Dog / Human Conflict

[Geena]

No, you wouldn't keep them there. You'd call Animal Control or the sheriff to come get them. Hmm. Could they be considered evidence of some sort? Have charges been brought against anybody? Is there any kind of official investigation going on? Not yet, I guess...

Apparently there is no animal control in Callaway County. I was looking up the dog ordinances there, amazed that they could legally run amok, and found a news article that states-

" Callaway County does not have animal control services. There also are not any county ordinances forbidding people from letting their dogs roam free.

"I don't see that changing for a long period," Presiding County Commissioner Gary Jungermann said.

According to Jungermann, there's never been a major push to establish animal control services at the county level. The majority of Callawegians, he believes, do not consider wayward animals a serious enough problem to justify the cost.

"It's not that we don't care, but as elected officials, we have to follow the majority," Jungermann said.

He pointed that creating an entire new county office, hiring an animal control officer, purchasing equipment and paying the officer to patrol the county would be expensive."

 

[aart]

and found a news article that states-

Got a link, curious on the date?

 

[Geena]

Got a link, curious on the date?

2017
Lack of ordinances, resources contribute to Callaway's stray animal problem

 

[centrarchid]

This is a lot like a click-bait article. The OP does not appear to be interested in any advice offered.

It is very much to document. I consider the advice, just do not take every bit.

 

[centrarchid]

Apparently there is no animal control in Callaway County. I was looking up the dog ordinances there, amazed that they could legally run amok, and found a news article that states-

" Callaway County does not have animal control services. There also are not any county ordinances forbidding people from letting their dogs roam free.

"I don't see that changing for a long period," Presiding County Commissioner Gary Jungermann said.

According to Jungermann, there's never been a major push to establish animal control services at the county level. The majority of Callawegians, he believes, do not consider wayward animals a serious enough problem to justify the cost.

"It's not that we don't care, but as elected officials, we have to follow the majority," Jungermann said.

He pointed that creating an entire new county office, hiring an animal control officer, purchasing equipment and paying the officer to patrol the county would be expensive."

I think it is accurate if not up to the minute. Law enforcement guys said no rules restrict movement of dogs at Calloway County or Missouri state level.

 

[centrarchid]

Dogs came over again but not getting past incomplete inner fence. Owners also quick to retrieve dogs apparently by calling. Honey retreated to back porch to bark from there. She is reason I knew. I made no hurry to confront. Based on voices they are taking matters more seriously.

 

[NatJ]

Apparently there is no animal control in Callaway County.

Good point, but it's in the state of Missouri, which DOES have a few things to say.

https://agriculture.mo.gov/animals/rules.php
This page appears to be part of the official state website, and has a link to "dog and cat law."

I followed some of the links from there, and this one looks very relevant:
https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=273.020

"In every case where sheep or other domestic animals are killed or maimed by dogs, the owner of such animals may recover against the owner or keeper of such dog or dogs the full amount of damages and the owner shall forthwith kill such dog or dogs; and for every day he shall refuse or neglect to do so, after notice, he shall pay and forfeit the sum of one dollar, and it shall be lawful for any person to kill such dog or dogs"

The page also has a note: "1957) Chickens held "animals" within the statute and evidence was sufficient to support judgment. Tillery v. Cook (A.), 297 S.W.2d 9."


I found several of the other sections relevant as well, such as
https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=273.033
That appears to give the right to kill a dog if it is on your property, and you have previously complained to the sheriff a certain number of times, even if the dog is not engaged in killing animals or injuring people at that instant.


I would say there is no "leash law" as such, but that dogs in the entire state of Missouri are NOT allowed to go around killing livestock or threatening people, and the law provides for killing the dogs and making the owner pay damages for the dead livestock. (I'm not a lawyer, so I might have read things wrong-- which is why I listed where I found it all, so anyone can easily go check it for themself.)

 

[centrarchid]

Good point, but it's in the state of Missouri, which DOES have a few things to say.

https://agriculture.mo.gov/animals/rules.php
This page appears to be part of the official state website, and has a link to "dog and cat law."

I followed some of the links from there, and this one looks very relevant:
https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=273.020

"In every case where sheep or other domestic animals are killed or maimed by dogs, the owner of such animals may recover against the owner or keeper of such dog or dogs the full amount of damages and the owner shall forthwith kill such dog or dogs; and for every day he shall refuse or neglect to do so, after notice, he shall pay and forfeit the sum of one dollar, and it shall be lawful for any person to kill such dog or dogs"

The page also has a note: "1957) Chickens held "animals" within the statute and evidence was sufficient to support judgment. Tillery v. Cook (A.), 297 S.W.2d 9."


I found several of the other sections relevant as well, such as
https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=273.033
That appears to give the right to kill a dog if it is on your property, and you have previously complained to the sheriff a certain number of times, even if the dog is not engaged in killing animals or injuring people at that instant.


I would say there is no "leash law" as such, but that dogs in the entire state of Missouri are NOT allowed to go around killing livestock or threatening people, and the law provides for killing the dogs and making the owner pay damages for the dead livestock. (I'm not a lawyer, so I might have read things wrong-- which is why I listed where I found it all, so anyone can easily go check it for themself.)

They can go around running, but not kill. I'm familiar with the statutes above and was ratcheting up pressure on dog owner accordingly. He has been told of the statutes when we met face to face. I have also complained to sheriff's office three times on this owner with these dogs. Slowly increasing pressure will give dog owner time to have idea himself that penning dogs is better option. Most people do not like being told what to do, especially by strangers.

 

[centrarchid]

I will say I like to progress along a series of steps that can be justified in eye of the law. It is slow and takes time, but keeps things clear to all parties and reduces odds of rash decisions.

 

[fisherlady]

In regards to OP's reason for starting the thread and his taking (or not taking) advice...
Having followed his other ES thread (due to having multiple ES dogs myself) I have seen that his manner of posting, though maybe not normal in a mainstream sense, is right for him. Just because he doesn't follow all suggestions or advice doesn't mean he doesn't read it (and most likely does some research on his own to see if it would work for him and his situation).
We all have ways of handling ourselves and our particular situations. Sometimes it may seem like we aren't "taking advice" but it doesn't mean we aren't using that advice as a way to research more options or even just as a tool to review our own prior actions to see how applying those suggestions may have changed outcomes so we can make adjustments going forward.
It has to work for our own situation though. This gentleman is facing a rough situation that doesn't seem to have a perfect answer. I'm sure he can't really spend the hours it would take to really talk about all of the nuances of the situation and it is constantly evolving. He is doing his best to find a resolution to keep positive relations with people he may have to work with or around for years to come. He has to consider long term impacts on family, property, dogs and livestock.. Advice we give today may not seem to be something he is acting on immediately but it doesn't mean it isn't noted and maybe used later.

His postings have created a good timeline for his reference and to me that is a good thing and I am interested in seeing how the situation evolves and how he is able to resolve it. To me this thread also is a good reference and educational tool in case I ever am faced with a similar situation. Thankfully I don't have this type of bad neighbor situation now but if it happens in the future many things done or suggested during this thread will be in my mind and may help me resolve my own issue. His willingness to discuss his situation will help others.