Yeah, probably both. Good point.
Notice how the cop wildly fired from the hip around all those people
That's so much safer than the dog.
*NOT*
The way I see it the police sign up to get hurt "by protecting and serving" not signing up to potentially unintentionally hurt those they're trying to protect because they're scared of themselves being hurt.
I guess our thanks should go to the fear mongering modern day mainstream media for introducing a stigma that causes everyone to be scared of terriers.
What get's me is the second cop MACES the dog AFTER it's shot. WTF. That situation was handled very poorly.
I believe firmly though that no one should have to deal with getting bit by a dog, and just as a dog has the right to defend itself, people do too. Most normal dogs however aren't looking to seriously hurt you, and will back off if you stand your ground and show them you're not going to take their shit. In the past, I've threatened dog's with sticks and rocks, and that was enough to send them packing. At most, I'd mace a dog if I thought it was going hurt my dogs or someone else, but would NEVER kill one.
I think it's pretty clear that most cops, as most people in general, aren't very dog savvy. If that dog wanted to actually hurt someone, it would have done a lot more then charge at their feet, then retreat back to it's owner. Dogs aren't stupid, they know when shit isn't right, and will protect their owners when they are weak and unable to protect themselves. That's what a good dog does. Wish more people respected that.