I have been charged by a dog before and its rather scary.. Nonetheless, if there are kids playing around, I think pepper spray is better option. However, before anyone condemns a person for defending himself against a charging dog; try having one come at you. Anyhow, I don't know who is innocent or to blame here so I won't take sides. I just know that there is irresponsible dog owners and that many owners are not aware at how their dogs threaten strangers out of their presence. IF a dog was charging me, God help me, with the decision between my life and the life of that dog's owners children. I would do all in my power to protect those kids , but also I don't want to have my groin or throat rip to pieces by some vicious German Shepard charging me. One thing I would do is wait until the dog is close, but shooting a dog is not so easy. Why do you think police use German Shepard K-9s to apprehend armed hostiles?
My personal feeling is that if a person lets a vicious dog run loose and it charges a person for an attack and that person shoots his guns and hits a child, that the owner of the dog should be charged for murder or manslaughter, not the person defending their life. I know some may disagree with me here. And, I don't know if this guy was in that situation or if he was just some crazy person looking to kill dogs.. In that case, throw the book at him.
+100 - If the "FACTS" prove that what this guy did was unjustified, then he needs to get the big boot, but lets at least wait for the facts and not crucify him based on the press and one side of the story. How would you law abiding gun fans like it if something like this happened to you and the people on this site were ready to hang you without the facts... Just a bit premature don't you think...