I shall, basically, permit this story from Maine to speak for itself.
Continued below the squiggldyjibbet.
WMTW TV 8:
MANCHESTER, Maine -- Kennebec County's sheriff said a 12-year-old boy prevented further injuries by shooting and killing a pit bull with a shotgun after it had attacked two people and killed another dog on Wednesday morning.
A 120-pound pit bull killed a terrier at a 826 Prescott Road home in Manchester and then attacked an 11-year-old boy who tried to break up the fight, Liberty said. The boy's grandmother, Lena Walker, and Anthony Manganella tried to protect the younger boy, but were attacked as well.
The boy's 12-year-old older brother loaded his father's 20-gauge shotgun and shot the dog, Deputy Jesse Duda of the sheriff's office said. It was named "Excalibur."
"This attack was one of the worst that we have covered in many years," Liberty said. "The pit bull could have easily killed the grandmother, had it not been for the quick thinking of the young male."
After getting shot, the pit bull fled into the home and died of its wounds.
If they don't give merit badges for this sort of thing, they oughta.
Video on the link.