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I think it is legal, but why would you want to kill a dog that would probably be a very good dog if it had the right owners. That's messed to even think of that solution.

yes if its on your property.that's legal. no if ur out of ur yard. personally id find it hard to kill it but i could understand your fear or rage .may i ask? what did u do?

The law as I understand it is- if your "property" (pet, livestock,structure, car, other) is being damaged or destroyed, you, the property owner, can act to protect & defend your property.

On public property, i.e. a sidewalk or park, you may still "protect" your property if it is clearly under your control, such as a pet on a leash.

If in the process of "protecting" your property, it results in the injury or death of the attacking animal, that may still be legal, depending on whether the intent was to "protect and defend" or to "injure and/or kill" out of anger.

If an attack on your property (pet) has occurred and where defense and protection are too late, it is best to let the legal system decide what course of action to take.

The question may need rephrasing to something like- Can you defend and protect your animal on a leash from being injured or killed by a free ranging animal?

You can probably report it to the police or animal services. They will investigate and find out who's was at faul, etc. At the very least you could get your pups vet bills paid. They could order the dog to be put to sleep. But you can't go kill the dog yourself. Or take it and have it done. You can't touch the other persons dog. You would get in more trouble than they would for the dog attacking your pup. But you also need to remember that a dog is trained and only knows what it's taught. Or not taught. It's really not the other dogs fault, in most cases. It's usually neglect or ignorance on the owners part.

It would be small comfort to have the pup's bills paid if the other dog killed it. If you are present when the attack occurs, and if your dog is leashed and the attacker is not, I would think it's perfectly acceptable to take a baseball bat after the attacking dog, especially if it's on your property. Your pup is your property. Nobody has the right to attack him, man nor beast. The previous contributor is right, I think, in saying that if you were to go after the attacking dog after the attack, and try to kill it, then you would be in hot water. If you were to injure the other dog, say, on your property and your dog was tied up, and the attacker was not..I wouldn't hesitate to defend my dog as best I could. In fact, when I had dogs that I walked every night, I carried a heavy walking stick to repel other dogs whose owners thought the leash law didn't apply to them. It was easier to whack them on the nose than to have my very large, powerful dog tear them to pieces. I guess, as a lawyer might say, every case needs to be judged on it's own merits. However, if a dog comes on my property and attacks my dog, which is tied up according to the local ordinance, I'll be right there with a baseball bat. If the leash law applies to me, it must apply to everyone.

My God please don't think of killing another dog. When a dog does something it shouldn't look at the owner.You should be reporting to police & animal authority.The dog probably has unfit owners & it would be better off with people who cares if it runs lose.Go after owners of other dog they should be held responsible,also they shouldn't own a dog.Best Of Luck

There are leash laws for a very good reason! If you have your dog leashed and are walking down the street and a large dog attacks your dog off-leash at least here in British Columbia you can have the owner of that dog pay any vet bills should the small dog survive, sue them, and the SPCA (Cdn) or ASPCA (U.S.) can have the dog put down. Before people get a dog they should decide upon what dog would be best suited for their home. Pitbulls have no place in most households (although I'm going to get a fight on that one on this board) because they were raised to fight in pit rings. There are some nice Pitbulls, but, just like German Shepherds (used during the war by the Germans) their thinking patterns could go off at any given time no matter how good they have been. I have a Bichon Frise (mild-mannered dog) and a Cockapoo (with an attitude and is being trained ... he's male) and I would never think of telling anyone "my dogs are great, they won't bite." It depends on the circumstances of the dog.

However, I agree with the one poster that didn't want the dog put down. The owner is at fault and should have had the dog on a lead and a muzzle if needed. Put the owner down! I see many people with muzzled dogs because they know their dog could and would bite or go after a small dog.

OH and Blame the DEED not the BREED snm <---owner of a Pit Bull !!

Here in California, you don't always get compensated by the court system when your puppy almost is killed by another person's dog. I went to court, and the joke of a Judge Pro Tem didn't even talk to my witnesses or take my evidence. She just wanted to know why I took over a year to bring my case to court(which is still within the statute of limitations here)and I told her why. The rude jerk I was suing is getting a free pass on his violent dog and I am screwed out of 600 bucks.

I always have my dogs on a leash in public and if someone's dog came from their property to the street and attacked my two little dogs I would do everything I could (including killing) that dog if I had too! The laws are that your dog is contained on your property or your dog is on a leash and that's as simple as it gets! No one wants to out right kill a dog, but I've seen what large dogs can do to small dogs and it's not a pretty sight and most little dogs never survive the attack.

Odd, but where I live in British Columbia the most problems with dogs off leash are owners of large dogs and Dog Breeds that come with a bad reputation.

NEVER EVER EVER kill another dog even if you have to, if this dog attacked your dog report it to the aspca immediatly. usually with cases like this the attacker was probably never trained the right way, it was probably showing early signs of agression and the owner didn't do a thing about it. Most of these cases is mostly caused by neglect. What I'm trying to say is a dog (even if it does something bad like this case) never deserves to die you may be mad but let ASPCA deal with it.I am not done yet, i cant believe evrything you guys are talking about never go chasing down a dog with a baseball bat you do not have the right to take another one of gods precious animals out of this world!defending the dog still does not call for killing the dog i understand the pup is your property then you take good care of it my question to you is if your dog got of the leash and you knew it had agression problems would you let the other person kill if they did what would you do?next i was also reading one of these posters and dogs yes have those instincts sometimes but with the proper training the dog(German shepards or even pitbulls)could get better. to end this never kill another dog always look at the dogs owner and see if it had neglect or proper training a dog never deserves to die for something not of his fault.

lilly100

ANSWER

I would check with your local laws to be completely sure. Everyone should really research these things (laws concernings dog attacks, dog bites, etc....i would) when getting a dog - just in case! It's better to know what to do than not!

But you would think that if you were just walking down the street with your dog on a leash, minding your own business, and another dog comes out and attacks you or your pet...then yes, you have every right to defend yourself and your dog. But people, use common sense. If a dog attacks your dog, use objects to break them apart and not yourself! Dog bites can be serious and an attacking dog can turn it's aggression onto you if you just reach in. Do your best to get them apart using a big stick, a pole, a trash can lid, a hose...anything. And when the attacking dog relents, do not chase it down the street waving whatever you used to break them apart. Take care of your dog (and yourself) first, and let the authorities deal with the attacking dog and it's owners. I am quite sure that if you chased a dog down the street and to it's own house or whatever and killed it, you would be in some trouble.

And if a dog attacks you or your pet on your own property, use whatever you can to get rid of it. I am a dog lover but i draw the line when strange dogs attack humans or other animals in the persons own yard. Chances are you will not be punished if you kill the dog. But again, you could be if you went after it after it left your property.

In case of emergencies like that also try carrying pepper spray or something similar to ward off attacking dogs. It may help.

i agree with the top poster with what you were saying BUT what nobodies doing here is put yourself in the others persons place how would you feel if your dog attacked another dog and the other person killed it!!! another thing, i see if the dog was on your property and if it attacks you FIGHT IT OFF!!!do not kill it first of all if a dog is on your property shouldn't you call aspca?(a dog you've never seen before that is) if you know the dog and the dogs owner why don't you call the owner instead of trying to fend it off yourself!!! if you try to fend it off yourself well yeah you might get attacked depending on the dog.I also agree with what you were saying about not using yourself yet again a good idea.if some people would use common sense then some of these attacks wont happen because if you go out in your yard with a strange dog there what do you think will happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I left a post here saying I WOULD try to KILL ANY DOG that went after my small dogs on our property or on a leash. I would do anything to fend the other dog off, but dog fighting is so quick it doesn't leave one time to make quick decision with the exception of protecting your own pet as I would if I had a child with me that was being attacked by a dog. Speaking of which people should wake up and see the news more often and see the maulings of children by Rottweilers and Pit Bulls. Some children are mauled so badly they have 60 or more stitches and will need plastic surgery while other children die on the spot. We just had a case last summer where two girls were sitting at a bus stop and a Pit Bull came racing from across the street and attacked one of the girls leaving her face one bloody mess. Even after this the girl did not order the dog put to death (the SPCA did that) and all hospital bills and plastic surgery bills had to be paid by the owner and so it should be. A friend of mine who lived in a trailer court was shocked to see a German Shepherd attack a child (AND NO, the child was not teasing the dog, but simply sitting in the backyard playing with toys. Not only did the dog attack and maul the child, but dragged the child down the middle of the trailer park road. My friend was quick thinking and grabbed a 2 x 4 and whacked the dog on the side of the ribs long enough to get the child away from the dog. It is highly evident that many posters have not been smack in the middle of a dog fight. I have! It's not a pretty sight. Be it a Pit Bull, or larger dog that is aggressive you are not thinking at the time if it's the owner's fault for not having their large dog trained correctly, but trying to save your small dog. No one wants to kill a dog, but if you have no other choices then so be it. I wouldn't have a large dog maime my dog, then go over and shoot the owners dog, but I would have the SPCA (here in Canada) take the dog from their owner and have the owner pay all vet bills if my dog survived. If my dog was killed by the other dog then you bet I'd sue the owner and as far as I'm concerned people with larger dogs who don't have them trained correctly should get a prison term if the dog has done physical harm to another person without provocation.

It is not true that large dogs seldom do damage. While they may be pussy cats around the common household some dogs feel very protective of their property and owners. Male dogs are more aggressive with each other if one is not neutured than if both dogs were neutured.

I do believe Pit Bulls have gotten a bad reputation. It's usually drug dealers (we have a problem in British Columbia with Pit Bulls guarding houses that are grow-ops) and if you read up on the Pit Bull you will soon find out the strength of their jaws AND THEY WON'T LET GO! There have been write ups in the newspapers stating that some police officers have had no alternative but to shoot the Pit Bull and even then the Pit Bull refuse to release their victim. IT IS THE OWNER that is at fault, but still, Pit Bulls were bred for fighting and one must take into consideration there is that 'urge' to fight without much warning. Even a good dog trainer will tell you this. Pitt Bulls and ALL dogs should be taken to training classes (good ones) and the dog should listen to any order their owner gives them without hesitation. In most cases people DO NOT get the training for their dogs and therefore I feel they are not responsible owners. I have a Bichon Frise X female (22 lbs. and very muscular) but a great personality and a Cockapoo male (neutered) that is 16 lbs. and can be fearful around larger dogs and will dart at other dogs. He was still a pup at this time, but since this time I have taken him for training and he listens to command now. This in itself will help against dog fights.

Dogs while walking should be leashed!!! My husband and I go to a Doggie Beach at Buntzen Lake and there are all breeds there and we were shocked at how well Pit Bulls actually got along with other dogs and how happy they were (Pit Bulls love fun and have a good sense of humor) and the very dogs that caused problems and were kicked off the enclosed Doggie Beach were two Dobermans! We have been going to this beach for 5 years and only seen one altercation of a dog fight.

When I take my dogs for a walk I will go to an area that I can take them off leash. If I see anyone with or without a dog I put my dogs back on leash. I also carry pepper spray, but have not had to use it yet! As much as an owner of a Pit Bull or any other large breed of dog, I too take full responsibility for my own dogs. I watch for signs from my dogs or someone elses dogs: hair ridged up on their back; intense eye contact; tail straight as a poker or teeth bared. These are all signs of aggression so the owner should be prepared to have their dog on leash and well trained or, if the other dog is not well trained shout out to the owner to put their dog on a leash. I will admit that I can't even walk down my neighborhood street with my dogs on a leash without two or three dogs coming off their property and rushing up to my dogs. Most of the time the dogs are harmless, but one never knows.

Yes, I feel it's time we learn about some of the troublesome breeds and what the proper order is of being a pet owner. Before even buying a dog a family needs to sit together and decide what type of dog best fits their family. Many people get a 'high' off of owning Pit Bulls, Dobermans, German Shepherds and I must say most of them are men. Some of these men are young and they WANT their Pit Bulls or Dobermans to be aggressive. I feel there should be laws when breeders interview the people they are thinking of selling a Pitt Bull or any aggressive breed of dog too. All it's about is money by some breeders and they don't care about how the dog will be treated by their new owners. I think there should be a law that ALL dogs are sent to training and this includes dogs 12 lbs. and over.

Here is some helpful tips by a popular trainer:

Fights Between Dogs -- How to Avoid and Stop Them

Following are excerpts from a recent PetLife article (part 1), a summary of a video program from trainer Ian Dunbar (part 2), and quick tips for avoiding and stopping fights between dogs (parts 3 and 4).

Also, be sure to see last week's tip about Bite Inhibition. You can find it on the PAW website under Pet Tips. Also, watch for next week's tip, which will cover ways to reduce aggression between dogs in the same household.

1. From "Ready to Rumble" by Cherie Langlois in the February 2003 issue of PetLife:

While some breeds developed for fighting or protection may be more included to quarrel, dogs of any breed can get into fights. "It depends more on the dog's temperament, training and socialization," said trainer Adam Katz of Austin, Texas, owner of www.Dogproblems.com. A dog who is not well-socialized might have dominant body language and stare other dogs right in the eyes, which is perceived as a direct challenge.

It's a mistake to assume your dog won't fight. "The issue isn't whether your dog is or isn't nice; it's how the two dogs' temperaments interrelate," Katz said.

Said Trish King, animal behavior and training director for the Marin (California) Humane Society: "These dogs aren't necessarily aggressive when they're off leash, but tend to lunge, bark and posture when they are on leash."

Avoid scary conflicts by staying alert and keeping your dog under a short leash and voice control at all times. Some owners take the additional step of not allowing their dog to look or sniff at another dog.

Teaching a dog early on that he can't visit with every canine he meets is one good way owners can prevent leash aggression. Teach the dog not to pull on the leash, and to sit and wait for permission before greeting another dog. Basic obedience training and behavior modification with positive reinforcement can help prevent fights. Katz said, "If the dog is looking at me and paying attention, he canUt engage another dog."

Along with leashing and good training, owners can avoid conflicts by keeping their pets from roaming, neutering young dogs before one year of age, and socializing their dogs during the critical puppyhood stage between six to eight weeks of age.

Some fights occur with little warning, but often you can spot behaviors that signal trouble ahead, so use that opportunity to keep a fight from breaking out.

Watch for these behavioral cues to see if a fight is imminent:

  • A hard, unwavering, targeted stare.
  • Dominance posturing, such as mounting.
  • Stiff body movements.
  • Extreme body language: the tail held stiffly up or down, lips pulled tight against the teeth.

When facing an oncoming aggressive dog, you might shout "NO!" to repel him. If the dog continues to approach, drastic measures may be needed. Katz suggests owners carry a stun gun, which they should aim into the air, not at the dog. The stun gun hits sound frequencies that dogs hear, which can stop a dog from fighting. Another technique is to spray cayenne pepper at the dog's nose and eyes (however, pepper spray can cause injury and further anger an aggressive dog). King prefers a harmless citronella spray repellent called Direct Stop.

If a fight ensues, keep in mind that dogs tend to establish a social hierarchy soon after they meet. Scuffles to determine top dog can involve heavy barking and growling. However, real fights can take place, in which a dog latches onto another dog or otherwise injures him. Intense fights can be silent.

If you intervene, do not put your hands anywhere near the dogs' heads or get between them to avoid getting bitten yourself. If another person is available, King recommends each person picks a dog and grabs its tail or hind legs, pulling back and up until the dog loosens its grip. The grabber should then move away quickly. There is some risk, since dogs will sometimes turn and bite whoever is hanging on to them.

Prevention, of course, is the best approach. "Prevention -- keeping your dog safe and providing good leadership -- is the most important job a dog owner has," said King.

2. From Dr. Dunbar's Video "Dog Aggression: Fighting":

Dogs react fast, and sometimes get angry toward each other, just like people. The difference is that dogs respond immediately then, typically, forget about it once the disagreement is resolved.

Some 90% of a puppyUs time is spent biting other puppies. This is part of developing bite inhibition, in which young dogs learn how to control their jaws. The optimal time for dogs to develop bite inhibition is between two and four and a half months of age. Dogs need free play as puppies with puppies and mother dog to develop their bite inhibition. (See last week's Tip on Bite Inhibition, which is posted on the PAW website under Pet Tips.)

Dunbar cites some general principles:

  • Dogs initiate fighting when they do not feel secure around other dogs.
  • The top dog knows he's boss and usually is able assert rank within 3 seconds. Usually, the top dog does not have to resort to actual fighting to prove his point.
  • Middle-ranking order male dogs feel insecure and in need of proving something.
  • Females have the potential to engage in fights, and to be as tenacious as males. When females fight with female or male dogs, often it's to gain a possession.
  • Dogs perceive neutered dogs as less of a threat. With male dogs, neutering reduces the chances dogs will bite and neutering is linked with a reduction in several kinds of aggression.
  • Dogs may also display aggression to dogs who approach them outside, especially when their owner gets tense in the presence of other dogs and yanks on the dog's collar. For example, the dog may be communicating to the other dog: "Go away! When dogs like you appear, my owner gets upset and gives me a punishment."
  • Dogs growl at younger dogs in an attempt to put youngsters in their place. By the way, many male dogs have testosterone peaks between 10 months and one year of age, explaining why they seem more hyper. Dogs can smell testosterone.
  • When dogs growl at younger dogs, this leads to the development of active appeasement on the part of the lower-ranking dog. The lower-ranking dog learns to show deference, which signals that he understands and respects the hierarchy. So then, typically, the older/more dominant dog will let the youngster play.
  • Playing is more than having fun for dogs; it's a way to compete and a way to establish rank.

Positive steps you can take:

  • Socialize your pup. You can keep him nearby when you're home by tethering him to you with a leash. Praise the dog whenever he does good, and whenever he stops aggressive look or other undesirable behavior.
  • Most people ignore good behavior. But it is important to praise and reward good behavior in order to encourage the dog to repeat it. Solicit and praise good behavior, instead of punishing the bad.
  • Dunbar suggests teaching the command, "GENTLY," which can be useful in diverting dogs from a fight. "SIT" and "OFF" are also important commands. It is important to be able to redirect your dog's attention to you -- and thus away from another dog who may be engaging in challenging eye contact and aggressive or otherwise undesirable behaviors.
  • Do not tense up with the leash or yell during the approach of another dog. That can make your dog associate the sight of another dog with punishment.
  • Remember that timing is everything, and that it is crucial for you to develop the ability to redirect your dogUs attention back to you.

By the way, Dunbar cautions against using tranquilizers, which affect bite inhibition (a learned behavior). You want the dog to be able to inhibit his own bite.

Some people attend "growl classes" with their aggressive dogs, at which they work on moderating the dogUs reactive behavior. The dogs wear muzzles and the owners keep them on leash until the end of the classes, at which point participants work the dogs off leash. DunbarUs video included footage from a "growl" class.

3. Tips for avoiding fights:

  • Behavior modification work with your dogs is essential. Be sure to watch for next week's tip, "Aggression Between Dogs in the Same Household."
  • Never allow any dog to achieve dominant status over any adult or child. If dogs always know their social ranking and are never allowed to challenge people, they will usually be good family members, advises Gary L. Clemons, DVM.
  • Feed dogs in separate areas, rooms or in their own crates.
  • Do not toss treats out to dogs. Instead, have each dog obey a command, such as sit, individually, and give the treat right after he/she obeys.
  • If any chance dogs will fight over toys, don't give the dogs toys unless they are in separate locations.
  • Do not give dogs toys that fanatically excite them.
  • Carry a small, automatic umbrella. You can pop this open between your dog and an incoming one of you fear a problem. It provides a surprise and a hiding place.
  • Some dog handlers carry water pistols and water cannons.
  • One Great Dane owner uses a cookie sheet to deter dogs from engaging in a fight. She has slipped the pan between the aggressing dogs, as well as banged on it to create a distracting noise.
  • One multiple dog owner always keeps a sturdy buckle collar on the dogs, which provides a sturdy handle if needed.
  • Don't permit tug-of-war or aggressive wrestling. These games can quickly escalate into a fight.
  • Don't give dogs rawhides, pig hooves or other highly coveted goodies. At the very least, don't allow dogs free access to them. The dogs are likely to fight over them.

4. Ideas for breaking up a fight:

The way fighting dogs should be separated depends on the individual dogs as well as their typical breed characteristics. For example, pit bull specialists advise use of a strong "breaking stick" inserted into the mouth of bull-breed dogs, but not for other kinds of dogs.

Be aware that a dog embroiled in a fight might bite someone who grabs him or who comes between the fighting dogs.

  • Try pouring water over fighting dogs. Turning a hose on the dogs works better than dumping a container on them.
  • Some dogs will stop fighting if you squirt them with a water bottle filled with vinegar, which breaks their concentration. Some folks use water cannons, citronella spray, pepper spray (note: pepper spray, or mace, can cause injury and worsen the situation), airhorns or even stun guns.
  • Avoid putting your hands near the dogs' heads or getting between them to avoid getting bitten yourself. If another person is available, Trish King recommends each person picks a dog and grabs its tail or hind legs, pulling back and up until the dog loosens its grip. The grabber should then move away quickly. There is some risk, since dogs will sometimes turn and bite whoever is hanging on to them.

Another technique for breaking up a fight when two person are available: One person attempts to immobilize the hindquarters of the dog while grasping the collar from behind. For certain breeds such as pit bull breeds, it is recommended to wedge a wedge-shaped breaking stick into the side of the dog's mouth. Before attempting this, study up on the information about breaking up dog fights on www.pbrc.net.

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Q: Can you kill a dog if it attacks your pup which is on a lead and the other dog is not?
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