Any paintballers? I have questions about using a pb gun on dog.

[donrae]

I have two large dogs who had recently found breaches in my fence and were out, unknown to me. I would have been grateful for my dog to show up paintballed! First, I might have known they were getting out sooner. Second, it would have been a clear warning I could have lost my dog.

You've already talked to the owner. Maybe he's "forgot" or thinks the dog isn't roaming on your place---folks get convenient amnesia that way. Any cheap paintball gun will leave a good splat but not injure the animal. Lets the owner know next time it may be a .22 instead.

I also agree with the idea of taking the dog to the pound. That's where mine were when I found out they were getting out and let me tell you, I made darn sure to find the hole and fix that fence!

 

[Mountain Man Jim]

I would agree that the fencing is much better investment and should be the first task/option.

Having said that and ignoring the legal issues (there are some) I must say that I use paintball guns and airsoft guns against the persistent predators. Those are the predators that sit about ten yards on the other side of the fence sizing it up. It should be noted that paintball and airsoft guns are restricted in power to be safe for shooting at other people. I'm sure they hurt but, I think that's the point here and there's no real damage inflicted. I have yet to connect with the paintball gun and a predator but, those big balls being lobbed at them makes them run. I have hit a coyote with the airsoft. It freaked him out and he took off.

So, my advice would be to get a cheap paintball gun and a few cans of air. The air will cost you much more than the gun in the long run and they use a lot of air. I do like by pump airsoft gun but, I’m not sure it’s going to deter a determined dog. The paintball might just do that.

Jim

 

[Mattemma]

Fence and/or make the dog disappear.Roamers disappear all the time.PB option is fun but would be considered illegal/abusive.If you can get away with it without anyone knowing YOU are the shooter then go for it,but I would opt for a more immediate solution that you would also be careful to not link back to yourself.

IMO there is no point in talking to the neighbor anymore especially if you want to maintain a veiled(aka fake) nice relationship with them..Anyone who lets their pet roam after you tell them of the issues;well lets just say they will not be so nice when you talk to them again.Get rid of the problem and get used to saying," Sorry, I haven't seen your dog(or cat)."

 

[Rock Home Isle]

A Little Paint Ball History:

The original Paint Ball guns were used by ranchers to mark cattle. Then the Forest Service started using them to mark trees to be selectively removed...It wasn't long before people started shooting at eachother out in the woods.

The Paint Ball Gun is legally described and classified as a Marker....not a firearm. There is no federal registration and children are allowed to own them.

In most of the Western States, if your livestock are threatened by an "dog at large....roaming at will off leash" you do have the right to defend your livestock with lethal means. Most likely, the paintball gun is a viable option in your case.

The law will likely be on your side....DOCUMENT. You have seen the animal harassing your animals on your property and you have verbally contacted the owner about the situation. The owner has acknowladged that the dog is his and that he routinely lets the dog "Roam at Will"; and has taken no action to remedy the animal's "at will" activities.

........Realize that once you choose to actually shoot the dog with a Marker....there is no going back, and there may very well be hard feelings.

Electric Fencing leaves no mark and is quite a deterent.

 

[Oregon Blues]

You've already told the neighbor that the dog is causing a problem. He still lets the dog out, and that means that he is one of those people who doesn't care if the dog is inconvenient for the neighbors.

Stop talking to the neighbor. Catch the dog and take it to animal control. After it costs the neighbor some serious money to get his dog back a few times, he will keep the dog home.

Forget about the paintball gun. Invest in a good fence charger and as much electric wire and posts as you can afford. It wold be best if you put the fence around your entire property.

The neighbor's dog is not the only critter that will notice your delicious chickens. The electric fence will work whether or not you are at home to shoot your paint gun.

I keep my property completely fenced, including a gate across the driveway, and that keeps neighborhood dogs and coyotes off my property. However, it is expensive to do and I realize some people just can't afford it. The electric fence is an inexpensive way to keep dogs off your property.

Incidentally, shooting dogs with a paintball gun in my area will get you charged with animal cruelty. I am allowed to shoot livestock chasing dogs, but I am legally obligated to shoot to kill. Since I don't want to kill dogs, I fence them out.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

You've already told the neighbor that the dog is causing a problem. He still lets the dog out, and that means that he is one of those people who doesn't care if the dog is inconvenient for the neighbors.

Stop talking to the neighbor. Catch the dog and take it to animal control. After it costs the neighbor some serious money to get his dog back a few times, he will keep the dog home.

Forget about the paintball gun. Invest in a good fence charger and as much electric wire and posts as you can afford. It wold be best if you put the fence around your entire property.

The neighbor's dog is not the only critter that will notice your delicious chickens. The electric fence will work whether or not you are at home to shoot your paint gun.

I keep my property completely fenced, including a gate across the driveway, and that keeps neighborhood dogs and coyotes off my property. However, it is expensive to do and I realize some people just can't afford it. The electric fence is an inexpensive way to keep dogs off your property.

Incidentally, shooting dogs with a paintball gun in my area will get you charged with animal cruelty. I am allowed to shoot livestock chasing dogs, but I am legally obligated to shoot to kill. Since I don't want to kill dogs, I fence them out.

Very Good advice.

 

[what did I do]

Can my son come shoot the dog? That would be so much fun for him.

 

[gg706]

We have neighbors that let their dogs run wild. Another neighbor noticed the dogs coming to his yard to check out his chickens. There were phone calls pertaining to the dogs, and that they needed to be kept at home. He shot them with a paintball gun on several occasions and the dogs ran home numerous times with paint on their hind ends. There was never any attempt to keep the dogs home. Unfortunatly one day he woke up to the chickens screaming, 1 of the dogs was IN the coop tearing up his chickens Any chickens that got out of the coop the other 2 dogs were chasing and killing. This time he grabbed his rifle and ran toward the coop. One of the dogs growled and charged him, he shot and killed that dog. The other 2 dogs got away. There was a HUGE uproar in the neighborhood over him shooting this dog...I agree with protecting livestock by ANY means necessary, not to mention the dog acted vicious, so I sided with him. To this day the dogs still run wild. The neighbor with the chickens moved , as he was only a renter and was tired of the drama. I would make the dog disappear. Most people who just let their dogs run wild, don't care about what the dog is doing while it is out...it is only a matter of time. I would NEVER tell anyone I got rid of his dog.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Sometimes it jus don pay to have neighbors

 

[gg706]

I agree! I wish people would treat others how they would like to be treated...I just don't think there IS a "golden rule" anymore! The PB gun idea is fun to think about...catching them out there and sneaking up and opening fire on them...sending them home with paint all over them for the neighbor to clean up. It sounds so great...it just doesn't work. The dogs will just learn to avoid the area when you are home , as soon as you leave they will be back to try getting into the coop.