So does mine except he sounds big and bad behind the door. That's why I make dang sure that if someone comes to the door I don't let him out. He wouldn't hurt them but could scare somebody. As a dog owner it's part of your responsibility. If you allow your dog to run out of the door towards someone it's hard to blame them for protecting themselves.

 

So if I come to your door, your dog gets out by accident and I shoot it, you'll feel the same way?

So if I come to your door, your dog gets out by accident and I shoot it, you'll feel the same way?

Let's say I have a German Shepard (which I don't). Your walking up my sidewalk and you can hear him going crazy in side barking, you can even see him in the window looking mean as anything. The door opens and you see him come charging out. Even if I know he is gentle as can be and would do nothing but be your best friend, as far as you know this is Cujo coming towards you. You waiting until he's chewing on your butt before you react?

 

To answer your question, I don't let me dog get out in that situation. It happened once years ago to a pizza delivery guy. When max came running out the guys eyes were huge. Max didn't do anything but beg to be petted but I could tell it scared the guy and it scared me as well. Since then I always make sure I have control of him before I open the door.

Like I said I'd have to see what type of dog it is. I think most dogs could be neutralized by pepper spray.

 

So we agree that there are times where the officer would shoot before getting bitten?

So for everybody defending the cops actions here, answer LB's question that has been ignored to this point:

 

If a normal citizen were in this officers shoes, would they be excused after killing this dog?

 

I don't know if a normal citizen gets charged if he has a concealed carry permit and a dog charges him and he defends himself. Why would a citizen get charged? If a person came out of the door and started charging you like he was going to tackle you, do you have the right to defend yourself? I really don't know the law in either situation.

How could it not matter? Are you implying that cops have the right to shoot dogs for being dogs just because they are cops? Does the "War on Police" now involve dogs too?

 

Didn't say that. I'm saying police officers on your property and Joe Blow on your property are not the same.

So for everybody defending the cops actions here, answer LB's question that has been ignored to this point:

 

If a normal citizen were in this officers shoes, would they be excused after killing this dog?

 

To answer your question, the private citizen could be negligent for trespassing on the owner's property.

Let's say I have a German Shepard (which I don't). Your walking up my sidewalk and you can hear him going crazy in side barking, you can even see him in the window looking mean as anything. The door opens and you see him come charging out. Even if I know he is gentle as can be and would do nothing but be your best friend, as far as you know this is Cujo coming towards you. You waiting until he's chewing on your butt before you react?

 

To answer your question, I don't let me dog get out in that situation. It happened once years ago to a pizza delivery guy. When max came running out the guys eyes were huge. Max didn't do anything but beg to be petted but I could tell it scared the guy and it scared me as well. Since then I always make sure I have control of him before I open the door.

 

If you, the owner, lets him run around like that, I'm going to assume he is friendly. That's just me though. I've been to many a door step when I got run up on by their dog and wasn't worried that I was being attacked.

 

You still didn't answer my question. I said if he got out on accident.

Didn't say that. I'm saying police officers on your property and Joe Blow on your property are not the same.

 

So then you ARE saying that a cop can shoot the dog because he's a cop... If the cop can shoot him and Joe Blow can't, why? What's the difference? Nobody is going to press trespassing charges on Joe Blow for knocking on their door to tell them the car door is open.

If you, the owner, lets him run around like that, I'm going to assume he is friendly. That's just me though. I've been to many a door step when I got run up on by their dog and wasn't worried that I was being attacked.

 

You still didn't answer my question. I said if he got out on accident.

Yes, I would be mad as hell and would want to beat you with a bat. That doesn't mean I'm right. It's my dog and I will be emotional about it. But if you look at it rationally from your perspective, you have no clue if my dog is going to harm you or not. So taking emotion out of it, it's hard to blame someone for protecting themselves. Again, dog ownership just like gun ownership comes with responsibility.

 

And to assume just because someone is letting their dog run loose means it's friendly is a mistake. Plenty of idiots out there letting dangerous dogs go where they want.

So then you ARE saying that a cop can shoot the dog because he's a cop... If the cop can shoot him and Joe Blow can't, why? What's the difference? Nobody is going to press trespassing charges on Joe Blow for knocking on their door to tell them the car door is open.

 

Joe Blow has to worry about trespassing laws. Joe Police Officer does not. As long as he is not violating the Constitutional rights of the homeowner and is not acting recklessly (ie shooting a sleeping dog or a dog that wasn't rushing him) then he is protected. So, yes, he CAN shoot a dog in certain circumstances.

 

That's the point of this entire thread.

As far as the thinking that the officer should assess the situation before firing: Watch the video. Two seconds from the door opening the dog being at his crotch took 2 seconds.

Joe Blow has to worry about trespassing laws. Joe Police Officer does not. As long as he is not violating the Constitutional rights of the homeowner and is not acting recklessly (ie shooting a sleeping dog or a dog that wasn't rushing him) then he is protected. So, yes, he CAN shoot a dog in certain circumstances.

 

That's the point of this entire thread.

 

Shooting a dog on someones door step seems pretty darn reckless to me...

 

What if one of the kids had chased the dog out the door and been shot, does he get off the hook for that too?

Shooting a dog on someones door step seems pretty darn reckless to me...

 

What if one of the kids had chased the dog out the door and been shot, does he get off the hook for that too?

 

Courts have protected police in cases like this.

 

Good question about humans being injured/killed.

My dog charges the door any time anyone shows up at the house. He just can't wait to shower them with kisses and love. What you guys are saying is that a cop can blow him away no questions asked and it's a "sorry about your luck" situation for me. That just doesn't sit well with me.

 

My dog does this too. I always hold onto his collar when opening the door but if I'm stepping out to sign a receipt or something there is always the chance he gets out despite my effort to push him back while closing the door. His tail is going about 100 miles a minute during all this too as he just wants to play and make a new friend. I'd be pretty salty if someone shot my dog because he did dog things.

 

Didn't say that. I'm saying police officers on your property and Joe Blow on your property are not the same.

 

Was the officer acting in official police capacity? Is it his job to tell someone their car door is open? That could be the officer just being a good neighbor, just like Joe Blow could do.

My dog does this too. I always hold onto his collar when opening the door but if I'm stepping out to sign a receipt or something there is always the chance he gets out despite my effort to push him back while closing the door. His tail is going about 100 miles a minute during all this too as he just wants to play and make a new friend. I'd be pretty salty if someone shot my dog because he did dog things.

 

 

 

Was the officer acting in official police capacity? Is it his job to tell someone their car door is open? That could be the officer just being a good neighbor, just like Joe Blow could do.

 

He was well within his rights to be on the property.