Dangerous Dogs and Use of Deadly Force

[tomdavis]

I worry a lot about dangerous dogs in relation to my daughter and grand daughters walking in the neighborhood. Bought her a high quality pepper spray but she seldom if ever remembers to carry it. Today a very interesting article arrived from USA Open Carry about Dangerous Dogs and Deadly Force. Here is the shortened version of the URL - http://bit.ly/1tNg48x. I found it well written but it left me with many Texas-related questions. But, not to worry, as surely that topic has been discussed here. Next click landed me here and I entered "dog" in the search box. If that utility is working then "dog" does not appear here even once.

Does anyone here know of legislation in Texas regarding this issue and CHL holders? If not then could this be something to add to Charles' list of items to take to the legislature?

[TBJK]

Are you talking about are we protected if we shoot them? That came up in a seminar I was at. The lawyer indicated you could be charged with animal cruelty from what I remember. But if it were attacking your livestock or similar there was no issue in using deadly force. Again that is what I remember but I'm no lawyer & I may not have understood correctly.

[Jumping Frog]

Search only works with words that are 4 characters or longer. Shorter words are ignored.

Sure, someone can be charged with animal cruelty for gratuitously shooting a dog, but not when they are being attacked.

[Hindenburg]

You can be charged with anything but if the dog is actually attacking then § 9.22 should apply.

[Salty1]

As long as the dog is actually dangerous and attacking I doubt there would be any issues. The problem one may encounter is considering a barking dog dangerous when in fact it is just making noise and looking for attention. I would be quite upset if somebody shot one of my Golden retrievers because they were running around barking looking for affection, fortunately they do not run loose.......

[rentz]

As long as the dog is actually dangerous and attacking I doubt there would be any issues. The problem one may encounter is considering a barking dog dangerous when in fact it is just making noise and looking for attention. I would be quite upset if somebody shot one of my Golden retrievers because they were running around barking looking for affection, fortunately they do not run loose.......

Bingo, and i really think based on several events over the past year involving officers and dog's that people may be too quick to shoot a dog thinking they are in danger. To me it's just like any other situation, is your life and body really in danger or is there a peaceful escape of the situation without having to draw your sidearm.

I can say I don't know what I would do if someone shot my dog (who is a "dangerous breed" ) but it probably wouldn't be anything good, dogs are like family to me.

[VMI77]

As long as the dog is actually dangerous and attacking I doubt there would be any issues. The problem one may encounter is considering a barking dog dangerous when in fact it is just making noise and looking for attention. I would be quite upset if somebody shot one of my Golden retrievers because they were running around barking looking for affection, fortunately they do not run loose.......

Bingo, and i really think based on several events over the past year involving officers and dog's that people may be too quick to shoot a dog thinking they are in danger. To me it's just like any other situation, is your life and body really in danger or is there a peaceful escape of the situation without having to draw your sidearm.

I can say I don't know what I would do if someone shot my dog (who is a "dangerous breed" ) but it probably wouldn't be anything good, dogs are like family to me.

Yeah, I'm way more afraid of someone unfamiliar with dogs, or irrationally afraid of dogs, shooting one of my dogs, should they escape, than I am about being attacked by a dog. I have dealt with all kinds of stray dogs, including supposedly dangerous breeds, and they're usually more afraid of you than you have any reason to be afraid of them.

[TVGuy]

As long as the dog is actually dangerous and attacking I doubt there would be any issues. The problem one may encounter is considering a barking dog dangerous when in fact it is just making noise and looking for attention. I would be quite upset if somebody shot one of my Golden retrievers because they were running around barking looking for affection, fortunately they do not run loose.......

Bingo, and i really think based on several events over the past year involving officers and dog's that people may be too quick to shoot a dog thinking they are in danger. To me it's just like any other situation, is your life and body really in danger or is there a peaceful escape of the situation without having to draw your sidearm.

I can say I don't know what I would do if someone shot my dog (who is a "dangerous breed" ) but it probably wouldn't be anything good, dogs are like family to me.

I'm in a similar situation and if someone shot one of my dogs we would have a real problem. I'm the proud father of three docile pit bulls, but that doesn't mean there aren't people that think they are about to be attacked if one of the dogs just looks at them.

Don't shoot dogs.

[cb1000rider]

My wife has been bitten twice in our neighborhood. I've encouraged her to carry pepper spray, but she doesn't do it.
Neither bites were "dangerous breeds" - but statistically, that's not where the bites come from.
We have a lot of dogs "at large" - even from some fairly wealthy property owners who just have a "country dog" mentality.
I'm not entirely sure how to handle it. Warning shots aren't legal. And it's perhaps more dangerous to shoot a dog at very close range, especially if that dog isn't of the variety that could kill you.

We've got one lab that is especially bad. We solved that problem by carrying a paintball gun (empty) and firing a few shots the last time he came running. It's loud enough that it sounds like a gun and this dog has obviously been shot at before... Carrying a paintball gun isn't a realistic option.

[VMI77]

My wife has been bitten twice in our neighborhood. I've encouraged her to carry pepper spray, but she doesn't do it.
Neither bites were "dangerous breeds" - but statistically, that's not where the bites come from.
We have a lot of dogs "at large" - even from some fairly wealthy property owners who just have a "country dog" mentality.
I'm not entirely sure how to handle it. Warning shots aren't legal. And it's perhaps more dangerous to shoot a dog at very close range, especially if that dog isn't of the variety that could kill you.

We've got one lab that is especially bad. We solved that problem by carrying a paintball gun (empty) and firing a few shots the last time he came running. It's loud enough that it sounds like a gun and this dog has obviously been shot at before... Carrying a paintball gun isn't a realistic option.

Do you have dogs of your own? Determining when a dog is dangerous is not that difficult if you're familiar with dogs....they give off pretty clear signs when you know what they are. Labs aren't known for being aggressive. What makes you think he's dangerous, as opposed to wanting to play? Many untrained dogs will jump on people for affection but they're not being aggressive, just undisciplined.

[Cedar Park Dad]

Yeah, I'm way more afraid of someone unfamiliar with dogs, or irrationally afraid of dogs, shooting one of my dogs, should they escape, than I am about being attacked by a dog. I have dealt with all kinds of stray dogs, including supposedly dangerous breeds, and they're usually more afraid of you than you have any reason to be afraid of them.

While walking my dogs we have been attacked three times by pitbulls, and once by a "friendly" hunting dog. Something about my old mountain dog makes pits attack, which inevitably ends badly for the pit. I carry a really big can of pepper spray and 30 rounds of 9mm and will use both.

[Cedar Park Dad]

As long as the dog is actually dangerous and attacking I doubt there would be any issues. The problem one may encounter is considering a barking dog dangerous when in fact it is just making noise and looking for attention. I would be quite upset if somebody shot one of my Golden retrievers because they were running around barking looking for affection, fortunately they do not run loose.......

Bingo, and i really think based on several events over the past year involving officers and dog's that people may be too quick to shoot a dog thinking they are in danger. To me it's just like any other situation, is your life and body really in danger or is there a peaceful escape of the situation without having to draw your sidearm.

I can say I don't know what I would do if someone shot my dog (who is a "dangerous breed" ) but it probably wouldn't be anything good, dogs are like family to me.

I'm in a similar situation and if someone shot one of my dogs we would have a real problem. I'm the proud father of three docile pit bulls, but that doesn't mean there aren't people that think they are about to be attacked if one of the dogs just looks at them.

Don't shoot dogs.

If your pit is off a leash and comes near me I'd empty a mag in it and not give it another thought.

[rentz]

As long as the dog is actually dangerous and attacking I doubt there would be any issues. The problem one may encounter is considering a barking dog dangerous when in fact it is just making noise and looking for attention. I would be quite upset if somebody shot one of my Golden retrievers because they were running around barking looking for affection, fortunately they do not run loose.......

Bingo, and i really think based on several events over the past year involving officers and dog's that people may be too quick to shoot a dog thinking they are in danger. To me it's just like any other situation, is your life and body really in danger or is there a peaceful escape of the situation without having to draw your sidearm.

I can say I don't know what I would do if someone shot my dog (who is a "dangerous breed" ) but it probably wouldn't be anything good, dogs are like family to me.

I'm in a similar situation and if someone shot one of my dogs we would have a real problem. I'm the proud father of three docile pit bulls, but that doesn't mean there aren't people that think they are about to be attacked if one of the dogs just looks at them.

Don't shoot dogs.

If your pit is off a leash and comes near me I'd empty a mag in it and not give it another thought.

well that just sounds perfectly reasonable now doesn't it?
make sure to scream OMG it's coming right for us first (southpark joke for those who dont get it)

[VMI77]

Yeah, I'm way more afraid of someone unfamiliar with dogs, or irrationally afraid of dogs, shooting one of my dogs, should they escape, than I am about being attacked by a dog. I have dealt with all kinds of stray dogs, including supposedly dangerous breeds, and they're usually more afraid of you than you have any reason to be afraid of them.

While walking my dogs we have been attacked three times by pitbulls, and once by a "friendly" hunting dog. Something about my old mountain dog makes pits attack, which inevitably ends badly for the pit. I carry a really big can of pepper spray and 30 rounds of 9mm and will use both.

My erstwhile Great Dane was a magnet for dog attacks. Even little dogs wanted to challenge him. Once two dogs jumped out of a second story window to come after him. Our fear wasn't for him though, but having seen him "take care" of an even bigger dog, that he'd make short work of them (he didn't kill it, but in the blink of an eye, the other dog found his head securely inside my Dane's mouth). I cleared the area with him and my wife distracted the other two dogs (couldn't do it the other way because she couldn't handle my Dane, he could just pull her down and take off if he wanted to).

[anygunanywhere]

As long as the dog is actually dangerous and attacking I doubt there would be any issues. The problem one may encounter is considering a barking dog dangerous when in fact it is just making noise and looking for attention. I would be quite upset if somebody shot one of my Golden retrievers because they were running around barking looking for affection, fortunately they do not run loose.......

Bingo, and i really think based on several events over the past year involving officers and dog's that people may be too quick to shoot a dog thinking they are in danger. To me it's just like any other situation, is your life and body really in danger or is there a peaceful escape of the situation without having to draw your sidearm.

I can say I don't know what I would do if someone shot my dog (who is a "dangerous breed" ) but it probably wouldn't be anything good, dogs are like family to me.

I'm in a similar situation and if someone shot one of my dogs we would have a real problem. I'm the proud father of three docile pit bulls, but that doesn't mean there aren't people that think they are about to be attacked if one of the dogs just looks at them.

Don't shoot dogs.

If your pit is off a leash and comes near me I'd empty a mag in it and not give it another thought.

well that just sounds perfectly reasonable now doesn't it?
make sure to scream OMG it's coming right for us first (southpark joke for those who dont get it)

Sounds as perfectly reasonable as people allowing their dogs to run loose.