What do you think you would have done? (Aggressive dog)

[silicosys4]

Doesn't sound like a good DGU to me.
I agree, sounds like the dog was being playful and not an attack, all evidence points to a young, untrained dog, but not a dog that was fixated on attacking you.
Not all problems are a nail if you are carrying a hammer.

Shooting dogs and suing people the first chance you get is downright monstrous behaviour, certainly not high road.

Agreed.

Kick the poo out of the dog (or smack it upside the head) the first time it was a problem. tell the owner to control it. Be prepared to up the ante on either the dog or owner. Move on.

What he said ^^

Don't be that guy that blazes away at someones poorly trained pet the at the first opportunity.

 

[danez71]

You seem to be confused. dog <> person. You can legitimately shoot a dog in a lot of cases where shooting a person would not be appropriate.

For example, shooting a dog in your chicken coop is fine. Shooting the neighbor in your chicken coop is not ok--even if he's eating your chickens on the spot.

If an animal bites a human, the human can put animal down. No question about it.

If you google 'convicted for shooting a dog' you'd know that statement is complete horse hockey.

A cop was recently convicted in CA. The cop claimed the dog was aggressive and bit him on the foot.

They determined the cop over reacted.

 

[Njal Thorgeirsson]

danez71

Thanks for another informative response!

One thing to try to keep in mind if you are attacked..... FIGHT BACK!!! Hurt that dog. Be aggressive back... don't shy away. Keep focused and go on the offense. Don't just defend yourself.... attack the dog.

I'll definitely consider this advice in the future. It prevents escalating the situation, and will more than likely be enough to keep myself safe while preventing a DGU. Thanks for the link; it was really interesting to read about that situation! I think Fish was more than justified in that shooting and I'm really glad he was set free. Even so, it stresses the importance of avoiding gun use even if you're justified. Whether or not you're justified is not enough. In order for me to use a gun defensively I'd need to feel both justified and forced to use said firearm.

Thanks also for the info on dog behavior! I will definitely take all that into account if I'm ever in a situation like this again.

 

[yugorpk]

If you google 'convicted for shooting a dog' you'd know that statement is complete horse hockey.

A cop was recently convicted in CA. The cop claimed the dog was aggressive and bit him on the foot.

They determined the cop over reacted.

Weve had cops out on a jog where the dog snarled at him and the cop unloaded on the dog. The cop was in fear for his life ( according to the cop ) . He walked Scott free.

I hate to be the dog shooting advocate but I have no special feelings about other peoples untrained and undisciplined dogs they allow to run free. If I was out walking my dog and some mutt came up and started attacking my dog I probably would try to get it away from my dog , maybe hit it with a stick and if it got real bad I'd probably discharge my weapon in a safe direction to scare the thing off ( and get a ticket ) . If it attacked me or anyone else with me the dog would get ventilated. Sorry 'bout the dog buddy but use a leash. Theres all sorts of reasons people carry guns. I'm a 6'4" 225 lb grown man. People don't mess with me much even in the crappy parts of town. One of the biggest reasons I carry a firearm especially out in the country is for animals.

 

[danez71]

Weve had cops out on a jog where the dog snarled at him and the cop unloaded on the dog. The cop was in fear for his life ( according to the cop ) . He walked Scott free.

.

So what?!?

As I said, Google convicted of shooting a dog and you'll find plenty of examples to show that saying if you get bit by a dog you're OK to shoot it with no problem.... is just bs plain and simple.

 

[musher]

If you google 'convicted for shooting a dog' you'd know that statement is complete horse hockey.

A single example doesn't demonstrate my statement is 'horse hockey'

It's not normal for dogs to bite people. A reasonable person, being bitten would conclude they were being attacked. Self defense is appropriate. Doesn't matter whether the person 'read the dog manual' or not.

Now you may be a big manly type who wrestles grizzly bears over lunch, but most folks just aren't that interested in going hand to hand with a biting dog. You want to google--go google dog bite injuries.

Seriously, we shoot dogs just for chasing sheep. Why the heck wouldn't we shoot one that was actually biting us?

 

[tactikel]

Yes the owner was a jerk, but the dog was not aggressive or in attack mode. He just wanted to play, FOOD, FUN, run and play!!
Yes I'm a dog person, but I always have non lethal options when hiking, biking, camping when confronted with a dog; a hiking staff or a cane and mace will be all you'll need for all but the most aggressive canine.
I would have waved the cane when he first approached, most dogs get the idea. Laying teeth on me gets him maced. If he is in full attack mode, teeth bared, hair up, biting hard and no owner to call him off, then I draw my weapon.
Then I call my Lawyer. Please don't kill a dog for stealing Cheetos!!

 

[danez71]

danez71

Thanks for another informative response!



I'll definitely consider this advice in the future. It prevents escalating the situation, and will more than likely be enough to keep myself safe while preventing a DGU. Thanks for the link; it was really interesting to read about that situation! I think Fish was more than justified in that shooting and I'm really glad he was set free. Even so, it stresses the importance of avoiding gun use even if you're justified. Whether or not you're justified is not enough. In order for me to use a gun defensively I'd need to feel both justified and forced to use said firearm.

Thanks also for the info on dog behavior! I will definitely take all that into account if I'm ever in a situation like this again.

That Fish case, was an injustice IMO.

But you understood the point.

 

[DanLee]

Someone here posted about a dog bite that drew blood. Most states require that dog bites be reported to animal control or the local health department. I've been bitten (no blood) and reported it. The authorities will investigate as to whether the animal has an up-to-date rabies vaccine and probably require the owner to quarantine the dog for a couple weeks in any case. Just something else to keep in mind.

 

[danez71]

A single example doesn't demonstrate my statement is 'horse hockey'

It's not normal for dogs to bite people. A reasonable person, being bitten would conclude they were being attacked. Self defense is appropriate. Doesn't matter whether the person 'read the dog manual' or not.

Now you may be a big manly type who wrestles grizzly bears over lunch, but most folks just aren't that interested in going hand to hand with a biting dog. You want to google--go google dog bite injuries.

Seriously, we shoot dogs just for chasing sheep. Why the heck wouldn't we shoot one that was actually biting us?

That's why I said to Google it.... because there are tons of examples, not just one. You should try it too.

Actually I'm about 5'7" on a real good day and about 155 lbs. Hardly grizzly wrestling material.


You shooting dogs because they chase sheep isn't relevant to anything in this thread.


And now is a good time to say again that I hate these threads.

Too much chest thumping.

 

[Njal Thorgeirsson]

Obviously there's not a clear-cut moment where it become justifiable for someone to shoot a dog. That's up to an individual (and possibly eventually a judge) to decide.

Having read the responses in this thread so far I'd tend to say that anyone who gets bit by a dog (of a threatening size) they believe to be aggressive is justified in shooting it. Being justified, however, is sometimes not enough to allow you to shoot a dog (or person) without negative consequences.

I like tactikel's response, and I feel that I personally will, in the future, consider exploring other options (namely a firm whoopin') with dogs before resorting to firearm use.

 

[danez71]

Obviously there's not a clear-cut moment where it become justifiable for someone to shoot a dog. That's up to an individual (and possibly eventually a judge) to decide.

Having read the responses in this thread so far I'd tend to say that anyone who gets bit by a dog (of a threatening size) they believe to be aggressive is justified in shooting it. Being justified, however, is sometimes not enough to allow you to shoot a dog (or person) without negative consequences.

I like tactikel's response, and I feel that I personally will, in the future, consider exploring other options (namely a firm whoopin') with dogs before resorting to firearm use.

I like tactikel's reply too.

I think your 1st paragraph above is spot on..... you may need to convince a judge so be as sure as possible.

 

[Pilot]

Mount Evans? I lived in Colorado for many years and hiked many of the Fourteeners. I ALWAYS had a good gun on my hip, and pepper spray, and my dog with me. Mountain Lions were my main concern. I would have pepper sprayed that dog when it showed any signs of aggression. However, with my dog with me, I wouldn't have needed to, not because he was a badass, but other dogs respected him.

 

[Reloadron]

On the summit, an un-leashed young black lab snatched a bag of cheese and crackers out of my hand and ate the whole thing. It wasn't aggressive, but the dog clearly wasn't trained. I wasn't sure who the owners were so I didn't say anything about how stupid it was to have an untrained and un-leashed dog in an environment like that.

This is where I put effort into finding the owner.

As I turned around to see where the hell the owner was, the dog aggressively barked close to my face, and chomped my shoulder and quickly released (I was wearing about three dense layers, so no blood was drawn but I had half a dozen small bruises).

The dog bit, that's it, end of story. This is where I absolutely find the owner. You claim a bruise but no blood drawn?

As I stated we have two dogs and neither would bite but if one did I would never fault someone for shooting the dog. The fact that you never bothered to find the owner leaves me to wonder? Since it was only a bruise and you were wearing heavy clothing it was OK for the dog to bite and leave a bruise? I would have been all over finding the stupid owner and looking for a rabies vaccination proof on the dogs collar. The dog bit hard enough and you claim multiple layers of clothing and left a bruise? Something isn't quite right and as I mentioned I have no sympathy. Like I mentioned, with dog ownership goes responsibility. I see it and the law around here sees it as being responsible for your dogs actions.

Ron

 

[Al Thompson]

I think Pilot has "asked and answered" the topic.