re: Jogger kills 15-pound pug with a kick

I had something similar happen when going for a run a while back. Smallish dog, forget the breed, short but quite stocky, was roaming around, took interest in me, then came at me.

I went to just pop him away with my foot but the timing and placement was such that I hit him in the snout/mouth and with a good bit more force than I intended. He didn't die but he didn't look quite okay either.

So I can see how an accident could happen even if you're truly not trying to seriously hurt the dog but knock it away while in mid-stride.