I drew my weapon in self defense: Gun owners & Dog Walkers

One thing I would do different is not post of it on the webs. You never know what might come back on you these days, even of you did nothing wrong, lately they seem to make you have to prove it in court. I don't mean anything bad to you, Specalt, on that angle.

 

Perhaps it will cause more people to think twice and keep their dog on a leash, where it belongs. If your animal attacks me, I will attack it back.

You've never witnessed a large, aggressive dog attack a human being, have you? I've watched 65 pound working dogs drag a full grown man around like a play toy.

 

aaand that's the reason I couldn't shoot a dog. Unless it was legitimately attacking me. That little guy is so innocent hehee

 

I know.. They are like snow white virgins trying to contribute to a conversation on sexual technique.. Its just sad really. Totally inexperienced and clueless.

"I'm a newfie, and I choose not to own a gun!"

that wasnt a choice dear..

 

Oh well

 

Note that I start the statement with "Just to be an asshole" so obviously im not totally serious. But there is such thing as a dog that can recognize things by sight. And their sight is pretty impressive. My girlfriend's dog is terrified any time we bring out the shotgun (hates the sound and makes her nervous) and she was afraid of my rifle before she had even heard it... Sooooo it is possible for a dog to have had a negative experience with someone with a holstered gun and hold on to that experience. I wasnt saying it was the reason it attacked, just throwing out ideas.

 

Probably the best response in this thread.. well said.

& there were a few here debating the "eye contact " thing..making direct eye contact or trying to "stare" them down is the fastest way to incite aggression &/or an attack from just about any animal

 

Its ok, maybe someday OZ

 

Arizona statute reads as follows....

“in self defense or defense of another person against an animal attack if
a reasonable person would believe that deadly physical force against the animal is
immediately necessary and reasonable under the circumstances to protect oneself or
the other person.”

It seems arizona has written it's laws to place all of the liability on the shoulders of the dog owner vs. the victim. The only way the OP would be in the wrong is if the dog owner could convince the proper people that the OP instigated the attack....with the given details, I'd say that would be a stretch. Also, a civil case against the OP would have no chance in the state of arizona unless criminal charges were filed. Way to know your rights OP.

/thread

 

Because there's a chance to possibly use his firearm! Woo hoo! Almost got to shoot something!!

People today are getting sick. They're sooo concerned with their rights, that ignore what IS right.

 

This was a lot of info and some good alternatives. Thanks for posting this.

 

When I was a boy a big half starved pit came out of nowhere running at my little brother on our farm. My Dad shot the dog dead in it's tracks and everyone was thankful my brother didn't get hurt. We never really thought about if it was legal or not. If Dad hadn't shot the dog, my little brother might have been injured or killed.

I think how it is perceived depends on your area and neighbors. If we had lived in a populated area with anti-gun hippies all over the place, then I'm sure someone would have complained about it regardless of the legality.

Either way, after living in the country and a big city, I have found out that when people start clustering together is when you start having problems.

 

Ceaser Millan would have handled it differently ; )

 

I read this last night and wanted to think a bout it.

The best answer is no. I would not have done any thing different in this situation.

I have had several dogs run after me in the park. I did not draw on any of those dogs. This dog just seemed different and it made contact with me. It did not bite but it did hit my heal during its charge at me. This is what made me turn and draw in the first place. Yes I did prepare my self by unlatching my holster.

There were a few things that scared me a bit. First was the dog

The dog might not have killed me, but it was a sufficient size that it could have damaged me quite badly.

The second thing. Was how quick I reacted. Yes this did actually scared me. I go to the gun range a lot. I have take a few defensive weapon courses. Ever class I was in talked about how to kill a human. Defend your self in this scenario. How to take cover and so on. I do not really practice drawing my gun. I do practice loading and unloading it, blind and in the dark. But through this encounter was how fast my gun ended up in my hand. This I found terifying. Almost deer in the headlights feel.

The third thing that scared the crap out of me was I lost sight of the owners of the dogs. I was very aware of my surroundings. I new exactly were my wife was. I knew were the dog was. But his is what scared me. Not that I was afraid of shooting the owner it was quite the opposite. Playing the game of what if. If he changed me linebacker style I would not have seen that coming. The owner was an average sized man 6' or so 180lbs and quite fit. I am 6' 210 and not fit and exhausted from running. The girl that was with him was about the same, fit for a lady and okay built. My wife was too far away to intervene and never been in a fight and is anti gun. That would have been a terrible fight 3 on 1.

The one good thing and I am quite proud of is how fast I was able to secure my weapon and remove my self from the situation. By the time the guy had the dog secure I was a good 25 meters away.

How will I handle the next situation? That is a good question. I will do what my gut tells me.

 

Iv carried in the neighborhood because of stray dogs. Havnt the past few weeks... I need too. I at least always carry a knife. The trash of the "hood" always manage to forget their pitbulls out front and they run down the street at people/animals.

My girlfriend lucked out recently with putbull and some yappy little dog. Glad the owner was able to call them back. She got tangled in the bike and leash and couldnt stop the dogs. Granted I wouldnt count on her stopping much anyways unless she can sit on them.

 

That's part of putting my pants on.

 

So you were in a public park which allows dogs, and momentarily a dog gets away from the owner and you pull the gun card. I respect your right to do what you did and perhaps I would have done the same.. but what if you fired your weapon and killed the dog. What if a by-stander misinterpreted the situation then pulled their gun as they saw you as a threat?. Too many what if's. For your safety and everyone's around you a gun should be a last measure. Not a first.

If you were in a neighborhood and some mystery dog runs at you, absolutely shoot the damn thing. Were you in a public park with the owner close by? Yes. If the dog wanted to harm you it would have before you drew your gun and yelled at it. Probably at the moment it brushed your heal it would have ravaged your leg. Didn't you pull your gun after the dog retreated? Or did I misread.

Anyway, thankfully no-one was hurt and I didn't see you in the news with some bullshit patchy media story following it.

 

You have a very good point.

I was a public park. My state does have a Leash law for dogs. This dog was out of the owners control. There is also too many what if's

The point you make is that my side are was my first resort. This is a valid point and I do not have an answer for. Every one is bringing up the eye contact I saw the owner's and the dog before they saw me. Every thing happened in a matter of seconds.

I see them, I see the dog.. The dog sees me barks then charges. The owners looked to see what the dog barked at the same time the dog was bolting. I saw them took at me the next thing I know is the dog is at my heals and I had my weapon in hand. I do not feel I had time Stop in my tracks and re-evaluate the situation. I was not about to reach for or kick at the dog. That would have been my first option. Had I done that I have no doubt I would have been bit. My side arm there for was the best choice. I did not have to reach for the dog or make a movement for the dog. Drawing takes very little action and it is not a big movement, I could just walk backward with my firearm pointed at the dog. As I was retreating the dog was following me growling and barking until the owner jumped between, us arresting his dog. By my best account it took the dog 1 second to make it to me. In that same second I had drawn my gun. 2.5 seconds later the owner was on his dog at 3.5 seconds I was re holstered. There is a lot that goes through your brain in that time.