Attacked by Pitbull.. What would you do?

[Rastoff]

^ Grandson should have called the cops, forthwith, as soon as they were someplace safe. Always be the complainant.

This is very good advice.

I understand that some don't want to involve the police and would rather the whole thing was just over. Alas, the bad guys aren't called that because they're nice. They already accused the boy of attacking the dog. What's to prevent them from calling the police and saying they were attacked by your grandson?

If nothing else, being the first on the phone supports your case that you were defending.

 

[cmort666]

This is very good advice.

I understand that some don't want to involve the police and would rather the whole thing was just over.

The police aren't there to protect you as an individual.

They ARE however there to investigate crimes, and by any reasonable assessment, failing to control a dangerous animal is a crime.

As you point out, the whole thing may NOT be over, both because the situation may repeat itself with far worse consequences, AND because the imbeciles in question may concoct a "ripping yarn" about how YOU abused the dog without provocation and report YOU to the police. They might even use it as the basis for a fraudulent lawsuit against you.

As the saying goes, "the one who calls the cops first gets to be the 'victim'".

 

[haywood]

Pepper Spray worked for me. I didn't hit him direct it went over his head. He stopped, sat down and started making funny noises like his breathing was effected. I left him sitting there.

 

[counter-clockwise]

I was confronted out of nowhere by a large black dog in my woods. It was coming downhill at me quickly- growling, teeth showing, head and tail down. I drew my 1911 knowing I had time for about 3 pinpoint shots. I somehow, by the grace of God, decided in the moments notice that I had to put #1 in the dirt in front of him, but the next 2 in his face. I am pleased to announce that #1 defused the whole situation. The dog stopped, turned and trotted off slowly, looking behind to see what I may do next. This is fortunate because I had new neighbors... and it was their dog! The dog that their small kids have always had around. The kids were outside playing, and their home is right near my property line. Since this incident 2 years ago, I have had no issues with their dog, and they still have him- and thats the way we like it.

 

[soccerguy83]

I agree that firing shots in the air is not a safe thing to do. However, when the lives of my family are involved, and I can't reliably shoot the attacker, I'll do the next best thing.

I didn't see the situation OzarkNick went through, but from his description I can't fault him. Change the story to, "I just fired my gun randomly without thought" and I will jump on the 'bad idea' bandwagon.

I can think of one place that would more than likely be much safer than in the air and that's 180 degree's into the ground. Those bullets fired into the air have to come down somewhere. Two New Year's ago an 8 year old boy was killed locally from shots fired in the air from half a mile away.

 

[ClayCow]

I can think of one place that would more than likely be much safer than in the air and that's 180 degree's into the ground. Those bullets fired into the air have to come down somewhere. Two New Year's ago an 8 year old boy was killed locally from shots fired in the air from half a mile away.

Depending on where he was at it may not have been option with richochet. Not certain but i believe the sound of the gun maybe slightly muffled pointing it down vs up?

 

[XD40inTX]

Check your local laws. In Texas we can legally kill a dog that attacks us, someone else, or a pet. The attack and kill can be anywhere, not just on our property. That should be the law everywhere, but it may not be.

 

[Protected One]

I live in a suburb of Detroit. In Detroit pit bulls are like rats running loose on the streets. The outcome most likely would have been different.

There is one pit bull for every three people in Detroit.
I carry concealed when ever I am there.

And for those who say pit bulls aren't vicious dogs, read the following.

Http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/pets/9-dog-breeds-that-have-attacked-the-most-people/ss-BBkjFD5

 

[Cbollo]

I wouldn't have bothered with a warning kick or anything else. I'd have shot it dead no questions asked. I can't think of any right minded LEO or Judge that would have given you any more than a few standard questions. A well known aggressive and lethal dog was charging you on your property. Case closed, and good riddance. I'm biased because I've had bad experiences with Pits going all the way back to the mid 80's and I'd just as soon see every one of these dogs put down. But thats just me.

 

[Arik]

Back from the dead

 

[Cbollo]

Yeah, I suppose it is a little older. Doing some forum searches everyone is always preaching and it came up. Boy I tell ya, you can't hardly post or do anything in these forums without stepping on someone's toes

 

[Arik]

No toes stepped on. Just saying

 

[wingriderz]

I have ran into pit bull problems. I have a six pound pom mix that has never been off leash. Pit pull run free all the time. Had cops over many times use less on this. They say it's. An animal control. Issue. I have told the pit bull owner. Many times if dog bites me or my dog it's. Done. Cops tell me if i kill it i will go to jail, i told them will cross that bridge then if need be. I also asked cop what he would do if dog bite him?.

 

[cmort666]

Cops tell me if i kill it i will go to jail, i told them will cross that bridge then if need be. I also asked cop what he would do if dog bite him?.

Assuming that they know what they're talking about or are telling the truth (not a given), things are VERY different in Ohio.

If you are in immediate and reasonable fear of being bitten, you may shoot a dog.

You may NOT shoot a dog to protect another dog. HOWEVER, recent examples point to a tendency for prosecutors and courts to take a dim view of people allowing dangerous and aggressive dogs to run free, whether they bite people or dogs in close proximity to people. In the several recent cases of which I'm aware, the owners protecting their dogs were not charged.

 

[Watchdog]

 

[RJJ 1971]

My problem is the owners....
I have 2 neighbors within a block who have pits.
It doesnt bother me they have pits - it bothers me that the 1 owner lets his pits roam (or they get out all the time).
Had a situation couple months back where they chased my wife back into her car while she was bringing in groceries.
I came out with pistol in waistband and flashlight stun gun in other. Chased them off my property, but every time I turned my back on them they charged back at me. Had to walk backwards through my yard, up my stairs, and into my house. Called County out to my house and told them what was going on. Deputy arrives & sure enough here comes the dogs again. Deputy pulls out his glock and and his tazer gun. Tells me to get inside and he would handle it. I say no problem sir. Next thing I know he is half way down the street & he's getting chased and he turns around in an empty lot and zaps one, dog yelps and shakes for a second or two, and then takes off like a bat out of heck. Deputy comes up to my house and says "I've been bitten twice and it aint happenin again". Next thing you know the owners are home and are getting a ticket for the dogs running loose. Karma........

 

[jculloden]

In that situation the Glock was the correct answer, no run, no tazer, Firearm, the end!

 

[RJJ 1971]

In that situation the Glock was the correct answer, no run, no tazer, Firearm, the end!

Deputy also told me - that none of them like putting dead dogs on the porches of peoples houses in plastic bags with a ticket stapled to it...

 

[Chuck24]

I wouldn't buy any more of his C Ds

 

[jculloden]

I sit here missing the first joint of my left index finger (I'm left handed) due to MY stupidity and MY dog. I learned the hard way.........