Hey guys I need a little bit of advice about the self defense topic with animals.
I took a criminal law class at school last semester and we discussed a handful about self-defense. However, we never talked about person vs. animal. A couple days ago, I walked my girlfriend to her car at about 11:00 at night while I was at one of my family members house.(not familiar with the neighborhood) After I walked her to her car, I was crossing the street and the neighbor let out there dog. The neighbor was pretty careless and just opened their front door and the dog ran out. The front lawns are not fenced in my town so this dog took off and charged right at me full sprint. I reached for my handgun and placed my hand in ready position to draw. I was about mid-way in the street and started to back up towards the opposite side walk. The dog was aggressive with barking and growling with teeth shown. It was a large dog with a mix breed of pitbull. The owner started screaming at the dog and he stopped at the curb of the street. I then was on the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street and took my hand off as the dog went back towards the house.Close call! I don't know what would have happened if the owner wasn't there.
When would you say it would be justified to stop the threat? When the dog is charging at you? or does he have to be biting you? Thank you guys!
I took a criminal law class at school last semester and we discussed a handful about self-defense. However, we never talked about person vs. animal. A couple days ago, I walked my girlfriend to her car at about 11:00 at night while I was at one of my family members house.(not familiar with the neighborhood) After I walked her to her car, I was crossing the street and the neighbor let out there dog. The neighbor was pretty careless and just opened their front door and the dog ran out. The front lawns are not fenced in my town so this dog took off and charged right at me full sprint. I reached for my handgun and placed my hand in ready position to draw. I was about mid-way in the street and started to back up towards the opposite side walk. The dog was aggressive with barking and growling with teeth shown. It was a large dog with a mix breed of pitbull. The owner started screaming at the dog and he stopped at the curb of the street. I then was on the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street and took my hand off as the dog went back towards the house.Close call! I don't know what would have happened if the owner wasn't there.
When would you say it would be justified to stop the threat? When the dog is charging at you? or does he have to be biting you? Thank you guys!