so you shot a dog.. now what?

[BigRobT]

Some dogs can be dangerous. When I was active duty and training for Judo, I had a 4 mile course that I ran. One day in particular, I was on the return leg of my run and I noticed this pit bull terrier coming up the opposite side of the road. No biggie, I thought. I kept my jog on pace. Then the dog crossed the road and started directly at me. I then stopped. I looked around for the nearest rock because I was totally unarmed. After all, this was San Diego and everything's nice. The dog kept approaching me. Unsure of it's intentions, I yelled in my most gutteral voice to "Go". It stopped for a moment and then proceeded towards me again. It got to be like a "Mexican standoff". Once again, I got my deepest voice and uttered other commands. The dog crept around me and proceeded up the hill. I averted a potential incident with this dog. It was unnerving, at best.

Another time, a big old Cujo-looking dog (St. Bernard) approached me and a Sheriff. It came out of it's yard, crossed the road, and headed directly towards us. I wasn't exactly afraid, but the Sheriff drew his weapon, unsure of the dog's intentions. A couple of stern commands were issued and the dog retreated. All for the best.

People need to control their animals, keep them in their yards or on their property. It's unsettling, at best, when some dog approaches you and you have no idea whose dog it is or it's intentions. Most of the time, one can tell, but not always. It's that "not always" part that makes me nervous. When an animal is destroying other livestock or personal property, it's owners should bear the responsibility of their inactions, apathy, or disregard. If that means a dead dog, so be it.

 

[Sinsaba]

Depending on the dog (the larger the less likely) I might be inclined to let it chew for a bit before I killed it. I can always use the money.

 

[Art Eatman]

A brightly-colored water pistol filled with either formaldehyde or household ammonia is as good as a gun in changing a dog's mind from hostility to pacified. I carried mine whenever I rode my bicycle around town, as a kid.

I preferred formaldehyde.

Works on people, too.

I dunno if the stuff is still made, but there used to be some sort of underarm sweet-smellum that was available in a small green plastic bottle. The bottle was filled and then a plastic plug was set in to the mouth. There was a pinhole through the plug so you could squirt the stuff. Plastic cap over the top. Good replacement for a water pistol. Fit right into a shirt pocket. Unobtrusive...

, Art

 

[ArmedBear]

So if your dog were to get shot down in the street in my neighborhood, you'd be out of luck, and without your dog. And if you tried to sue the shooter for it, you'd get laughed out of court.

Not here, especially after the judge saw evidence that someone was looking forward to shooting a dog. You'd be in for deep doo-doo if you did that here, on a lot of levels, unless it was really in self-defense.

It's good that you know what an aggressive dog is. Maybe other people here do, too. Most people I meet have no CLUE what they're seeing.

People who think it would be fun to shoot a dog, or that it makes them real men -- and there are such people on this board -- should think a bit more. That's my point.

No one is saying you shouldn't defend yourself from a real attack.

 

[Mark in California]

Livestock and Such

While working security at a local fairgrounds, my partner and I heard a gunshot, and then had this bleeding dog streaking on by.

About a quarter hour later here comes the police asking if we saw a bleeding dog. (It died in the shopping center inside city limits) We pointed the way back. The police found the Fair Manager and asked if he shot it. Yes he said, and added as they were getting out the cuffs, it was chasing the livestock. (Mualed or killed for lambs)

At this point the call ended and the officers left the fairgrounds. No laws had been violated. (Cruilty to Anmials, Firing a gun in the city, Firing a gun in a habatated area, Firing a gun on public property, firing a firearm in a prohibit area, reckless indangerment, having a gun on public property) The Penal Code exempted all the above as long as nothing but the offending animal was killed or injured by the shooting.

As the police drove by our post, the senior officer was still explaining to his partner why the "shots fired" call had suddenly ended, why no one was going to jail, and why they might be witnesses in cival action against the dog's owner for the destruction of livestock.

 

[ArmedBear]

About a quarter hour later here comes the police asking if we saw a bleeding dog. (It died in the shopping center inside city limits) We pointed the way back. The police found the Fair Manager and asked if he shot it. Yes he said, and added as they were getting out the cuffs, it was chasing the livestock. (Mualed or killed for lambs)

At this point the call ended and the officers left the fairgrounds. No laws had been violated. (Cruilty to Anmials, Firing a gun in the city, Firing a gun in a habatated area, Firing a gun on public property, firing a firearm in a prohibit area, reckless indangerment, having a gun on public property) The Penal Code exempted all the above as long as nothing but the offending animal was killed or injured by the shooting.

Destruction of livestock is a special case. Our laws in CA practically let you shoot toddlers if they mess with your cows.

But if, in fact, the dog had just happened by and not hurt anything or anyone, the man would have been charged with all the crimes you listed.

That's what I mean. Think before you shoot.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

So are you saying you can't shoot stray dogs in California?

 

[GLM]

A man takes his sick dog to the vet. After examining the dog, the vet comes out to the waiting room and says, "I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that your dog is dying. The good news is that it's just a dog."



Seriously, the onus is on the dog owner. An unleashed dog is against the law and there is no way any reasonable person should expect me or anyone else to try to determine the dog's state of mind. And as mentioned earlier, most dog attack victims are children and they haven't had enough experience to tell an aggressive animal from a playful one. Keep your animals restained or don't complain when someone kills them.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Keep your animals restained or don't complain when someone kills them.

I totally agree.

I don't advocate shooting all strays on sight, but if the animal is stray and someone does shoot it, I am not going to be upset about it. I am not talking about shooting the neighbors dog that just got outside the fence, I am talking about dogs wandering around loose in rural areas. These dogs are a danger to people and other domesticated animals.

I also think there will be differing opinions about shooting stray or wild dogs when you ask people living in rural versus urban areas. People in urban areas don't understand that stray dogs are a danger in rural areas in particular. In an average year, we will have 5 or 6 stray dogs dumped on our land by their former urban owners. What are we supposed to do? Care for them all? If so, I would be covered up in dogs. I guess the city folks don't realize they might as well just shoot the dogs themselves.

 

[Terrierman]

I totally agree.

I don't advocate shooting all strays on sight, but if the animal is stray and someone does shoot it, I am not going to be upset about it. I am not talking about shooting the neighbors dog that just got outside the fence, I am talking about dogs wandering around loose in rural areas. These dogs are a danger to people and other domesticated animals.

I also think there will be differing opinions about shooting stray or wild dogs when you ask people living in rural versus urban areas. People in urban areas don't understand that stray dogs are a danger in rural areas in particular. In an average year, we will have 5 or 6 stray dogs dumped on our land by their former urban owners. What are we supposed to do? Care for them all? If so, I would be covered up in dogs. I guess the city folks don't realize they might as well just shoot the dogs themselves.

Amen. Tuesday night my wife told me about a dog that had obviously been dumped off the highway exit on the road to our house. The poor dog was excitedly going up to every car that came down the off ramp, wagging his tail and thinking maybe these are my people coming back to pick me up. I can hardly think of anything more cruel to do to a pet than dump it off in the country. How gutless.

 

[Stand_Watie]

... I can hardly think of anything more cruel to do to a pet than dump it off in the country. How gutless.

Indeed. Abandoned pets are a huge problem around here (small dogs and cats less so because the coyotes kill them fairly quickly). Shooting an unwanted dog (or having the vet put it to sleep) is far less cruel than abandonment. Starvation is a crummy way to die. If I were a judge passing sentence on abandoners I'd think of some novel approaches.

 

[Lupinus]

I agree that dumping an animal is cruel and gutless, and I think punishments should be even worse for them then people who are guilty of animal crulty. Hell I despise the idea of even taking my animals to the pound let alone dumping them off somewhere, I truly would rather put them down.

 

[Hardware]

Well, if you shot my dog you'd probably be more concerned about the return fire of 9mm or 7.62 bloc, whichever was handier. But my dogs are either on my fenced property or on a leash at all times. In order to shoot them you'd either be trespassing or mortally stupid to stand in front of me and shoot them.

I'm not kidding either. Shooting at my pets is the same in my mind as shooting me. I may be arrested, I may have to sort it out in court. But the man who kills my dog will be arriving at the pearly gates right behind them, and probably getting re-routed to a hot place.

That being said it isn't exactly what you asked. Assuming you are attacked on a public street by a dog/in a situation you weren't aware of, then yes, you might be able to construct an argument for the use of deadly force. Depends on who you are. A 130 lb accountant is going to be able to argue fear of death a lot easier than a 225 lb construction worker. It also depends on what state/region you live in. Eastern states take a dimmer view on use of firearms than western states. It'll play better in Colorado than California.

Now, if you were aware of the dog, had made complaints or spoken to the owner the question of due diligence may arise. Did you do anything or prepare yourself in any way? Or did you just strap on and take a stroll? Having had and used a less lethal instrument such as bear spray, a stick or a knife may play better to the authorities. Remember, you don't have to justify your actions to the police, but also to the jury when you are sued by the dog owner.

A healthy, average sized young to older middle aged man could probably win in a fight with most dogs. Dog experience sure helps though.

 

[mec]

Local woman here in waco was out at Fuzzy Friends Animal Shelter about a year ago. They took advantage of her and foisted off the most un-preposessing, leg-humping, loud barking chocolate lab ever whelped. The Secret service had brought it in because it had been galloping around the Bush ranch. May have even humped GWB's leg. If that was the problem, I wish he'd take it back as I broke the dog of that.

Anyway, the dog has two redeeming qualities. It refrains from taking dumps on the floor and it will bring in the morning paper.
It has a good home.

 

[Biker]

As the saying goes, there is a time and place for everything. However, there seem to be some folks just waiting for an excuse to shoot something, animal or man. Common sense goes a long ways in this world, and planting a bullet into a percieved problem should be the last resort, not the first thought.
Biker

 

[Lone_Gunman]

How would you handle stray dogs dumped in the country where there is no dog catcher?

 

[mec]

"How would you handle stray dogs dumped in the country where there is no dog catcher?"
__________________
You shoot them but you don't tell anybody. Or you can feed them until you have 50 or 60 of them and become known far and wide as the " crazy dog man."

 

[roscoe]

I'm not kidding either. Shooting at my pets is the same in my mind as shooting me. I may be arrested, I may have to sort it out in court. But the man who kills my dog will be arriving at the pearly gates right behind them, and probably getting re-routed to a hot place.

Sort it out in court - hell, that's murder. Sort that.

 

[VARifleman]

If you can't ride faster than a dog (apart from a whippet or greyhound, which tend not to even notice you, to say nothing of bite) then perhaps you should sell your mountain bike.

Do you know how fast most people can ride in a sprint on a mountain bike? I'll give you a hint, quite a few dogs could run them down. I was lucky that the dog that chased me wasn't fast, I'm fit, and I was on a road bike, but most people people might have one of those things on their side. To say that they shouldn't ride is just ridiculous. Mabye you are the one that is ignorant...

 

[Biker]

How would you handle stray dogs dumped in the country where there is no dog catcher?

As I mentioned, there is a time and a place for everything. I'd just as soon kneecap the person that dropped the animal off, but failing that opportunity, if the animal is a danger to others or a home cannot be found for it, do what you have to do.
Again, I emphasise common sense.
Biker

 

[joab]

How would you handle stray dogs dumped in the country where there is no dog catcher?

I've driven forty miles out of my way to take a dog to a shelter, at a time in my life when gas money and time was precious.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

I've driven forty miles out of my way to take a dog to a shelter, at a time in my life when gas money and time was precious.

Thats admirable.

But didnt the shelter most likely just euthanize the dog anyway?

But what if you were getting a dog a month dropped off on your property?

Or if there were 3 or 4 dogs running in a pack?

Also after dogs have been on their own for a while, they get very wiley, and scared of people. They don't come when you call or whistle. They lurk in the distance til you go away, then resume scavenging and posing a menace to livestock. How are you going to actually capture the dog to take him to the shelter?

I just don't think capturing wild dogs and hauling them 40 miles to a shelter is an option most rural folks are going to use.

 

[Stand_Watie]

Thats admirable.

But didnt the shelter most likely just euthanize the dog anyway?

But what if you were getting a dog a month dropped off on your property?

Or if there were 3 or 4 dogs running in a pack?

Also after dogs have been on their own for a while, they get very wiley, and scared of people. They don't come when you call or whistle. They lurk in the distance til you go away, then resume scavenging and posing a menace to livestock. How are you going to actually capture the dog to take him to the shelter?

I just don't think capturing wild dogs and hauling them 40 miles to a shelter is an option most rural folks are going to use.

How about when the last of six puppies you are collecting (to take to the shelter, which is going to demand cash from you for the priviledge of taking half your day off and doing a good deed while getting your car torn up and shat/puked all over) bites you and then you can't catch it? My sheriff's department response is "shoot it and we'll send a deputy by to collect the corpse and have the state lab check for rabies - they'll get back to you".

Been there, done that and waited on the phone call. No fun.

 

[horge]

Shooting at my pets is the same in my mind as shooting me. I may be arrested, I may have to sort it out in court. But the man who kills my dog will be arriving at the pearly gates right behind them, and probably getting re-routed to a hot place.

 

[TeachMe]

Shooting at my pets is the same in my mind as shooting me. I may be arrested, I may have to sort it out in court. But the man who kills my dog will be arriving at the pearly gates right behind them, and probably getting re-routed to a hot place.

I am assuming you wouldn't want people trying to kill you for defending yourself against a threat, human or otherwise. Any sane person would realize that 1) a person has the right to defend himself and 2) no matter how much you love it, it's still an animal (i.e. not equal to humans). If this is truly your mindset, I both pity you and am glad I live nowhere near you.

I would sue you for mental anguish

Tough to sue for something which was your responsibility to prevent. If people kept dogs on their own property and under control they wouldn't have to worry about overzealous passers-by killing their dogs.