In order to better understand the use of a dog for protection it’s helpful to take a look at self-defense with a handgun. In most states you can only defend yourself with a handgun moments before your life is about to be taken. If you remove your gun before that you are considered the threat and will be criminally charged. Thankfully dogs do not have the same status as handguns. At the same time if you are seen as threatening an innocent person with anything, including a dog, there are consequences.