continued up the trail and the children disappeared into the fence. As I passed the hole in the fence a medium-large white dog emerged from the hole and charged at me, growling with its teeth exposed. As far as I could tell there was no one near by to restrain the dog. At first I thought maybe it was going to be friendly, but I quickly discovered it had no intention of being friendly with me and I started to run but I looked back at it and after traveling only a few feet I realized that my running abilities were no match for the dog's. I quickly drew my revolver, and while continuing to backpedal I pointed it towards the dog as it was charging at me. I had the gun aimed at the dog long enough that I could have shot it, but I really didn't want to shoot the dog, and I wanted to be certain that it was my only option. As I was running back and drawing I yelled at the dog, "STUPID DOG, STAY BACK!" (I was hoping the yell would scare him off.) The dog came within only a few feet my handgun before the dog suddenly retreated. As it began to retreat I also tripped and fell backwards into a sage brush. I'm not sure, either the metal object in my hand swinging toward him scared him, or more likely he was called back by his owner, although I never heard anyone call him. I quickly stood up and holstered my revolver just before or while a married couple emerged through the hole in the fence asking me if I was okay, and if I had been hurt or bit and I told them I was fine.
They seemed very concerned about my welfare and asked me if I was sure, so I assured them I was fine and just scared a bit. I went back to grab my bag full of aluminum cans that I had apparently dropped (I don't remember dropping it,) and greeted the man who was coming out to greet me, and shook hands. He noticed my gun and said, "I see you're protected." I replied, "Yep," and told him though that I loved animals. While I was talking to him his children said, "I saw him running,” and then to me said, “weren't you?" I may have nodded but I don't remember. The man thanked me a few times for not shooting his dog and told me how his dog is normally a good dog but is very protective, and he apologized for the hole in the fence. I told him I understood how dogs were and the dog was pretty good at being protective. After we were through discussing what had happened he told me I had a nice hat and asked what type it was, (it was a Fedora my parents gave me for my last Birthday), and we parted on friendly terms.
I then went home, as it was getting cold, the sun was setting, and I'd had enough of being outside finding cans.
I'm very glad I took the extra fraction of a second to think and didn't shoot the dog. I would have felt terrible afterwards, and the children would have been very sad too.
This is the first time I have ever drawn my gun on a living thing.
