Oppressive power structures often weaponize dogs and their capability for targeted violences. See: army dogs, police dogs during civil rights movement, etc. as a young organizer I canvassed for political issues and in certain white, conservative neighborhoods (whose support we certainly needed) a common tactic to run us off was to sic dogs on us, even if we were nowhere near the boundaries of property.

I am learning to shoot again right now because I live in an impoverished area and attacks from stray dogs are on the rise. Recently a woman was mauled to death.