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dac1842 wrote:The real question here is at any time was the life of a person endangered? If so then the use of deadly force is justified. However I would suggest one thing. I carry pepper spray in my pocket as a less than lethal response to non lethal threats, or at threats that start as non lethal. Use the pepper spray on dog first.

The spray I carry (Kimber Guardian Angel) is a bit less suited to a fast-moving target like a charging dog. I've already got so much other junk on me that adding another spray unit would be silly, and short of a belt holster, I wouldn't have anywhere left to carry it that I could expect to get to it in a hurry.

IF you decide to shoot the dog, I am sure you are aware of all the other concerns that go with that. i.e. where is the bullet going if I miss?

Unless the dog is either six feet tall or flying when it's attacking me or my child within arm's reach, the bullet will be going into the ground at a steep angle within 8-10 feet of me. Even asphalt or concrete is unlikely to produce a dangerous ricochet with those angles. If for whatever reason I feel it is necessary to fire at a dog farther away, then it will be necessary - and possible in the time available - to check the rest of the area.

katjon1 wrote:At one point, the dog got within one arms length of the stroller, where I attempted to kick it away. I did not drive it away, but at least i got the dogs attention away from the stroller and on to me.

There are a lot of variables here, but one that hasn't been brought up yet is what type of stroller was the child in? We have an umbrella stroller for most car trips, but we also use one that's more of a convertible pram style: much larger, and when in the reclined position, the baby is entirely enclosed from below. (Even in the stroller configuration only the legs are really exposed, but I'd still be a lot more careful then.)

With the umbrella stroller, it's light and compact enough that, if I had time, I'd probably just pick the whole thing up and let my steel-toes and my wife deal with the dog if it continues. With the other one, that's not an option, so I'd concentrate on getting and staying between the dog and the baby. If it attacks me or gets past me to the stroller, I will provide new definitions of excessive force for the cleanup crew to learn from.