And what would have happened then? Shooting a dog once or twice is the inhumane thing to do. Animals don't get the same kind of treatment humans do, and if it got shot chances are it would have suffered for quite a while before eventually being put down.

Also good for everyone saying they'd take a bite from the dog before shooting it; I love listening to people say what they would do when put into a specific situation and how awesomely they'd handle the adrenaline and danger. Because after it latches onto your arm you'll be in quite the position to deal with it. That's not the way police deal with confrontations, their job is to prevent harm, not take harm and then deal with it.

It is a very unfortunate turn of events, but I don't think it's quite as lopsided as people are making it out to be. I don't think the officer was entirely in the wrong, and the dog defending its owner is a very possible likelihood. I wish the dog didn't end up getting shot at all but the owner was irresponsible and put the dog in a dangerous position.

Pretty sure it's illegal to fire guns into the air; definitely not something an officer would ever practice.