I went for a walk with my mom, my two children and our dogs. My youngest child is 18 months and both our dogs are very small. One is a Yorkie mix and my dog is a Min Pin. We often go for walks and we have never encountered any problems, except for today. We were minding our own business, walking down the street. We live in a very quiet neighborhood. Out of nowhere came this German Sheppard and he beelined for my dog. He had coaxed his way thru his fence. Needless to say I kept screaming NO! and my poor dog went airborne because it was all I could do to keep the dog from attacking my dog and he almost succeeded in biting her. His jaws were big enough to sever her spine. My mom was trying her best to shield the baby, who was in the stroller and her dog, which she had picked up as all the commotion was going on. In the midst of all the screaming, the dog's owner got his attention and asked for our welfare and deeply apologized. What's to keep that dog from attacking us again?
2007-07-17 16:08:59 · 10 answers · asked by manny_gabbey 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
no concealed weapons,
but you are allowed to carry non-concealed weapons.
2007-07-17 16:13:13 · answer #1 · answered by 987654321abc 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋
While the shooting of an overly aggressive dog might be justifiable, a simpler solution might be pepper spray or mace. Since a dog's nose is many times more sensitive than a humans the effect of a strong pepper spray is normally enough to run any dog off.
However, be aware that pepper spray can also be blown about by strong winds, right back at you or at your family members.
I would also report the incident to the police. A dog's owner is responsible for the animal. Heck in South Dakota where I live if my dog gets a pheasant on her own out of season or on posted property, I can be held accountable and fined!
Good luck
2007-07-20 06:37:46 · answer #2 · answered by Christopher H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you would have been justified in shooting the dog.
But, and this is a big but. . .
You said you were walking with your mom, two children and two other dogs. You really want to start shooting at a dog with your mother, children and dogs running around you? Are you that competent with your gun? What happens if you miss, where is that bullet going to go?
Not to long ago a couple New York cops were wounded when their partner began shooting at a Pit Bull coming at them. He missed the dog and the ricocheting bullets hit the other officers.
Get some 10% Pepper Spray and carry an old golf club. Don't try hitting the dog in the head with the club, swing at the legs.
2007-07-17 16:54:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry that happened to you. I had a similar encounter in May. I called the sheriff because we live just outside the city limits.(no animal control) I asked him what my rights were unlike your situation the other dogs owner laughed which really made me mad! My wife and one year old son were really upset! He said if it happened again I could not kill the dog, but I could use a pepper spray just make sure my family was upwind. So I went out and bought some. We went on a walk and like usual that dog came running at us he got a face full of pepper spray and now leaves us alone. I also carry a golf club stuck in the stroller when we walk and have pulled it out on another dog waiving it and yelling at the dog and he went away. They make the spray just for dogs. I think you can buy it at any gun store. I bought mine @ cheaper than dirt.com check out their web site. I know how mad you must be. I hope this helps.
2007-07-17 16:33:53 · answer #4 · answered by Marc N 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I've got to agree with "old fuzz". Justifiable shooting, yes ... smart shooting , NO!
In addition to the pepper spray and old golf club (excellent suggestions!). May I add a few? Concealed carry permit, good idea and worth looking into, when everything else fails ... count on your best friends Remington and Colt!
First line of defense ... paint ball gun! Makes one heck of a racket, even if you don't HIT the dog, you will SCARE the dog, and give him something to think about! If you do hit the dog, it probably will not be lethal, but painful enough to establish your role as top dog. I see the dog making a hasty retreat!
Since you are walking with your mom and kids ... two adults! One applies for concealed carry, the other goes shopping for a paint ball gun and CO2! Multilayer defense strategies work best!
2007-07-17 17:50:28 · answer #5 · answered by ornery and mean 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Check your state law but if this happened in the state of AZ you can protect your family or a pets life with deadly force if it is warranted to do so. In this case the dog was going to attack your child shoot and kill it if you need to. If it is a person you can only use force necessary to stop an attack. With this being said if some one has a knife and is coming at you, you can shoot if they are walking away then you can't
2007-07-17 17:24:04 · answer #6 · answered by Steven C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In FL to carry a weapon you need to have a CCW permit. Check with a local gun shop, they should have info on it, or check myflorida.com should be on there somewhere. My opinion on this, dogs/pets are considered property. If the dog was coming after you, your child, or your mom-yes it'd be justified in shooting it. But if it was going after your dog(property)-depending on where you live, they might go after you for discharging a firearm. BUT, they are cracking down(at least where I lived) on "dangerous" dogs, so who knows. Best bet, carry some pepper spray with you. Like someone mentioned, unless you have a lot of experience with firearms, especially in stressful situations, I wouldn't be so quick to start shooting-especially with your child around.
2007-07-17 17:38:11 · answer #7 · answered by tikitiki 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you need to report this owner to the dog pound in your area. keep a record and carry your cell phone. if this dog comes out again call the cops. i also like a big metal bar in the baby carrage so you can beat the poop out of the dog and some strong mace.
2007-07-17 16:19:38 · answer #8 · answered by Ida 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There was a story just a few weeks ago where a woman jogger had a concealed weapon permit, and she carried a gun in a waist pouch. A dog came after her and she shot and killed it, and it was legal. It was in Deltona.
2007-07-17 16:19:36 · answer #9 · answered by teepeetop 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You could shoot it only if it is to prevent serious, immediate bodily injury to a person. I don't know this for sure for Florida, but I have never heard of any state that would allow you to shoot a dog to protect your own dog.
2007-07-17 17:20:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋