Chicken owner charged after shooting dog.

[Wolf-Kim]

Careful what you wish for chicken owners!

Many chicken owners are fighting for chickens to be considered pets, and not livestock, since livestock is not allowed in some city limits. It's silly, I know, but the law is all about wording and interpretation. If you fight for your chickens to be considered pets, then beware that this may very well change the laws, including laws of defending them.

This is simply a case of irresponsibility. The dog owners are to blame first and foremost, it was their action of turning their predatory animal free to roam, that caused the began this aweful sequence of events. They claim they were being responsible and "walking" their dogs, dogs need excercize afterall. The dog owners obviously had NO idea where their dog was, it states clearly in the article that the dog owner had to GO LOOKING for their animal.

The poultry keeper, had his animals on his property and enclosed. He shot a predatory animal who had no owners accompanying him. It is sad that the dog had to die, but the owner was protecting his property(livestock or not). If he illegally used a firearm, then that is on him; it was his responsibilities to know his legal rights.

The story seemed a bit hyped up to me. Sounded like a slow news day and they had nothing else to report on but a sob story.

-Kim

 

[Big C]

After reading this and other threads on laws/regs,
I am so happy that we chose to live in our rural area of Texas.

There is an understanding here amongst our neighbors. Your land is yours our land is ours.

 

[Emzyyy]

Why can't they be considered both pets and livestock? Have they ever thought some use them for eggs and meat while others enjoy their company? The dog owner is responsible for this but I don't think the chicken owner should have shot with THAT gun maybe a bebe gun.

 

[lurky]

I thought a pellet gun and a BB gun were the same thing

 

[crtrlovr]

Quote:
sounds like the lawmakers need to make up their minds -- if chickens are pets, they should be allowed in city limits just like any other pet. If they are livestock, their owners should be allowed to protect them just like any other livestock threatened by a predator. So which is it?

I suppose it depends on where one lives...

 

[wyo-helpmeet]

My comment is awaiting moderation:

"LEASH LAWS!!!If you're in the city there is either a leash law or a verbal command law. And they weren't taking their dog for a walk if they didn't know where the mutt was!!!

Chickens not pets or livestock? Hogwash. Poor Ed Harris!"

 

[troy5775]

The area I live in was recently annexed into city limits. Before that the county deputies told me to shoot anything harrassing my birds. (had a pack of dogs kill 9 in one night after ripping through the welded wire and chicken wire) Since the annexing, the "city" (total pop. under 500) said I would be allowed to keep my chickens and ducks but the officer at the time didn't want me discharging a firearm (air rifles are considered firearms here in MO by the way). He preferred I use my bow! No law against shooting a bow in town.

 

[Brindlebtch]

Leash laws! I wish they were enforced as vigorously as other city laws are. I HATE loose dogs that hassle you while you walk your dog on lead.

 

[buck-wild-chick]

Ok so if they aren't considered livestock.Then why the xxxx are chickens zoned out in citys? I dont understand

 

[txbioteacher]

Thank God I live in TX. This article wouldn't have made it into the paper.