Yeah, you're right, the rest of us should live in terror of huge dogs escaping because some owners don't know how to keep a dog in the yard. If you can't even keep a dog in a yard, then maybe you shouldn't own a larger or more aggressive breed(I'm not worried about dogs under 50 lbs unless in a pack.)
I've had people I know tell of stories of dogs off the leash. Why should I have to run away from a pit bull(as my friend and I both had to do on SEPARATE occasions) because some idiot can't build a bigger fence or do what's needed to properly enter/exit the yard?
Also, you and I both know there's a significant difference between the rare 'escape' and people who don't care if their dogs are roaming the neighborhood.
You say shooting on sight is cruel, well, you've apparently not been chased by a dog with the highest percentage of fatal attacks to its name. You also don't have a mother who is afraid of dogs(bitten when a child) or children that might get mauled and killed by dogs that are 'escape artists(how cute.)
I made that point in my post. If there are persistent problems, then the authorities need to get involved.
Shooting in self defense is one thing, but on sight is another. I mean - c'mon - if a 5 year old accidentally lets out a doberman family pet (who are much mellower as a breed than they where 10 years ago), I think it is cruel. One of the dogs that I had in my garage over night was a Mastiff Rott mix (and his bulldog buddy). The family was upset - evidently a utility person had not shut the gate after him and the dogs got out.
You probably haven't read every post on this thread - I was lunged at/ attacked by a german shepherd. Many big dogs make me nervous, but I stand by my statement that shooting on sight is cruel. Humans have the power of reason and judgment, and a shooting on sight flies in the face of that.