So my Evie (black and tan coon hound/Rottweiler mix) is very good at protecting my livestock, she considerers them all very important as they are mine. But we have been seeing two large (bigger then her) dogs running loose around here, they are both mutts and they have no collars or anything like that and they dont seem to have respect for anything (not me or Evie)! I worry that if they ever got the itching to attack my animals, be it geese, chickens, ducks, or anything else of mine, that lil old Evie (not really that lil but she is old) wouldnt be able to stand her ground against the both of them. So I was wondering if it is legal to shoot dogs if they are on your place and hurting your animals. I think it is, but I just want to make sure that if Im around and they show up and start something, I can legally defend my livestock with what ever rifle I have close at the moment if need be. Thanks
Here in Kansas it's legal to shoot any animal that is killing, atacking or harrassing your livestock. It's that way a lot of places but you might want to check your state's laws.
it depends on where you live, but yes in most areas it is legal. The "when" is the biggest variable - in some states you can shoot them for "harassing" livestock, in others they have to be physically attacking. Animal Control, the Agriculture Dept, and/or the Sheriff's Office can tell you exactly what the rules are in your area. If you do find the dogs have owners, they are liable for any damages as well.
Love the SSS! We had our first loss the other day. A neighbor dog got in our backyard and ran off with one of our Polish Hens. I found her dead in the dogs yard. It was pretty heartbreaking. I was told by our animal control that we can kill a dog that is attacking our chickens. At this point we have a pellet gun ready if he returns, a rifle on stand by! Note: I am in Tennessee in county limits where apparently it is ok to protect your live stock.
A shotgun shell loaded with airsoft BBs will teach them respect (fear?) without killing. Make sure the range is at least 50 yards or they will penetrate. Sounds like free range farm dogs. They are considered expendable in most rural areas, their owner should know better. I'd definately try a non-lethal approach to discouraging them from making their rounds about your place first. BB gun or .22 birdshot are other possibilities. Some dogs are really good, sometimes their owners lose control or don't know how far their dogs are ranging. Even my champion golden retriever was brought home by a neighbor one day. He'd never bite a chicken, but he was having fun flushing them out of the bushes as if they were pheasants. Neighbor thought it was funny once she saw he wasn't chasing after they flushed (good bird training). I worked very hard to keep the dog at home but he just went on a walkabout one day while I was outside busy splitting wood. Luckily that neighbor was understanding and knew the dog wasn't a problem so long as he didn't make a habit of stopping by. I used to catch a neighbors (1/2 mile neighbor) dog in my coyote traps weekly in the managed wildlife land I used to trap. I knew where the dog lived so I brought him home each week with no more damage than a sore paw. The dog got very trap shy and eventually avoided the area all together but the owner just didn't get the hint to keep his dog at home. One day the dog was shot dead by another neighbor after killing 2 lambs and his owner had to pay compensation after he called the sheriff POd that his dog had been shot. If the non-lethal approach fails, you are allowed to defend livestock in most areas. Just beware that you may become a target if the dogs are loved by somebody. I know I wouldn't want somebody to shoot my dog without truly just cause and after they'd tried other methods to discourage the behavior. My dog also wears a collar with my address and phone number though.
Why would it even matter if it's legal? It's your responsibility to look after the animals you've accepted to call "yours". If that's your concern, maybe you shouldn't have animals. It is you duty to protect um the same way you would your family. Does the legality of the matter come into play with them? I sorta doubt it.
Quote:It matters because I wouldn't want to be find or arrested or something for shooting a dog that was killing my livestock. It is my responsibility to protect them of course as they are mine and they most certainly can't do it themselves, but yes weather or not it is legal does matter to me, if it were illegal I would have to try my hardest to hurry and find another option if worse came to worse and a dog did kill my livestock. My livestock are just that livestock, no matter how attached I get to them they are just animals I would not compare their safety to that of my family.