Agressive dog?

I was walking with my daughter and my 2 little dogs on Thanksgiving and I encounterd a situation that got me thinking. We walked by a yard that had a pitbull in it. The dog was contained by a fence but it was biting and scratching at the fence trying to get out. Later I was pondering a thought, if that dog had got out and attacked us would I be justified to shoot it? Or for that matter if a stray attacked us would i be justified? Thank you in advance for any responses.

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Mean dog bites the dust after eating a bullet.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/18174826/detail.html

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Welcome to OCDO!

Shooting an attacking dog is difficult at best. Most folks who have been there and done that say that no matter what else happens (except being extremely lucky)some part of your body isgoing to end up getting tangled with the dog's teeth. Some folks say giving the dog your non-dominant arm to bite on gives you a chance to control the dog's movement and allows you to get a downwards shot at the top of the head (if you are really lucky) or into the chest area from above. Again, those that have BTDT suggest a contact shot (muzzle in contact with the part you want to shoot) provides a better chance of actually making the shot as opposed to missing.

In either case you run a high risk of shooting yourself as well if the bullet goes all the way through.

Unless you can get hold of an airsoft gun, it is difficult and probably dangerous to practice this scenario except as a dryfire exercise. In either case, I'd recommend a coach/observer to let you know if you just shot off your big toe instead of Bowser.

In answer to your question: if you do not do something to stopa dog attacking you or your children (dog charging with all the other signs of wanting you for lunch) you will become lunchmeat. Unless you are carrying a baseball bat or a golf club as well as a handgun, then shooting is probably your best option when there is no chance of safe retreat.

Sort out the "discharge of a firearm within xx feet of an occupied dwelling" and "no discharge of firearms within city limits" issues later.

stay safe.

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The dog DIDN'T get out.

Now, avoid that location on your walks.

If you are attacked by a vicious dog, one capable of causing severe injury, you are going to be well within your rights to use deadly force against the dog.

Remember, its not the dog's fault that it misbehaves. Its the owner's fault. Its the owner you will have to deal with, even if you do kill his dog. You really want to avoid that situation if humanly possible.

Just because we are armed, does not make it wise to electively present ourselves in places of danger.
Protect yourself at all times.

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I remember serving a subpoena once at a house whose front yard was next to the rear yard of a neighboring home.

As I approached the target house, 2 pits came screaming from nowhere and tried their best to leap the fence and invite me to be lunch. I served the paper as I walked back, the dogs almost leaped the fence. There is no doubt in my mind, knowing the aggressive nature of pits, that I would have shot both if they cleared the fence.

Oh, and the subpoena - it was for a complaint against the neighbor for allowing vicious dogs to run at large. The homeowner was quite nearly attacked one morning by Fido 1 and 2.

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Well, I guess we can pretty easily tell who in this thread owns dogs and who doesn't because those of us who own dogs know that, in general, a dog barking and running towards someone/something is not in attack mode. (And honestly, I think some folks are just young 20-something guys itching to be able to use the guns they carry.)

I think it's important that we differentiate between an "aggressive dog" and an "attacking dog." One is not synonymous with the other, and by the same token, shootingoneis not equal to shooting the other. (Consider: If I holler and shout and curse yyou there's no doubt I'm acting aggressive; but that aggresiveness isn't the same thign as actually attacking you.) Likewise, a barking dog, or even a barking dog approaching you is not necessarily an attack. In fact, dogs rarely attack. They attack when they're frightened, diseased (think: rabid, distemper), or cornered.

Dogs bark, they run: they're naturally curious and generally bark when they see something/someone new or out of place. Dogs have a lot of body language and that body language says a whole lot more than any barking ever will. Ears up, tail up=good mood. Ears flattened back, snarling/lips curled, hackles up=bad mood/angry dog. Dogs are also territorial. They naturally bark and want to "check out" anything in their territory. That's not the same as saying they're in attack mode simply because they're barking and approaching. If you're going to shot a dog, you'd best sure of a couple of things: the dog really is attacking, not just "being aggressive." The "I was in fear for my life because he barked and approached me" defense isn't going to cut it with many prosecutors nor dog owners. (It's no different than Uncle Jimbo and Ned saying "Look out! that bunny's coming right for us!") In addition to being sure you're actually being attacked you'd also best be sure you're not in the dog's yard and/or that he's out of his. (And no, shooting a dog who's in the street and barking at you doesn't count. Again: think "attack" vs "aggression/barking. Finally, consider the emotional baggage that comes with shooting a dog. Think about haivng to explain to your kid that some guy shot your dog because he was scared and thought Fluffy was going to bite him.

I'm not sayig dogs don't attack, and I'm not saying don't shoot if you/your loved onesfear you truly are in danger. If you/they are: shoot. Just be damened sure of what you're doing first. (And woe betide to anyone who shoots a dog on its own property.)

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(It's no different than Uncle Jimbo and Ned saying "Look out! that bunny's coming right for us!")

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