“”If you choose to let actual harm occur before defending yourself, that’s your business ... but in general, one is not required to allow himself to be harmed before engaging in self-defense. Reasonable belief that harm is about to occur is generally sufficient. IANAL.””
Well, I am a dog lover and have never met or encountered a dog that I was afraid of... even two loose, huge dobermans running the neighborhood at 2:30 am. I wrestled and played with my three boxers enough that I don’t fear them. Now... if I was getting bitten, I would definitely defend myself and the dog would not survive.
A friend was dog sitting his daughter’s grown Boxer. He had to let the dog out for nature call, and his large yard was unfenced. The dog went into the yard then made a beeline to the old lady walking her chihuahua. The dog was trying to kill the chihuahua and was also biting the woman. My friend ran over to try and separate the boxer. No matter what he did, including kicking the boxer in the ribs and gut he could not stop the attack.
He pulled his .45 and killed the male boxer.
The chihuahua was dead and the elderly lady severely bitten.
The boxer was a family house dog raised with children.
You never know when a dog will go wild, but it is in their nature.