Using deadly force to protect your pet

[BRTCP88]

I remember reading an article about the different breeds that bit mailmen as the old story goes. Poodle was either #1 or #2 with Chihuahuah [(that Mexican rat, however it is spelled] taking the other spot. I don't know if Pit Bull was even on the list.

LOL, that's funny. See perception will fool you. I got so irritated with the pit bull comment that I forgot to respond to the original question. I would shoot anyone or anything that threatened a member of my family. Dogs included.

[sixguncowboy]

In Texas you have a right to use deadly force to protect your property yourself or the life of another. Don't know about SC. I shot a German Shepherd that lunged at me right between the headlights with a 38. No problem.

[Rich M]

Thats a real scenario here in Wa. Dude was at the park in Kirkland, 3 pits attacked his Sheapard. He has a CWP. He shot one (inside the city limits) and no charges were ever filed. I think a lot could depend on the cop or prosecuter and how their attitudes towards this is. Are they dog friendly or gun friendly, anti dog, anti gun or...? Hard to tell.

[fatcat]

On this thread i can talk from personal experance. About 15 years ago i was charged by a chow while investigasting some noises at our barn at midnight. For some unknown reasion i did not feal the need, at the time, to carry a wepon with me. I rounded the corner at the back of the barn when I supprised a chow trying to dig his way in. He growled and charged. At this point I had only one option. A swift adrenalin charged kick to the chin, with steel toed boots, sent him flying through th air head ofer heals. Oh at the time I was 6'3" and 310# and in verry good condition. The dog landed a good 15' away. He jumped up turned toward me again and growled. I let out a half growl and half yell then stomped the ground with what was enough force that he then turned and troted off. Was I lucky, yes. Will I do that again without some sort of weapon, no. Even though I did not have time to draw a weapon at the first point of contact, but he would not have gotten off my property alive.
Do you need a gun to fend off a dog attak, not always, but always nice to have just in case.

[james48g]

I agree,anything attacking my dog was after me first and should be dispatched immediately. Most peoples pets are like family even if the law says otherwise.

[boston101]

Find out what the statutes are for your state or county. You can be convicted of various felony's and/or missdemeanors depending on the situation- know the law and make NO statements without counsel. It's amazing how fast LEO changes from your friend to ' im just doing my job' and you get convicted

[wallyb]

"It's amazing how fast LEO changes from your friend to ' im just doing my job' and you get convicted."

Wow, that is the truth.

[ArkhmAsylm]

A great reason to carry pepper spray. If the OC doesn't keep the animal from attacking, "I was in fear for my life" as a reason to shoot will almost always suffice - just make sure that ricochets aren't likely to hit anyone.
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As an addition to this post, I feel that it's important to note that people should realize a dog is not dangerous in-and-of itself, it's the person who owns/trains/neglects it that creates the danger.

As mentioned by others, even a Standard Poodle can inflict harm on someone. The fact about Pits, Rots, Chows, & the rest is that these breeds are only capable of inflicting serious damage due to their breed characteristics - a strong jaw configuration, their size, agility, etc.

It's the stupid human that should be labeled dangerous.