out shooting when attacked by a couple of dogs

[shoughton]

I wonder if the dog walker could have been an off duty police officer exercising the dogs on a footpath? Possible.

 

The topic has created a lot of responses, unsurprisingly. Personally I can't imagine taking a shot in those circumstances.

 

To be able to take a shot would suggest that you weren't in immediate danger. If you really were then the chances are that you would have had little time to actually do anything about it before the dog(s) were on you - to try firing the gun whilst wrestling with a dog would be ludicrous.

 

Good advice in terms of removing masks etc. If any of us are shooting close to where members of the public appear then we have to do everything possible to avoid alarming them (or their animals) and also protect the good name of our sport. Anybody who doesn't feel confident and committed to both of those principles should stay away from those areas, IMO.

[PWD]

I think shooting a barking dog that stumbles across you all camo'ed up and hiding in a bush may give cause for concern. Think about your own actions did you do something to make the dog go on the defensive ,if you provoke a situation you are going to get a situation. Discharging a shotgun when your uncertain there wasn't a definite threat (all dogs show teeth when barking..and a dog like a Shepard wont spend to much time barking more time sorting out the treat to its owner ) especially near a person out walking there dogs in my mind may well loose you your ticket. Doesn't matter a tot if your on land with permission from the queen ,if that person puts a slant on it that you fired say over there dogs without any concern for a stop..say she said the shot whistled past her..you are going to be in such a deep pile of poo . Given the situation I would have just removed my mask and become a human to the dog..its barking because its with its owner and your out of situation . My tiny springer spent 5 minutes barking at a statue of a man at Ragley hall last weekend, had the keeper shot it they would be a keeper down today . If your shooting near a public right of way be prepared for what the public bring with them simple...would you fire a shot in your own garden over next doors aggressive dog. If there aint a tooth mark on you I think your luck you still have a ticket mate and if you FAO reads this doubt you will, we are responsible shooters always prepared to step back and calm a situation and judge it correctly and show gun awareness,not firing warning shots like the wild west for Christ sake.

Edited September 2, 2011 by PWD

[sako751sg]

You never give your dog off-lead time? I thought you cared about him. Ah well.

 

Yes,and remember it been fully trained,at great expense too!Mine hasnt been trained at great expense and is NEVER on a lead.Maybe he should ask for his money back.

[Nial]

I think shooting a barking dog that stumbles across you all camo'ed up and hiding in a bush

 

 

A few people have said that the OP should have come out of his hide, take his face mask off etc.

 

He said in the original post....

 

"i was out shooting today just as i was setting my decoys"

 

..so he wasn't in his hide, and if it had been me I wouldn't have had a camo facemask etc

on yet.

 

 

 

Nial.

[poontang]

A few people have said that the OP should have come out of his hide, take his face mask off etc.

 

He said in the original post....

 

"i was out shooting today just as i was setting my decoys"

 

..so he wasn't in his hide, and if it had been me I wouldn't have had a camo facemask etc

on yet.

 

 

 

Nial.

 

I wouldn't have had my gun with me either.

[Old Bull]

if a dog came to bite me if i had my gun i would give it a good thwack with the butt of my gun, but shoot it

[Catweazle]

So you guys think you should wait until the 2 big german shepherds were tearing chunks out of him hefore he would be ok to shoot ? :look:

 

Dogs were out of control, off lead, far away from owner, you were taking part in a legal activity. If in your situation I wouldn't hesitate to shoot! Regardless of anyone's views, I'd rather not get torn up and lose my SGC than get killed! I highly doubt you would get in any permanent trouble anyway!

 

It's a difficult call isn't it. A few years ago I would have said wait until the dog bites then act accordingly. That was before I owned large dogs, now, having seen up close what a large dog can do, I would be acting earlier.

 

Can you imagine living without a thumb or a nose because you waited until the dog bit ? A large dog can snip off fingers like you can prune roses and a pair of them can kill you.

 

Firstly, uncover your face and talk to the dogs so they know you're human, if they still come then you're in trouble.

 

The dog that tried to bite would have got the butt of the shotgun into his mouth hard, if he came again he'd get more.

[Hamster]

Obviously we don`t really know the exact circumstances here but a few people have cast doubt over whether it would even be possible to use the gun to shoot the animal whilst being physically attacked, , personally I can`t see it getting anywhere near that stage.

 

If you`re set upon by an angry volatile dog whether or not you end up shooting it or even fire a warning shot would surely depend on the size and breed? I think I could play fight even the angriest of terriers/small dogs all day without even losing my cool or breaking sweat, just a swift gentle kick or two would have it kept a sensible distance untill the owner arrives.

 

However, faced with a frothing Rottweiler or similar there is no way on earth I would be allowing myself get to the stage where the length of the barrels had any bearings on proceedings . If I sensed I was about to be gored by a morons mutt, then losing a shell (or a court case for that matter) or a pound of flesh off my thigh is a no brainer.