Fired my pistol in SD tonight...

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FWIW - dogs' mouths are not as clean as sometimes said
Dog's having clean mouths is a myth.


A couple months ago I was playing with my Husky and I hit the crevis between my ring finger nail and the skin on one of his teeth. It hurt bad enough to stop playing. The sharp pain went away within a day or two, but then I started having a pressure feeling and half of my finger started swelling up, throbbing, and turning purple. Shortly after I noticed underneath the skin where the tooth punctured looked green. At this point I was wondering if a surgeon was going to have to cut my finger tip off :eek: So I grabbed a sharp pin, sterilized it, and punctured the area. I applied pressure to see if I could get anything out and all this nasty greenish puss came out. I poured rubbing alcohol on it and opened it up a bit more to release all the gnarley funk I could. Poured alcohol on it again and put a bandaid on it(I think). A day or so later the swelling went down, the throbbing went away, and now i'm left with a normal looking finger WHEW!
 
Saying that you'll "take a dog bite" from a large dog before you would shoot is pure ignorance.

No, in my case it is said by someone that has been trained in how to take a dog out with a blade.

As I get older I favor this approach less and less as the years go by, but for now it is still a viable option for me. Go back and read my post regarding being bitten. Dogs are actually pretty easy to counter after you spend some time being the "Dummy In The Bite Suit". :)

Biker
 
thing about being the "dummy in the bite suit"...

(note: been there, done that, and Malinois bites still hurt)

... is that in the real world, you aren't wearing the suit.

If theoretical legal concerns trump the inputs of medical doctors, veterinarians, and canine handlers (representatives of each field chimed into this thread), then so be it. But that single bite could cost you an arm.

The only way I'd offer up my arm is if I had no other alternative. I've been in a situation where I considered the technique, once - I was going to drag the sucker out into the lake we were next to, lock him onto my arm with the other hand and my hip, and hold him under water, if it came to that - but the dog backed off when I advanced on him.

(note: I expected a MAJOR infection if I used this technique, and am very happy it became unnecessary)

Go Alpha early.

Don't use empty hands when other options are available.

Bites can ruin your day.
 
I never said it would be "pretty".

As far as being the dummy in the suit, I am well aware that in the real world I won't have the suit on. That's why I call it, "giving my arm" because I most likely won't have it after the encounter.

Biker
 
Dogs don't like kicks, punches, strikes to the solarplex (sp?) Just something to consider if you ever have to fight with one.
 
Sixer, I prefer a brutal grappling approach to begin. rear choke hold and bottom jaw assault for me as well as limbs.... Gotta take out the weapon and mobility ability.
Brent
 
We can quibble about technique, warning shots (which I agree are not a good idea) and dog behavior, but the basic issue is that owners have a duty to control their animals on public property.

The reasonable man test that generally applies to self-defense situations should not assume the shooter understands animals like the "Dog Whisperer". If the animal is running loose, in a place open to the public, and acting in a way that appears aggressive, it shouldn't be a surprise if it is shot by someone who feels threatened.
 
OP

Well, bears in Alaska are kind of like really BIG dogs. (I hear that their mouths are not the cleanest thing in the world too.) Bear spray has been basically 100% effective when used in Alaska,
http://www.adn.com/bearattacks/story/381252.html
you might consider taking along a can when out for your daily constitutional.

I personally carry bear spray and a handgun when out for a "walk" or hike. And when feeling confronted, I have pulled both over the years; the spray is always first these days for four leggeds.

Glad that everyone went home safely. Just thought that since you are asking for input on the event and that you are also looking for better preparation for the future that I would chime in. Hope that this helps.

I personally would also make it a high priority to contact and discuss this with your neighbor. Prevention is always preferable to dealing with the "aftermath"; it could happen again.
 
How to avoid dog attack.

1.Keep a safe distance between yourself and dogs being walked on a lease.

2.Ask owner's permission before approaching a dog,on lease or in yard.

3.Never approach a barking,snarling,sleeping,eating, or nursing dog.

4.Do not stare the dog in the eyes.

5.Turn sideways and slowly withdraw.

6.put an object such as a tree,post,or bench between you and the dog.

7.speak softly and gently to calm the dog,Good dog,it's ok,go home."

8.Stand still or maintain a constent slow pace out of the dog's territory.

9.If local law allows,use pepper spray when charged by the dog.

10.If charged,get something between you and the dog's mouth-umbrella,pack,jacket,stick.

11.If attacked, curl up in a ball and protect your face,neck and head.

Tips.

1.you can't out run a dog,not even a olympic sprinter could.

2.Be aware of dogs a block or more ahead,change your route or turn around to avoid unleased dogs.

3.Know the weapon laws in the community you are walking in and obey them.
 
Unless you walk around in a "bite suite" I would still advise against taking a bite first.

I've spent countless hours learning to defend myself from human attacks. I'm not likely to let someone attack first to test those skills. The best response to an imminent threat is to stop the attack in the first place. I assume most of us have trained to shoot a firearm but I'm not likely to let someone shoot me first if I can help it nor am I going to give a dog a pound of flesh from my arm so I can use some knife technique on him. If your close enough to use your knife I would say your pretty safe to use whatever force you see fit.

Oh, and you must not have read the rest of MY post where I explained just how dangerous it can be to let the dog attack first. I also know what can happen first hand and I wasn't wearing a bite suit to protect me. I've been attacked by a large dog on another occasion too. I have the scars from both encounters and I would not hesitate one second to shoot a large dog that is threatening me or my family. I'm curious, would you let the dog bite one of your children first? What if it isn't going after you?
 
Shoot the dogs, tell the cop it was fun, have the city pay for the defense, tell them you have a long fear of dogs due to family abuse, walk after a week with less then a smack on the wrist.


Tell them you were defending yourself, your going down sucka.............
 
Well, I read most of the thread. To the OP - you did what YOU felt was right, so you did right. No one was hurt in the incident, so +1 there.

To Jacobi - you obviously have never been seriously injured by a dog, or have ever seen anyone injured seriously by a dog. When I was nine, the loveable 90# (breed omitted) dog next door ran by while I was playing with my next door neighbor and gave me a love tap on the leg. Cost me 70 stitches, then a skin graft, plastic surgery and 3 months out of the 3rd grade.
 
Reading Minds,Or Reading Signs,, To all the people that think there the dog whisperer a word of advise,I too handled,cared and trained dogs for well over 20 yrs,Yes you can read most dogs by the signs and body language,but never feel that all will give you either.Point in case.After meeting a Rotty and his owner I sat with both talking for a good 10-15 minutes,the dog was well trained,he wasn't stressed,seemed very calm and had excepted my trust as he licked my hands as I scratched his chin and was petting him,after ending our chat I slowly stood up took one step back then turned to walk away. It was then that I heard his chain snapping,thank god his owner had control and was antentive! with no sign, body languag, or provocation this dog lunged for the back of my neck once I had turned around! So one never knows,Murphys law ALWAYS applies.You never take a chance with an animal even if you think you know him!
I do however feel in this case shooting his revolver was overreacting! 3 warning shoots was total overkill!
 
I probably have a little more experience with animals than most people. I sorta of raise them. Though cows are a little larger than most dogs they for the most part a little more gentle. Except for those Bulls that after a certain age you better carry a nice size bat and never trust that it is going to leave you alone.

Seriously I have had the most gentle cows for one reason or another get a little disturbed with my presence and trying to avoid a couple thousand pounds of an animal that has its mind set on one thing isn't fun. And the important part is that even though you think you can read their minds you really can't. Most of the time they will lesson to commands and be the most docile animal you will ever know.

Thus I'm not afraid of animals, when you work with them you can't be, though I have learned to respect them. I sure know when I feel threaten by one and sadly to say when that happens it is time to cull them.

Dogs aren't much different if one shows teeth I am threatened. Dogs should be good natured animals however if they rush you in any way but a wagging tail and that stupid grin they get when they want to be hugged your probably in danger. Even though I'm a country boy we still don't let dogs like that run off a chain. maybe that is why I have never owned a dog like that, not much sense having one that needs to be chained.

If I feel threaten by a dog and I have a gun I would probably skipped the warning shots and eliminated the threat when they reach a certain point. I had a friend killed by a bull two years ago and then the neighbor was seriously hurt trying to save him. The bull just wanted to do his own thing and my friend was in the way, there was no warning at least you had a warning first.

Even though we all try to say animals are human we forget one thing they are made a little different than us and they don't know when they are doing wrong and I certainly wouldn't want to be the one on the wrong side of the teeth.
 
Thats the way the laws are around here you shoot a dog or someone pet your can count on going to jail for a long while .
 
I think some people here are being a bit over-the top. A dog is an animal. This means that you don't have as high of a standard for using deadly force (I think, though check your laws, that you can use deadly force if an animal's causing significant harm to your property) and they are also to be treated differently for self-defense. While a human can 20 yards away might not be too much of a threat, an animal is a bit different. They run faster and probably take more time to stop if they are shot. (Like when deer run 100 yards after being shot) They are also more dangerous. If I get in a fistfight with someone about my size and skill and get cut I'm not as likely to die as if an animal bites me. The animal is also less likely to stop before killing me and while a human might just punch your face, an animal will bite and shake, seriously hurting you, or maybe even go for the throat.

Some people have said they would rather be bitten that shooting a dog. If you have other people in the group, I question how ethical it is to allow a human, a person, to be bitten by an attacking animal just to save said attacking animal.

Shooting a dog or someones pet is 10 years in prison where I live they concider it a crime here.It,s some kind of animal controll law here.
Would that law really apply to cases of self-defense? If laws against shooting people don't apply in self-defense cases, how could that apply?
 
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Some people have said they would rather be bitten that shooting a dog. If you have other people in the group, I question how ethical it is to allow a human, a person, to be bitten by an attacking animal just to save said attacking animal.

Common sense, I like it. Almost forgot what it sounded like. Good job my friend.
 
Tater.40 said:
Thats the way the laws are around here you shoot a dog or someone pet your can count on going to jail for a long while .

There have been several members questioning your claim as well as me. After reasserting the statement I must ask for specific sources of the law by which you speak.
 
Here would be the SC law in question, I believe:

§ 47-3-530. Penalties for stealing or killing identifiable dog.

Any person stealing any positively identifiable dog is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction must be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not less than thirty days nor more than six months, or both.

Any person killing any dog when owner may be identified by means of a collar bearing sufficient information or some other form of positive identification is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction must be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not less than thirty days nor more than six months, or both. This paragraph does not apply to the killing of a dog threatening to cause or causing personal injury or property damage.

I believe that the bolded sentence would quite handily except the OP from prosecution...
 
That SC law reads like it's intended for pounds and shelters

IE don't take a stray and put it down before checking tag and microchip.
 
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