I tend to agree with KYS and Dixieland's opinions. I'm not for sure what I would do to be honest with you. To me it certainly sound like more than just a frightened dog lashing out. Sounds like an attack to me. It sounds pretty vicious. I could see Katie or Tori reacting out of fear for a second but as soon as they recognized it was me I'm certain that would be the end of it. Like KYS, I just tripped over Katie in the dark hallway and I am pretty certain that I wound up kicking her pretty hard and stumbling over top of her and she only jumped up in fright and moved. I also want to add that akitas can make good family dogs, but like with ANY other dog I do not think childern should be left alone with them. I also think it takes a special kind of owner to handle akitas and I wish more people were aware of that.