Warning Shots

[Kanewpadle]

We've discussed them here a time or two.

Some see the need for them. Others don't

I'm one that doesn't care for them much.

But, I considered it today.

Across the street from where I work is a run down piece of property occupied by..... Let's just say "undesirables".

The have a dog. A medium sized dog.

He likes to try and bite people as they walk by on the side walk. He is not leashed and is quite aggressive.

We've been watching him for about a month now. Lunging and trying to bite. This afternoon he went after a young mother. She was pushing a stroller with another child in the other hand. The dog attacked nipping at the mother and youngster. The mother had nothing to fight back with as she tried to protect her children.

I ran out to help. But it was rush hour and trying to cross this four lane street is dangerous. So I stood there yelling at the dog. He never heard me.

So I considered a warning shot straight up in the air to scare him. I quickly thought otherwise because it probably wouldn't have done much good.

After what seemed like several minutes I was able to cross two lanes and wait in the center turn lane. The mother saw me and begged for help. I walked out into traffic with my arms up forcing them to stop.

I crossed the two remaining lanes and ran up behind the dog at which point he turned towards me. I yelled and waived my arms and kicked at him. Then I picked up a tree branch and swung it at him. He quickly ran away.

I really wanted to shoot him. But them again I didn't.

The mother hugged me and thanked me then went on her way.

As I was waiting for traffic to slow so I could cross the cops showed up. We talked and they went to look for the dog. They could not find him and I'm sure the low life owner was hiding the dog.

But that's ok. I called animal control and they will take care of the matter. Which what I should have done weeks ago.

 

[Protected One]

What do you think animal control will do?

 

[lethe]

Firing a round into the air most likely would have gotten you into trouble.

 

[Kanewpadle]

What do you think animal control will do?

The cops said it is important to document a trend. If the dog isn't caught eventually, the city can bring charges against the owner.

 

[Black_Sheep]

Discharging a firearm in the situation you described would most likely get you in trouble with the law.

(b) Willfully discharges any firearm, air gun, or other weapon, or throws any deadly missile in a public place, or in any place where any person might be endangered thereby. A public place shall not include any location at which firearms are authorized to be lawfully discharged; or

RCW 9.41.230: Aiming or discharging firearms, dangerous weapons.

 

[murphydog]

It sounds as though you had the noblest of intentions, but the only reason to shoot would have been to stop an actual attack already in progress by firing directly at the dog. Short of this, you would have been in more trouble than the dog owner.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Discharging a firearm in the situation you described would most likely get you in trouble with the law.




RCW 9.41.230: Aiming or discharging firearms, dangerous weapons.

Appreciate the help. But you're telling me something I already know. And for the record, I would gladly risk getting into trouble to help someone from getting hurt.

Would I take a bullet? Only for family. But a dog is different.

 

[John R]

Good on ya for saving the day, and good on ya for not taking the chance of fireing your gun for no reason.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Good on ya for saving the day, and good on ya for not taking the chance of fireing your gun for no reason.

Thank you sir.

As I stated, I considered it. I knew the potential risk. The event happened very quickly. So I had to think quickly.

But you know that feeling don't you?

 

[gdnagle]

The cops said it is important to document a trend. If the dog isn't caught eventually, the city can bring charges against the owner.

Around here animal control is a separate unit then law enforcement. This is who I would have called as It seems you live in a large city.

So I considered a warning shot straight up in the air to scare him. I quickly thought otherwise because it probably wouldn't have done much good.

Remember what goes up must come down. Imagine what would happen to you if fate was against you and the projectile hit someone and killed or crippled someone. You would be paying for the rest of your life because of a dog that the animal control people should have taken of. Call them and report the dog and log all your calls and the people you talked to, then if you have to shoot the dog it may help you with your court case. Maybe some bear guard might be a better way to go in a city situation. With the traffic noise you say I doubt the sound of a gun shot would deter the dog as it is probably use to loud noises. Of course you could walk up and down that side of the street and when the dog comes after you, you could deal with it in a safe manor which ever you see fit, it would be nice to have your fellow workers videoing what is happening. Good luck and be safe.

 

[goinfshn]

Firing across a very busy highway is not only illegal, it is very dangerous. I would think that if you had even pulled your weapon, in WV that is brandishing. Discharging a firearm in city limits is also a violation. You definitely did the right thing and I commend you for it.
Gary

 

[Kanewpadle]

Around here animal control is a separate unit then law enforcement. This is who I would have called as It seems you live in a large city.



Remember what goes up must come down. Imagine what would happen to you if fate was against you and the projectile hit someone and killed or crippled someone. You would be paying for the rest of your life because of a dog that the animal control people should have taken of. Call them and report the dog and log all your calls and the people you talked to, then if you have to shoot the dog it may help you with your court case. Maybe some bear guard might be a better way to go in a city situation. With the traffic noise you say I doubt the sound of a gun shot would deter the dog as it is probably use to loud noises. Of course you could walk up and down that side of the street and when the dog comes after you, you could deal with it in a safe manor which ever you see fit, it would be nice to have your fellow workers videoing what is happening. Good luck and be safe.

There will always be a lot of "maybe's" and "what if's" when dealing with a situation such as this.

And simple physics says that a bullet will not come back to earth anywhere near the velocity that it left the barrel.

But I understand your point.

Listen folks, I don't need an education here so save it. The reason I posted this is to show that it's not always easy to come to the aid of someone that needs help. I should have entitled the post a little different.

 

[ken158]

If you want to make a point with the dog owner and are not afraid of retribution, then go to the magistrate and make the complint yourself - have this lady come to court as a witness and see how this plays out. If your local code - laws are strong, I would expect a conviction. No guns necessary and brandishing or firing a warning shot would have likely gotten you arrested.

 

[breakerofwind]

Around here animal control is a separate unit then law enforcement. This is who I would have called as It seems you live in a large city.



Remember what goes up must come down. Imagine what would happen to you if fate was against you and the projectile hit someone and killed or crippled someone. You would be paying for the rest of your life because of a dog that the animal control people should have taken of. Call them and report the dog and log all your calls and the people you talked to, then if you have to shoot the dog it may help you with your court case. Maybe some bear guard might be a better way to go in a city situation. With the traffic noise you say I doubt the sound of a gun shot would deter the dog as it is probably use to loud noises. Of course you could walk up and down that side of the street and when the dog comes after you, you could deal with it in a safe manor which ever you see fit, it would be nice to have your fellow workers videoing what is happening. Good luck and be safe.

Good advice. What goes up, must come down.

Sadly, a young girl was killed by a stray bullet in the state of Maryland. She stepped outside her house during the New Year's celebrations while some irresponsible gun owners in the next block were shooting into the air in jubilation. The bullet entered the top of her head and she collapsed on the porch. At first her parents thought she fainted from excitement but when they couldn't revive her they got her to the hospital. Even the doctor was puzzled by her condition until he felt the hole in the top of her head. She died there.

As individual gun owners we must all remember that we alone are responsible for wherever that bullet we shoot goes.

 

[Muss Muggins]

And simple physics says that a bullet will not come back to earth anywhere near the velocity that it left the barrel.

Listen folks, I don't need an education here so save it.

I was going to stay silent on this until you got all uppity. I think maybe you do need an education. Every year, on New Year's Day, there will be at least one news story in this country about an innocent bystander killed by a bullet falling to earth from a New Year's Eve reveler. Simple physics says the lead round will fall to earth at 32 feet per second squared. Do a little more simple physics, and a basic internet search, and you will find that firing a round straight up in an urban area occasionally has consequences. If you are willing to accept the risks, so be it. In my humble opinion, it is very dangerous.

 

[CoMF]

I can sort of empathize. Our neighbor's g/f's dog (Shar Pei) charged clear across our property at my wife, stepson, and me while we were walking along the road. The thought of firing a warning shot had occured to me, but like you, I reasoned it'd have done more harm than good. Shooting the dog crossed my mind also, but that would've been a mess. Besides, it wasn't the dog's fault that her owner is an idiot.

So I ended up positioning myself in front of them in a defensive posture with my walking stick; I've been around dogs long enough to know not to show fear in situations like that. Dog ultimately stopped charging and didn't attack, but growled and gave me a mean look before running back to the aforementioned idiot owner. No worries, though, because I reported her (again) to the State Game Commission's Dog Warden for her inability to keep her dog on a leash. She ended up getting a court date and having to pay a fine, which was fine by me.

 

[CO_Kid]

Appreciate the help. But you're telling me something I already know. And for the record, I would gladly risk getting into trouble to help someone from getting hurt.

Would I take a bullet? Only for family. But a dog is different.

I never advocate warning shots.

Two possible unintended consequences of that. 1- your round could have come down and killed someone. It happens.
2- you say you're willing to risk it. Washington is kinda liberal if you haven't noticed. I don't know WA laws, but it's possible that by being convicted of a gun crime, you become inelligible to possess firearms any more.

It's much easier to justify to a judge and jury why you INTENTIONALLY shot an aggressive dog versus trying to explain why you accidently shot and killed someone when your round came down into their head.

 

[Martya]

You do need a pattern established. I think sending a video to a local TV station and having them air it - "...nuisance dog..." "...neighborhood in fear..." "...Animal Control has been called several times..." etc., would get some fast attention from the LE / AC folks. Some of those TV news stations love that amateur video stuff. And it is quieter.

Good on you for helping out.

 

[Protected One]

You do need a pattern established. I think sending a video to a local TV station and having them air it - "...nuisance dog..." "...neighborhood in fear..." "...Animal Control has been called several times..." etc., would get some fast attention from the LE / AC folks. Some of those TV news stations love that amateur video stuff. And it is quieter.

...and if that didn't work (at least in my old neighborhood) the owner would find the dog lying dead - shot by someone who just "happened" to be out walking with a silenced .22 on them.

 

[soccerguy83]

I also concur on bad move to think about shooting in the air, a 7 year old boy was killed here last New Years by celebratory gun fire.

Police seek person who fired shot that killed boy - Richmond Times-Dispatch: Ongoing-coverage