Dog as weapon?

[broknindarkagain]

I have kinda a weird question, but I'm sure someone knows the answer.

Obviously, a knife, gun, bat, ect is considered a deadly weapon. What about a dog? Can you be accused of using a deadly weapon against someone if your dog were trained to attack and did so on your command? Or would it be viewed as a "less lethal" solution?

I doubt this is in the right forum, but I couldn't think of where to put it. So if need be, one of you mods can move it.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[born2die]

I'm not a lawyer or anything, but i kinda think that if you trained your dog to attack on command, you would be held legally responsible in some way; of course i imagine that it would be hard to prove that you trained it that way. Dogs do make a great defensive tool, and a even better deterrent.

[Dakotaranger]

I would think it would depend on the State. I think there are a couple women in California in prison because their pitbull was unrestrained when it attacked and killed another person. Don't think that dogs would necessarily be a nonlethal option

[Cupcake]

I gotta think that the liability is too great. In every state I've lived in, I've heard of dogs trained to attack that have gotten loose and seriously injured and/or killed someone. The owners faced much harsher punishment thn those people who had a "nice dog" that went bad, to include criminal charges. I don't know that it would even be considered less then lethal force, considering if someone sicced a couple dogs on me they are going down too (definate risk of great bodily harm, even if not always lethal). Great weapon, but I'm only letting mine chase squirrels. Carry pepperspray and/or a taser along with your gun.

[ccw9mm]

There are plenty of examples of dogs killing humans. In many places, the owner is held responsible for the care and control of the animal, yes, even to the point of contributing to crimes (assaults) committed by the animal. Particularly, I would think, in situations where the dog has been specifically trained to competently attack humans.

Would the semantics be arguable that it's a less-than-lethal weapon? I doubt that would hold water. If seriously considering doing this, speak with a knowledgeable attorney who can advise on the ramifications of having a trained dog that blows a gasket.

[SIXTO]

Yes, with out a doubt, a dog is a weapon. No question about it; no debate. It has been proven time and time again. Why do you think the pit bull has become such a ghetto status symbol?

[Hopyard]

There are plenty of examples of dogs killing humans. In many places, the owner is held responsible for the care and control of the animal,

Yes, Texas has a new law on this. If your dog harms someone, you are liable, criminally. It passed after a couple of particularly vicious dog attacks on elderly women in their own yards.

I do not know however if the deliberate use of a dog on, for example, a home intruder, would be something you can still be charged with. I guess it all depends.

Then too, a really well trained dog would likely only attack on command. I can't recall reading of an out-of-control police trained dog.

[ronwill]

Best thing to do is consult an attorney for your city, county and state laws. Most of the time, however, if your dog attacks someone you are liable.

[blackfoot]

What if you adopt a police K-9 and know the commands?

[SIXTO]

What if you adopt a police K-9 and know the commands?

What about it? There is a whole lot more to it than knowing the commands.
Even the best trained dogs still have their own minds and thought process. They are not robots.

[Supertac45]

Depends on the state.

[aus71383]

If the dog is the "weapon", are you going to shoot the owner? If the dog is attacking you, and you defend yourself by shooting the dog - how was the dog a weapon? I'm sure the owner could be charged with something, but he's not the one attacking you. JMO

Austin

[Der Alte]

My BIG three have never been trained to attack but if you decide to break into my house God help you - they follow the Castle Doctrine.

[ccw9mm]

I'm sure the owner could be charged with something, but he's not the one attacking you.

By extension of the owner's failure to control the animal, the owner is exactly that.

[retsupt99]

What if you adopt a police K-9 and know the commands?

Better know how to 'fire' it, clean it, carry it (so to speak), and hope you don't have a ND (or an unannounced attack) against an innocent victim.

But that does bring up an interesting point. Let's say that as you go to your car and a BG pulls a knife as you are opening the door...then you signal your trained dog to 'explain' the finer points of SD...what could you be held liable for if it was truly a mugging?
I guess I'm asking, that if the use of a gun would have been OK, why not a vicious dog attack?

I was just at my nephew's house below Tampa, FL for TurkeyDay. He's a young cop who just got his K-9 two weeks ago. The dog was in the house with us and was very alert, friendly, but serious. He listened and reacted to my nephew's instructions with 'exactness' and speed...very impressive.
Having a dog like that would certainly be a deadly weapon.

Stay armed...stay safe!