01-27-2013, 03:11 PM
I've been close enough to a Grizzly to have it tell me in no uncertain terms that I was to depart respectfully, which I did until I was out of sight, then I ran faster than I ever thought possible for a human being running down a side hill covered in stumps and downed trees three layers deep. I've also seen them at a distance and they are a beautiful animal. They have fur a foot thick (or more) and are the most powerful land animal in North America. They can be killed with a hand gun, but it's not a very sure thing by any means. First, if you shoot them in the head as they charge the bullet (even from a high powered rifle) is likely to bounce off due to the thick skull and the extreme slope. It's hard to get a shot at the vitals from the front. When in Grizzly country Moose hunting, we keep a semi automatic 12 gauge with 1 1/8 oz. slugs loaded. The instructions are: point it at the bear and keep pulling the trigger until it drops or it eats you.
As Tom's dog situation, I'm sure the dog was aggressive enough to scare the average person and that Tom has every right to be concerned. The dog in his video that went after the cop *could* have been playful or could have been vicious (with some dogs it's hard to tell unless you know them well). It was definitely the right call to taser it. Owners of dogs who behave like this need to socialize their dogs better. Have strangers give them treats, Introduce them to random people on walks. Sadly, when owners don't raise their dogs properly, it's other people and the dogs themselves that pay the price. I hope that one day dog owners will be held more responsible for their dogs actions. I wouldn't give the cop a hard time for having his pistol drawn. He didn't pull the trigger and may have still had the safety on. In fact, the cops should be applauded for their handling of that situation.
As Tom's dog situation, I'm sure the dog was aggressive enough to scare the average person and that Tom has every right to be concerned. The dog in his video that went after the cop *could* have been playful or could have been vicious (with some dogs it's hard to tell unless you know them well). It was definitely the right call to taser it. Owners of dogs who behave like this need to socialize their dogs better. Have strangers give them treats, Introduce them to random people on walks. Sadly, when owners don't raise their dogs properly, it's other people and the dogs themselves that pay the price. I hope that one day dog owners will be held more responsible for their dogs actions. I wouldn't give the cop a hard time for having his pistol drawn. He didn't pull the trigger and may have still had the safety on. In fact, the cops should be applauded for their handling of that situation.
Me ka ha`aha`a,
Mike
Mike