34 Pet Deer Killed By Dogs

[Quint]

I was searching news sites for something about an associate of mine and came across this news article:

If you have a dog, keep it contained. These folks are out 40,000-60,000 dollars because people didn't keep their dogs on their own property.

Hopefully the oner of the animals are charged.

http://www.wgem.com/News/index.php?ID=23410

34 Pet Deer Killed By Dogs

Three dogs, all pit bull mixes, managed to kill and maul more than 30 pet deer in a pen.
The question now is, should the dogs' owner be held responsible for what happened?

Less than a month ago, this farm was filled with 36 deer.
Now all that's left are a frantic buck and doe.

Farm Owner says, "I was just shocked it looked like a massacre."

Joe Leonardi: "I opened up the garage door and saw some white bellies, out in my deer pen and realized that a few of them were dead."

Dee Leonardi: "I just kept looking thinking okay, there is a few dead, there's a few dead, and then there were more and more and more, it was just devastating to see all of them. "

Three neighboring dogs, all pitbull mixes, got into the pen at night and killed 34 of the 36 deer.

Capt. Jimmy Shinn:"It was pretty devastating really once you arrived on the scene, seeing all the deer that were laying around and it was pretty evident, that it wasn't animals that were hungry, that were looking for something to eat, it was basically a slaying is what it was."

With the fence being up to eight feet tall, the deer couldn't escape.
Joe and Dee's bedroom window is only 50 feet from the pen, but they didn't hear any noise.

Joe Leonardi: "I didn't hear dogs barking, or deer crashing into any of the fences or any of that."

The Leonardi family has been raising deer for eight years. Their herd was valued at 40-to-60 thousand dollars. They had hoped to sell a few to build a college fund for their children.

"We had it where we could sell about five a year, starting now and help with our college funds for our kids."

Joe Leonardi shot and killed the three dogs and will not be charged, the decision has not been made whether the dog owner will be charged.

[neal68]

yes they should be held 100% responsible!!!!!! the dog owners should pay the deer owners the value of the deer and any other damage done to the property and the dogs need to be put down!!!

[fantasymaker]

Cant see where there will be much question.

[wy_white_wolf]

Originally Posted by neal68

yes they should be held 100% responsible!!!!!! the dog owners should pay the deer owners the value of the deer and any other damage done to the property and the dogs need to be put down!!!

I think it may do more good to put the owners down than the dogs. After they pay for the loss that is.

[themamahen]

It says the dogs were shot and Killed. BUT I think the owners of the Dogs should be held 100% liable!!!

[Janis Sauncy]

Years ago, neighbor dogs killed two of my goats. Their homeowner's insurance paid me and paid me well because I was able to prove a fairly substantial value for the dead animals.

If the owner(s) of the dogs don't have insurance, then it might be harder to collect. If it were me? You bet I'd take it to court. I don't think small claims court would be adequate, though, because there is too much value in the deer.

Janis

[Lilandra]

8' fence ... if its high enough to keep the deer confined, it should be appropriate protection for them as well. to have three kill obsessed dogs jump an 8' fence for the sport of it - those owners should be fined for loose animals, having aggressive animals, and made to pay for damages AND for pain and suffering, the emotional trauma of seeing your hard work and pets destroyed because someone else's carelessness

[MaineFarmMom]

Originally Posted by fantasymaker

Cant see where there will be much question.

That's what my friend thought when two dogs attacked her sheep 20 months ago. Two attorneys, an accountant and a vet have been hired. They've been to mediation. The dogs were destroyed because of this attack. Still, the owners refused to pay up. "Those could have been anyone's sheep. How do we know they were yours?" You'd think the sheep being in their pasture in a highly visible, very well known spot would be enough. They're fighting paying. The two year anniversary will pass before they settle this.