Permission to shoot neighbor's dogs

[MontanaDolphin]

The issue might be that there are simply no actual laws that the irresponsible neighbor is breaking.. no leash laws means the dogs can roam. The cop, at most, would only be able to warn him that there have been complaints and perhaps educate him that there are laws that if the dogs look like they might be threatening livestock or chickens.. they can be legally shot.

This is completely accurate. I spoke to the animal control officer yesterday (he came to my house to pick up a feral cat I caught in my trap), and he told me he spoke to my neighbors last week and informed them that if they care about their dogs, they'll keep them home or they could be legally shot. They told the officer they fixed the fence which was the problem (a lie...one of my other neighbors watched these neighbors open the door to the house and let them out to roam). The officer told me if I see them again, to call...and if I see them on my property between April 1 and May 31, he will pick them up because there is a leash law between those dates.

 

[thaiturkey]

Great though any police force is, it's unlikley that an officer would arrive in time to witness what's happening. An attack on one's own animals needs to be dealt with while the issue is hot. Shoot the predators while they are on your property. If that's not possible, lay poisoned food for them just within your boundary where they get in. For me, after losing around 50 animals over two years, it's a no-brainer. Act swiftly and decisively.

 

[gg706]

Might be a dumb question....... but WHY is there a leash law between certain dates?

 

[hungry]

Probably for the protection of young (newborn) livestock.

 

[gg706]

Interesting. I thought maybe it had to do with hunting or something.

 

[dainerra]

I'm not judging your actions... I just think that there's a better alternative, that's all, sorry.

the problem is that, in my area for example, your alternative is ILLEGAL. It would be considered theft. I give ample warning and opportunity for the owner to keep their dog at home and out of my yard. Only then (or if the dog is caught in the act of killing) do I shoot.

 

[dainerra]

Only one lazy cop would suggest you shoot the dogs unless absolutely necessary. If the copper was on the ball, he'd pay the irresponsible neighbor a visit. People like their money. If fines were imposed on this irresponsible owner, those dogs would likely stay on his property. What annoys me most are the irresponsible dog owners who suffer no consequences while the dog is shot or put down. Just like kids, some people shouldn't be allowed to breed much less own a dog.

 

it's not being a lazy cop. It's called telling the livestock owner what the law says. I always ask for a police report (say you need it for insurance purposes!) and when the officer comes out I ask if he would inform the neighbors what the law says.

Here, there is no fine for allowing the dogs to roam - we have no leash law The only law concerning roaming dogs is that if it kills livestock the owner of the dog must pay damages and the dog can be shot.

 

[gg706]

That is the way our law is here as well. A dog got into my fence and attacked the chickens, I caught him and called the police and animal control. They came out, animal control took the dog....the police said I could have shot the dog. He was just a pup and was more "playing" with the chickens. I wanted the neighbors to have to pay the fines associated with animal control. There has been a dog trying to dig under my fence to gain access, this paticular dog is dangerous. He has killed chickens and cats in the past, I am also concerned about my children as he barks and growls if you get close to him. I asked the police if I could shoot that dog as he is trying to dig in the fence. He said no it has to be in the act of killing the chickens for me to legally shoot him. I think it is crazy NOT to have leash laws! I dont understand the benefits of counties not having leash laws other than they can say "sorry we dont have any leash laws here so I cant do anything about their dog"

 

[whitetail98]

I have this same problem! These dogs are always running around our farm and scaring the crap out of everything! We even have two young children around that are usually outside! What I do is the first time I see them, I scare them away with shouting or banging. If I see them again, it's over! I'll shoot them on sight then bury them and nobody knows what happened! Lol one of the dogs that was around actually ran up to our little 2 yr old. I was in the yard and heard a commotion. The dog was growling and circling the baby so I quickly shot it! I may seem cruel but we have literally no lie like a dog a day on our land. They run around slamming into everything, scaring everything, and that one even trying to attack our little ones. We have a SERIOUS problem with "wild" dogs that the owners just let them do whatever you want. So yes I do believe in shooting a dog that's on your property!

 

[D Kluck]

...the day we quit shooting dogs that are preying on the livestock is the day we run out of bullets....