Advice on neighbor who shot at my dog

[goats-n-oats]

Hi, I live alone on 5 acres in the rural Midwest. Although I built a study electric enclosure for my dogs, one of them is a large Anatolian shepherd and a few months ago he found a way out, and ran straight over to the neighbors' property. My dog is fierce looking but he has never shown aggression towards people; sometimes he is mean to my neutered companion dog. My neighbors are a young couple who've made it clear (with dirty looks) they don't like me. (They have a couple of smaller dogs, who seem trained to have good recall.) I started yelling and running after my dog, but as I got about halfway there, this neighbor shot a 22 at or near the dog, and the dog came running back towards me, smiling and uninjured. I didn't say anything to the neighbor. A few days later as I was walking back to my barn from the dog enclosure, when I was in view of his back porch, this neighbor discharged a shotgun, maybe twice. I thought it was weird at the time, but now I'm thinking he was sending me a warning. I consulted with a lawyer who said I should just be thankful the neighbor didn't call the warden to give me a citation for loose dog. Either way, I feel vulnerable that this neighbor thinks he can and just might kill my dog one day. (Btw his wife works as a vet tech, which is hypocritical IMO. It also feels like the neighbor watches me a lot from his house. Like, I'll be out clearing brush with a sawzall, and soon after he'll come out with a chainsaw and process a huge tree trunk. Or he'll be riding or operating some machinery and when he sees me the machine chokes.)
Any suggestions how to deal with them, aside from fixing my fence?

 

[TesoroSena]

First, get an electric collar is what I recommend, even though you can put rubber over that shockers as not hurt the dog, it breaks them really well, Ik from
Experience. Just don’t keep it on all the time, or it will burn the dog. Then get your own handgun and when you feel threatened put it in a holster. You don’t need to use it, just have it there so the nabors understand you will protect your dog. Not to shoot anything of course but to make sure. Maybe I am wrong but that’s what I would do. I hope you the best of luck!

 

[azygous]

You need to check the law in your state regarding the legality of the owner of property shooting an intruding dog, usually threatening the owner's livestock. It may include the property owner being fearful of their own safety.

Generally, simply shooting a dog for running across your property is illegal and opens the shooter to a law suit by the dog owner. However, it sounds like your neighbors are fearful of your large dog threatening their safety. Fear causes extreme measures to be taken that can escalate into a situation that is unsafe for all parties involved.

It's been my experience, and I've had direct run-ins with neighbors over their dogs threatening my chickens, that talking to these neighbors always helps, if only to make it clear where everyone stands on their intentions. My guess is that your neighbors are afraid of your large dog. Taking the dog, on a leash, with you to talk to your neighbors could go a long way toward diffusing a dangerous situation and possibly saving all parties from unnecessary grief.

Talking always is better than shooting.

 

[Coops Dad]

Good fences make good neighbors. Depending on your state's laws, he very possibly could shoot and kill your dog for coming onto his land- and he'd almost certainly be justified. I don't trust ANY dog to be guaranteed harmless, especially one that you admit to be "mean" to one of your other animals. Keep your dog on your land to help keep the situation from escalating.

I've had a neighbor's dog come onto my property four times and kill between four and six chickens each time. The neighbor dismissed my complaint each time saying that his dog has always been free ranging and it would be cruel to kennel him at its age.

I called our county sheriff and the deputy who came out told me to "just shoot the damn thing" next time; a landowner is exonerated from wrongdoing if he shoots a dog that comes on his land. There is also a "dog at large" law that would cite a dog's owner if it harasses people, pets or livestock. He advised me that I could fire a few shots to dissuade the dog's visits if it came towards our property as long as I didn't fire onto their property and, if I did have to shoot the dog, to make absolutely sure it was on my property. The deputy also visited the neighbor and let him know that he told me to shoot their dog next time it entered my property.

The neighbor decided it was less cruel to kennel his dog than have it get shot for being a chicken killer.

I have killed one dog, one bobcat and seven or eight coyotes in the last four years while protecting our flock. I have absolutely no guilty feelings for putting down the dog. It may have been someone's beloved pet but, from my perspective, it was trying to kill a number of animals that represent a large investment in time and money and a food source for my family.

 

[BobStuart]

Good fences make good neighbors. Depending on your state's laws, he very possibly could shoot and kill your dog for coming onto his land- and he'd almost certainly be justified. I don't trust ANY dog to be guaranteed harmless, especially one that you admit to be "mean" to one of your other animals. Keep your dog on your land to help keep the situation from escalating.

I've had a neighbor's dog come onto my property four times and kill between four and six chickens each time. The neighbor dismissed my complaint each time saying that his dog has always been free ranging and it would be cruel to kennel him at its age.

I called our county sheriff and the deputy who came out told me to "just shoot the damn thing" next time; a landowner is exonerated from wrongdoing if he shoots a dog that comes on his land. There is also a "dog at large" law that would cite a dog's owner if it harasses people, pets or livestock. He advised me that I could fire a few shots to dissuade the dog's visits if it came towards our property as long as I didn't fire onto their property and, if I did have to shoot the dog, to make absolutely sure it was on my property. The deputy also visited the neighbor and let him know that he told me to shoot their dog next time it entered my property.

The neighbor decided it was less cruel to kennel his dog than have it get shot for being a chicken killer.

I have killed one dog, one bobcat and seven or eight coyotes in the last four years while protecting our flock. I have absolutely no guilty feelings for putting down the dog. It may have been someone's beloved pet but, from my perspective, it was trying to kill a number of animals that represent a large investment in time and money and a food source for my family.

I hate killing animals but it’s the neighbours responsibility to keep an eye on them. If the neighbours fail to do that it’s there bad

 

[azygous]

This actually boils down to how much do you love your dog to make sure he's kept home and under control. Permit me to tell you a true story.

My neighbors across the canyon never seemed to be able to keep their dogs at home. On several occasions, their two dogs would show up on my property and it concerned me they could be a threat to my chickens should they be free ranging at a time the dogs showed up and I wasn't outside watching over them. I talked to these neighbors and explained that while I had no ill will towards their dogs, they did pose a lethal threat to my chickens and that I would shoot and kill the dogs if they attacked my chickens.

At the end of this chat, the wife was crying and the husband was resolved to keep the dogs at home. But he pointed to his wife saying, "She thinks it's cruel to keep the dogs confined, so I can't promise this won't happen again, so go ahead and shoot the dogs if you have to."

I never had to shoot the dogs, at least one of them, anyway. The dog was found miles from home by the railroad tracks dead and mangled, tangled up in barbwire. It had died a long, slow, painful death because the wife thought it cruel to keep her dog confined.

 

[BobStuart]

This actually boils down to how much do you love your dog to make sure he's kept home and under control. Permit me to tell you a true story.

My neighbors across the canyon never seemed to be able to keep their dogs at home. On several occasions, their two dogs would show up on my property and it concerned me they could be a threat to my chickens should they be free ranging at a time the dogs showed up and I wasn't outside watching over them. I talked to these neighbors and explained that while I had no ill will towards their dogs, they did pose a lethal threat to my chickens and that I would shoot and kill the dogs if they attacked my chickens.

At the end of this chat, the wife was crying and the husband was resolved to keep the dogs at home. But he pointed to his wife saying, "She thinks it's cruel to keep the dogs confined, so I can't promise this won't happen again, so go ahead and shoot the dogs if you have to."

I never had to shoot the dogs, at least one of them, anyway. The dog was found miles from home by the railroad tracks dead and mangled, tangled up in barbwire. It had died a long, slow, painful death because the wife thought it cruel to keep her dog confined.

Not cruel to keep ‘em locked up. Give them attention, give them a nice home and they should be happy. Growing up I used to have my dogs locked in a pen at night and let them out for a few hours. It was for the best because very rarely did they escape. Locking them up is not cruel. It is the most efficient way of keeping them safe or other pets. They never were even allowed to come in the house.

 

[Sammster]

It sounds like you need a physical fence for your dog. I agree that you should talk to your neighbor, and introduce them to your dog if they are interested in meeting him. Life is easier with friendly neighbors. But, regardless - it's safest and best for all involved, to confine the dog

 

[StinkyAcres]

The dog was found miles from home by the railroad tracks dead and mangled, tangled up in barbwire. It had died a long, slow, painful death because the wife thought it cruel to keep her dog confined.

That is much sadder than the dog being shot. So many free range dogs are hit by cars too.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

My neighbors are a young couple who've made it clear (with dirty looks) they don't like me.

This is YOU projecting.. and judging your neighbor for how they look. WOW!

It also feels like the neighbor watches me a lot from his house. Like, I'll be out clearing brush with a sawzall, and soon after he'll come out with a chainsaw and process a huge tree trunk. Or he'll be riding or operating some machinery and when he sees me the machine chokes.)

Sounds like your neighbor is living their life and YOU might be the stalker.

Please understand that I don't really feel that way about you.. I'm only trying or attempting to point out that your perspective and personal fears or conspiracy theories might be influencing your thoughts and experience. Maybe try giving your neighbor the benefit of the doubt.. they don't have to be scared to know that sometimes big dogs attack little dogs even.. and every single one of us will do what it takes when the time comes to protect what we love dearly.. You personally described him as "mean" to your neutered companion dog despite not having shown human aggression..

Either way, I feel vulnerable that this neighbor thinks he can and just might kill my dog one day.

So can a car driving by.. you're neighbor's intent is NOT to kill your dog.. But his actions can point to just how key it is to ensure your dogs are EFFECTIVELY contained.. I know some are escape artists that will find away.. and can be frustrating.. The neighbor cannot be blamed for YOUR dogs actions and being at large..

I do hope the situation improves between you and your neighbor.. it's much better to live in peace and harmony knowing your neighbors have your back (best they can) rather than under suspicion.

Choose LOVE not fear.. BE the change.