2 Pit Bull attacks in my area last month...legal and "technical" advice required...

[wristtwister]

I had a bird dog that just showed up at the house and took up with us, but was a really good dog... and became a pet. Some thugs moved into the neighborhood with their gang dog and it attacked everybody's dog that happened to get out of the fence (they let the pit bull run loose).

Eventually, Scamp (my dog) ended up in a fight with the gang dog, and my neighbor ended up shooting my dog while trying to shoot the pit bull. We haven't spoken much since... but his dog had been attacked the day before and he had the "I'll shoot that S.O.B. if he comes back in the yard" attitude... so the results don't always match the bravado.

I have no problem shooting a dog or anything else that's threatening someone, but you need to make sure you get the results you are looking for. I ended up burying my 11 year pet because my neighbor couldn't hit a barn from the inside with a firearm... so unless you are competent... stick to more conventional means of dealing with the situation. Personally, I think a stun gun would probably be a better answer. Dogs really don't like to get shocked... and run from whatever shocks them.

WT

 

[coyotehitman]

I have shot plenty of dogs and coyotes with everything from .22LR's to 12 gauge slugs. Put one through the pumper or the head and they all take a nap.

 

[Bookworm]

At least Pennsylvania has a clause under the concealed carry laws for the purposes of "dog training". Which allows you to carry concealed without a licence for dog training to prepare for just this sort of thing happening - presumedly you may have to shoot your own dog or another dog that threatens yours.

 

[riceboy72]

Double post; deleted.

 

[riceboy72]

wristtwister ~

I'm sorry to hear about Scamp. That's my biggest fear, too, and something I've been thinking about. Safely shooting the attacking dog is something I've gone over and over in my head. Missing the pit and either hitting my dog or something/one else makes me really think the contact or point blank shot is the only real option, considering I could get close enough.

That night after I replayed it in my head, I had even thought about using my knife in the side of the main dog that had locked up jaws with Roxy. I've been carrying pepper spray and am really cautious when we pass by his house. He's had his pit bull tied up in the front yard a few times, so he may be listening to his final warning from animal control. I certainly hope so.

Here's the old girl, Roxy ...

​

 

[Scratchshooter40]

In the same situation in Georgia. Pitbull attacked child and another dog. I yelled and he came at me. Shot placement=Beretta 96 in mouth, pull trigger, works immediately. 2nd dog left quickly. Dogs had attacked several times before and "escaped their fenced yard. No kid, dog, or myself is going to suffer at the whim of a poorly raised and handled dog, whatever the breed. I've had Staffordshire Terriers (polite pitbull), Labs, and Dobermans. All were polite and well mannered. It's how you raise them and control them. You have just as much responsibility to control a pitbull as you do a pistol or shotgun, either can be deadly.

 

[CZ-100]

Its no help to you...but heres what I did when faced with the same situation.

A few miles down the road, my "neighbor" had 3 pit bulls...he would let them run loose, even after being asked nicely to keep them on his property.

I have a mule (you know, 1/2 horse, 1/2 donkey) that REALLY hates dogs...and he never strays far from home. So I left him out...I came home one fine day and had pit bulls scattered all over the place (literally) and 1 VERY proud mule.

I know thats way off topic...but I'm proud of Henry for that...even the ferocious pit bull is NO MATCH for 1000 pounds of pissed off mule.

I have seen that mule run bears out his pasture.

I would of loved to have seen that (with the dogs)

 

[Marshall]

I take Fred with me to go look for Pit Bulls on walks. He loosens up after 20-30 yards.

 

[stolivar]

7 people died from dog bites last year in Missouri

All of them were from Pitt bulls.:banghead:



steve

 

[Confederate]

A Cold Steel Vaquero Grande is great for pit bulls. So is pepper spray, tennis racquets, walking staffs and whatever can be wielded quickly and packs a punch. A handgun would work, but if I had to shoot a dog, I'd make it clear that I was shooting out of fear for my life and well being. I wouldn't make the defense of your dog an issue.

Good legal advice

More good legal advice

P.S. I hope your friend sues.



The Vaquero Grande w/6-inch serrated blade.

 

[Geronimo45]

The 'classic' anti-dog defense I'm aware of is to muzzle & squash. Pitbulls aren't larger than 100lbs, I believe (not a dog person). Most adults are greater than 100lbs. Usually a good to decent weight advantage on your side, accordingly.
Tactic was to take off your coat and cover the critter's face with it - try to bag it, I guess - then kneel hard on said critter, crushing it.
+1 to beware of killing somebody's dog. There are people who consider their dogs on a higher plane than their kids... and might, in the heat of the moment, be willing to kill you.

 

[hags]

You know.....I get tired of hearing stories of Pit Bulls attacking and injuring and killing people. They should be banned as a breed, period!
I know it's in vogue to get a "rescued" Pit Bull as many yuppie couples and single males with something to prove have them in my area.

Closer to home though I have a young couple with a large Pit Bull on my block, totally agressive and lunges at anyone in the street when he's chained in the front yard. I have a 2 1/2 year old and my wife and I are expecting our second in November. Whenever I'm out in the yard with my son or wife I carry.
Whenever we go for walks around the neighborhood, and even though it's illegal in my state, I carry.

I could care less about someone compensating by owning a Pit Bull, or any agressively raised/bred breed. I would not hesitate to put a threatening dog down if I felt my family or myself was at risk. I'll deal with the consequences later.

There are a large number of dogs in my neighborhood that are off leash or get off on occasion. Alot of them are unfriendly and/or aggresive. If my son was out in the yard and one approached him I would not wait for a "need" the dog would be shot on sight.

I own a 4 1/2 year old 110 pound German Shepeard. My wife and I have spent countless hours and countless dollars training him, having him trained and socializing him. I do not ever let him off leash, whether in the yard or anywhere else. He only reacts when people enter his domain (our yard/house) and follows commands to the letter.

I cannot stand LAZY, irresponsible, and ignorant dog owners who think the rest of us should put up with their stupidity!

 

[Johnny Guest]

Woah, WOAH, HOLD IT!

I apologize. I've been very negligent in not reading all this thread, and it's been allowed to go on for FAR too long.

There is NOTHING in this thread that has anything to do with "Pistols: Autoloaders." It MIGHT belong in General Gun Giscussions, or just possibly, in Legal.

Frankly, I fail to see how a resident of any one state could expect members from all 50 states and numerous other countries to give even vaguely accurate opinions on the laws and statutes of his state.

Look, friends - - I'm a retired Texas Peace Officer. I spent over 37 years working with the laws in MY state. And you know what? I am not qualified to give specific legal advice on even Texas law. At most, I can tell you what has been MY direct observation of the law's application at some point in the past four decades, but always, ALWAYS, circumstances alter the situation.

I'll stick my neck out and tell you that you're likely to get into deep trouble for taking a horse that doesn't belong to you, or for demanding someone's money at gun point. Those acts are pretty universally contrary to the law, and to good sense, though. If I tell you what I think the law is in my beloved home state, you can believe I'm pretty well on the right track. But you'd really best go to Google or Yahoo! and look up the statute yourownself. And, if it concerns something that might well get you sent to prison --- like shooting up the neighborhood because some dog barks at you, without even a nip -- best consult an attorney.

Anyway, this one is

CLOSED.

Johnny Guest
THR Staff