Calif. TV station films dog calmly playing with kids after cop shoots himself trying to kill it

[Nine]

78. For Pete's sake...

No, the point is not that a dog should be expected to know the difference between a burglar and a police officer or other innocent person. The point is that a dog's owner should take responsibility for making sure the dog cannot attack the innocent.

If you look at the video at frame 0:55, you'll see that the fence encloses not just a back yard but the part of the property that includes the front door. A police officer serving an eviction notice would be required to enter the fenced area to perform this duty. If the dog attacks the officer under these circumstances, the dog owner cannot claim trespassing as a defense because the officer was not trespassing as far as I can see. The dog owners are liable when they allow a dog access to the front door area and the dog attacks someone who is not there unlawfully.