I like dogs, prefer cats though. I used to keep dogs but moving around on active duty was not all that dog friendly.
I do tend to believe there are aggressive breeds and the majority of folks that own them don't own them because they are cute and cuddly. I've lost count of the redneck dumba**s I've heard brag "yea, old spike is one bas A** dog! He'll eat yer a** up in a heartbeat!". Then the same DA lets the BA dog run free to terrorize the neighborhood. I have one common name for these dogs when they come on my property,...target.
Harsh? Maybe, but I had a incident in San Diego once upon a time that firmed up my respect for immediate response to these dogs.
I was living in military housing in Terra Santa. I had a neighbor with a truly mean hienz 57, pick of the litter mutt, that he frequently allowed to run free. Without fail, this dog would chase my wife back into the house, hackles raised, teeth barred. I asked repeatedly that the dog remain restrained and was told to mine my own F***ing business. I called base police, they told
him to restrain the dog. He did for a short time, then thought it would be funny to sic the dog on folks, including me and my wife, then laugh and chain the dog back up.
I've mentioned that I was a bow hunter tournament shooter once upon a time. By WSA rules I averaged 540 out of a perfect 560 at tournaments. Since leaving Washington state and moving to San Diego, I had very few places to shoot so I listed my rig for sale. I had it laid out on the tailgate of my truck to show to a potential buyer when the following happened.
Wife comes out, dressed to go to a wedding shower. You know, nice dress, heels, etc. Snot fer brains turns his dog loose and here he come across the yard. My wife turns and tries to get back in the house, nearly falling in hose and heels. I instinctively pick up the bow, nock a broadhead tipped arrow and begin my draw on the dog. Neighbor screams "Shoot my dog I'll kick yer F'ing a**!", then calls the dog back, it stopped in it's tracks, while DA came for me. I swung the bow around toward him and gave him a choice. The dog averted his attention to me and I shot the dog in mid air. I promptly nocked another arrow.
The base police came, and why I didn't get picked up for drawing down on DA, I'll never know. I think one of the base police that responded was one that originally told him to keep the dog restrained or put him down. At any rate, since that time I don't screw with dogs. If it appears to be viscious, and intent on harming me of mine, it's dead. Gun, bow, knife, shovel or stick, it really doesn't matter.
Bottom line is that dog/pet owners are responsible for their well being, safety, feeding, housing and training. It ya don't want it to become a target, don't teach it to be a target. The dog in my San Diego episode was part doberman, part german sheperd and part mutt. It weighed about 75 pounds, had an ugly disposition and was a threat. Homey don't play!
While hunting, I have kill four wild dogs. Three with bow, one with gun. All were stalking me.