non-leashed canine in public

[TallPine]

I consider all dogs that show aggression an immediate threat now.

FWIW, I myself have absolutely no patience with truly vicious dogs - except for guard dogs kept safely contained on private property. There's too many good dogs in the world to put up with a few vicious ones.

I've even shot a dog that was coming on our property and killing our cats, after warning the owner to keep it home. Some property owners around here shoot "stray" dogs on sight, but I tend to just watch and see if they look like they are going to be a problem. I don't want to kill somebody's pet that just wandered a little too far one day.

The trick is recognizing true aggression versus a dog that is barking to say: "Hey, you! Wait up and pet me!"

It is generally easier to read the intentions of a dog than people.

 

[c_yeager]

Domestic dogs are seldom truly dangerous to humans. The dangerous ones tend to be the dogs trained to be dangerous by idiots who think it's "cool" to have a vicious Rottweiler or such. If a dog is actually dangerous by all means protect yourself but don't use a bit of growling or barking as a reason to shoot somebody's pet. I have a 80 black & white speckled mutt that looks like he could be dangerous running up to you...but is only dangerous if you don't like getting slobbered on.

To be honest, other people are rarely dangerous to humans. Yet, we spend a lot of time poking holes into B-27s "just in case". I see no reason to treat an apporoaching dog any different from an openly armed approaching person.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Anyone want to see my ass? Where I was bitten by a dog off-leash?
Any dog that advances on me in a threatening manner will be treated just the same as if some maniac were running towards me swinging a machette.

I agree. I find it funny that we'll talk about humans in this situation and be ready to "off him" but some people are willing to climb over their car or even take a bite to avoid hurting a poor wittle doggie.

If it attacks me, 2 legs or 4, it's not likely to survive if I have anything to say about it.

 

[orionengnr]

C Yeager

Cha Ching!

We have a winner.

I have four dogs, love 'em all, walk 'em all... on leashes. Plenty of folks ignore leash laws, let dogs run free. Is it the dog's fault if the owner is an idiot? Obviously not. Is the dog likely to be the recipient of the full force of my aggression if it attacks me or one of my leashed dogs?

Duh....

 

[springmom]

A gold star to the man who read my post!

Er...Joab...I think she was referring to the "It takes balls to do it the first time" part of the post.

That is exactly what I meant.

Springmom

 

[joab]

Er...Joab...I think she was referring to the "It takes balls to do it the first time" part of the post.

Well then she's wrong on both counts

 

[Woodland_Annie]

My usual experience has been that dogs usually want to play and don't have aggressive intentions. How to Speak Doggish is my favorite book on the subject of understanding what they say with their tails, barks, and ears.

The alpha yell, "NO! STOP!" can be quite effective for even an untrained dog. It clearly means you don't want to play.

OTOH alpha posturing can be dangerous if a dog is showing signs of aggression, low growl, baring teeth, raised hackles. That's when I've presented my weak side to it, averted my eyes, and done an exaggerated yawn. That says to the dog, "I don't want to fight you."

Luckily I've only been bitten once and that was by a stray I didn't even know was around. Guess my leg was just irresistible

I've never had to shoot a dog and hope I never have to.

 

[ball3006]

When I am at my camp.....

My AK is always in reach, lots of pigs there. If a dog approaches, and it does not look friendly, I shoot right in front of it's front legs, happened twice. Never has taken more than one shot. They don't seem to come back either. Dog owners are the problem usually, not the dogs........when I walk around the block here in town, I carry my Benchmade knife. I have had to pull it a couple times when approached by a dog. One owner got rather angry when I pulled out my knife. I replied, would you rather I shoot it when it bites me?.......Now, when I walk past his house he will grab the dog until I am down the street. Guy doesn't have a grasp of what a leash law is........In the case above, I would pull my knife with my right hand while grasping my pistol in my left pocket......chris3