What Are Your Opinions On This?

[Sophist]

I don't think the grandmother being in charge is an excuse. I would never leave my pet in the care of someone who didn't know under what circumstances they were allowed outside (supervised in the fence, or on a leash) and wouldn't follow them to the letter. An owners accountability is a constant thing, not just something that exists when convenient or when they are at home.

I think it is wrong that the police have filed charges that go against the statutes mentioned in the first article. By all means, nail his butt to the wall for the DUI, but don't charge him for something else as well just because there is media pressure.

[elizabethann]

Channel 9 just reported you got a puppy?

If my dog went on somebody's private property and I was told to stay off, I'd do everything in my power (fenced in yard, run for the dog, leash the dog & walk it) to make sure that dog stayed off that person's property. I'd also make sure that the person dog sitting knew the dog was to stay on a leash or run until a fence was put up.

Perhaps the news I am seeing/reading is not reporting the whole story. Perhaps there is more to what they are reporting. But I am basing my opinions on what is being reported on the news.

Did that guy have chickens? Was your dog harassing them? You don't have to answer.

I am very sorry about your dog....believe me when I say that. And by what I'm hearing, the guy who killed your dog was a complete loser and I hope he does time for driving while intoxicated. However, it is YOUR responsiblity as that dogs guardian to protect it.

Just my .02 cents. Do with it what you will. Best of luck with your new puppy. I hope you get a fence up real quick.

[LilacDragon]

That is why I just love this board.

Less then a month ago, a majority of posters had nothing but harsh words for the gentleman that shot the loose dog in his yard because he claimed he was protecting his child and didn't know that the dog was a police dog.

But today, it is ok to shoot the loose dog to protect some chickens.

I must have missed something somewhere.

[Lady's Human]

The person who shot the police dog was "protecting" his son from the dog........but the son was in the car, and the dog was from all accounts not making threatening gestures. HOWEVER.......several posters made statements concerning the handler's lack of responsibility in letting the dog run loose.

In cases where a dog is harassing livestock, it is perfectly legal for the farmer to shoot the dog in most states, and it should be, otherwise farmers would be loosing their livelihood in some cases.

I live in a rural area. If Lady were to get loose and go after the horses down the hill form us, the owner would be well within his rights to shoot her as a nuisance dog. They are race horses, and are his livelihood. I would be upset, but I would be more upset with myself for letting the situation occur than I would be with our neighbor.

[elizabethann]

That is why I just love this board.

Less then a month ago, a majority of posters had nothing but harsh words for the gentleman that shot the loose dog in his yard because he claimed he was protecting his child and didn't know that the dog was a police dog.

But today, it is ok to shoot the loose dog to protect some chickens.

I must have missed something somewhere.

I remember that thread. I believe I posted RIP Flip just like I posted RIP Penny here on this thread.

What I'm feeling is frustration that the owner didn't do enough to protect their dog. I know not to let Fenway out in my yard because I know he'll get flattened by a vehicle. So in the dead of winter when we actually have snow and it's actually 10 degrees below zero or it's 3am in the morning & he has to do his business, I pile on the clothes and the boots, hook him up to his leash & walk him. Heck I'd love to throw open the door so he can do his business without me having to go out with him. But I know I can't. I know he is my responsibility and I need to protect him.

Again, all of my comments are on what I'm hearing on the news. From what it sounds like, there's more to what's being said.

[critter crazy]

I have to say that An owner needs to keep their dog on their property, for the dogs safety as well as others. But I also have to say, that I have chickens, and have had dogs come onto my property. None so far have hurt my chickens but thye have chased them. I could never Hurt a dog, for chasing my chickens, or killing one for that matter! I would definitely be upset, and would confront the dogs owner, but i couldnt shoot it!! Heck last summer, my own dog killed one of my chickens, i sure as heck didnt shoot my own dog!! I had a dog in my yard yesterday, I had never seen this dog beore, but not ten minutes went by before the owner was there to collect his dog. He was upset that the dog got out, and was even more upset at the thought that the dog might hurt one of my birds. We are surounded by dogs, and sometimes they get loose, but crap happens. Heck i will admit that my dog has escaped his yard a couple of times.

If the dog was bothering this gentle man, he could have just called animal control to come and get it. Simple as that! There was no need to shoot penny.

[CathyBogart]

My parents have a dog who likes to escape and run around the neighborhod too, and you know what? She is NEVER allowed outdoors unattended (Or offlead for that matter), because the backyard fence does not prevent her from getting into the neighbor's yards. It is simply being a responsible pet owner.

I am sorry for your loss, but if he had already complained to the police about the dog being on his property you had plenty of warning. No doubt he could have handled the situation without killing the dog, but I still think the fault lies with the owners who knowingly allowed the dog to run loose.

[wolflady]

I have mixed feelings about this situation, but it sure does seem to me that he was a little too extreme in his actions. If people can simply shoot a dog that's not posing a threat, that means anyone can shoot any dog at any time for no reason. That's kind of scary, IMO. People like this man have too much pent up rage, and not to mention owning guns....it's just scary. People make mistakes. Dogs can get loose accidentally, and when there's other factors in play like someone else watching your dog, little kids...etc, I can honestly see how something like that can happen.

My sister lives on 18 acres in the country, and I agree with Penny's Owner, that it is typical for dogs to be roaming. I'm not saying that I agree with that, because I'm a strong believer of keeping dogs inside/or in a yard with a fence, but I can also see how accidents can happen. One of my sister's dogs got out of their fenced yard, and got hit by a car.

Personally, I think this man should be charged for the DUI and also for animal cruelty. If Penny wasn't doing anything threatening to him or his chickens, then his actions were way over the top. Allowing people to simply shoot animals in their yard is scary. I just don't agree with that, unless you're being attacked or are in danger and need to protect yourself.

[Sophist]

Whether or not it is common practice to let dogs run wild there, it is still unsafe and illegal. Just because it is a popular thing to do does not mean it is the right thing to do, and having other large dogs running loose certainly didn't make it any safer for Penny to be running loose.


I am genuinely curious to know the forensic and ballistics expertise of your animal cruelty 'expert'. Maybe it is just me, but I am always extra-untrusting of anonymous authoritative sources. It really wouldn't take an exceptionally powerful and large caliber weapon to make a real mess out of a small breed dog's body. Even then, I am sure that what you had to face with Penny's body (assuming you are actually the owner, that is) was horrid and highly upsetting, but even your 'expert' says it was not something that would legally qualify as torture or mutilation, which they pretty much needed for the felony arrest.

It is a very sad situation, and all sad situations have lots of extenuating circumstances and justifications and excuses that can be made... but you knew there was a problem for at LEAST a month, and you just waited until it cost Penny her life. Right or wrong, that IS what you chose and did. You knew he had a problem with Penny being an annoyance, you knew she was running rampant, and you did not fix the problem for more than a month. You say you are working on a remedy now... after the 'lesson learned', but after already bringing a new pup home. I suppose that is good, but it is still a little worrisome.

I really do feel for you. What an awful way to lose a dog, and I can think of very few things that I would hate to do more than have to tell two little ones their pet was gone, especially this time of year... but it concerns me that you have another dog already and don't seem to be accepting any responsibility here. Your neighbor is a monster, your mother is negligent, all your other neighbors are just as bad about their dogs, and so on... all I can say is that you have a huge responsibility for your new puppy. You, not your mother or anyone who happens to live nearby, are responsible for this puppy. Please keep him or her safe and contained and under control.