I shot a pitbull yesterday morning with my bow. Story is the first answer. Make sure you read it before posting anything under

[fish hunt kid]

I'm guessing that I had to be there to feel the emotion of it all and considering all the answers, you did the right thing. It's hard to do stuff other peoples or your pets (if at all was a pet) and not think about it everyday. I could never kill a coyote because they look so much like dogs. I had to make a really hard decision to put down my cat or not. The reason was because he had butt cancer (go ahead and laugh ) and he couldn't go to the bathroom.

[WA Mtnhunter]

I don't think it is your responsibility to shoot any dog that chases deer. Livestock is another matter entirely.

You might be lucky if your neighbor doen't come down and rip one of your arms off and beat you to death with it for shooting his dog.

If it was coming at you in attack mode, you have every right to defend yourself. As a matter of fact, I carry a handgun while running my dogs at the reserve to protect them against pit bulls and the like belonging to gang bangers and other irresponsible types. I would caution all you sportsmen against taking the law into your own hands when it come to another man's dawg. Folks have been kilt for lots less.

[Sarge01]

In WV only the Natural Resource Police can kill a dog for chasing deer. A person has a right to protect himself from vicious dogs. If the owner comes calling he has the right to protect himself there too.

[OutdoorEnvy]

I would have done the same thing. I don't have sympathy for people who let their dogs run wild and do whatever they want. Where their dog is and what it's doing is their responsibility...and so are the consequences of the dogs fate.

[lovetohunt]

WAM,

Again, I didnt shoot the dog for chasing deer. I shot the dog because it was coming at me in attack mode, gowling,snarling,hair standing up on his back, the whole 9 yards. At that point I don't care about the law, I got to protect myself.

I feel I have every right in the world to shot a dog that is about to attack me. And I don't see how anyone could not shot the dog in my situation.

[007]

This usually turns into a lose/lose proposition. Granted, you have to protect yourself, but you might have to contend with a vengeful neighbor later that either doesn't belief that his beloved Rover was threatening you or else doesn't care what you say and like Wam said, intends to take it out of your hide. Too, I doubt you'd be able to prove intent on the part of the dog if it came to legal action. Just ugly all the way around.

[WA Mtnhunter]

LTH

I would have capped the mutt myself if I felt threatened by it. Just too many imbeciles on here talking about shooting dogs for running deer. Not their job to be game cops.

[Micropterus24]

I would agree that the blame falls on the owner's shoulders, its a shame because this breed has gotten such a bad reputation really because of irresponsible owners. I worked at an animal shelter for 2 years, and we had numerous aggressive dogs, and I know its pretty intimidating to be standing in front of a dog that may not have the best intentions, but I will say I've had a few get a lot closer than 16 yards, and I was able to ward them off without much trouble. Given my experience, I would have tried to handle it differently, but I do understand your situation, and if you feel you did the right thing, that's all that really matters. Bad situation all around, and its unfortunate you were stuck in the middle of it. It looks like this was bound to happen by the way the owner cared for his dog, it was their irresponsibility that sealed its fate.

[Treestand]

If this did happen the way you say. you have the right to take action to stay safe. or climed back up your stand and let the dog pass or tree you(no dead dog) call your local LEO put it in his hands!

[lovetohunt]

Micro,

I decided to shoot at about 16 yards bacause he was closing the distance pretty quick.

I wish it happend during gun season, that way I could have just shot into the ground and he would have ran off.

But whats done is done now.

[scratchgolf72]

pitbull coming full speed at me? im shooting, you did nothing wrong.

[RES1956]

Now, lovetohunt, your testimony was that the dog was in full attack mode, coming directly at you. You then proceeded to shoot the dog, with an arrow, at 16 yards on a dead run, bearing in mind that he was still in full attack mode, and after the shot he left the scene, bleeding from both sides.
First, let me compliment you on making such an incredible shot on a running target, hitting him in the side while he was 'charging' you head on (a shot I have never personally perfected with a bow, just my driver and my long irons) but, since this is in fact impossible, as we all know, obviously the animal had backed down from the charge and changed directions.
Next begs the question, since the animal was no longer coming at you, did you truly feel that there was a clear and present danger, or were your actions generated from the fact you know and despise this dog?
Prepare yourself for cross examination and hope the prosecuter does not read you first answer, which is your account of the situation, and thank God you will not appear in my court, lest you would be doing the owners yard work for the next two years.
The owner would have also been reprimanded, on separate charges had you not solved the problem, for not controlling this animal.
Next time SSS (shoot,shovel,shut up).

[Ontario Honker Hunter]

RES beat me to it! Shooting a charging animal through both sides is more than tricky. I won't call this a total BS story but I think there are parts that might fall into that category. On here I have always felt any post better be all or nothing ... all truth or worth nothing.

Shooting deer-chasing dogs was just about as normal as changing dirty diapers when I grew up. No one liked it but it had to be done. The law honored those who did their duty with those useless mutts. I don't want my dogs shot if they are bouncing curiously after a deer. But that's kinda hard for them to do when they are stuck in my living room or fenced back yard. They DO NOT chase deer when I am hunting birds. The first encounter or two they might have followed a flushed deer for a bit out of curiosity but they very quickly learned how irate that made me. End of that business! I only acquire dogs bred for obedience. Those who acquire dogs bred for attacking things are asking for trouble from the get go. I hold no sympathy for them if their dogs are on the loose. Generally, the courts don't have much sympathy for them either. I find it hard to believe that any judge would impose punishment on someone for getting rid of a dangerous neighborhood nuisance. Private property rights tend to go by the wayside when the property concerned is a killing machine running loose.

[lovetohunt]

RES and Ontario,

I was waiting fot someone to ask that very question, on how I hit that animal through the side as he is coming straight at me.

As a released that arrow, the dog herd the sound of the bow going off ((I had recently switched to a 375 "ish" grain arrow, any bow becomes louder when shooting an arrow that weighs sub 400 grains, I usually shoot 460 grain arrows))

As the dog herd the release it immidiately put on the breaks and spun all in one motion.

Which in turn made my arrow go through the dog's side rather then in his chest where my 20 yards pin was sitting on.

Now on making "such an incredible shot" as you put it...

I practice shooting my bow year round. I shoot thousands of arrows each month. Every chance I get I shoot my bow. I wore out several sets of strings this year already. Out to 50 yards I am a better shot with my bow then I am with my muzzle loader. I figure if I am going to be out hunting deer with a bow, I better make sure that arrow huts home EVERY time.

[lovetohunt]

Oh and it looked a lot like it does when a deer jumps the string. If you ever have seen a deer dodge an arrow coming at them at 300fps, you know how amazing it is.

The dog however, wasnt so lucky as to dodge the arrow.