Great Response

[lizziedog1]

I was watching the morning news and there was a story about someone shooting a dog. A trucker had stopped to rest and had his leashed dog with him. A German Shepard came at them and the guy drew and shot the dog dead.

The owner of the dog was upset. Then they had the responding LEO on. He said the driver was a licensed CCW and he had every right to protect himself and his dog. Besides, the loose dog was violating the local leash law.

This happened in Sparks, Nevada.

Don't you like it when an LEO reponds like this?

 

[627PCFan]

Sounds like a clean shoot in that area, but you couldnt get away with that in all states. Sounds like the facts according to the cop with no spin. Refreshing-

 

[ZCORR Jay]

Had the owner of the Shepard kept it on a leash this would have never been a story. Being a dog owner I don't care to hear about dogs being shot however if it was in defense what can you really say?

 

[brandon_mcg]

if the german shephard was acting aggressive then the trucker was well within his rights to protect himself and his dog. i dont like to hear of dogs being killed though.

 

[c1ogden]

I don't know all the facts because I wasn't there but shooting the other dog should be treated like shooting another human - justified only if an attack is clearly imminent and not otherwise avoidable.

I don't care about the leash laws, the dog has as much right to run free as we do and under the same conditions - that he not bother anyone else. Most dogs that I've seen (I volunteer in animal rescue) are better behaved than most children. In almost 30 years as a cop I've never enforced a leash law unless the dog was being a problem to others (aggressive behavior) or endangering himself (running in traffic).

 

[Jeff F]

The OP has it a little mixed up but the end result is theres a dead German Shepperd. The German Shepperd belonged to the trucker, he was on a leash in the truck but the door was open. The shooter was walking his dog on a leash, it was a pit bull or pit bull mix. the Shepperd saw the dog and jumped out of the truck and went across the street and the two dogs started to get into a fight. The guy had a CCW, pulled his piece and shot the Shepperd. I herd the Shepperd's owner was on his way to get his dog when it was shot.

It's unfortunate and myself would have only shot as a totally last resort. I have dogs and love my dogs. My dogs sometimes get into fights but they rarely ever seriously hurt or maim each other.

Heres a link to the story and a interview with the Shepperd's owner.
http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/Man_Shoots_and_Kills_Dog_May_Face_Charges_113997694.html

 

[welldoya]

Sounds to me like the shooter was a little quick on the trigger. That didn't sound like a shootable offense to me, especially if the German Shepherd's owner was on his way over there.
Hearing this kind of stuff really irks me. Some people are just dying for a reason to pull their gun. It's a wonder the trucker didn't pull his own after seeing his dog shot.

 

[CZguy]

I'm surprised to hear of this. It's possible to break up a dog fight before it starts by picking up your dog. I've done it twice.

 

[Iam2taz]

Bottom line... I wasn't there... I have two dogs and would hate someone to shoot a "family member." The whole thing reaks of half truths.
Still I wasn't there... And I would ask this simple question... (Not being there of course.)
How much can you actually trust the liberal media in TRUTHFULLY reporting the situation?
Just a thought...

 

[jerkface11]

Sounds to me like the shooter was a little quick on the trigger. That didn't sound like a shootable offense to me, especially if the German Shepherd's owner was on his way over there.
Hearing this kind of stuff really irks me. Some people are just dying for a reason to pull their gun. It's a wonder the trucker didn't pull his own after seeing his dog shot.

I don't know all the facts because I wasn't there but shooting the other dog should be treated like shooting another human - justified only if an attack is clearly imminent and not otherwise avoidable.

I don't care about the leash laws, the dog has as much right to run free as we do and under the same conditions - that he not bother anyone else. Most dogs that I've seen (I volunteer in animal rescue) are better behaved than most children. In almost 30 years as a cop I've never enforced a leash law unless the dog was being a problem to others (aggressive behavior) or endangering himself (running in traffic).

If the trucker had valued his dog that much he'd have kept it under control. Every time someone talks about having to shoot a dog someone has to second guess them. If it had been a crack head attacking his dog no one would have said a thing.

 

[welldoya]

The dog jumped out of the truck. Dogs don't always do like they are told and it's no reason for some yahoo to shoot him. If he can't break up a dog fight without firing his weapon, maybe he needs to stay home. He sounds dangerous to me.
I mean come on, shooting a weapon at a truck stop because of a dogfight ? Get real.
Like I said previously, some people just seem to be looking for a reason to draw.

 

[Tommygunn]

I don't care about the leash laws, the dog has as much right to run free as we do and under the same conditions - that he not bother anyone else. Most dogs that I've seen (I volunteer in animal rescue) are better behaved than most children. In almost 30 years as a cop I've never enforced a leash law unless the dog was being a problem to others (aggressive behavior) or endangering himself (running in traffic).

Animals don't "have rights."
A number of years ago, the area where my mother lives had a problem with dogs. Everyday, common dogs. Pets. Well behaved at home under the supervision of their owners, yes. But few people at the time payed any attention to animal control laws and the dogs ran loose. Quickly discovering there were other dogs, they formed packs, complete with a pecking order, and almost as promptly became a danger to other people. Alone they would never attack people, but in a pack the alpha male was the leader and their canine instincts took over.
The problem was remedied .... a few of those dogs wound up with bullet holes, and the owners discovered the necessity of fences and leashes and chains.
I know you have a different experience; I'm just saying there is a downside to allowing dogs to run free. They ARE pets, and we are responsible for them. We took that responsibility when we took their ancestors out of the wild and domesticated them.
It's too late to turn back that clock.

 

[lizziedog1]

Should the Police have arrested the shooter? Would that have been a better response?

Sounds to me like the shooter was a little quick on the trigger. That didn't sound like a shootable offense to me, especially if the German Shepherd's owner was on his way over there.

Do you know how quickly one dog can inflict harm on another dog, or person?

I was at a park with my dog one day. She was on a leash. A squirrel ran up to us, within leash range of my dog. She grabbed the squirrel in her mouth, in a split second I said drop-it. She immediately did. The squirrel was completely crushed and lifeless, this took less then a second. My dog is not a fighting dog, nor a very large dog.

 

[welldoya]

To me it would've been the proper outcome. Think about it. You aren't supposed to draw your weapon unless your life is being threathened. I don't think a dog fight is life threatening. Not to you anyway. And most likely not to the dogs.
A 2x4 would've been a better response.

 

[lizziedog1]

A 2x4 would've been a better response.

How many folks CCW a 2x4?

I agree, killing a dog, even in self-defense is sad. It is a situation I hope I never have to face, I love dogs. But, I love my dogs a bit more then someone else's dog.

 

[pikid89]

wow...this thread has garnered more emotional responses than most other reports of shootings
people get too caught up over how "animals have rights" or "animals are people too"
i beg to differ
shooting this dog is no different than shooting say a racoon or possum that was coming a me or my dog in the woods

 

[-eaux-]

1: I'm a dog lover.
2: A dog is not a person.
3: Every jurisdiction is different, especially regarding public land, but where I live, if your dog is loose on my land I am well within my rights to shoot it. Not that I would if it were causing no problems. I'm surely not one to shoot a dog for being a dog. I wasn't a part of this incident, so I can't speak to what I would or would not have done.

*but I WILL say that if your dog is attacking me or mine, regardless of the setting, I'm shooting your dog.

 

[Corporal K]

I don't care about the leash laws, the dog has as much right to run free as we do and under the same conditions - that he not bother anyone els

It doesn't matter what laws you care about. They are laws. Dogs are property. They have no rights.

 

[jerkface11]

The dog jumped out of the truck. Dogs don't always do like they are told and it's no reason for some yahoo to shoot him. If he can't break up a dog fight without firing his weapon, maybe he needs to stay home. He sounds dangerous to me.
I mean come on, shooting a weapon at a truck stop because of a dogfight ? Get real.
Like I said previously, some people just seem to be looking for a reason to draw.

As I said if the dogs owner cared he would have controlled it. If you can't control your animal you shouldn't have it.

 

[LiveLife]

I raised many German Shepherds and am fond of them, but the truck driver should have better secured his dog (I think this is where the blame should go as dogs will do what comes natural). Leashed dogs will naturally "guard" their handler against another approaching dog.

At dog parks, leashed dogs act more defensive. We explain the dog park rules to new comers. Once you unleash them, they more likely go off the "guard duty" and go on play mode. We regularly have 10-15 dogs playing without fights.

The shooter had his Pit bull on a leash, as was required. What if it was the truck driver who had a CCW and his leashed German Shepherd was attacked by a loose Pit bull?

Unfortunate ending ... too bad.

OK, here's the "rest of the story":

It all started just before 11 a.m. on Mon., off Orovada Street and Greenbrae Drive in Sparks. Petersen says he was preparing his truck when his dog, Roady, hopped out.

"This guy came walking down the sidewalk with a pit bull and my dog walked over towards that area and his dog started growling and barking and attacking," says Petersen.

Police say the dogs got into a fight. That's when the pit bull's owner took out a pistol and opened fire.

"The subject who had his dog on a leash is a licensed CCW, carrying concealed weapons, holder," says Lt. Pete Krall, of the Sparks Police Department.

Petersen says Sparks Police told him that the pit bull's owner, Richard Boiling, had a right to protect his dog since the German Shepherd was on a leash, but the owner was not holding on to the other end. However, he says he is heartbroken.

"We sure miss our dog right now. We're being really heartbroken over it. It's really hurting us bad," he says.

Sparks Police say the owner of the pit bull may be charged with discharging a firearm in city limits. At this point, they expect to send the case over to the city attorney's office for review.

 

[Shoot66]

If you raised a dog from a puppy, dedicated several hours a day to care for the animal and train it, it would not be just an animal to you. I did that. Got another child and best friend at the same time. WE got attacked three times, while walking public areas, the dog on a leash. Twice by a German Sheppard, once by a Rottie. I was lucky and managed to handle the incidents with only a small injury the first time. Had to have the wound treated though. I also told my wife to never ever try anything like that. It is, simply, too dangerous. One can lose fingers or parts of them, or at least to acquire character giving scars, if you care for them.
To those who say it is sooo simple to break a dog fight, I say: You are very wrong! In a serious fight things can go fast, things get messy. In case of a vicious attack by a much stronger animal, you can lose your dog within seconds.
And what about the financial aspect of the story? Acquiring a good puppy, vaccinations, vets, quality food… thousands of dollars.
Are you sure you would not protect your “child”, best friend and long term personal and financial “investment”? For me this is a non-brainer.

 

[welldoya]

You all have valid points, just ones that I don't agree with.
I've faced down a Rottweiler, a German Shepherd and a Boxer, all without using deadly force. Maybe I got lucky. I don't know but a fight between a German Shepherd and a pit bull with the owner yards away, doesn't seem like a reason to draw to me.
But, we are all entitled to our opinions so it's all good.

 

[Tinpig]

Years ago I had to shoot two dogs. They were "loved family members" who habitually wandered five miles from town to run deer. They ended up jumping a stock fence, killed most of my hens and two of my sheep, and were in the process of ripping a third one apart when I arrived home.

These "family pets" with no collars or tags, were completely unresponsive to threats, yells, and swipes with a stick. My choice was to stand by and watch them kill more of my sheep, or deal with the situation.

I've had dogs all my life and love them, but there are times you do have to protect what is yours.

An older friend told me to bury the dogs and let that be the end of it, but being young and idealistic, I wanted to do the right thing and notified the dog officer. He found the owners who called the police and tried to get me charged with murdering their family members.

The police told them Massachusetts law specifically allows the killing of dogs harrassing livestock.

End of story... except for the threatening phone calls, night-time visits, and road-rage incidents that I had to put up with from the families for many years.

My friend was right. If it ever happens to you, keep your mouth shut and dig a hole in the woods.

Tinpig

 

[Sam1911]

Somehow I doubt "shoot, shovel, and shut-up" would work if you had to shoot an attacking dog in a public place in front of its owner.

Curious to see how this plays out with the discharge of firearm charges.

Hate to see this happen to any dog, or any dog owner.

Let's not argue about it any more thoght, and wait on a verdict.