I was a mailman for 10 years. Dogs, even the obnoxious ones on the loose are NOT a threat.
I’ve been nipped at, but NEVER once had to shoot one.
They gave us spray, which was not very effective.
My never-fail solution? Doggie treats. Worked EVERY time.
Cops shoot dogs because they’re being “Rambo” on easy targets. Period.
There’s NO excuse for it. Like another poster said: They’re practicing for when it’s US they can kill on a whim.
I am about the area walking daily, my defense of choice is a flyswatter. Out of the 100’s of dogs that have barked and came at me, I have yet to be bit.
The worst seems to come when I am riding a bike and they come after me. My first option is to ignore them, but if they get within about 3 feet I slam on the brakes and confront the dog yelling get out of here. This has worked 100% of the time.
Once I was walking without my flyswatter and a very large dog probably 140 lbs barked at me. I stopped and said “Come here boy” in a friendly voice. The dog actually did and we became friends, but I was reminded of the movie Turner and Hooch as I was slobbered on.