I confess that if I were in a neighborhood where there was a risk of someone having a potentially dangerous dog, I’d walk with a little league aluminum bat (I actually have one). Any attacking dog gets it first to the head. Both hands. Swinging to kill.
Even if I were armed I don’t think I would have shot the dog. The dog was playing outside with two young boys. I’d not like to shoot a dog in front of these two boys. The oldest might have been 10 and neither were capable of fully controlling the dog.
The dog did not actually attack but kept making runs at my Dane who was going berserk trying to defend herself. The young boys would get between their dog and mine and get him back a bit but then he’d get around and make another run.
I was able to keep them apart but at the expense of four blown out tendons. Controlling a 140 pound Great Dane can put a bit of stress on your hand.