Pit Bull shooting, Will the police seize my gun?

[hobbeeman]

I received a call from my business, a small nursing home, informing me that a dog was on the porch, not allowing one of my residents to return. They had called the pound but had gotten no response.

I arrive and find that it is not just any dog, but a large, Beautiful Pit bull. Now normally I find this breed attractive and useful for certain circumstances (right tool, right job sort of thing) but this time, it was in the wrong place with confused intentions. For some reason, this dog was guarding my porch. The old man that was earlier trying to get back inside the building had gotten frightened by the dog. The dog was sniffing around, as dogs do, and the old, sometimes confused, man had reached back to swat the dog away. This was met by a convincing growl and bare teeth. The man's confusion gave way to better sense and he kicked his electric wheelchair into high gear for a hasty retreat (Praise God!).

So now it's time for me to intervene, having just arrived on the scene. This dog, initially backs down from me, but over time apparently becomes comfortable and begins to try to return to his post on my porch. At one point, he runs off and begins to play catch with my friend who was with me when I received the call.

This dog is definately confused and frightened with all that is going on. (This actually frightens me more, to be around a frightened dog, especially one with his obvious strength and potential)

This entire time, I have been on my cell phone, explaining the situation, especially that this is happening at a NURSING HOME, and I finally stated that I was going to have to shoot this dog, for the safety of my residents.

In less than five minutes, on a holiday, after hours, the dog catcher arrives.

Now, this dog knew the uniform of the local dog catcher, and bolted for the fence and was under it in a flash.

The dog catcher leaves and then returns when I call again that the dog is back. I left for home, as all of my residents are in bed, but I have a question.

If the dog catcher is unable to capture this dog, and I have to shoot him in the morning, will the police seize my gun?

 

[gunsmith]

please don't shoot some kids pet

At one point, he runs off and begins to play catch with my friend

hardly sounds like a real threat

 

[DRMMR02]

Just because he might have been acting nice for one moment doesn't mean he's not a threat. The grownling, barred teeth, and territoriality could be threatening. The dog may be ill or unstable. If it indeed does threaten people, you should not hesitate to fire, just as you would any intuder or human threat to life. And I doubt the police will confiscate your weapons for protecting people. I guess it depends on where you live. If you are in NY, CA, or other similar places, you just might meet some cops who won't hesitate to take your guns. But I would bet your average police officer in normal America won't.

 

[rkh]

The police have the power to seize your firearm if they have probable cause to believe that it has been used in the commission of a crime (even if justifiable).

Is the nursing home within city limits? Are you familiar with your local animal cruelty laws?

I know this wasn't the answer you were looking for, but please shoot the dog only as a last resort. Your post suggests that it wasn't a stray, so somebody somewhere really loves that mutt. If you don't think the dog is vicious, and you're generally comfortable with canines, you probably can get a leash on it by luring it onto "neutral" territory with toys and treats.

Best of luck

 

[wingnutx]

This is a great time to have a suppressor.

 

[KenW.]

If you can articulate an actual threat (I've shot many dogs for chasing livestock or wildlife), do what you need to do; I wish you the best of luck. I don't think I'd shoot him unless he was attacking or seriously menacing a person.

Chances are good the gun would be siezed as evidence for a charge of : firing within city limits, criminal mischief, animal cruelty, etc; anything is possible. If you win your case it could be returned to you.

 

[blarney]

I'd shoot it, what if this dog were to suddenly do the pit bull thing and lock onto a target? It doesn't sound like anyone was close enough to actually stop this from happening. This isn't something you can't risk and I would rather have to worry about talking to a judge over shooting the dog than have someone hurt or killed. These dogs find a single target and lock on and I am sure a few people will get upset but I have seen it myself.

Just shoot it.

 

[Kestrel]

Use somebody else's gun.



ahem...

 

[kirkcdl]

Haven't you ever wondered why someone would buy a $100 Hi Point pistol???

 

[joab]

Next time just play fetch with the dog and tell the residents to not try to attack the dog.
Treat it kindly and this dog will most likely "do the PitBull thing" and appreciate the human interaction as they are prone to do. I have seen this myself

 

[Justin]

If you expect that there's a chance the animal will return, you might consider picking up a can of pepper spray to use as an initial deterrent.

Only use the handgun if you have no other options left.

 

[DRMMR02]

I don't suppose tranquilizer guns/darts are legal to buy?

 

[Jery Larson]

Air Weapons

This is a perfect instance of the useful tool known as, "boy's best friend" (an air-rifle). When applied in the hands of a concerned adult, with proper motives, it can save the life of a "man's best friend."

 

[Hanzo581]

I would say give the dog catcher a bit more time to capture the animal, it will save you trouble in the end.

 

[Mainsail]

If the only tool in your box is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

Use a different (and more appropriate) tool.

Try pepperspray, then nothing has to die and your gun isn't seized.

 

[Psssniper]

I thought that the punch line was gonna be " so should I change my oil every 3000 or every 5000 miles"

 

[dracphelan]

1. Most likely, the police would at least temporarily take possession of the firearm.
2. As others have said. Since this dog seems friendly and a little confused, try some non-lethal alternatives. I've used a garden hose with a high pressure nozzle to run off a barking/growling dog before. I've used a BB rifle to run off coyotes. I don't know how well pepper spray will work.
3. As others have said, own a cheap pistol for this kind of job. I have a S&W 64 and a Star BM for these kinds of situations. Both cost less that $150 (and are fun to shoot).

 

[knuckles]

this dog knew the uniform of the local dog catcher

Tell the dog catcher to come over in deep cover complete with a frisbee. He'll be in the back of the van in no time.

I take it you didn't see a collar with a license/ID on it. But to answer your question, I'd guess they might take your gun, at least up front while they make a determination that you didn't commit any crime. But as someone mentioned, be sure you can even discharge a firearm in that location...

 

[Heavy Barrel]

There are as many common sense solutions here as there are stupid ones. Pick one that makes sense to you."THINK"

 

[shooting time]

he is most likely someones pet who got out and is lost .I wouldn't shoot him I wouldn't want someone to shoot my pet if he got out

 

[Keith Wheeler]

I live in a semi-rural area, and it almost seems like nuisance dogs are a constant issue. I've got some plastic 9mm "practice" ammunition. It's interesting stuff, the case and "bullet" are molded from one piece of plastic. The only propellant is a primer. Upon firing the "bullet" breaks away from the "case". Great for nuisance animals, once they're popped with one of these they tend not to come back. It keeps me from having to clean up a mess and deal with potentially killing someone's poorly attended to pet.

 

[AirForceShooter]

Next time don't call animal control.
Call the LEO's and tell then you're prepared to shoot a dangerous animal.

AFS

 

[brerrabbit]

As bad as I am about shooting nuisance animals, I do not believe it would be justified yet.

I tend to shoot pits,among other dogs, every so often, because while they are generally very people freindly, they are not livestock freindly.

Have your freind who played catch with the dog see if he can slip a leash on the dog. If nothing else try to pen it in an enclosed space by luring it with food.

Shooting is already justified in my opinion, but I would try other means first, unless you feel that that the residents are in real danger from the dog or that the dog is causing significant disruption.

 

[justatexasboy]

Pitbul 101

Pitbul 101


Approach the dog with authority. Be almost aloof. Point index finger at the dog and tell him to sit. Dont ask him to sit, tell him to sit. Give the dog a bite to eat and youll make a friend for life. Once all this is done you should be able to easily put a leash and collar on him and take him to the pound.

Pitbulls are very strong minded smart dogs. If you are tentative when you give them instructions they wont listen to you.

One huge misunderstanding about the breed is that they are unstable. They are very predictable, for the most part only abused, or neglected pitbulls are hostile to humans.

Pitbulls were bred to fight dogs. He was bred so that his handler could reach into the fray of the fight and pull the dog out without fearing the loss of an arm.


I certainly wouldnt shoot him. I would take him to the vet and find out what type of injury he has. Im guessing he was struck by a car. In my experience thats why the pit growled when the old man threatened to swat him. And yes, even a hurt pitbull will play because its fun. They have a remarkable tolerance to pain and an equally large desire to please humans.

I found a pit once who had her leg torn off in a fight. Her handler must have dumped her after that. She allowed me to doctor her wounds without a sound and very little protest. She lived to be 14 and was a great friend to my family.

 

[das028]

Sounds like the dog isnt a threat to me, and your just itching to shoot the thing. Dont do it! Its probably someones pet which got loose. Call animal control, and if they dont come out call the police.