[TalonDJ]

Lose dogs like that happen all the time when I am out jogging. Someone is taking groceries inside or something like that and the dog gets lose. Since I happen to be passing by the dog will 'run at me barking'. Whoopty freaking doda. If that made me scared I would have to turn in my b@11s because clearly I would have no use for them. Since I am not a moron, rather than shooting the dogs I stop, hold out a hand and greet the dog in a calm friendly voice. After a few sniffs and some free petting the dog is more trots back to an embarrassed owner secure in the knowledge that I am not a threat. Why should I be upset, scared, or attempt to defend myself from a dog that is doing it's job and checking out an intruder. From the dogs point of view and rightly so, anyone at the front edge of the lawn is an potential threat if their owner is on the front lawn.
Of course I was a threat, of course the dog wanted to check me out. That is one of the main reasons humans keep them around.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Since I am not a moron, rather than shooting the dogs I stop, hold out a hand and greet the dog in a calm friendly voice.

Until you come across a real mean dog, in which case **CHOMP**

[Goodgirlinred]

You are oh so right. My dog is large and some people might be afraid of him. Harm barks to alert me that someone is there and checks them out. He has never bitten or growled at anyone. Well, he did pin a guy against my foyer wall, but he deserved it.

I think that man should have called to the owner if the owner was in sight. Otherwise, if he was that scared and decided to use the gun, he could have fired over his head and scared the dog away. There was no need to shoot it in the head.

If someone shot my dog, he better run pretty fast. My SUV goes from 0-60 in less than a minute and I would be in pursuit!

[KneelBeforeZod]

my friend has a black lab mix...looks like its 3/4 black lab...he's a litle longer in the snout and body, but looked exactly like a black lab as a puppy...

anyway, he will put growl and bark at strangers... you cant say any particular dog will always be friendly.