Police officer shoots dangerous attack dog

[boomerang]

So where do you draw the line? Vicious hamsters? Newborn kittens?

If people would be responsible pet owners and keep their animals on their own property, or at least under their control and supervised, this sort of thing would happen a lot less often.

Dogs. Cats. Hamsters. Whatever. Lock up your pets. It's not just for SW Houston anymore.

[C-dub]

I knew of a case several years ago where a Chihuahua or Shi-tzu or some small dag crippled a mail carrier because he bit the back of his leg on the achilles tendon.

These sort of things drive me nuts. I've been a dog person all my life and mostly stuck with German Shepherds and Rottweilers. The Rotties had such a poor reputation back in the 90's because of all the extremely poor breeding that every Tom, Dick, and Harriet would do. Same thing with Pit Bulls in the last 10+ years. They are so strong and cause so much damage that every single attack gets an enormous amount of attention and cries to ban the breeds and anythign that looks like them. However, several other breeds have more bites credited to them each year, but because they don't kill as many or any people they get very little or no press.

Anyway, sorry about that little detour. The officer probably could have handled it better, but he shouldn't have had to.

[Skiprr]

The stance of a true predator, the jaws of a Great White Shark, the piercing, unwavering gaze of a ferocious carnivore.

Isn't it about time we Americans do the right thing for our children's safety and, once and for all, finally ban this dangerous breed?

Surely Nancy Pelosi and Carolyn McCarthy can help us enact this much-needed legislation...

[Oldgringo]

I'm sure I'm going to be flamed for this. But......

The dog attacked the guy, and was obviously not being controlled by the owner as can be seen by this quote from the article:

He just kind of walked up and down the neighborhood and didn't bother anybody

I have no problems with the officer shooting the dog.

Consider yourself I agree about the control of your animals (and kids), but would you really shoot a miniature dachshund?

[flintknapper]

I'm sure I'm going to be flamed for this. But......

The dog attacked the guy, and was obviously not being controlled by the owner as can be seen by this quote from the article:

He just kind of walked up and down the neighborhood and didn't bother anybody

I have no problems with the officer shooting the dog.

Consider yourself I agree about the control of your animals (and kids), but would you really shoot a miniature dachshund?

My problem with this delves a little deeper. This is a Peace Officer....a person that may some day have to deal real threats. If this is his response (shooting a tiny dog) to a marginal (if any) threat, how will this person react in a more pressing situation.

And when did LEO adopt the idea that they must come home unscathed at the end of everyday (no matter the means or cost)?

I do not wish any undue harm to come to our men and women who wear the uniform and uphold our laws....but the job does come with certain hazards...and frankly...if taking a little "nip" from a pint sized pooch is TOO MUCH for a person...they might need to be in another profession.

Now, I do NOT put the health and welfare of animals above that of humans (before anyone goes there), but surely this could have been handled differently. Just ridiculous.

[Venus Pax]

Although I do not agree with shooting a little dog, I think it goes without saying that they can be dangerous in some situations.

1. Little dogs can still do some damage to small children or babies. I have known some pretty mean little dogs that I wouldn't let my child near.

2. A little dog ran out in front of my bike less than a month ago, nearly causing me to either run over him or fall off. At seven months pregnant, I do not need to be falling off a bike because someone thinks that leash laws do not apply to them. (The dog was not mean, and merely wanted attention. I don't fault the dog, but it's irresponsible owner.)


Again, unless it's obviously rabid and posing an immediate threat, there is no reason to shoot a little dog.

[Bart]

If it's big enough to hit with a handgun, it's big enough to shoot with a handgun.

There's no reason police or anyone else should have to risk being bitten by an animal running loose and behaving aggressively. They could have rabies. I also think animals running loose should be presumed wild under the law. The ower gave up their rights when they let it run free.

[Right2Carry]

I'm sure I'm going to be flamed for this. But......

The dog attacked the guy, and was obviously not being controlled by the owner as can be seen by this quote from the article:

He just kind of walked up and down the neighborhood and didn't bother anybody

I have no problems with the officer shooting the dog.

Consider yourself I agree about the control of your animals (and kids), but would you really shoot a miniature dachshund?

My problem with this delves a little deeper. This is a Peace Officer....a person that may some day have to deal real threats. If this is his response (shooting a tiny dog) to a marginal (if any) threat, how will this person react in a more pressing situation.

And when did LEO adopt the idea that they must come home unscathed at the end of everyday (no matter the means or cost)?

I do not wish any undue harm to come to our men and women who wear the uniform and uphold our laws....but the job does come with certain hazards...and frankly...if taking a little "nip" from a pint sized pooch is TOO MUCH for a person...they might need to be in another profession.

Now, I do NOT put the health and welfare of animals above that of humans (before anyone goes there), but surely this could have been handled differently. Just ridiculous.

Bites can turn to serious infections regardless of the dogs size. Why should the officer risk infection or rabies when it is not necessary? The owners are at fault and not the officer. Leash laws exist to protect everyone.

[flintknapper]

If it's big enough to hit with a handgun, it's big enough to shoot with a handgun.

There's no reason police or anyone else should have to risk being bitten by an animal running loose and behaving aggressively. They could have rabies. I also think animals running loose should be presumed wild under the law. The ower gave up their rights when they let it run free.

I don't know if the Danville police dept is hiring.....but sounds like we have some folks with the right qualifications.



I'm kidding.


I'm just about 500% certain this could have been handled differently.

My worry is that this person's ultimate (maybe first) solution to the (problem?) was to use a firearm.

You know....this wasn't "self preservation", this wasn't "risk of grave bodily harm"....at most this was "I might get nipped". Come on!

I'm serious...there seems to be a new mind set these days. Some LEO are not going to suffer so much as a scratch as long as they have their Taser, ASP, OC, Glock, Knife, Radio and training.

[aardwolf]

Bites can turn to serious infections regardless of the dogs size. Why should the officer risk infection or rabies when it is not necessary? The owners are at fault and not the officer. Leash laws exist to protect everyone.

[Right2Carry]

If it's big enough to hit with a handgun, it's big enough to shoot with a handgun.

There's no reason police or anyone else should have to risk being bitten by an animal running loose and behaving aggressively. They could have rabies. I also think animals running loose should be presumed wild under the law. The ower gave up their rights when they let it run free.

I don't know if the Danville police dept is hiring.....but sounds like we have some folks with the right qualifications.



I'm kidding.


I'm just about 500% certain this could have been handled differently.

My worry is that this person's ultimate (maybe first) solution to the (problem?) was to use a firearm.

You know....this wasn't "self preservation", this wasn't "risk of grave bodily harm"....at most this was "I might get nipped". Come on!

I'm serious...there seems to be a new mind set these days. Some LEO are not going to suffer so much as a scratch as long as they have their Taser, ASP, OC, Glock, Knife, Radio and training.

I agree it could have been handled much differently, like the dog being under the control of it's owner.

[seamusTX]

It's in the nature of dogs to bark at strangers in their territory, Dachshunds in particular. I don't think I've ever seen one not bark. Most carry on like that their entire life without biting anyone. The neighbors had no complaint about it, at least the ones that the reporter talked to.

i have never been bitten by a dog. They back down with voice and postural commands. I realize those techniques do not always work, especially with amped-up fighting dogs, but a miniature Dachshund?

Sure, every town has leash laws, but the penalty for violating them is not killing the dog.

I would also like to know what the police chief's response would have been if a non-LEO shot a dog this way. I'm willing to bet the guy who did that would be up for reckless endangerment or deadly conduct (whatever they call it in Virginia).

One of these days, one of y'all who think every dog that looks at you sideways needs to be shot is going to meet up with one who is willing to do anything to protect his dog. It won't be a pretty sight.

- Jim

[Right2Carry]

It's in the nature of dogs to bark at strangers in their territory, Dachshunds in particular. I don't think I've ever seen one not bark. Most carry on like that their entire life without biting anyone. The neighbors had no complaint about it, at least the ones that the reporter talked to.

i have never been bitten by a dog. They back down with voice and postural commands. I realize those techniques do not always work, especially with amped-up fighting dogs, but a miniature Dachshund?

Sure, every town has leash laws, but the penalty for violating them is not killing the dog.

I would also like to know what the police chief's response would have been if a non-LEO shot a dog this way. I'm willing to bet the guy who did that would be up for reckless endangerment or deadly conduct (whatever they call it in Virginia).

One of these days, one of y'all who think every dog that looks at you sideways needs to be shot is going to meet up with one who is willing to do anything to protect his dog. It won't be a pretty sight.

- Jim

You may want to rethink that last statement. It seems to me if the owner has his dog under control then there should be no issues.

What I find amazing is that there are irresponisble owners who think that their pet is above the laws of the city and refuse to control their pets.