Shoot a dog

S

shojin

New member
First of all I want to make clear that I am an animal lover and live with a spouse and a 13 yr old daughter that are animal freaks... no, make that animal super freaks.

However, recently some neighbors have been letting their 3 pit bulls out in the early morning, and these dogs have killed two neighbor cats. We have 5 cats ourselves and have gone to the pit bull owners and implored them to repair, patch or build up their fences so that their dogs won't get out anymore. Still, their dogs are getting out and roaming the neighborhood in a fashion that looks like they're looking for something to kill (moving very fast, going into all the backyards and searching).

I am prepared to kill these dogs if they get into my yard and attack our cats, yet don't want to get into legal trouble. I am interested in any comments or advise anyone may have. Thanks!
 
Don't know where you are, so therefore can't really comment on what you can, or can't, do.

My cat is a part of my family. She will die in my home, with her on my lap if I am there. I care for her as I would my child if I had.

Just be sure that you hit your target, don't endanger your neighbors, and just basically be safe about it.

Wayne
 
shojin,
Have you contacted your local police? I would at least get something on record, that way if you do have to shoot one or more of them it will look much better in your favor. I ended up shooting and killing 1 of 2 chows that had entered my yard and was attacking my Boston Terrier and were proceeding to move toward my sister. Not something I wanted to do but I had no choice. I was not charged with anything.
 
Cats roam. If the dogs attack your cats in your backyard, you'd be all right defending your cat. If they attack your cats anywhere else... there may well be trouble.

There may also be trouble if your local laws and/or enforcement have differing direction and attitudes from my own. They need to be consulted, not an internet board - call your local PD and/or animal control dept. and report the situation. They can give you legal advise or warning on how a shooting situation would go down in "your backyard."
 
Thanks for the replies… we have contacted the local Sheriff Dept. and was told they won’t respond to dog issues and that we should contact the Animal Control Dept., but not to expect much in the way of responsiveness as they have been suffering from near terminal budget cuts. So, I have concluded that we are more or less on our own.

I very much agree that I need to “be sure that you hit your target, don't endanger your neighbors, and just basically be safe.” I really don’t want to shoot these dogs, so am trying to get the dog’s owners to do the responsible thing and escape proof their yard.

BTW, a couple of years ago, I call the Sheriff Dept. because a rabid fox was on our street running around insanely, and was asked if I had a gun, when I responded affirmatively, they suggested I kill it myself.

I will be contacting Animal Control next week.
 
...stray dogs are problem all over....our Maine Coon cat was jumped by two stray dogs one night while sleeping in a chair in our neighbor's front porch..the neighbor heard the commotion, yelled at the dogs as they left the cat.. after telling us, we took him to the vet...he lost a rear leg but since is doing well(his fence-jumping, roof-walking days are over..he stays in the back yard and is let out front if we are working out there)...plain fact is if I had a chance I WOULD have killed both dogs and dumped their corpses...and I have had enough bad experiences myself while walking around our neighborhood with loose dogs to despise them....and the human-crap that owns them....people who own dogs that have a threat of danger to a stranger should be sued(if dog attcks a stranger unprovoked) until there is nothing left to sue for...AND some breeds are a bad risk...FACT!(chows are among the worst).....one more thing , although my anger of my own pet attack experience has faded a lilttle..I would routinely drill a big stray dog that crossed our front lawn with a grapefruit(unless I knew the dog)...esp.if it was a chow,... pitbull looking thing...they usually bugged out quick...my advice is call animal control if possible and get them off your street..use any means legal...
 
shojin,
I don't know where you live, but in most of the Country Pit Bulls are reviled, feared and in a growing number of cities and communities outright banned. If the situation arises that you shoot the dogs on your property, I'd think most of your neighbors would be releived. You might well want to take photos of the situation; The broken fence, the dogs loose and anything else to present in your defense. Be sure your position is SOLID because if indeed you do shoot the dogs you may find youself being sued by the irresponsible dog owners.
 
Shojin: I suggest that you write a letter to your local police, registered mail with return reciept required, stating your complaint and your concerns in full. Keep a copy and also send a copy by registered mail to a trusted friend or an attorney if you know one.

If you need to shoot the dogs, then shoot them - they are after all dogs not people - no matter how much you revere animals. Your cats are far less concern than your wife and child.

I will get personal here, and please forgive me for being graphic, nearly 20 years ago now and I still get emotional over this one. About 20 years ago a dear frined's 2 year old son was killed by dogs. His son was outside unsupervised (12 year old was supposed to be watching him) for less than 3 minutes. My friend came outside to find three dogs tearing his baby son to pieces, and held his son while he died in his arms.

Dogs will be dogs, that is a fact of life. It wasn't that the dogs were evil, it was that they were dogs acting in a pack reaction to a small child that most likely showed a strong fear reaction to them.

Forget the cats, watch your loved ones closely, do not hesitate to kill the dogs if you believe you need to. But, send that letter today to cover you if you do need to take such action.
 
Shojin, I had the same problem you had, but I was jogging in the early morning when by neighbors dog charged me in a vicious manner. I drew my Glock 30 and my neighbor called her dog back. I then approached my neighbor and told her she needed to keep her dogs tied up and she told me her dogs were nice and she always had them loose. So I told her if her dog ever charged me in the street again and attempted to bit me I would shoot her dog dead with my .45. She did not like that very much but I didn't care. You have to let these people know you are not playing games. I know their might be something in the law that’s say your are not supposed to discharge a firearm in a community but their is always stipulations to that like if the dog came on your property you have the right to shoot it on your property. Also like in my situation if the dog charged me and was a threat I could take it down as long as I didn't endanger someone else. Since then on I had no problems in the morning when I go running with that neighbor’s dog being loose again. :D
 
I too have been involved with this situation. A neighbor with Pit Bulls could not keep them contained. I tried to talk as friendly as I could. It came down to me informing him that it was no longer acceptable. I have a 4 year old daughter. I told him that since we were neighbors, I wanted to be neighborly, but if dogs came around my yard with my daughter agian I would shoot them. I also contacted the local police and informed them of the conversation. They of course replied "do what you have to do to protect your family, but if there is no danger call us". Next day. Call to 911. I have 2 pit bulls running around my yard, and I would like for you to deal with it before I have to. 3 squad cars show up with shotguns in hand, and kept the dogs cornered until animal control arrived. They came close to having to kill one even as the AC guy was putting the noose on him. But the dogs are gone, and that is one less concern I have.
 
If you are going to shoot the dog, just make sure first that you are not a Cop. If you are, be prepared for a flame-fest.
Phil-Thumbs-Up-Small.gif
 
My solution was a bow.
I live in town and shooting a gun inside the city limits (unless you are defending yourself) carries a heavy fine and confiscation of the gun.
Local ordinances class bows with pellet rifles, BB guns, and slingshots ....$25 fine. Big plus : silent ...so..... less chance of getting caught.

The same broadheads that work well on whitetail are excellent for pit bulls, chows, and large hounds. Beware of the smaller 30-45 lb. breeds ... with a 50 lb. draw weight, after the arrow exits the chest, it will still skip off pavement for 3 city blocks and go 1/4" deep into an aluminum post.
 
If the dogs are aggressive and it sounds like they are then you are in the right if they come on your property and pose a threat. If I was approached by an aggressive animal I would shoot it no questions asked.
 
BAD dogs

Hey,
Sounds like everyone has had a bad encounter with dogs at one time or another.I also had afew my self.Few years back some people move in next to where I live.I live out in the county so firing a gun is no big deal. Had trouble with the dog commming over and eating my chickens.Also my daughter was only 5 at the time. I talked to the people about the problem,but they only laught at me.So the next time the dog come over,he got a 7Mag.
The fool then called me on the phone and said he was comming over to kill me.I told he not to come over and do nothing STUPID. for if he came ove he would get a 7Mag also.
Called the cops about the dog shooting and they were out in no time.
Cop told me that I had the right to take care of the dog,and he went to talk to the nut next to me.
So watch out if you shoot his dog ,you might have to shoot a person also.
I didn't have to shoot anyone,but it was real close.
BE CAREFULL IN WHAT YOU DO
 
City Ordinances.

Many locales have ordinances prohibiting the discharge of firearms in residential areas or within city limits. Some also have laws against firing a weapon within so many feet of a structure.
Be aware of your local laws, and be sure that you are acting within them.

If the dogs attack you or your family, however, that will be a whole different ball game. I'm pretty sure that would be considered self defense and would be an exception to the above.

It would still be wise to start a paper trail of some sort, as well as try to get some video/photos. Maybe even tape record a conversatoin with the lazy owners.

[illegal suggestion removed... --moderator]
 
You might want to keep your cats inside. They face alot of dangers being let out besides these dogs. And they can be hard on wildlife, especially song birds. Not to mention, their using the bathroom in kids' sandboxes, etc.
 
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