Texas

[TammyTX]

The game warden told me to call animal control. Animal control told me "we aren't respected as law enforcement, call the sheriff, they have a team that handles this stuff." sounded strange, animal control should handle animal calls, but ok I called the sheriff. The sheriff lady knew exactly who I was talking about, said she has gotten numerous call about him. Said animal control was full of crap and was just too lazy to do their jobs. Also said that while she would go check it out and talk to the guy nothing would happen because the case of animal abuse would stall at the district attorney office. They want the big cases like homicide, rape, etc. So in the end nothing would happen. I enformed her I had livestock and would shoot the dogs and she said that is my right to defend my livestock on my property.

So I am back to square 1, except now that jerk might figure out who called on him this time and come gunning for my family and animals. Me and my dang bleeding heart, trying to save a pregnant dog. I should have just done nothing, shot the dogs and then called the sheriff to pick up the body and write a report.

That isn't right. Law enforcement does not NOT file a charge because the DA won't take it. The DA/CA may not act on it but it has NOTHING to do with the SO taking the report. If it's a misd then it will go to the county atty office. If you ask to make a report the S.O. Is obligated to take your report.

Ask to speak to the Patrol Sergeant and if no action then just call the Sheriff himself, he -is- an elected official.


Actually, if the neighbor threatens you for making a report, then it's Retaliation which I believe is a Felony 3rd.

 

[SlipsWife]

The game warden told me to call animal control. Animal control told me "we aren't respected as law enforcement, call the sheriff, they have a team that handles this stuff." sounded strange, animal control should handle animal calls, but ok I called the sheriff. The sheriff lady knew exactly who I was talking about, said she has gotten numerous call about him. Said animal control was full of crap and was just too lazy to do their jobs. Also said that while she would go check it out and talk to the guy nothing would happen because the case of animal abuse would stall at the district attorney office. They want the big cases like homicide, rape, etc. So in the end nothing would happen. I enformed her I had livestock and would shoot the dogs and she said that is my right to defend my livestock on my property.

So I am back to square 1, except now that jerk might figure out who called on him this time and come gunning for my family and animals. Me and my dang bleeding heart, trying to save a pregnant dog. I should have just done nothing, shot the dogs and then called the sheriff to pick up the body and write a report.

I know its an expense but is there a way to secure your animals and set up traps? Once the animal is trapped, then you can call animal control to pick them up. The 'owners' will have to show proof of shot records and more than likely pay a fine. Just keep repeating the process. More than likely they won't claim their animals. Just make sure animal control knows that the dogs are not friendly so they won't try to put them up for adoption.

I'm 100% for shooting any predator on your property but this is just another option. Then animal control/sheriffs office HAVE to deal with it. Also, since we all know 'that one time' you don't have a weapon on you, something could happen, set up a few cans of wasp spray or pepper spray around your property. Get the ones that spray a stream, aim for the eyes. If nothing else you, or a family member, can get to a can quickly, not cause any permanent harm to your animals and hopefully stop something bad from happening if caught off guard. Sometimes non-lethal back ups are a nice option.

 

[Starfire669]

That isn't right. Law enforcement does not NOT file a charge because the DA won't take it. The DA/CA may not act on it but it has NOTHING to do with the SO taking the report. If it's a misd then it will go to the county atty office. If you ask to make a report the S.O. Is obligated to take your report.

Ask to speak to the Patrol Sergeant and if no action then just call the Sheriff himself, he -is- an elected official.

I am pretty fed up with it. I have called at least 5 times in the past 2 years. So far we have been extremely luck, I haven't had to shoot a dog yet, though my neighbor has. So far every time the dogs come by I or my husband have been outside. I have gone after them with a left over galvanized metal pipe that we had just ripped out of our shower. I now keep it on the porch and won't allow my husband to trash it. I took bow staff while in martial arts, not much, but enough to put something down with. I prefer the gun, but sometimes, either forget it or in the heat of the moment just grab whatever is handy. I have several pipes, sticks, and baseball bats scattered throughout the yard. Unfortunately nothing will change here until more people get fed up of these dogs and are willing to take action. 1 person doesn't count, but a neighborhood gets their attention. Until the people here hold the sheriff, animal control, and the DA office accountable they will continue to get away with what they are doing.

 

[kjanda]

If you do shoot em, I wouldn't use a shotgun. A full or turkey choke would help with spread but depending how far you are away from them and what kind of shot you use, you might not need it. Your shotgun might not be able to take external or internal chokes anyhow. It might be IC (improved cylinder) and not very tight. Besides they are too loud and unless you use buckshot or slugs I wouldn't. Make sure you have enough to put them down, too. You don't want them hobbling back to the owner full of birdshot or a wounded leg. If you put them down I'd get rid of the body, also. Then they might have ran away, got hit by a car, etc. Them knowing you shot their dog isn't gonna make you feel any safer. Just my thoughts

 

[Starfire669]

I know its an expense but is there a way to secure your animals and set up traps?  Once the animal is trapped, then you can call animal control to pick them up.  The 'owners' will have to show proof of shot records and more than likely pay a fine.  Just keep repeating the process.  More than likely they won't claim their animals.  Just make sure animal control knows that the dogs are not friendly so they won't try to put them up for adoption.

I'm 100% for shooting any predator on your property but this is just another option.  Then animal control/sheriffs office HAVE to deal with it.  Also, since we all know 'that one time' you don't have a weapon on you, something could happen, set up a few cans of wasp spray or pepper spray around your property.  Get the ones that spray a stream, aim for the eyes.  If nothing else you, or a family member, can get to a can quickly, not cause any permanent harm to your animals and hopefully stop something bad from happening if caught off guard.  Sometimes non-lethal back ups are a nice option.

I'd have to pay a fee for animal control to come pick them up, if I understood what they told me on the phone right. Comes down to I would be surrendering an animal and so need to pay for its care type of BS. So either the person I talked to is full of crap, or they are trying anything to get a buck.

 

[Starfire669]

If you do shoot em, I wouldn't use a shotgun. A full or turkey choke would help with spread but depending how far you are away from them and what kind of shot you use, you might not need it. Your shotgun might not be able to take external or internal chokes anyhow. It might be IC (improved cylinder) and not very tight. Besides they are too loud and unless you use buckshot or slugs I wouldn't. Make sure you have enough to put them down, too. You don't want them hobbling back to the owner full of birdshot or a wounded leg. If you put them down I'd get rid of the body, also. Then they might have ran away, got hit by a car, etc. Them knowing you shot their dog isn't gonna make you feel any safer. Just my thoughts

For now I keep 2 clips loaded with hollow points for my 9mm. The shotgun has too many possible issues for shooting a dog after my flock in a neighborhood. And i will make the sheriff collect the bodies, every time. Maybe they will get so disgusted having to pick up the bodies and write a report they will actually do their dang jobs!

 

[kjanda]

Good luck with all this. It's a pretty crappy situation. I thought I had it bad when neighbor's cockfighters killed my rooster and kept coming over messing with my hens, eating their food, etc. The cops did say the same thing, shoot em. Said they get calls all the time about these situations. Sometimes the only difference between a pet and a pest is which side of the fence they're on. I would think if they bit a kid and are obviously dangerous they'd be required to put it down. I worked at an animal shelter for a couple years and any violent animal got put down (and rightfully so)

 

[TammyTX]

I'd have to pay a fee for animal control to come pick them up, if I understood what they told me on the phone right. Comes down to I would be surrendering an animal and so need to pay for its care type of BS. So either the person I talked to is full of crap, or they are trying anything to get a buck.

Animal Control should not charge, they are public service County employees. They should also provide and set the traps up on your property. I live in a Podunk county and we have that service....key word is SERVICE.

If you have called 5 or 6 times, then call 10x more....when it comes to public service the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

I'm done,

 

[Starfire669]

Thanks for all the tips, advice and suggestions. I will keep calling and raising a stink while also keeping a gun handy just in case. I will do what is needed to protect family and flock. And I guess that is the bottom line.

Let's get back to being silly and talking chickens, maybe get Ken to do the Macarena today!

 

[Tjack101]

To turn an animal in to a county shelter there is a fee. Its an owner surrender fee. To turn in a stray or have them pick up a stray there is no fee. I volunteer with the local shelter.