What to do when you can't shoot dogs?

ThisLittlePiggy · #1 10/08/10, 08:17 AM

I hate to consider this but what are the legal options other than shooting a dog for going after livestock? Are traps / poisons legal? I know they are cruel but I am desperate. I've shot dogs before but where we have moved to I just can't do it due to the way the neighborhood is laid out. There is just not a good shot - cow pen on one side, houses all around the other sides. My husband could do it but he has to be away a lot right now and I’m afraid I will miss or the bullet might go through and hurt someone. I've called the police they say to shoot the dogs or take her to court. I’ve taken the owner to court and she just ignored the judge. She keeps adding large uncontrollable rescue dogs and letting them run loose. There is no leash law here. The only time I can get them to come close enough to get a good shot at them without endangering either someone else’s livestock or family is when I take my baby out in her stroller and then it is because they try to attack her so that isn’t an option.

I’ve warned the owner that her dogs were going after my dairy goats and I would have to shoot them if she didn’t keep them up. She said she would but the letter she wrote sounded almost like a threat that things would escalate. It was the sort of letter that could be taken two ways and I tried to take it in the best light but 2 days later someone gave my goats a “treat” – a gallon can of baked beans were thrown into the pen – my poor darlings all died of bloat. I can’t prove anything but you and I both know what happened. As soon as we hauled the dead goats to the dump, the dogs were back and after my piglets only now she has added a Rottweiler to the pack. This woman is just not right in the head – she maced our 88 year old neighbor for chasing them out of his garden – he had a heart condition which she knew about so obviously she is a little irrational about these dogs so no matter what I do there will be trouble. I have no idea what to do.

Please don’t suggest better fencing as this is not just about the fear of their getting in the pens. I am afraid for my baby. If my husband is away I have to take the baby with me when I feed the animals because I don’t want to leave her alone in the house. I am stuck in a back brace at the moment I have to put her in the stroller to do this. One time when she cried they went after her so badly that I had to beat them off with a tree branch. I am now afraid to take her out walking or anything else. I feel like I am living under siege. They are at it day and night. I can't sleep. I'm so tired and stressed it is really making me nuts.

fishhead · #2 10/08/10, 08:32 AM

Shotgun. Or you could get some pepper spray. I would practice holding the spray until you are comfortable with it and then go out and spray them down. She'll have to deal with them when they come home and that won't be any fun.

An electric fence should work well at keeping dogs out if you educate them by putting tin foil smeared in peanut butter or bacon grease on the hot wire. One shock and they won't go near it.

gone-a-milkin · #3 10/08/10, 08:34 AM

Is there a way to trap them?
Then you could safely dispose of them from the trap.

ronbre · #4 10/08/10, 08:35 AM

I would complain to animal control

starjj · #5 10/08/10, 08:38 AM

Do you have a pistol? Take it with you when you have your child out when the dogs get close shoot them. I feel bad for you. i would get video documentation and take her to court if you can't shoot them

Rocky Fields · #6 10/08/10, 08:38 AM

You obviously can't do it yourself, so pay a local trapper/hunter to handle the problem.

lamoncha lover · #7 10/08/10, 09:09 AM

The first time they attacked my child they would be outta there..one way or another.what is wrong with people?

AuntKitty · #8 10/08/10, 09:15 AM

Have you told the police they are attacking your child? I would make sure the dogs were out, get the baby in the stroller, call the police to come make a report and then when the police are coming down the street, take the stroller outside. Then if they try to attack the stroller, maybe the police will shoot them for you. I can't believe the police wouldn't do something if they are threatening humans. What a horrible situation! Good luck and be safe.

Kitty

timfromohio · #9 10/08/10, 09:18 AM

How about wasp spray? I read an article that recommended it as a self-defense tool and it would have much better range than conventional pepper spray.

Personally, I'd get close and use a pistol or shotgun with #8 target loads.

Pony · #10 10/08/10, 09:23 AM

I'm going to PM you.

Wolf mom · #11 10/08/10, 09:42 AM

Sheesh! Fence Single - double - tripple fence your property.

Perimeter fence then fence again around the goat area. Electric fence along with that.

I've got woven field fence around my 5 acres to keep out roaming dogs (and to keep mine in). Inside that, theres a fenced horse pasture, a fenced garden, a fenced chicken area, a fenced orchard (with electric wire on top & with all trees individually wrapped at the trunk due to rabbits. My shade trees are all individually field fenced until they get large enough to withstand the elk.

You can do it so it looks neat (this ol' lady did it all by herself). What it shows is that you care. And sure is a lot less stress than wondering when the next attack will come.

I can understand your hurt & anger, but sanity has to prevail.

You can never always be there 24/7. You get rid of one then another accidently gets out....

Rita · #12 10/08/10, 09:43 AM

Get the most powerful air rifle you and shoot them everytime they come near your place. We have shot stray dogs with one and believe me the feel it! IT's quiet and can't do much damage should you miss and hit something else.

jlrbhjmnc · #13 10/08/10, 10:07 AM

If I read you correctly, these dogs are attacking a BABY

.

You have taken the neighbor to court. If you have a judge's order against her the order must include some method of enforcement. I'd call the sheriff/police every time I was threatened, meaning every time one of the neighbor's dogs was on my property and/or the neighbor made a threat.

This is a very dangerous situation. Please get law enforcement involved now. Clearly and calmly explain how the dogs are attacking your BABY. Keep a written diary of when they are on your property, the damage they do and the times you cannot leave your own home for fear of them. Write it down every time. Show the court order and your diary to every law enforcement officer who comes when you call. They hear so many lies; your having a calm demeanor, a court order and a written record will usually go a long way to getting the help you need.

DWH Farm · #14 10/08/10, 10:07 AM

Probably not what you want to hear, but I would keep filing police reports.. Contact city council, mayor, etc etc.. And work on making YOUR fence dog proof. If you are already keeping pigs in I wouldnt think it would be that much harder.

I know that does not address when YOU or your child are outside the fence but if she is constantly adding to her dog "pack" and taking in more then isnt she just going to replace whatever you shoot/trap??

I can definately spympathize, we live outside city limits and frequently get dogs dumped here. Most big and hungry. We have dairy goats, pigs and chickens so it is a big concern. We have county animal control and they are NOT very helpful. I did find that after learning the "language" and educating myself on the policies (and sending a few emails to the county judge) that while they might want property owners to "deal with it" themselves it is their JOB, I pay TAXES for it and now when I call they take care of it.
sorry this is so long and sorry for your situation. I would be LIVID over the goats!

edcopp · #15 10/08/10, 10:18 AM

Call your animal control office. They need to have a complaint on file. Animal control folks now have wolf/coyote live traps available. They could bring one out and set it up to catch the offending dog(s). If they do not have such a trap, perhaps it is time they got one. Tractor supply sells them.

If all else fails buy a trap yourself, catch the dog. Then you can shoot the dog in a confined space without a lot of danger. Bury said dog. Shut up about your activities.

Repeat as often as necessary

chickenista · #16 10/08/10, 10:28 AM

A video camera is your friend here.
Tape everything!! All of it!!
Then you have proof and proof is power.

dixieland · #17 10/08/10, 10:33 AM

Where we live they are farmers and lots of cattle and goats. Neighbors dogs run loose and were killing stock. Call the game warden and also call the law. They will eitherput them down or will have to pay you the amt you are out.

nathan104 · #18 10/08/10, 10:43 AM

Get a box of super colibri 22 bullets. They carry them at walmart here. They have no gunpowder, just use the primer to fire the bullet. If you can get within 50 yards, they will work great, beyond that, they drop off fast. With those, you dont have to worry about them carrying or going through something and hitting someone. They will go through a dog within range though. They are also very quiet. They wont cycle a automatic, you have to cycle the action by hand after every shot. They are my favorite 22 round.

Wolf mom · #19 10/08/10, 10:43 AM

Doesn't matter if it's a goat or a baby - it's still her responsibility to protect it. Yes, a complaint on file is a good thing, but doesn't help when said dog(s) are running loose right now.

So, she's going to shoot near a child??

Maybe in a stroller now, what happens when the baby gets older? Ya can't keep a child strapped to your hip forever. You also can't have a child grow up with fear. Caution & understanding, yes, fear? No.

So she shoots this dog. What happens when the next one gets out from it's enclosed area and comes visiting?

Ya really need to think long range, resolve the total issue then move on.

That's why I advocate fencing.

po boy · #20 10/08/10, 10:51 AM

"I’ve taken the owner to court and she just ignored the judge."

Sounds like she is in contempt of court. File complaints until he locks her up for contempt!