Alright, a little advice (horses and dogs) please?

Question

I thought of posting this in the dog section, but then I checked it out, and they kinda scare me over there. Lol. So I'm hoping you amazing people here in the horse section could help me out some.

Here's the deal. My boyfriend's neighbor has two dogs, I don't know what they are, but they're small. For the past, oh, 6-8 months, they've been coming into his yard, digging holes, pooping, just making a mess. Oh, and humping his dog. He has asked the neighbors numerous times to keep their dogs in their own yard, and they have yet to do it. They'll be outside, watch their dog climb through the fence and chase us on our horses, and do nothing. Yet, if his dog goes NEAR the fence while in her own yard (she does NOT leave that yard, unless she's on a leash) they start screaming about how he needs to keep her in the yard. I don't know if they chase the horses in the pasture, but I know they do it while we're riding. And today, one came over and bit his mom. While she was sitting on her own back porch, where that dog should not have been.

So my question is this: If he (or his mom, or one of his sisters) were to shoot one of the dogs, how much trouble could they potentially get in? The dogs are coming in their yard, terrorizing them, their dog, possibly the horses... Or, if they got in with the horses, and mine happened to kill one (she HATES dogs, and if one is near her she goes after it), could my boyfriend or I get in trouble over that?

Oh, and any advice on dealing with the neighbors dogs (besides shooting them) would be appreciated.


Oh, and if that isn't a legitimate enough horse question:: Why did you choose the discipline of riding you chose?

Answer 1

In the united states, it is 100% legal to shoot those dogs as long as it is legal to discharge firearms in that area (if you're within city limits you can't usually... check local laws on gun discharge). If it's legal for you to shoot a tin can, it is legal for you to shoot a dog terrorizing your livestock. Hell, technically you can shoot them the second they step onto your property regardless of whether they're doing anything wrong or not. As long as their death is humane (ie, you aren't doing it for fun and they don't suffer needlessly) it is legal. The USA protects farmowners and allows them to take action against dogs.



My advice, other than shooting them? I'm probably not the best one to ask since I think you SHOULD shoot them, lol. But buy bear spray. It's like pepper spray, but meant for repelling bears so it's a lot nastier. It's bright orange and smells awful. Whenever you see the dogs on your property, spray them with that foul smelling sticky mess. That will send them home screaming and it should give their owners a clue that their dogs are not welcome. You are also legally allowed to pack them up in your truck and drop them off at the animal shelter.



Those dogs might be small, but they can still kill your horses. All it takes is one spook for your horse to run full-speed through the fence.

Answer 2

Is it a full moon or what around here? Tempers sure are heated on Answers today! Anyways, lol I have had the same problem. I wouldn't suggest shooting there dogs with a gun (though and can be so temping...) because when guns get involved who knows what they could do, they are obviously like prejudice against you so you don't wanna give them a reason to shoot your horses or something because then you would of course have to shoot them.. lol. I have a sling shot, the kind you put on your arm also knows as a "wrist rocket". Go to the auto section and get some 1/4 or 1/2inch ball bearings. They are heavy, fast and accurate. I can guarantee you, it will only take once of getting popped real good and they won't come around any more. Try not to aim for the head because you really could kill them. But if your trying to get rid of them without killing them, this is the way to go. There are a lot of stray dogs where I live and we keep ours next to the front window. lol Yeah, were rednecks... but I hate to pull out the 30-30 on a neighbor's dog. Mostly because I feel bad for the dogs, it's not there fault there owners aren't responsible, but there still not gonna be my problem either.... lol. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

If you want to prove it for sure, put up a small video camera of the yard. Call the authorities and force them by law to keep their dogs in their yard. That is rediculous that they are such jerks! But don't let your boyfriend shoot the dog! That will get you guys into trouble and be counter productive.

I know because I was on the other side of the fence. When I lived on 10 acres and my neighbors were my cousins, my dog had free range of like 16-20 acres total. Well once she ran off (not a normal thing) and was in these woods near by. But she was only gone for maybe an hour. Then these 2 hunters showed up at our door and threatened to shoot her if they ever saw her again. Well, my dad was going to call the cops if they ever touched my dog.

Answer 4

Laws vary from state to state, and while your property rights are important, there is also the lives of these animals to consider.



When a dog bites, in most states, it is considered viscious. You do have the legal right to shoot a dog that comes on your property and bites someone. Especially if there are children around, either living there or visiting often.



However, I feel the correct thing to do is to go to the hospital immediately, after any real bite. If the dogs run loose, what are the chances they've had their shots? The doctors at the hospital will probably call police immediately to report a dog bite. After that, the cops will make sure the dog is properly licensed and vaccinated. If not, they may shoot it on site or remove the dog, depending on the severity of the bite and the type of dog, (and the cop's mood.)



At any rate, your neighbor learns an important lesson, you are taken care of in a healthy way, and YOU don't get in any trouble for discharging a firearm in city limits.



And, I didn't really choose to ride english. It was the syle available to me when I started, and I fell in love with it immediately.

Answer 5

I'm gonna take it your an american in a foreign country from your comments.



If it were me. I would do a few things. 1 would be call the cops or local animal control what rules there are for dogs. Your city or town hall should be able to help you with that.

2..reinforce the fence between you and them. fill in holes maybe even invest in a string of electric wire and a charger to deter them.

3...if you find no help.. play stupid. next time they appear on your place, get them in the car and turn them in to a shelter as strays..



I know here in the states, where I live it is perfectly legal to shoot any dog found chasing livestock ( horses included) And no you dont get introuble for it if your horse kills any animal chasing or harassing it on your Property or while you are riding it.

Answer 6

Wow, drama.

In the US there are "leash laws" (dogs are to be on a leash at all times unless contained in their own fenced yard, applies to cats too, go figure?) You are within your rights to get a live trap, catch the trespassing dogs, and take them to the Humane Society (SPCA, RSPCA, whatever it's called where you are.) As mentioned you can report the people to the proper authorities.



As for them chasing you while riding, simply turn your horse around and walk towards the dog. Yes, it really works. Repeat as necessary...hoping your horse will kick the little buggar's head in...oops?

Answer 7

The dogs are harassing you and endangering you on your own property so yeas, technically you are allowed to shoot them, but that probably wouldn't be the best idea. You should call Animal Control and/or the police. I'm not sure you could get into trouble for your horse killing the dog, you might but I doubt it, considering the whole horses are prey animals and dogs are predators. But yes, I would call Animal Control because those dogs are dangerous to people and to horses. We used to have a problem like that until my horse kicked one of the dogs. After than they refused to go anywhere near our fence-line.

Answer 8

Are you serious? You can't just kill a dog because it comes on your yard!! I own three English Springer Spaniels and one of them happens to wander the block, she is 16 deaf and about half blind and there is no way to break her of the habit. My neighbours are completely fine with her walking around and know that we can't do anything about it because she has been doing it for 16 years, she never crosses the streets around us she just walks around the block and sometimes through people's yards. I should add that my other two dogs age 6 and 3 NEVER leave the yard and we even get comments asking if we have an invisible fence system because our front yard is not fenced and we live on a highway. Morale of my own tale is that as a neighbour you can't just walk out and shoot someones dog, think about it... would you want someone to do that to YOUR dog??



What you can do would be call animal control, and let them know that these dogs are threatening you and are dangerous. But seriously...if they are the yappy little rat sized dogs they really aren't going to kill you by any means. But I am almost certain you can report them as a nuisance because they are leaving the yard. When you say they bit your BF's mom, are you talking about a threatening bite with a growl or a playful nip on the finger because that should make a difference when you are reporting.



Other than that the only other thing you can do is teach it some manners. If you have a well broke horse that isn't skittish around dogs (mares usually work best because they will nip the dog for being infront of them) I would spin around when the dog is chasing and trot strongly towards it, if it doesn't move out of he way, that's its fault. Letting the horse have it's head works well too as long as the dog won't try and bite your horse. If the dog is annoying you when you are walking around ignore it and keep walking if it goes infront of you keep walking. Every dog is smart, they just need boundaries set. I am pretty sure you could probably teach them yourselves to stay off your property by making it unpleasant to be over there by commanding it to return to it's yard. They are probably not used to commands and will rather go back to their spoiled lives on the other side.

Answer 9

It depends where you live.

I lived in South Florida briefly, and once a dog bites someone 1 single time or shows any aggression to anyone, it gets put down-so I'd call animal control. Now, I live in rural rural Alabama, and no one cares. I don't even think there is an animal control around here. I see people shooting other people's dogs all the time for no reason. It's a big problem for hog hunters who hunt with dogs. If a dog is on your property up here, you just shoot it. I've never shot a dog up here, and don't plan to unless it where to attack myself, my dad, my dogs, my horses or any of my livestock. If there out, you can call animal control and have them pick up 'stray' dogs.



Also, it's illegal to discharge a firearm within city limits.

Answer 10

HHMMM....it's called the 'Make my day law'!!!!

lol, i dont really know if it is in effect for dogs aswell...but I'm assuming that it is.

Anyways, I don't think that killing dogs is the first thing that you're just dieing to do!

definately call the police, or animal control.

You can gte your neighbors in alot of trouble...especially if you've repeatedly asked them to keep the animal on their own property. Because I'm sure you're more mad at the ownser then the actual dog...am I right?

Hope this helps!

haha yeah, I like the horse people we have over here too! :D

~sg~

Answer 11

Call the cops. Or Animal Control.

This definitely needs legal documentation, that way if one of those dogs hurt someone or a horse, you can sue. If you get the cops or animal control involved, the neighbors might start taking you seriously.

Answer 12

First of all, about the dog section - MOST of them are WONDERFUL!!! A lot of my contacts are dog section regulars - they really are a SMART bunch and have taught me A LOT!!! Like any section there are some loonies, but the dog section as a whole is not scary. Mostly the people who ask "My teacup Yorkipoo has diarrhea!" - THEY are the psychos in that section!!!



Ok SO:



If one of his animals kills one of his neighbor's animals, it is NOT his fault, because his neighbor's dogs were on HIS property, but legally, it could get sticky.



They need to call animal control or the police to "talk" to his neighbors about their irresponsibility.



EDIT: Omg I know what you mean lol.

Answer 13

what ever you do dont shoot them, you can land yourself in a hell of a lot of trouble. call animal control over. and if you horse kicks it to bad i dont think yu can get in trouble for that. also if there is anyway to contain the dogs on you property try that. at least that way you can show the owners that they can be contained and you are not afraid to take action........hope it helps im in australia so i am not familiar with american law

Answer 14

LOL!!! yes, your one smart cookie not to go in that section.



im no expert but i would imagine you would get fined.



as for your other question, i just do trail riding, i did gymnastics, started out for fun and it became like work, i was there 16+ hours a week not even having fun. i want horses to be a fun hobby, i dont want to become all serious about it, it takes away the joy of being with them. im not saying EVERYONE who shows are not having fun, its just not for me.

Answer 15

This REALLY interests me for some reason. LOL I am with most of the above, get a live trap turn them into your local SPCA. Please email me with the results. Intriguing, intriguing.

Answer 16

If you shoot a dog because of a bad owner, yes you could be liable legally, but you would also be a very bad human.



Yes, do call animal control. That's what their job is.

Answer 17

think you need to call animal control and ask them.

on your property and causing damage i would say you are in your right but i'm not a lawyer.

think i have more control of horse bareback.

Answer 18

My answer would be to take the SSS route.

Shoot

Shovel

Shut up.