I keep a handgun as close as I legally can at all times, and also dearly love my 9 dogs.
I don't know what really happened here. It kind of sounds like the guy could have crossed the street or otherwise avoided the dog but there is not a lot of detail. It is possible, I suppose, the guy really felt threatened. If so, and it was me I may well have shot also. One thing for sure, I would not want to have to try and shoot a dog that already had a piece of me!
OTOH, some people, a minority in my experience, get more aggressive when they legally have a gun in their hand and the right to use it than they would be otherwise. The guy may have just been looking for an opportunity to shoot something. Probably nobody will ever know, but if I was the dog owner I think I would primarily be blaming myself for this for allowing the dog to get out.
Anyway, it could have ended worse. We had a totally blind dog from puppyhood until he died of old age around 14. He had an enjoyable life.
I don't understand this story. First, a chocolate lab is not likely to be "growling and snarling" or stalking a passerby. But, this dog could be the exception to the rule.
Then the owner says he saw the whole thing, but never says he took any action to intervene.
On top of this, this dog owner is now trying to turn the tables on the passerby who followed the laws, while this scenario could have been prevented by the owner following the laws.
Yet, I also have this sinking feeling that the passerby isn't familiar with dogs and that he percieved a threat that wasn't there.