Loose country dog

A family down the road has a pit bull, probably 9-10 months old. He's a
great dog - people-friendly, not dog aggressive (or maybe not yet). They
bicycle down the road, and the dog follows them. Gets to our place, the dog
makes a turn and harasses my purebred chickens. They're penned, but not

Michael A. Ball...

I raised Rhode Island Reds, as a boy in 4-H. I wouldn't have stood for
such harassment. Because laws differ greatly, there's no telling what
your options are, but I'm certain you have the right to protect what's
yours.

Considering your description of this dog, I hope you can avoid harming
him. Here, you could capture the dog and have animal control pick it up
or take it to the animal shelter, yourself. Without video, or an animal
control officer seeing the dog harassing the chickens, you won't have a
case, in court.

In my opinion, it is already time for you to get serious about this
problem. Make sure of your rights, regarding capturing this dog--on your
property--and let animal control handle it from there.

NOTE: some shelters *Never* make pit bulls available for adoption,
regardless of how nice they are. If that's the case where you live,
please, don't let the dog go there. Gather your video/photographic
evidence and get animal control to cite them into court. You will have
to appear with animal control.

Another approach: after the family has gone just out of sight, fire one
or two shots into the ground. Then run to the road and ask if the dog is
hurt bad. They probably won't know what you're talking about; so, you
have to tell them that you took a couple of shots at their dog; and
because he yelped, you thought he might be dead. (Do not take your gun
to the road.) If the care about the dog any at all, that ought to shake
them up!

___________________
A dog's life is too short; their only fault really.

against the determined attentions of a 65-lb dog.

I've given them a couple leashes and first requested, then demanded that
they CONTROL THEIR DOG. Patiently explained, even in the country it's the
law to keep their animal under control, their dog can legally be shot if it
enters private property containing livestock.

It happened yet again today. My dogs barking, chickens shrieking, I ran out
of the house with the gun, then saw it was that pit bull. Went out the
gate, called him, he came away from the chickens. He's a Real Good Dog.
Leashed him, put him in the truck, drove him back to his house. Chickens
were all okay; he'd just been running around the pens.

Folks, if you move to the country, control your dogs. Please. Just because
there's no leash law doesn't mean you can let 'em run everywhere.

flick 100785

Loose country dog - a gripe