How irresponsible can you be?!

[carolinagirl]

I would be the first to shoot a dog if it was actually endanging my livestock. And I HATE dogs roaming around on MY land too. But the law says you can kill it if it is actually killing or trying to kill livestock, not just passing through the property. If the animals are well fenced and the dogs are just sighten on the land, I think killing them is going a little too far, legally speaking. If you do shoot them, don't tell a soul. Just bury the evidence and don't say a word.

 

[dbunni]

Have a friend who lives by the "Three S" Rule ... Shoot, Shovel, Shut Up.

If you have taken the time to discuss the problem with the owner and the owner still is not taking the time to be a responsible owner ...why should we wait until an animal is injured or killed? I know this is a heated area ... just putting it out there. In our area we have packs of dogs that hide back in the fields. Some have owners, some are generations past that. And yes, they do come onto the property for dinner on occassion. We trap where we can, shovel where we cannot.

 

[20kidsonhill]

In virginia you can't shoot dogs. So if you do, you better follow the three s's.

 

[helmstead]

I have had livestock ranging from 5-digit show horses to inexpensive chickens since I was 8 years old.

In ALL those years, I've only had to 'dispose' of one dog...the alpha male of a pack of feral dogs that was daily coming to my horse farm and chasing said 5-digit show horses for fun. I had made darn sure the pack was indeed feral, and only had to take the one male out - and the pack did not return.

I've lost my share of chickens to neighbor's dogs. In the end of the day, though, we live in the country, and IMO country pets should get to LIVE like country pets. Also, IMO, some chickens or barn cats aren't worth as much as someone's pet dog.

It is MY responsibility to keep MY livestock both contained to avoid damaging neighbor's property AND to protect my livestock. Since loosing several chickens, my chickens stopped free ranging. And of course my goats are behind good fencing with two of my own dogs to protect them from predation. My horses are behind a powerful electric fence so THEY don't get out and destroy sod and run in the road.

You have neighbors for a long time. The letter of the law can also turn around and bite you in the bud, if you make them mad - they can make your life miserable, too. Just food for thought.

 

[carolinagirl]

In virginia you can't shoot dogs. So if you do, you better follow the three s's.

Actually...yes you can. Here's Virginia's law. It's pretty typical of the livestock protection laws in most states.

http://library.municode.com/HTML/14737/level4/CD_ORD_CH5AN_ARTIIDOCA_DIV1GE.html

 

[ksalvagno]

I have to say I don't mind a dog that gets loose once in a while and is just enjoying his/her freedom and just uses my property as a pass through but if there was a dog that was hanging around and seen daily, then I would have to shoot it. My dogs are kept behind fences and even if it is in the country, I expect people to keep their dogs on their own property. Even my barn cats are important to me since they are such fantastic mousers. Not to mention the expense of feeding chickens and not wanting to loose my egg layers.

 

[carolinagirl]

II've lost my share of chickens to neighbor's dogs. In the end of the day, though, we live in the country, and IMO country pets should get to LIVE like country pets. Also, IMO, some chickens or barn cats aren't worth as much as someone's pet dog.

I respectfully have to disagree with this. Country pets should be confined to their own property. I keep my dogs at my own place and expect others to do the same! I don't want my dog bothering someone else's animals and I don't think it's too much to ask for the same consideration from my neighbors. I can't begin to count the times that I have had livestock injured or killed because come careless neighbor chooses to let his dogs run loose. I had a horse ruined by a neighbor's doberman who chased her into a wire fence. I have had goat's ears torn off. I had a whole group of goats killed once day when we were not home. Imagine my heartbreak to come home and fine 15 dead young goats scattered all around their pen.

Over the years I have developed a VERY low tolerance for dogs on my property. My animals (chickens, dogs, sheep, etc) are worth just as much to me as my neighbor's dog is....probably more! I care enough about my animals to not put them in harm's way by allowing them to become nuisance animals. If a neighbor lets his dog roam freely knowing that he is a nuisance and is in danger of being shot, he honestly does not value that dog too much.

 

[helmstead]

I don't mind disagreement, it's just my opinion on the matter...we each handle nuisance animals as we see fit - and hopefully within the limits of the law.

I just wish I could make Mother Nature pay for the dozen or so laying hens I lost over the winter to her loose, nuisance raccoon!! I warned her several times, and called Wildlife Services, and finally had to shoot it.

 

[carolinagirl]

I don't mind disagreement, it's just my opinion on the matter...we each handle nuisance animals as we see fit - and hopefully within the limits of the law.

I just wish I could make Mother Nature pay for the dozen or so laying hens I lost over the winter to her loose, nuisance raccoon!! I warned her several times, and called Wildlife Services, and finally had to shoot it.

Exactly. Everyone should find out what the laws are in their area and do as the law allows.

Mother Nature needs to keep her critters in the woods where they belong! lol! Raccoons are probably the worse we have around here. We don't have badgers and bears thankfully. Predator proofing for Raccoons is much easier than trying to keep a bear out. I will be so happy when my Anatolian pup finally arrives in August after an agonizing wait.

 

[helmstead]

My main point was, if you decide to 'off' your neighbor's dog, make sure you CYA. Make sure your barn is the proper distance off the property line, make sure your fencing makes code. Make sure your troughs are always clean and full, and there better not be any hard keepers in your pens. Make sure you aren't breaking any noise nuisance laws, don't have more livestock per acre than you should...you just make sure you're following the law to the letter. 'Cause you shoot the wrong dog, and AC will be out every other week with a new complaint to investigate.

That was my food for thought.