Recently our neighbors two rottweilers got out of their pen and attacked my mini donkey, tried to kill him?

Question

my husband shot one of them, but then got arrested. whats up with that? we are on our own property and the dogs were attacking us and our pets...please advise

Answer 1

Different states have different laws.

Many a country folk would shoot a dog who attacks livestock, however, with todays laws, this is not the case.

Call the police and ask what the proper procedure is.

You can file a civil suit against your neighbors for having dogs at large that attack livestock.

Consult an attorney, and fight the charge against your husband.

Talk to your county extension agent about livestock and
what your rights are in protecting them.

Answer 2

Every area has different laws, some of them don't have much farming left and don't allow you to shoot a dog even if it is harassing your animals in your own yard..
However, I think you could fight it pretty easily in court and probably get your vet bills back so long as neither of you have a history of threatening the neighbors dogs AND you have documentation of the donkey's vet bills.. Hopefully, you called the police immediately after the incident to pick up the other dog..
It's all about documentation.. If you didn't call the police out to pick up the other dog and hit the owner with an "at large" charge the whole thing could be screwed up.. Why? Because in most areas it is illegal to kill a dog or cat by gun fire.. It's considered abuse as it's no longer considered a humane method of euthanasia.. So, if there's any reason for them to doubt that the dogs were in the midst of attacking your donkey when the one was shot, you're looking at an animal cruelty charge.. In other words, your husband will be arrested on animal cruelty charges for shooting the dog and he needs to prove that he did it in the midst of the donkey being attacked and not out of malice. Fact of the matter is, if it's on your property, you're supposed to call the appropriate authorities.. There are only a couple circumstances where you can just shoot it and that's not the case in every area..
Pretty much, you'll need a lawyer and documentation on the donkey's injuries IF it is legal to even shoot a dog for worrying livestock in your area..

Answer 3

Most owners in this situation have had poor results going to police or animal control. I know of one owner who lost animals repeatedly to neighbor dogs before they were finally taken away. Many owners also find that there is retaliation for the owner trying to protect their animals and that it continues to be a problem with the neighbors long after the offending dogs are gone. And often, those same neighbors will get new dogs later and allow them to do the same. Most people I know live by the addage of the 3 s's, shoot, shovel, shut up. Then the problem you know is taken care of, and the people who are the offenders cannot retaliate because they don't know what occurred. Not a great scenario, but as I say, the response I've seen from owners going the lawsuit route has been extremely disappointing.

Answer 4

You have a lawsuit against the owner of the dog. The police should have informed you as to why he was arrested (wre you within city limits? Some gun use is not condoned tere but this seems to be an exceptional case).

You're within your rights to get a lawyer to side with you. I can't see you loosing a lawsuit against the owner of the dogs who were attempting to destroy your property ON your property. Dangerous dogs are a menance and every city has ordinances against them.

Personally I think you did the right thing. If they'd attacked kids, I bet the police would have acted different. Consult with a lawyer, the first 1/2 hour is free. You can take your case to court and win on this one. Dogs are NOT allowed to destroy livestock.

Answer 5

Gosh! This sounds like an ordeal. I'm sorry, I imagine this is hard for you.

It really doesn't make any sense why your husband would be arrested? Two large dogs came onto your property, and attacked you and your pets. You were defending yourself.
The reason that comes to my mind though would be perhaps your husbands guns aren't registered?

It's probably a good idea to get a lawyer though, to look further into what can be done about your neighbors and their dogs.

Answer 6

Where I come from, you and your husband are completely in the right. If it were me, I would have been standing next to hubby with my own 12 GA. and would have got the other one, then I would have called the cops and told me side of the story FIRST.
I don't get why he was arrested, but you should have a lawsuit.
I have lived in IL and KY, in IL, the owner is registered, in KY, the gun is registered. trust me, I would use a gun that was registered here in KY where I bought it!!!
I wish you the best of luck and a speedy solution to your problems. I also hope your donkey will be alright. You should be able to sue for vet bills. The neighbors are responsible for damages done by their animals.

Answer 7

while i can see it from your view, you have to look at the other side of the story. your husband may have killed a beloved animal to someone and it is natural instinct for the dogs to attack. The other family will proabaly be grieving for their pet. Is your donkey okay?

Its horrible that this has happened to you and im not trying to be mean or anything, im just saying they might be grieving and thats probably why he got arrested, because of animal cruelty.
Despite the fact you were protecting your property you still harmed an animal.

ok well thats my opinion.
Good luck with everything

Answer 8

Where we lived in Illinois it was legal to shoot any animal attacking your livestock. Often people would leave their dogs out in the country thinking farmers can use another dog and the dogs would kill all the chickens and drive the horses and cows into fences.

Answer 9

i think you should go to the police and ask them to go and talk to your neighbours about getting a proper pen!!omg ansd i love donkeys!

well cya xx

Answer 10

Is it illegal to fire a firearm in your city? What was the charge?