Author: Manuel Villanueva

This case has a different circumstance than the previous incident. In the other case, the concealed weapons holder basically threatened to kill his neighbor’s pets then carried it out. In this case, the shooter’s dog was viciously attacked by a 100 pound mastiff. The mastiff latched onto the shooter’s greyhound’s neck and had drawn blood. The shooter had attempted to remove the mastiff by force with no avail. He commanded the owner to restrain her mastiff or he would shoot. I’m not sure what I would do if my pet’s life was threatened but drawing my concealed weapon would be a last resort. In this case, it appears the law was on the shooter’s side. Actually, it was a city ordinance that protected him:

Colorado Springs: Discharge of a weapon

It shall be an affirmative defense to a violation of this section if a person discharges a firearm in an act of self-defense of the person, the person’s property or the person’s domestic animal.

This law is something entirely different that Colorado’s Concealed Handgun Permit. I would advise any CCW (carry concealed weapon) holder to check their local laws regarding this use. This was an unfortunate event for both pet owners involved–one lost her pet and the other was treated for severe wounds.