[DieHard the Hunter]

> Was there not a responsible adult around with a gun to defend the kids?

No. Armed response in NZ is the exception and not the rule. And most folk with guns around fighting dogs and kids are a danger to themselves and others if they started to blast away into a swirling mass of fur and teeth and torn clothes and bleeding flesh and screaming kids.

You Yanks maybe ought to de-condition yourselves away from Firearms being the solution to every problem. In this case, a bucket of cold water would have been much safer and infinitely more effective. Fireworks — the noisier the better — would have worked too: dogs hate ‘em. Or one of those aerosol fog-horns, the sort you carry on your boat? Perfect! Let that thing off, and all dogs will scurry. No flying lead to accidentally injure kids by “friendly fire”.

Or in a pinch, a police whistle works well.

[vetvetdoug]

I am well aware of pit bulls and their propensities. I am proud that I can defend my family and animals and not have to wait fifteen minutes or longer for LE and watch as my animals or family member get torn apart by vicious pit bulls. Anyone trained well in firearms use can place a well aimed round or two into a vicious dog and send the others packing.

Firearms are not the solution to every problem but they are necessary at the right time...A police whistle, cold water, or a boat horn are useless when pit bulls are intent on killing something...I have personally seen where several times.

Armed response in NZ is the exception and not the rule

I guess I forgot that NZ citizens are emasculated with respect to self defense and personal rights.