Dog in my backyard at night

[Piney]

Greetings--

If the dog in question gets close enough for you to spray him-- then this may work. One of those "super soaker" giant kids water guns, loaded with a healthy dose of ammonia and water with a touch of cayenne pepper will give the dog a painful shot in the snoot. Sprinkle cayenne pepper across his path to your yard afterwards-- he'll remember....


I always hate to hear that someone had to shoot a "pet" animal. But-- sometimes if its owners aren't concerned about the damage it has been causing.....then.....

[GrillKing]

A cat has no business roaming free.

You are as ignorant of where it roams as the dog owner is.

I'm admittedly not a cat person, but I've never been threatened by one either and don't forsee it happening, at least not to a degree that I fear for my life!!. Certainly a cat doing #2 in the yard is not the same as a Pit Bull doing a number on your pet in your yard. I think there are usually better alternatives (pepper spray, police, animal control, etc.) but when an animal is threatening you or your pet's life or proposing serious bodily harm against you or your animal, particularly on your property, I believe that the use of a firearm may be warranted.

From a previous post of mine on this topic:

I want to be very clear: I'm not advocating killling a dog just because it attacked, is about to attack or has killed another animal. Obviously a small dog that attacks a loose chicken is not the same as a large, ferocious dog that attacks a child, but the law apparently does provide for legal response to dog attacks on other animals. I couldn't find anything related directly to attacks on humans by dogs, but personally I would apply the same reasoning as I would with human on human. If an animal threatens imminent bodily harm, can't retreat, etc., I would use the force required to stop the threat or allow retreat. No more. Depending on the dog (size, ferocity, already attacking, inability to stop the threat w/o deadly force, etc.), that could include deadly force. Hopefully that never happens....

From the Health and Safety Code (Texas)

§ 822.013. DOGS OR COYOTES THAT ATTACK ANIMALS. (a) A dog
or coyote that is attacking, is about to attack, or has recently
attacked livestock, domestic animals, or fowls may be killed by:
(1) any person witnessing the attack; or
(2) the attacked animal's owner or a person acting on
behalf of the owner if the owner or person has knowledge of the
attack.
(b) A person who kills a dog or coyote as provided by this
section is not liable for damages to the owner, keeper, or person in
control of the dog or coyote.
(c) A person who discovers on the person's property a dog or
coyote known or suspected of having killed livestock, domestic
animals, or fowls may detain or impound the dog or coyote and return
it to its owner or deliver the dog or coyote to the local animal
control authority. The owner of the dog or coyote is liable for all
costs incurred in the capture and care of the dog or coyote and all
damage done by the dog or coyote.
(d) The owner, keeper, or person in control of a dog or
coyote that is known to have attacked livestock, domestic animals,
or fowls shall control the dog or coyote in a manner approved by the
local animal control authority.
(e) A person is not required to acquire a hunting license
under Section 42.002, Parks and Wildlife Code, to kill a dog or
coyote under this section.

[TxBlonde]

This dog goes into my neighbors yard and harasses her dog also. And I have children. They do play outside when it starts turning dusk. I DO NOT want to have to use deadly force at all. I can discharge in the city limits for self defense purposes. My cat is an inside outside cat. And stays in my yard when outside. Your normal Lazy cat.


Should I keep my kids inside away from there toys in MY yard of this irressponsible owner. The answer is no. I have called the dog catcher on this dog more than once. he caught it and the owners had to go pick it up. It was jumping the fence. The now have an electrical fence up, But now will let it out.The dog was standing on MY porch Grawling at Me.

I will not be a prisoner in my own home. They want to keep an aggersive dog, they should have to build the 6 foot privacy fence. I have a fence. I just need to get a gate to go across my back driveway.

I am not trying to be rude or hateful. I am a lawabiding citizen.

[jbirds1210]

I am not trying to be rude or hateful. I am a lawabiding citizen.

I do not think your expectations are rude or hateful. It is your yard and you have a right to be safe in it. I have to agree with many of the other folks and say that it is not really the dogs fault, but the owners. Unfortunately the dog gets all of the blame! I hope this works out for you....no matter what it sounds like a battle brewing in the neighborhood...no matter what you decide.
Jason

[Photoman]

I would never use lethal force on an animal unless my life or the life of another human was endangered.

It sounds like you need to work on perimeter control. Remember, if a dog can get in your back yard that easy, just think how easy it is for a BG to get in.

[AV8R]

I would never use lethal force on an animal unless my life or the life of another human was endangered.

Well, maybe you could just bite him on the leg, or something.

[TxFire]

I am a dog lover through and through and truly believe it is the OWNER not the DOG that is truly at fault. But I would not hesitate to use force up to and including deadly force to protect my family, including my two German Shepherds and one cat if neccessary. I have used a BB gun to ward off a neighbors Pit Bull that was loose w/ other dogs. At that time I was not a CHL nor fully aware of options available to me. I was also not in a position that needed the use of further force.

[Crossfire]

Not too long ago, I also had a problem with my neighbor's dog getting into my yard and harassing my little weiner dog.

I talked with the neighbors several times, but they never seemed to understand how serious I was that something bad would happen to their dog if it continued.

Then I got a paintball gun. Next time it got in my yard, I blasted it. Paintballs sting pretty good, by the way! The dog ran home covered in orange paint, and the neighbors were all indignant. I told them next time it wouldn't be paint.

They suddenly managed to figure out how to keep Houdini the dog in his own yard.

[cyphur]

Paintballs can be very effective - especially if you crank up the FPS. I've bled profusely from some shots I've received, they are no joke. But that sport sure is dang fun!!

[Scott Murray]

I would never use lethal force on an animal unless my life or the life of another human was endangered.

I've used lethal force on beautiful deer that wanted nothing more than to be left alone to eat acorns in the woods. I've eaten hamburgers that came from cows that only wanted to graze in a pasture. Killing a dangerous dog snarling at me in my own yard wouldn't be a problem for me.

The issue would be my relationship with my neighbors and the law.

Scott

[Piney]

Greetings (again)--

It sound like this could become a troublesome issue for you and your family vs the neighbors.

Document, document, document.
Document all calls and visits from the animal control office. Document all calls, letters, conversations with the neighbors. Document through photos/video the dog on your property.

I realize this can become a pain. However, should any action on your part become necessary to protect your family and property, you have established a "reasonable and prudent" attempt to resolve the problem. Perhaps , then you will not be portrayed as a reactionary, gun toating, dog killing fiend. Keep a copy of the TX statues posted previously handy.

I dont know how the City there in Mabank runs, but sometimes a conversation with the local City councilperson can get some results, in relation to the Animal Control office's lack of action.


A paintball gun does sound like a reasonable approach. Perhaps a few good *pops* will deter the dog from coming around. Maybe one of the kids in town has one you can borrow ?

[Photoman]

I would never use lethal force on an animal unless my life or the life of another human was endangered.

I've used lethal force on beautiful deer that wanted nothing more than to be left alone to eat acorns in the woods. I've eaten hamburgers that came from cows that only wanted to graze in a pasture. Killing a dangerous dog snarling at me in my own yard wouldn't be a problem for me.

The issue would be my relationship with my neighbors and the law.

Scott

Whether or not one hunts or eats hamburgers is totally irrelevent to the issue at hand. I would have no moral problem at all shooting a dog given the right circumstances. On the other hand, I'm not going to put myself in legal jeopardy by shooting a dog that is barking at me.

[lrb111]

I like the paintball idea, a lot. There are also OC, cayenne, and other deterrents packaged in paintball style ammo.
Poochie would probably remember the experience.

Of course, the dog also becomes a trojan horse to it's owners also. That scenario could spawn any conceivable response.

[KBCraig]

I would never use lethal force on an animal unless my life or the life of another human was endangered.

I've used lethal force on beautiful deer that wanted nothing more than to be left alone to eat acorns in the woods. I've eaten hamburgers that came from cows that only wanted to graze in a pasture. Killing a dangerous dog snarling at me in my own yard wouldn't be a problem for me.

The issue would be my relationship with my neighbors and the law.

Scott

Whether or not one hunts or eats hamburgers is totally irrelevent to the issue at hand.

It's completely relevant to your claim that you "would never use lethal force on an animal unless my life or the life of another human was endangered."

You mis-spoke; you don't really believe what you wrote, unless you're a vegan or Janist. We've all engaged in hyperbole. Don't over-defend. Acknowledge the point, and let it slide.

Kevin