Shooting a dog when no one is home

[sid]

I'm a plumber and was working today in a house where they have two pit bulls. I was told that the dogs were crated. I had permission to enter the house to asses the job.
The dogs were in their crates barking and growling the whole time I was there. I had a couple of dogs in the past that knew how to escape their crates and the thought of these dogs escaping had crossed my mind.

Being as I was in the customers house; if the dogs or a dog had escaped and attacked me would I have the right to shoot the dog to protect myself?

I have never been attacked by a dog and because of this I would attempt to calm the dog. But if it was not possible how far would I have to let the dog go before shooting it?

Sid

[Steve_NEPhila]

A dog is not the same as a person, a dog is property. I would say that if it was biting you you could reasonably kill the dog, whether it be by shooting, cutting or napalm. Of course, if a dog were to bite and damage you an excellent civil case that would make.

I believe that avoidance is a better route. In the future talk to your clients about dogs. You can always ask customers if they have dogs before you come to do the job. You can also request that the dogs be crated and in a room separate from the working area with the door closed. This would kind of double up your measure of protection.

[CHEMICAL]

A dog is not the same as a person, a dog is property. I would say that if it was biting you you could reasonably kill the dog, whether it be by shooting, cutting or napalm. Of course, if a dog were to bite and damage you an excellent civil case that would make.

I believe that avoidance is a better route. In the future talk to your clients about dogs. You can always ask customers if they have dogs before you come to do the job. You can also request that the dogs be crated and in a room separate from the working area with the door closed. This would kind of double up your measure of protection.

Agreed. Ask them to crate the dogs in a closed room.If they refuse tell them to get a different plumber. No job is worth having your leg torn off.

[mrnyman]

Discharging a weapon in someone else home is not a good idea, i could see you unholstering and laying down cover as you retreat, but shooting a Dog in his own home ? I would say no.

Nymanb

[Franky4Fingers]

why not? If your being attacked in fear for your life or serious injury, why wouldn't you?

[headcase]

I had a Rottie crated and put in a different room, while I was on a job once, only to come down off a ladder backed in a corner, to find him growling at me like I stole his food bowl... People get so used to treating their animals like they are their kids, or friends, they forget sometimes that they aren't. Luckily for everyone, the owner heard the growling and got to the dog before it lunged at me, so we didn't have to find out how well a 1/2"x36" drill bit penetrates fur.

Sorry to all the "dogs are equal to humans" dog lovers out there, but if a dog chases you agressively and you don't think you can get away, kill the fucking thing. You invite someone onto your property and can't contain your animal, who takes offence to the guest's presence, that's on you. You are out and about and can't control your animal, that's on you. I love dogs, but much like I am not going to wait to get stabbed when someone is threatening me with a knife before I do something to end the threat, I am not going to wait to see if I get bit or if the dog stops just short because he is posturing, before I severly injure or kill it.

[DonM55]

I won't go into a clients home without them or someone they supply to escort me.

[mrnyman]

Dogs are socialized to protect their home/territory and they will do so aggressively.

Being a plumber, carpenter, cable guy, mailman etc. it comes with the territory, its like being a soldier going off to war to kill and destroy but complains when you get shot or injured, what did you expect.?

If the Dog is outside roaming around on the street attacking people , i'd be the first to put a .40 cal Ranger in its ass, but locked up in his own home not bothering anybody? try explaining that to the DA or the Jury who might have a few PETA folks on board.

[Plinker]

A can of pepper spray on one's tool belt might be a better alternative in instances like this. Just sayin'

Plinker

[Gun]

The homeowner granted you access to their house so that you could perform a service. It should be the homeowner's responsibility to provide safe access, inside the homeowner's dwelling, especially when it concerns dogs.

If the dogs escape, your chance of retreat is next to nil, as the homeowner would not be there to contain the dogs, if they were able to.

What if the homeowner were there, and the dogs were able to attack you, what then?