Cops

[Lacey1988]

Last week around midnight my cousin came banging on my bedroom door yelling about a dog being on the porch. Well, I grabbed up my grandmother's 22 and ran outsider. As soon as I did I seen this dog with one of our young kittens in its mouth slinging it around like a rag doll. I hollered at it and it dropped the kitten and ran. I shot at it a couple of times and a bullet hit it right in the behind. I thought I just wounded it but my aunt went outside spot lighting because she thought she heard another one. Weell she found it and yes it was wounded but bad. Went back outside put it down.

The next day, I check my Facebook and I have like five messages warning me that my neighbors knew it was me and were going to call the police. I brush it off as nothing but late that afternoon two handsome strangers in blue show up. I told them the story and they basically told me what I already knew that I was in the right so no charges could be pressed.

The dog may not have gotten into my chicken pen but it would only have been a matter of time. That's not the first dog I've killed of theirs and I hate to do it but the way I see it if you love your dog so much you would either pen it or chain it to keep it off the streets. I'm not going to wait around and see what a roaming dog is going to do before I shoot it. I've lost too many chickens by given strange dogs chances.

Do you think I did/do the right thing?

 

[jetdog]

Yup I am a dog owner and it pisses me off when people don't control their animals, mine is under control at all times. You did the right thing. Congrats

 

[shmccarthy]

I think you did the right thing. A dog owner is responsible for what that dog does and where it goes. I'm pretty sure the property owner has the right to shoot a dog if they view it as a menace on their property, pretty much anywhere. A lot of people don't seem to realize that a dog may be your best friend and your cuddly pet but if its on someone else's property and especially if it is harming someone else's animals it is viewed as a predator and can be taken care of accordingly. It's extremely irresponsible for those dog owners to let their dogs to roam like that because they're putting their dogs in danger. I feel bad for the dog because its only doing what it knows to do, but it's the owners fault for not keeping their own dog on their own property. I would've done the same thing. Actually I almost did about a week ago, a pair of dogs were sniffing around my yard. I was outside and I first yelled for them to go home and to get out of here. They left but if they kept hanging around I woulda scared them off with the pellet gun first. I don't want to risk my chickens, chicks or cat because another person doesn't watch their dog.

 

[steny03]

I think you did the right thing. Aggressive dogs can be unpredictable. Owners need to realize that they are responsible for their animals. If they cared for their dogs, they would not be repeatedly in your yard.

 

[AK Baha]

That is what I would have done. I love dogs and have 4 of them but would not hesitate to shoot a dog getting my birds.

 

[Shellz]

It's unanimous! You had a legal right & you did what you had to do. I'd do the same. I wouldn't like to have to do it, but its the dog or my birds.

 

[Snickers213]

I am a dog owner. My baby girl stays with me at all times cause she is well trained. SO.... Yes you did the right thing protecting your own! They can moan and complain all they want but the simple fact is, Is that if you have a dog or any animal for that matter, you are responsible for it. If they kept a better eye on it they'd still have it. So no not your fault.

 

[War Chicken]

http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusmsst97_41_1.htm#s1

Quote:
A couple potential problems:

1) Your kitten isn't considered poultry or livestock. Fortunately, your state has a separate statute allowing the use of force to protect pets.
2) You shot at the dog after you scared it into dropping the kitten. The right to use force typically ends when the threat ceases. You could end up trying to convince a judge or jury that you were reasonable in your belief that the dog was still a threat.
3) You euthanized the dog. Most state animal cruelty law specifically authorize only police, the SPCA, animal control, and veterinarians to euthanize an animal.

Quote:
Mississippi's statute is the first I've seen that allows ordinary citizens to put down an animal.

What you did appears legal in Mississippi but is not legal in all states.

 

[marktoo]

You've had your chickens killed by dogs before, the dog had your kitten. You did what you felt you needed to do & it was legal for you to do so. It's a done deal...the opinions of others do not matter. Opening this up to debate may cause you to hesitate next time around, it does, however make for interesting reading. Sorry you had to do it, I'm rather surprised everyone's opinion has been favorable thus far. Did the kitten survive? Did you recognize the dog? I hope it's owner doesn't become a pain in the butt for you. Cheers!

 

[Lacey1988]

I live in the backwoods of Mississippi. The law usually is not enforced and plus they did not ask all the details they just asked what color/gender it was. It was more a confirmation that the dog was indeed dead. Also the nearest vet around here is 40 or 50 miles away.