[theDentist]

Yes. But if you're a cop and a dog comes runnning at you from inside the house, are you legally obligated to wait until the dog bites you before you defend yourself? I mean, I feel terribly for the owner, but I can't really fault the cops for not taking the chance.

[freeeee]

But if you're a cop and a dog comes runnning at you from inside the house, are you legally obligated to wait until the dog bites you before you defend yourself?

If you're minding your own business and and a K-9 comes running at you, are you legally obligated to wait until the dog bites you before you defend yourself?

The answers to these questions will be very telling in determining who answers to who, and what kind of country we live in.

And that's not very encouraging.

[decimon]

Yes. But if you're a cop and a dog comes runnning at you from inside the house, are you legally obligated to wait until the dog bites you before you defend yourself? I mean, I feel terribly for the owner, but I can't really fault the cops for not taking the chance.

Does that hold as well for the letter carrier, meter reader, UPSer and paper boy?

[Rocky Mountain High]

B.S.! These Barney Fifes were at the WRONG house, accosted the WRONG man and shot the WRONG dog. They're every bit at fault.
What if they came to your house and did the same thing?

[decimon]

Police training can make all the difference. Despite all the stuff that makes the headlines, the NYPD is usually a professional outfit.

Several years ago I took advantage of a Memorial Day to catch an afternoon nap in my NYC apartment. Didn't last long as there came a pounding on my door. I groggily went to the door and called, "Who's there?" "Police!" was the answer. Dubious, I cracked the door to see two young officers (both black if that matters). They had a report of a woman screaming in my apartment. I'd have right them welcolmed a woman in my apartment but there was none as was confirmed by my neighbor who stuck his head out to see what was going on. That settled the matter.

The cops were professional. They spoke to me normally. They positioned themselves apart to protect themselves as best the layout allowed. They had their hands rested atop their guns, ready to draw if necessary but not threatening or begging accident.

If the call they'd responded to hadn't been a hoax then they'd have faced one of the diciest situations cops do face. But they handled things professionally and did not themselves become the problem. Leastways, that's how I see it.