Dogs at large!!!! Protecting our livestock.

[cowcreekgeeks]

This evening, I was doing chores outside so I decided to let the chickens free range for a bit. Two large dogs came running from the rental house across the road and stood in the road, fixated on the chickens. I yelled at them to go away but they stood their ground. I had my wife bring my shotgun to me and I ran down towards the road yelling at the dogs to no avail. I aimed my shotgun a couple feet away from me and pulled the trigger. The dogs ran off toward the house.

That's when I noticed the dog owner sitting on the porch. I've never seen that guy before so I'm sure he doesn't live there. I asked if the dogs were his and he stood up and staggered away from me. I asked again but he didn't answer so I let him know that if those dogs came after my livestock I WOULD kill them. He hollered back that he WOULD kill ME!

I dropped my shotgun where I stood and stepped out into the road asking him what he said. He hightailed it down the road. I started to pursue him but thought better of it and dialed 911.

Good thing I did.

He flagged down someone and told them I was trying to shoot him! That person dialed 911 also. When the deputies arrived I told them what happened. One deputy asked where the dog was so I explained that they were in the road only 15 feet away from my hens. I described how they were fixated on them and didn't flinch when I yelled at them.

He asked me to let the dogs come into my yard before I pull a trigger next time. I told him that if they were in my yard it would be too late and I wouldn't have used a warning shot.

A different deputy pulled up and told me I should have used my head. I told him I thought I had. He informed me that I could go to jail for months for discharging my firearm within 500 feet of a residence. I told him if that was the case, everyone would be in jail.

He then said that I had no proof that I wasn't shooting at someone. I told him that 1) there was a hole in my yard where I discharged the gun and 2) there wasn't a body...because if I intended to kill someone there would definitely be a body.

I told them that I was simply protecting what was mine and that I would do so again if need be.

I'm so frustrated that the deputies made me the bad guy.

[6e]

You know, honestly, it doesn't surprise me. I am really beginning to despise any sort of government or law enforcement these days. BUT at any rate, it's true here also that you are not allowed to discharge a firearm within city limits or within 300 feet of a home or something like that. That's too bad. I guess you'll have to keep the chickens penned up. Is true as long as the dogs are in the road, which is public, then you can't shoot at them.

[starjj]

First mistake was assuming that the dogs were going to go after your chickens. I am not saying they wouldn't have BUT you can't assume it.

If you had waited and they had you would have had the right to defend your livestock. I know it is the pits to have to end up with loses before you do something but you wouldn't have been the bad guy in that case.

Police could have well taken you in just based on the neighbor's say so IMO.

[TurnerHill]

Frankly, you should have been arrested. Count yourself lucky, and try to learn from the experience.

[Bearfootfarm]

I told them that I was simply protecting what was mine and that I would do so again if need be

Youre not "protecting your livestock" if the dogs arent on your property
The Deputies were trying to tell you how to do it legally, so there's no point in trying to argue with them.

I realize it's frustrating, but you came very close to ending up in jail because some dogs LOOKED at your chickens

[Jennifer L.]

Well, put yourself in the other guy's shoes for a minute. You shot a gun and threatened his dogs when the dogs were still in the road, (and apparently were ok with staying in the road while your wife went into the house to get the gun,which had to be a minute) and then when he yelled back at you, you started to chase him. He was scared enough to call 911.

If you are honest, I don't think you can call yourself completely in the right. I understand your anger, but I also understand his reaction to you. Anybody who had been yelling and shooting off a gun and then chasing me is dangerous.


Jennifer

[Cliff]

I sure wouldn't be arguing with the deputies in this case - this is assuming you gave us all the information about the encounter. Sounds like they were really on your side and telling you how to stay out of trouble in the future.
News gets around and you wouldn't want to get branded a troublemaker by your local deputies.

[cowcreekgeeks]

Jennifer... I was in my yard. I didn't go into the road until the guy threatened me...and when I did, I went unarmed.


Bearfoot...I protected my livestock by keeping the dogs away from my property. If they had set foot on the property, they would have been dead. They were fixated on my chickens...not looking at them. I know the look. I've seen it too often. It's the same look a dog has right before he tears off after the mailman.

Cliff... I told the deputies that I didn't want any trouble and that was why I called them in the first place. I deliver the mail to a couple of the deputies in the county and they know that I'm not a troublemaker...but they didn't show up.

6e...funny screen name...One of the deputies told me that I could shoot a firearm within 500 feet of a residence if I shot the dog in the act of attacking my livestock.

[Wolf mom]

Fences make good neighbors - and keep your livestock safe. Think about it.

[starjj]

Originally Posted by cowcreekgeeks

Jennifer... I was in my yard. I didn't go into the road until the guy threatened me...and when I did, I went unarmed.


Bearfoot...I protected my livestock by keeping the dogs away from my property. If they had set foot on the property, they would have been dead. They were fixated on my chickens...not looking at them. I know the look. I've seen it too often. It's the same look a dog has right before he tears off after the mailman.

Cliff... I told the deputies that I didn't want any trouble and that was why I called them in the first place. I deliver the mail to a couple of the deputies in the county and they know that I'm not a troublemaker...but they didn't show up.

6e...funny screen name...One of the deputies told me that I could shoot a firearm within 500 feet of a residence if I shot the dog in the act of attacking my livestock.

Ahhhh another person that tells a story and doesn't want to hear or listen to responses.

We told you what we think BUT it is apparent you think you are right WHY tell the story?

[cowcreekgeeks]

Originally Posted by starjj

Ahhhh another person that tells a story and doesn't want to hear or listen to responses.

We told you what we think BUT it is apparent you think you are right WHY tell the story?

I'm making some points...or counterpoints. I believe that is how discussions work. But I think you are trolling. The last time I directed a comment your way, you didn't like what I had to say to you but I'm sure you remember and you're still free to do what I suggested. That's okay...I'm not here to make friends with everyone.

[Jennifer L.]

Originally Posted by cowcreekgeeks

Jennifer... I was in my yard. I didn't go into the road until the guy threatened me...and when I did, I went unarmed.

Yes, I realized that when I wrote my first response. But the fact remains you went out there and used a gun, were angry, and then gave chase. No, you didn't have the gun when you went into the road, but it didn't matter at that point, you still were acting in a very aggressive manner.

Like I said, I understand your anger, but you would have handled it better after the verbal exchange by reiterating the dogs were not to get into your chickens and walking back to your own house.

Jennifer

[Alice In TX/MO]

Listen to the officers. You were wrong. In many ways.

[deetu]

I'm gonna ask a question in a different way.
Did the deputies check to see if the guy was living in the house legally? And was he informed that the dogs were not allowed to run at large, since they were in the street, they were no longer on his property... if in fact it was his property.
And does this man own a gun? If he's been drinking (which sounds like the case) he could be capable of anything.
Maybe before this gets any worse, you can (I know this will be hard but) write a note of apology with an explaination of doggie chicken facts.

[DQ]

you don't want to hear it but.....

I'm sure glad you're not my neighbor. the term "trigger happy" comes to mind. as well as "over reactor". kinda scary when you put those two together. my dogs look at stuff all the time. 'fixated' doesn't mean squat. it means you think they might do something. maybe if your chickens go in the road and I think they might come poop on my porch I should shoot them.

its people like you that give people who truly responsibly protect their livestock a bad name. this was not the reaction of a responsible gun owner.

it might make you angry to hear that. does it? if so you might consider why you are so angry.

it is not honorable to shoot dogs. it is sometimes a sad necessity. it really bothers me when people seem to want to take any possible opportunity to shoot them just for some selfish egotistical reason or need to feel righteous over ones neighbors and It seems that scenario abounds.

sounds to me like you are just looking for a fight.

[6e]

Originally Posted by cowcreekgeeks

Jennifer... I was in my yard. I didn't go into the road until the guy threatened me...and when I did, I went unarmed.


Bearfoot...I protected my livestock by keeping the dogs away from my property. If they had set foot on the property, they would have been dead. They were fixated on my chickens...not looking at them. I know the look. I've seen it too often. It's the same look a dog has right before he tears off after the mailman.

Cliff... I told the deputies that I didn't want any trouble and that was why I called them in the first place. I deliver the mail to a couple of the deputies in the county and they know that I'm not a troublemaker...but they didn't show up.

6e...funny screen name...One of the deputies told me that I could shoot a firearm within 500 feet of a residence if I shot the dog in the act of attacking my livestock.

I guess next time you'll just have to wait till they actually attack. Here you are not allowed to discharge a firearm period within 200 or 300 feet of a residence due to misguided bullets and so forth.
Around here, dogs on occasion come and we use firecrackers to scare them off. It usually scares them away and no harm done and no one injured accidentally. If we do have a dog coming around that is actually killing things we usually shoot it if the neighbours won't do anything about it.

I second the post about finding out if the man actually lives there. I'd sure hate to make enemies with someone that I had to live that close to.

[starjj]

Originally Posted by cowcreekgeeks

I'm making some points...or counterpoints. I believe that is how discussions work. But I think you are trolling. The last time I directed a comment your way, you didn't like what I had to say to you but I'm sure you remember and you're still free to do what I suggested. That's okay...I'm not here to make friends with everyone.

Actually I don't remember any response by you to anything I asked or commented on. I was just making a statement that a lot of people come here and tell their tale of woe and then when people point out that it is possible that they made an error in judement they don't like to hear it.

[gwhilikerz]

Uh? You call for your gun and the dogs stand there while your wife gets it? You run toward the dogs and they are still standing in the road? They don't run from you so you fire a warning shot? Then you yell at some guy and threaten to kill his dogs? He yells back at you saying he would kill you? AND YOU DROP YOU GUN AND ADVANCE TOWARD THE THREAT? I am probably going to make you go postal here (pun intended), but it sounds like you are at fault to me.

[copperkid3]

I don't have a dog in this fight (pun also intended), but might as well wade in
with my two cents worth and let the stuff hit the fan and land where it will.
From what I can tell, there were two folks at wrong at the time this tale was told.
The first was that someone was letting their dogs run at large. Might want to check
on the local ordinances and state laws relating to same. However, the dogs never came onto your land;
therefore they were not an immediate threat to you or your livestock.
I understand that there is a fine line between when they decide to move off the roadway
and when they enter onto your land and it can happen in literally seconds,
but you were wrong to discharge your shotgun; whether into the ground or otherwise
until they became an immediate threat; i.e. actually coming onto your property and biting a chicken.
Everything before that, you were entirely within your rights to do; call for the wife to bring your weapon,
but it would have been just as wise and prudent to also have her call 911 and have a deputy come by
and check on whose dogs were running loose. Everything after that could and should have been avoided......
but then you've already heard that from most everyone else on here. So I'm finished too.

[starjj]

double post