The next time my neighbor’s 4 lb. Yorkshire Terrier ankle-biter comes running up to me while I’m setting trash tubs by the curb—said little rat yapping non-stop and acting tough—I can drop-kick him back across the street into his own yard?
I love dogs. I currently own 2 Brittanies. And I would have done the same thing if a large dog attacked me.
I worked part time as a house painter in the 70s and 80s. In a well to do home owned by obnoxious snobs they had an ankle biter that would do just that (bite ankles) and the owners refused to put it in another room. I accidentally launched it across the room with the side of my foot. Oooooopsie. It still barked but kept its distance.
BS! Mastiffs and corsos are gentle giants and not deserving of this level of hyperbole. I've owned both mastiffs and cane corsos, and I've not had a single one act aggressive to another person or animal without presenting a threat. EVERY dog is going to be territorial and protect their home turf. My 15 year old half-blind, deaf, mini-dachshund will nip at your pant legs if she doesn't know your smell, and my 5 year old border collie will howl at anyone who comes knocking at the door. It's what they do.
Pits are a breed that, while maligned, have been interbred into what the public now perceives. They used to be gentle dogs used to protect house and human but are now considered, by and large, mentally unstable due to poor breeding habits and a pop culture desire for "fighting dogs." Mastiffs are still, in general, a loyal, stable breed capable of great affection and act as exceptional home protectors.
Any dog not under physical, verbal, electronic, or other CONTROL is deemed feral/wild and may be shot. Welcome to Arizona.
Not facing any charges, in New York? Had to read the rest. New York STATE; in “New York” he’d be in jail for just possessing the weapon.