Would You Shoot This Dog?

Question

Yesterday, a dog that is never leashed (in violation of local requirements) came into my sister's back yard (garden) and killed her helpless, deaf cat. The dog has attacked other animals in the neighborhood, and has charged into my sister's back yard, as well as her neighbors', several times before.

The local Animal Control unit says that, unless they witness the attack, they are powerless. The Animal Control people are a subset of the police, here, and so the police are also unable to help. The owner of the dog couldn't care less.

In our part of the U.S., firearm ownership is legal. If a dog is a proven killer he can legally be put down (i.e., destroyed). This doesn't seem like a big jump to me, but I want to ask the general readership here:

Would you, personally, shoot this dog right now? Would you wait until it kills another pet, and then shoot it? Would you wait until my sister's neighbor's toddler is bitten, and you have a video to prove it?

Thanks much.

Dear Fincha, I appreciate that you suggest caution.

The problem is that unless there is an attack IN PROGRESS, the Animal Control people will not come out; and, until there is an attack that they WITNESS, they can legally do nothing. So, for example, a dog is savaging you cat, and you place the call: the A.C. will respond. If the A.C. unit arrives, and the attack has stopped (for whatever awful reason), they can do nothing, as it is considered "unproven".

That's why we're having a problem, here; the authorities have no power to help. They won't take the dog away, and they won't destroy him, and you can depend on a warning having no effect on the dog owners. At all.

Answer 1

If the dog is on your property and you consider it a threat, which seems reasonable, you can shoot it with relative impunity as a means of protecting yourself and/or your family.

I recently saw such a case on a court TV show. The homeowner shot two pit bulls that were attacking his dog in the driveway. It was ruled that he was justified in shooting them.

Just don't hunt the dog down off your own property, or you will be upsetting the scales in favor of the dog's owner.

Answer 2

I don't know. I wouldn't want to shoot the dog because it's not the dogs fault that it doesn't know any better. I would complain or go to court or something. About both the dogs owner and the police not enforcing the law. It's the police's job and duty to make sure the laws are being followed. There ought to be something you can do if they aren't doing what they should be doing. I know it doesn't instantly fix the situation but maybe you could write a letter to your state's attorney general.

Maybe you could get one of those really high pitched dog whistles and use it every time the dog comes near your property.

Sorry I can't be more help, good luck.

Answer 3

I would shoot it, but be prepared to be sued or arrested. In other words - have evidence to use in court that the dog is dangerous.

My neighbors have 3 vicious dogs that go absolutely crazed when they see me cleaning up my yard. My neighbor does not care either.

So, I always have a baseball bat close at hand to brain any of them if they jump the fence to get me. When I swat I'll not be doing it to injure either - It MUST be a fatal blow!

Answer 4

I think that even though it's legal to have a firearm, if you discharge it in a suburban area and/or kill someone's pet, whatever the circumstances, the police will come and you will get into a LOT of trouble.
You may be morally right, but think before you shoot!

Answer 5

Letting rounds off in your backyard isn't going to do anything but cause alot of drama and make you look like the bad guy. Just keep calling animal control and maybe when they get tired of having to come out there every day they wll do somthing about it.

Answer 6

Careful there may be firearm laws which would prohibit discharging a weapon within a city limit if in fact you live in the city. Try offering it some hamburger soaked in anti-freeze that'll do the trick.

Answer 7

Probably not I do not like cats all that much now if it was another dog or a person totally.

Answer 8

violence isnt always the answer...if you cant catch/trap the dog or something then shoot it if it threatens any human being but remeber its in the animals nature to kill so use shooting it as the last resort

Answer 9

I woundn't shoot it. I just can't bring myself to do that sort of thing! I'd get someone else to shoot it like one of my family members or something. I killed da poor wittle kittie!!!! :-((

Answer 10

I would consider killing the owner who doesnt care. feed him to the dog. then you can safely kill the dog.