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A follow up. A few months ago, we woke up to see a SWAT team had surrounded the neighbors house and advanced in. For the next few hours, the careless dog owner and home owner were cuffed on the front porch and then hauled away. The dog went too. We haven't seen them since. Looks like it was a solid arrest.

Abraham wrote:I see what I think may be a bit of thread drift...

If one is being attacked by a dangerous dog, does it really matter where you are, whether on the street, in your yard, or picking up mail at a community mail box?

Being attacked by a dangerous dog is being attacked by a dangerous dog. Period.

If such occurs, I will pepper spray first and if necessary resort to lethal means if me or mine are in mortal danger. If anyone thinks that statement sounds melodramatic, research the number of horror stories that not only Pits can (and have) created, but other breeds of big dogs that have attacked humans without cause. Death and major surgery have been the case when people couldn't or didn't have the means necessary to defend themselves.

Anyone recall the two people in San Francisco that were killed by two unleashed Pits a few years back? They weren't the only folks killed or maimed by dangerous dogs.

Texas law just doesn't make this easy. 1/2 oz of pepper spray is no guarantee and if the dog is anything like me, he might think I am putting out hot sauce as a condiment to me the main course.

It seems that I should get a pet rabbit or a duck and put them on a leash?

And when the dog attacks - boom. Maybe it doesn't matter where I am when this happens as long as the dog is loose and out of control.

EdnaBambrick wrote:

mojo84 wrote:

WTR wrote:
Why do Texas politicians write so many ambiguous laws?

After a few minutes of thought I figured out why..... bad laws keep the lawyers and courts profitable and busy.

mojo84 wrote:

WTR wrote:I would not use any device that allows the dog to get within arms length of me. Pits ate built and have the mind set to absorb physical pain. This is what I and some very respected professionals use http://counterassault.com/ and shoots up to 30 feet.

Is that legal to carry in Texas? Texas has laws regarding the size of cannister.

I've looked for 30+ minutes all around the web and it's just not clear. 'Small container' is the language used.

I don't think I'd trust a 1/2 oz container against a big angry dog.

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/D ... /PE.46.htm

(14) "Chemical dispensing device" means a device, other than a small chemical dispenser sold commercially for personal protection, that is designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of dispensing a substance capable of causing an adverse psychological or physiological effect on a human being.

Why do Texas politicians write so many ambiguous laws?

I sincerely appreciate the advice from all here.

I think getting the Post Office and the local animal control are good first steps. I have some bear spray that I could carry as an alternative (or to supplement the gun).

I know whatever situation occurs, it will develop very dynamically. The dog could be on or off their property in a matter of seconds and where and when I'd actually fire would not be of my choice.

Now here's the missing part I didn't mention earlier so as not to prejudice the forum. The dog owner is a drug dealer with possession convictions in Texas and from observation appears to be dealing out of this house currently.

Shooting or spraying the dog could escalate into more trouble than I want because it's pretty clear the guy is an idiot and may have little to lose.

More than anything I'd just like him and his dog to go away and I remain just a citizen. A free one.

Here's the situation.

I live in a Texas subdivision that has community mailboxes. The mailbox for my house is down a few houses from mine. On several occasions, the resident of that house allows their large (pitbull like) dog to run freely in the front yard or from the curb to the home. On 2 occasions the dog has charged me while I was going to pick up the mail. The owner calls the dog and so far nothing has happened but I am not sure how long my luck or the dog's training will hold out.

As a CHL holder and a result of the continued instances of the dog being loose I've decided it's now necessary to carry when I go to collect my mail. Furthermore, I've stopped my wife and child from collecting the mail.

But if and when it becomes necessary to pull and shoot to stop this dog at what point am I justified ?

When the dog charges ? Within a certain distance ? Must I get bitten first ? What if all of this occurs within the property lines of the residents yard* ?

*The person with the dog is not the owner of the house, but either a sporadic renter or friends of the residents. I confirmed this through license plate searches and tax records.

Thanks for any advice you can give.