Attacking dog?

[aema15]

Turns out the owners were probably not home. After the dog got shooed away by our neighbor, it went back home and the neighbor next door to the owner let the dog back in through the side gate.

When I went around looking for the dog shortly after the incident, I filmed the attached. The dog was trying to get out again. And that looks like blood on the gate.

This should be cause for animal control to pay this owner a visit. View attachment 129024

That looks pretty concerning. As a fellow dog lover, I'd definitely call animal control

 

[markwise]

This morning, my sister-in-law who lives with us was walking her small dog in front of our house. An unknown dog appeared and tried to attack her and her dog. Fortunately, she was able to get into the small park next to our home and close the gate to prevent the dog from getting at them.

A neighbor saw this and shooed the dog away with a broom/mop. My sister-in-law said that it looked like a pit bull type of dog.

Serious question for you....if you were in a similar situation and you were carrying, are you justified if you shot that dog to prevent serious injury to you and your pet?

Second, I believe I know which house that dog belongs to and will have a discussion with the residents about their dog getting out and threatening my sister-in-law and her dog. But I was just wondering if it would have been justified if I had to shoot that dog.

My dog was bit and attacked by neighbors pitbull. I choked it out after punching its liver didn’t work.

Pits jaws lock on the prey. Choking it out worked but having a pits jaw by face was not smart in hindsight could have but me too if I was locked in. (Think rear naked choke) and I was standing with it choking it. Let it down and held it down my dog ran inside luckily just a nip that didn’t leave any lasting damage that a day or two wouldn’t heal.

As always, right tool for the job. I am 6’3 and 220lb so yeah what I did worked. But looking back I would kick it as hard as possible in the chest first. If too much squirming then choke but maybe not rear naked just grab its throat and squeeze. Like squeezing a orange.

But, it may bite you, or death thrash if even more irritated so for a little lady or just a big dog yeah shoot it. But it seems like such a rare situation you really must be a threat of life.

If its attacking you however, sure shoot it. If attacking someone else, don’t shoot unless last resort you don’t wanna kill someone

 

[NorCalBusa]

My wife ALWAYS walks with pepper spray. In the even of an attack you spray both dogs until big dogs lets go and or runs off, then keep spraying big dog where possible.

You would need large bites on SIL or yourself to argue self defense, and even then if you do not have CCW and you are out and about, you will have some explaining to do. Pepper or Bear spray when walking any dog is a must.

It is nonsensical to have to get bitten before you can defend.

 

[Eatdirt]

This story is Exactly why I carry a walking staff with me.
On a dog walk or just hiking around
4 ft tall thick piece of Manzanita with a wrap of leather shoelace on end for grip
Really helpfull going thru scrub brush , checking things out on ground , moving snakes.

 

[NorCalBusa]

This story is Exactly why I carry a walking staff with me.
On a dog walk or just hiking around
4 ft tall thick piece of Manzanita with a wrap of leather shoelace on end for grip
Really helpfull going thru scrub brush , checking things out on ground , moving snakes.

Depending on your height, consider something longer. 4' - 1' for your hand leaves 3' for keeping an attacking dog at bay. Seems a bit close to me.

A Taser makes a great backup device and (usually) is non-lethal. Just remember to turn it 90 degrees for animals so the probes spread in a horizonal plane. Humans- vertical spread.

 

[foothillman]

Check with your county and city.

I have not killed a dog but came very close one time.
Dog was attacking neighbors pig.
Neighbor was not home during this event.
Was not on my property so used a bat to stop the attack.
Got bit during all this.
Pig had to be put down and dog sent to vet.

Asked neighbor if he gives me permission to use a firearm on his property.
He put it in writing and the dog owner has been warned.
Dog owner was fined by animal control and had to pay for pet pig.

Having your sisters dog killed and her face ripped off is not acceptable.
This is not your sisters fault.
You have to get animal control involved.

Not sure if anyone has seen what a pack of "nice family" dogs can become.
Just like people once in a group they feed off each other.
The hunt and taste of blood will change them forever.

I blame the owner but unfortunately the dog pays the ultimate price.

Does not have to be attacking only "worrying"

 

[GoldensRule]

I have had big dogs for over sixty years, my biggest dog right now is 6'1" on his hind legs and over 200 lbs. He is as sweet a dog as you've ever met. We also have two regular sized retrievers who of course are also as sweet as they come. That said, one rule of dog ownership is, no matter how careful you are or how well fenced your yard is, eventually will happen and your dog(s) will get out. I have never had a mean or aggressive dog so, when my dogs have gotten out over the years, they normally show up at a neighbors house looking for snacks or go for a swim in their pool (retrievers are irrepressible when it comes to any body of water).

I have experienced other dogs getting out and and trying to attack my dogs, even small dogs will act aggressively towards much bigger dogs. One recent incident saw a small, yappy dog get out and chase after us and my 200 lbs. dog pulled his leash right out of my hand (and I am bigger than he is) and he chased the yappy dog right back home, then he turned around and sauntered back to us with a somewhat smarmy expression of satisfaction on his face, pretty funny in retrospect.

I've also had dogs get out and literally attack both myself and my dogs (different incidents) so, when we are walking the dogs in unfamiliar neighborhoods, I carry a graphite tennis racquet, I learned at dog beach that a tennis racquet is GREAT for separating dogs without being bitten, it's also great for whacking the attacking dog without hurting them but, it does startle them and frequently ends the confrontation. Another trick is to grab the attacking dog by the tail and pull them away, NEVER, EVER grab one of the dogs by the collar or anywhere near their faces, you will be bitten, a lesson I have personally learned.

Other things work as well, make yourself as big and loud as possible before the other dog gets to you, yell at them to go home, stomp your feet, throw rocks, grab and use a branch or anything else that is handy to deter the attacking dog. The last thing you want to do is runaway unless you can get behind someone's fence or gate before the dog gets to you because dogs instinctively chase anything that runs.

Of course bear spray is another great option, much better that typical pepper spray as it will spray much further and with greater volume.

Last thing I would do is shoot someone's dog, I would discharge a weapon into a tree or the dirt in the hopes the report would scare the animal but, if all else failed and if my dogs were being injured or my wife and or I were being threatened, I would shoot the attacking dog. I would also hope no one witnessed the event and I would probably make the attacking dog's carcass disappear. Yes, not entirely legal or ethical but that's what I would do. I would also go home and document the entire event.

 

[kdub1290]

As others have noted, pepper spray is the best deterrent. There have been instances of people shooting at dogs, missing and then hitting people they didn’t intend to shoot. Pair that with the legal reasons people already noted and it makes the clear best choice to spray them as they approach.

I’m not sure how big your in law’s dog is, but if it is large enough to pull her a bit, I wouldn’t recommend placing the pepper spray on the leash because you don’t want the force her own dog is applying to the leash to interfere with her being able to aim the spray.

What type of spray did you get her? Not all pepper spray is of equal effictiveness. Did you also get her an inert canister or two to practice with? You don’t want her first time ever trying to use the spray to be when everything is on the line. She needs to practice and familiarize herself with the spray.

 

[vplaza96]

As others have noted, pepper spray is the best deterrent. There have been instances of people shooting at dogs, missing and then hitting people they didn’t intend to shoot. Pair that with the legal reasons people already noted and it makes the clear best choice to spray them as they approach.

I’m not sure how big your in law’s dog is, but if it is large enough to pull her a bit, I wouldn’t recommend placing the pepper spray on the leash because you don’t want the force her own dog is applying to the leash to interfere with her being able to aim the spray.

What type of spray did you get her? Not all pepper spray is of equal effictiveness. Did you also get her an inert canister or two to practice with? You don’t want her first time ever trying to use the spray to be when everything is on the line. She needs to practice and familiarize herself with the spray.

I got two to practice with.

 

[Shredla]

you're more than likely going to court regardless if you pull the weapon and use it... im sure the dog's owner will lawyer up immediately.
To pull your weapon you must be in fear of life or great bodily injury. Thats why things like "warning shots" will get you in trouble, you're either so scared of dying or great bodily injury from an attacker (person/animal) that you needed to neutralize the threat or you weren't. There is not really a middle ground in that sense.

 

[HarleyLowRiderST]

you're more than likely going to court regardless if you pull the weapon and use it... im sure the dog's owner will lawyer up immediately.
To pull your weapon you must be in fear of life or great bodily injury. Thats why things like "warning shots" will get you in trouble, you're either so scared of dying or great bodily injury from an attacker (person/animal) that you needed to neutralize the threat or you weren't. There is not really a middle ground in that sense.

^^^ EXACTLY THIS ^^^

Gentlemen this is Liberal California (especially if you live in the SF Bay Area, LA, SLO, or other Liberal areas:

• A warning shot could get you a "Discarded firearm within City limits". Hit someone or something and you get more charges.
• Shooting someone's dog because it attacked your dog (as mentioned above) could also get you into "Firearm use" issues.
• If there are no witnesses and you shoot the neighbors dog, who's to say "you were in real danger at all" (Hence my bite marks from above)

Also I'm no lawyer (so if there is one in the thread please let us know), but can you use your firearm "in public" to defend without a CCW permit? I mean the DA might say "You do not have a permit to carry so why were you carrying". I don't know the answer hence why I asked.

Either way shooting a dog, in public, without witnesses, in my humble opinion is not the best option. Bear Spray is less than lethal and VERY effective in dog attacks. Spray the dogs.

I think trying to shoot a single dog while fighting with your dog, and not hit the person holding the leash, or your dog, or bystanders, is video game puffery at best.

 

[GoldensRule]

I happened across this item on Amazon today. Looks like it could be and extremely effective way of dealing with an attacking dog or even a human for that matter.

ZAP Hike 'n Strike

 

[vplaza96]

I happened across this item on Amazon today. Looks like it could be and extremely effective way of dealing with an attacking dog or even a human for that matter.

ZAP Hike 'n Strike

Wow, talk about a multi-function tool. McGyver would be proud.

 

[GoldensRule]

Wow, talk about a multi-function tool. McGyver would be proud.

Funny, I had the exact same thought!

 

[Eatdirt]

Depending on your height, consider something longer. 4' - 1' for your hand leaves 3' for keeping an attacking dog at bay. Seems a bit close to me.

O K , I measured before our daily Trek
Measured 56 inches, Been my open - carry champion for over 20 years

 

[guncurious]

I ordered pepper spray to attach to the leashes.

Get some of the testers as well. POM sells them for their spray - they are basically pepper spray canisters filled with water. They let you practice and get an idea how far they will shoot, what the coverage is, as well. Know how to use your tools before you need to use them.

 

[Ktm45]

Beware the wind…

 

[Plenty_Pack_556]

Yell ATF while shooting the dog, it works for them, it should work for you.

 

[weimer20]

Pepper spray has always been effective for me when encountering aggressive dogs “on the job”. Multiple uses, as many successful outcomes. Use of a firearm is going to have LE crawling all over you even if eventually deemed necessary and lawful. My wife produced a baseball bat for home defense when we started dating. I asked her what she was going to do with it after she got beat with it by her assailant. Feel the same about walking sticks and such. Serious fur missiles don’t give a damn about sticks.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

Pepper spray has always been effective for me when encountering aggressive dogs “on the job”. Multiple uses, as many successful outcomes. Use of a firearm is going to have LE crawling all over you even if eventually deemed necessary and lawful. My wife produced a baseball bat for home defense when we started dating. I asked her what she was going to do with it after she got beat with it by her assailant. Feel the same about walking sticks and such. Serious fur missiles don’t give a damn about sticks.

Maybe they would get distracted and want to fetch it instead of killing you LOL