Can I kill those dogs?

[chickencoop31320]

I agree with Wolf-Kim and Speckledhen.
I have a skirted area around my coop/run.
Most animals will dig at the base of the fence and if there is wire there, they cant get thru it.

I also agree with jbowden9 -as a last resort-.
SSS would be a choice if nothing else worked.

 

[Davaroo]

The Preponderence of Evidence is what the law respects, nothing else. No offended sensibilities or whatever we think is "right," matters. So the thing to do is to turn the law to your advantage and have the evidence on your side.

The advice to know your laws in your locale is excellent. They can be widely different from place to place. SO get clarification immediately... knowing them is half the battle. That is your first step.

Any time you even think there's a stray mutt hanging around, call the sheriff. Get a report on file each time and ask for a receipt. Show the deputy the actual law, in writing, whatever it may be.

Be polite, never let them see you sweat and get to know your deputies, in person. You pay their wages, but they are people, too. For all you know, they may wild-eyed dog lovers themselves.
On the other hand, when they believe you empathize with them, well... it cannot hurt.

If you can track down the owner of the dog(s), do not approach him or her in a belligerent way. Speak to them politely - ONCE - and give them a written copy of the law. Then send them a registered confirmation of your discussion and a registered copy of the same to the sheriff, as well. Then call the sheriff personally, ask if your letter was received and let him react in his or her own way to the situation. All of this builds a trail of evidence and draws in the only people who can help, outside of yourself.

Then, get a high powered pellet gun and blast the pooch... often.
I recommend the Benjamin/Sheridan pump models in .22 caliber. They are pricey, but pack a wallop and you can vary the power. They're worth every cent and will last a lifetime. It's highly unlikely the law will frown on an air rifle and everyone ought to have one, anyway.

When you pull the trigger, ensure the animal sees you. In the future, they should associate you and your place with the pain of the shot - pain being all that really deters a stray dog.
(I like the notion of paint ball guns; they point a glaring, accusing finger at the dogs owner. But, I've been shot with PB guns and for all but the smaller dogs, there isn't enough deterrent effect, IMHO.)

Lastly, obtain a humane trap and capture the critter. By then, the sheriff and/or animal control folks should be old pals with you and their resistance to handling the problem should be minimized.

Of course, the final solution is S.S.S. - but not until you have cleared that path, or the dog is caught with a chicken in it's mouth. As it stands right now, you're not there yet.

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Remember, you are in this for the long haul. Be steadfast and determined and dont expect results overnight. In the meanwhile, do like Cyn suggests and become an expert on fences - and electric fences in particular.

 

[dbullock]

You can buy super-shorts for a 22 rifle. They need to be used in close range but it sounds like a board being dropped or a limb popping. Can be used inside the city limits and nobody will notice. Just stay out of sight. I have tried to deal with them through their owners but that was ineffective. SSS

 

[nzpouter]

Quote:
Ask for a writen copy of the law.. don't just take his word for it.

 

[Timbercrete]

Quote:
The "Preponderence of Evidence" only applies on Civil matters. Chriminal issues, such as the Sheriffs Deputy speaks of, "Is Beyond Resonable Doubt"

 

[roosterjerry]

It is the same here in Kentucky if they are in your yard you can only call animal control. If they are attacking your birds then you can shoot.

 

[Rootball]

Where I live you can shoot em just for being there. Course I dont really have a grudge against dogs....but


You can easily kill a dog with a measured amount of chocolate. No law says you cant leave a pan of brownies laying around your chicken coop. Depends on the size of the dog but you can easily look up the lethal dose online. Basically you just have to add enough real cocoa powder to your brownies.

This way your lousy neighbor can bury his own dog.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
The "Preponderence of Evidence" only applies on Civil matters. Chriminal issues, such as the Sheriffs Deputy speaks of, "Is Beyond Resonable Doubt"

Wow, I knew I had heard the term before. Thanks for that.
Gee, I guess it is true what people say... I am smarter than I look.

But, let you just up and kill someones dog, even if it is "legal," and see if it cannot become a civil matter - quick.

So, either way you wanna split the hair, it falls on you to stack things in your favor.

 

[JJMR794]

EVERY, AND I MEAN EVERY COUNTY IN FLORIDA HAS THIS LAW! IT IS A FLORIDA STATE LAW--- ANY ANIMAL CAUGHT MOLESTING DOMESTIC LIVESTOCK OR WILDLIFE IS TO BE SHOT ON SIGHT. THE LAW ALSO STATES THAT IN THE CASE OF A ROGUE PET--CAT, OR DOG, ETC..--- THE ANIMALS OWNER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES INCURRED( THE COST OR VALUE OF THE LIVESTOCK, DAMAGE TO YOUR FENCE, ETC...)

I LIVE IN PASCO COUNTY AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT MY NEIGHBORS ROGUE PETS ARE DISAPPEARING QUICKLY. THE HAWK THAT KEEP TERRORIZING MY QUAIL CONDO IS NEXT!

 

[JJMR794]

Quote:
YOUR SHERIFF IS ADVISING WRONGLY. MANY LOCAL AUTHORITIES WILL DO THIS AS AN EFFORT TO KEEP THE PEACE, OR THRU A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAWS PERTAINING TO THIS EVENT. GO TO WWW.MYFLORIDA.COM FROM THERE YOU CAN ACCESS THE LAW I WAS SPEAKING OF. YOU HAVE EVRY RIGHT TO KILL ANY ANIMAL ACTING AGRESSIVELY TOWARD YOUR LIVESTOCK. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE IN THE COOP OR PEN, OR UNTIL THEY HAVE KILLED A CHICKEN. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PREVIOUSLY NOTIFY THE OWNER, ANIMAL CONTROL, OR LAW ENFORCEMENT. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ESCALATE TO A LETHAL REMEDY. YOU CAN START WITH A LETHAL REMEDY AND FIX THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM FROM THE GET-GO! PROBLEM SOLVED! GAME OVER! NEXT VICTIM PLEASE!