Today a child in my neighborhood was attacked by a pitbull. A woman in the neigborhood walked her two pitbulls down the street as usual, one dog on a leash, the other allowed to walk free. The victim was a young boy who had the audacity to play with other neighbor children in the front lawn.
I did not witness the event but I returned home as animal controll was leaving the residence of the dog owner and the story was told to me by another neighbor who helped by hiting the dog with a trash can lid (brave lady). The boy, about six years old was badly bitten on the leg and was taken to the emergency room. Could have been much worse. This happened in the Atlanta, GA area so my questions go out to those who have some knowledge of Georgia law.
First, I would assume that if a dog comes on my property and is hurting or "threatening" to hurt my child, I could shoot it or use whatever means neccessary to repel the attack. But what if the other dog attacks my dog on my property? Am I justified in firing a weapon?
Secondly, if I witness a dog attacking a child on someone elses property, can I shoot it?
Of course, this all assumes one has a gun handy. Odds are I'd just help with a stick or whatever, rather than a gun. And in the unlikley event I had a gun or had to run in the house to get one, I would defend the child. But would I be okay in terms of the law?
Please do not tell me the virtues of pitbulls. I've seen enough.
Just as a side note, I've never understood why people who live in small homes with little or no green space like we do own large dogs. We have a fondness for animals and we own a small dog because we think its cruel to keep a big dog in a small space. Yes, we take him to the local parks to run (and we clean up after him!), but that little mut can run in our fenced yard just fine. Can't wait for our next house, I'd like a second dog. It seems if people love dogs, they would get one that fits the scale of their home. While I'm on my soap box, we got our dog from a local shelter and there could not be a better companion. Look there first if you are seeking a dog, please.
Busdog
I did not witness the event but I returned home as animal controll was leaving the residence of the dog owner and the story was told to me by another neighbor who helped by hiting the dog with a trash can lid (brave lady). The boy, about six years old was badly bitten on the leg and was taken to the emergency room. Could have been much worse. This happened in the Atlanta, GA area so my questions go out to those who have some knowledge of Georgia law.
First, I would assume that if a dog comes on my property and is hurting or "threatening" to hurt my child, I could shoot it or use whatever means neccessary to repel the attack. But what if the other dog attacks my dog on my property? Am I justified in firing a weapon?
Secondly, if I witness a dog attacking a child on someone elses property, can I shoot it?
Of course, this all assumes one has a gun handy. Odds are I'd just help with a stick or whatever, rather than a gun. And in the unlikley event I had a gun or had to run in the house to get one, I would defend the child. But would I be okay in terms of the law?
Please do not tell me the virtues of pitbulls. I've seen enough.
Just as a side note, I've never understood why people who live in small homes with little or no green space like we do own large dogs. We have a fondness for animals and we own a small dog because we think its cruel to keep a big dog in a small space. Yes, we take him to the local parks to run (and we clean up after him!), but that little mut can run in our fenced yard just fine. Can't wait for our next house, I'd like a second dog. It seems if people love dogs, they would get one that fits the scale of their home. While I'm on my soap box, we got our dog from a local shelter and there could not be a better companion. Look there first if you are seeking a dog, please.
Busdog
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