Hardly anyone would shoot a dog who was just passing through, not taking any notice of their chickens or humans. Most wouldn't just shoot a dog on sight who was doing no harm. That isn't what we're talking about. Wanted to clarify that I never said I would shoot a dog who just walked across my property, though it would be tough to do without said dog digging under or jumping over my livestock fencing.
There is a Boston bull terrier who lives across from my driveway, case of an elderly woman getting a dog who has no clue how to train it (she spanks it when it doesn't understand her commands and the poor thing is scared of her). I see it at my driveway gate, definitely off its own property, longingly gazing down the drive at us because it wants attention that isn't negative. DH takes her back home every time. I wish she'd let someone else have the poor dog. I don't know if it would run my chickens or not but I try not to let it get the chance. Can't see myself shooting her if she does manage to wiggle through the gate and bounce down the driveway. BUT, I know I can control her, she knows me. If she killed a bird, me and the neighbor would have quite a conversation--the county does have an ordinance that all dogs off their property must be under the control of the owner and she is violating that ordinance. If a strange dog shot down the drive toward me or my coops, I'd get my weapon and be ready, just in case.
So, I really believe 99% of cases of dogs shot have to do with actual harassing or killing of livestock or pets, not just them being there.
As someone said, as did I previously, we don't have all the facts to comment on the case in the news.
