Author Topic: What to do? (Read 1189 times)

HouseofCash · « **on:** April 03, 2005, 05:34:50 PM »

Okay,I live in Tn and I would guess that is it the same most places. Behind my father house there is a group of younger guys that live there and they have a ton of dogs. One of them happen to be a pit-bull and is VERY people aggressive. The dogs are in a small make-shift fence but this pit-bull can climb/jump it. The dog has no tags. Nothing on him to show he has had shots or Vacs. He has charged my self, my dad and most important my 4 year old daughter. I have had to beat the dog down with a log before but it does little to a 75-85 pound mad animal. Keep in mind this happens on my dads property. We have called the PD and animal control, but it has done nothing and While at a BBQ today with my family the dog came at my sisters 2 year old girl! I have a CCW and I was going to kill it right there, but 2 things stopped me.

1) I did not want the kids to see it. To young of minds not ready for the hunting thing.

2) I did not want to get into trouble.

So, what I'm asking is. If that dog comes on my dads property agin in a aggressive state can I shot the dog?

Thanks.
Dave.

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2005, 05:59:01 PM »

being a first time dad an having a 2 year old little girl, i would of emptyed the gun in front of them all if it came over that fence around my kid
i rather take it to court especialy after all the reports then have one hair on that little girls head get hurt

MS Hitman · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2005, 06:07:24 PM »

First off, this is not a "hunting thing". It is defense of family and one's person. I hope you filed a complaint or some form of paperwork to establish a papertrail that you have had prior problems with this dog. You would do well to ask an attorney what the laws are regarding shooting an animal that is threatening you or your family.

Now having said this, had that been my child attacked or threatened by this dog, it would have been dead just as quick as I could kill it.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2005, 06:19:42 PM »

I'd have shot it. But regardless the neighbors need to learn a lesson. They not the dog are really the problem. Get rid of one and another will likely take it's place as the neighbor is the problem. I think a Civil Suit is in order. Get a lawyer and file it.

HouseofCash · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2005, 06:44:07 PM »

Hitman. Yes you are right. I worded it wrong. Thank you for pointing that ou to me.

Also, yes I have a paper trail and it is on file with the GPD. Yes I do need to speek with a pro on this one. I will start making calls in the morrning.

I'll keep every one updated.

Dave.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 04, 2005, 01:59:28 AM »

I would of shot it the first time. No questions asked.

wyote · « **Reply #6 on:** April 04, 2005, 03:45:17 AM »

I would have shot it! If you need an excuse.....how about self defense!

jhalcott · « **Reply #7 on:** April 04, 2005, 06:09:36 AM »

I had a farmer friend who had a similar problem with a neighbors dogs.
He asked me to shoot them IF I saw them harrassing his cows. He had called the police on several occasions with no results.The cops told him to "try to keep the cows out of the fields in the evening" .I discovered that dogs make fairly good fertilizer.
If my daughter or grand daughter was in danger of the dog AND I had warned the owner on several occasions I'd take my chances with the courts.! IF no one witnessed my actions ,I'd bury the mutt and forget about it. Better than sitting in a hospital praying for the kid, IMHO!

44 Man · « **Reply #8 on:** April 04, 2005, 06:48:17 AM »

We have a saying here in central Michigan. Shoot. Shovel. And shut up! It seems to work. As for not wanting to shoot it in front of the kids. I think the impression they would be left with is that they could count on you to protect them no matter what. That's not a bad thing. 44 Man

myronman3 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 04, 2005, 12:03:20 PM »

1 establish a paper trail. hound the law enforement in your area if you must. a talk with the police chief seems to be in order. maybe even have your lawyer talk with them.

2. if it comes on your property toward anyone (especially a child), smoke it.

3.

Quote

Get rid of one and another will likely take it's place as the neighbor is the problem. I think a Civil Suit is in order. Get a lawyer and file it.

4. if you have to shoot it, dont plea to nothing. make them take you to trial. there isnt a jury in the nation that would convict you of shooting a PIT BULL on your property coming after a child (see the replies above) their reputation speaks for itself, and the type of people who sit jury duty have no empathy for them. get a lawyer now, before it goes any further.

use your head, good luck. these can be very stressful and unpleasent circumstances. i will pray for a good outcome for your family.

HouseofCash · « **Reply #10 on:** April 04, 2005, 12:07:30 PM »

Well I did make some calls this afternoon with not much luck. I talked to my Familys lawer and after going into 45 min. of detail, he told me that because the dog has never done physical harm, there is nothing that can be done in a court that would be hard core anuff to win or worth the trouble.

I was able to find out that the guys that own the dog have had tickets gave to them in the past for no tags, I do not know if that has been fixed or not. I have never seen tags on the dog.

So, since there is nothing I can do about a dog that has not put me in the hospital or my family. I have to waite.

Well, I have 2 choses.

1)waite till some one gets hurt.
or
2)Just handle the dog my self one night when it is out in the fence.

Dave.

Gregory · « **Reply #11 on:** April 04, 2005, 12:50:26 PM »

Dave

I've had problems in the past with neighbors who would not keep their two aggressive dogs off of my property. This was in a town with a leash law. Animal control was no help, talking to the neighbor was no help. I eventually dealt with one of the dogs in my backyard with a 22. The dog survived but the neighbors decided to move. End of my problem.

I'd recommend you deal with the dog with as few witnesses as possible, you've tried to do it through the system.

AfricanHandgunner · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2005, 02:02:26 PM »

Dave, I understand the fix you are in!! A dose of Strychnine Nitrate in a wad of hamburger tossed over the fence will fix your problem once and for all. I doubt the dog's owners would go through the expense of a necropsy to find out what killed the mutt. This brings up another point that I'd like to get off my chest- Why do people keep pit bulls in the first place?

My daughter volunteers for the local animal shelter, and when they get ANY pit bull, it is immediately euthenized. I personally think every pit bull in this country should have the same fate!! They are an EXTREMELY unstable and dangerous animal. Good luck and keep us posted.

Lawdog · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2005, 02:31:35 PM »

Dave,

This may sound a bit off beat for an LEO(retired) but kids or no that dog would have died the first time it threatened my kid. Why isnt it dead already? Lawdog

Bim · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2005, 02:37:49 PM »

SSS shoot, shovel, shut up! I would plan that dog's demise. The less people that know the better off you are. Tell no one! I would leave no evidence, unless it was going after one of mine, then I guess you can't help it.

Hooker · « **Reply #15 on:** April 04, 2005, 03:01:32 PM »

I once beat a neighbors dog to death with my bare hands for trying to bite my mama. I had talked to the owner about the dog when my mama told me the dog had been chasing her and she was afraid to go out side. Two days later I happened to pull in her drive as the dog had her cornered on the porch. With no weapon I just jumped on the dog, a large Chow mix and beat it with my fist. The neighbor threw a fit and called police he got real quiet when explained to him would have happened if the dog had actually harmed my mama. And the police explained that I had the right to defend my family.

In your situation I'd wait untill the dog came back in your dad's yard and shoot it. The dog does'nt have to harm anyone you only have to prove you were in fear for your life or that of your family.

Pat

TScottO · « **Reply #16 on:** April 04, 2005, 04:11:07 PM »

What dog? Has anyone seen a dog? Beats me, I haven't see a dog around these parts.

myronman3 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 04, 2005, 04:32:13 PM »

Quote from: TScottO

What dog? Has anyone seen a dog? Beats me, I haven't see a dog around these parts.

yeah, aint seen no dog. too bad, i love dogs. but nope, aint seen no dog. leave me your number, i will call if i see anything. :wink:

Quote

A dose of Strychnine Nitrate in a wad of hamburger tossed over the fence will fix your problem once and for all.

anti freeze is a whole lot easier to come by.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #18 on:** April 04, 2005, 05:43:26 PM »

yeah, I would kill the dog.

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #19 on:** April 05, 2005, 05:59:15 AM »

Maybe since spring is coming, it is time for your dad to change his radiator fluid??? Kinda' be a shame if he accidently left the antifreeze sitting out for awhile....

Jim

hunt4570 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 05, 2005, 07:07:57 AM »

No question...FIRST time a dog threatens anyone or thing(human or animal) on MY land it is dead,end of discussion.SGB

S.S. · « **Reply #21 on:** April 05, 2005, 07:28:38 AM »

We use feral dogs to fill in stump holes in our woods.
No kidding. In a situation like yours, I would simply eliminate
the dog and just don't tell anyone about it.
Word of advice, Kill it outright, You do not want it
to make it home with a bullet hole in it. Then it will be your
word against their's as to where it was when you shot it.

rockbilly · « **Reply #22 on:** April 05, 2005, 03:23:31 PM »

I* with GB on this one. I had a simular problem while living in Louisiana several years ago. Two bad dogs got out about the same time my son was getting off the school bus. He and another kid got bit. After taking him to the doctor I went up and knocked on the front door, I ask, "Has the dog had it's rabies shot?". The old gal that owned them told me it was none of my business. That was all it took, I called LEO and animal control and had the dogs locked up for 14 days under a vets care. They came back clean so the owner came to my house and insisted I pay the bills. I told her if she had answered my question, and told me the dogs had their shots it would have never happened, and there would be no bills, I didn't pay. That set her off, every day for the next three weeks she tried to sic the dogs on my kids. I had to take off work, go home, get my gun and meet the kids at the school bus. After a while, and some legal action things didn't get much better. Finally, I went to the folks and talked to the man and wife, I promised them that if my kid got bit again I was coming after them, no questions asked, and would kill the dogs in the process. Thing cooled off in a hurry.

Bottom line, an idiot can own a dog, if the dog is mean, you have a double threat. Do what ever you have to do to protect your family. If you can't shoot or find another way, a little anti-freeze on some dog food will make a good dog out of the worst one.

S.B. · « **Reply #23 on:** April 13, 2005, 06:28:52 PM »

Do yourself a favor and get a 330 conibear and a large bucket to set it in. Do it on your fathers property, use what ever will attract the dog, for bait. Chain it off to something solid, that the dog can't drag away or pull loose. Quick, quiet, and sure. He won't pull out of this thing. Get a shovel and bury that thing before someone of your affection is bitten or hurt badly. They make good fertilizer in the garden? The young toughs(usually no shirt, tattoos, hat turned backwards) in my neighborhood like to leash their pit bulls past where my Brittany is chained, to relieve himself, and alow them to charge at him. I started cleaning my pistols on the tailgate of my truck with the garage door open and a loaded .45 laying near. They lost interest in my yard? I like dogs but, will not tolerate the fighting dogs near kids!

Do you know why most coyote hunters carry a folding hunter Buck knife, to cut the collars off the coyotes?, think about this?

rider · « **Reply #24 on:** April 14, 2005, 09:57:29 AM »

First thing I would do is delete this post so there is no evidence. Next I would kill the dog the next time it crossed the fence line. Just say it was going after an animal on your land.

sawfish · « **Reply #25 on:** April 14, 2005, 12:32:40 PM »

:roll: In your initial post, you mentioned there was a group of young guys living in the house. Have you checked to see if they are owners, or renters ? If they are renting the property, a stern letter to the landlord pointing out that his tenants actions constitute a nuisance might be the best and cheapest solution. I am sure the family law attorney could draft the letter for you.

Dog bite laws vary greatly from state to state. In some states, a dog must actually break the skin with his teeth before it is legally considered a dog bite. Other states will consider it a dog bite if the dog grabs the clothing of the person. There is a trend in some states to consider the threatening actions of a vicious dog a "dog attack". Even if there was no contact. However, this concept is more likely to be applied if the victim falls i.e. an elderly person, or child, running from a threatening dog.

Ask the police if there have been any previous complaints and get copies. If you live in an area with a Homeowners Association, complaints are sometimes filed with the association. Ask the neighbors. If it comes to the point where the dog has to be shot (last resort), you need to be as prepared as possible.

There is nothing to stop the owner from filing suit against you if you shoot the dog. If there are children at the "dog house", the jury will be very sympathetic to a child sobbing about the mean man who shot my little dog.
Especially, if there are no previous documented complaints, or injuries. Irrespective of the fact that it is a pit bull. I think it would be best if you explore the possibility of influence by the landlord. Good luck.

S.B. · « **Reply #26 on:** April 14, 2005, 03:00:47 PM »

sawfish, Your reply sounds like lawyer talk. The main thing here is to protect your family and yourself! Get rid of the dog. If you get the police involved, your never going to hear the end of this, neither is your bank account? Lawyers and court hearing cost considerably, and then there is SPCA and PETA and other do gooders to contend with. A single round from an appropriate gun costs what? a dollar? tops? And a local beaver trapper would probably loan you a 330 to trap this mutt, these things don't do the local game population any good either, when they run loose.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #27 on:** April 14, 2005, 04:11:32 PM »

I think 44man and lawdog has the right idea. Seems to me the neighbor needs a lesson in friendly neighbor relations. The dog should have all ready been taken care of. The price of a child is to high to take chances. Thats my opinion..........Joe.........

Questor · « **Reply #28 on:** April 14, 2005, 04:20:14 PM »

I hope you have some documentation from the police visits that says they did nothing. That will be helpful in court. Obviously the police are useless in this case, so you need to go to court with it. Start with a cease and desist order, then get some money for your trouble. You can't afford to wait. Do it today.