NY: Man charged with shooting dogs that killed chickens

[seamusTX]

In New York, a man shot two dogs that had repeatedly killed his chickens, harassed his livestock, and acted aggressively toward his children. The dogs were stray pets of a neighbor.

He was charged with "torturing an animal and dog stealing..."

Apparently, the killing of the dogs generated more public furor than killing a human being typically does, and the police reacted accordingly.

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/st ... ory=REGION" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In Texas, killing dogs that threaten livestock is still justified. We need to be on the alert by moves from "animal rights" groups and "animal lovers" to change that.

Also note that many uses of force or deadly force that are legal in Texas are crimes elsewhere.

- Jim

[GeekwithaGun]

Would it have turned out differently if Bushnell shot the dogs on his property?

[seamusTX]

I don't know. You would have to look at the specifics of New York law.

The way he handled it didn't help. Cover-ups never look good, even when what you're covering up is legal.

He forgot the "shovel" part of "shoot, shovel, and shut up."

- Jim

[mymojo]

If the dogs were aggressive, how did he get them in his car to take them to state land?

[TheArmedFarmer]

In Texas, killing dogs that threaten livestock is still justified. We need to be on the alert by moves from "animal rights" groups and "animal lovers" to change that.

That is so true. I keep an AR-15 in the truck in order to dispatch nuisance livestock killers, which are plentiful in this area. I can't imagine living in a situation where I had no recourse to defend my livestock. Any "animal rights" legislation will be vigorously opposed by me and probably anybody else who keeps animals.

And by the way, speaking of "animal rights", what about the "rights" of the chickens, goats and calves that are slaughtered every day in this country by dogs allowed to run loose? It seems that livestock should have the "right" to self-defense and if they can't defend themselves, then their owners should be permitted to defend them, with deadly force when necessary.

Any legislator who can't understand this needs to have their head examined.

[seamusTX]

If the dogs were aggressive, how did he get them in his car to take them to state land?

I'm not calling anyone a liar, but one man's overly friendly dog is another's aggressive dog. Labs can knock down an adult man by being friendly.

Many dogs will jump into a car even for a stranger, if they are used to going for fun rides.

It seems that livestock should have the "right" to self-defense and if they can't defend themselves, then their owners should be permitted to defend them, with deadly force when necessary.

Any legislator who can't understand this needs to have their head examined.

Country people everywhere know that a dog that kills chickens or harasses livestock has signed its own death warrant. The problem, of course, is that people who are generations removed from country life now idolize animals (which is why I put "animal lovers" in quotation marks) and have unrealistic ideas about livestock management. They also seem to think their Big Macs and fried chicken were never living creatures.

Probably we're safe for a while in Texas, but this kind of nonsense is creeping across the country.

BTW, I used to ride a horse that kicked to death a dog that tried to bite him (not while I was riding him). The owners of the dog started berating the woman who owned the horse. She told them to pound sand and galloped away. The dog owners reported the incident as "murder" of their precious pooch, but the police didn't look too hard for the horse or rider.

- Jim

[TheArmedFarmer]

This thread ruined my attitude for the day. (half joking)

Pass what laws they wish, I'm going to continue to defend my livestock and my livelihood. A killed calf represents a loss of income and a loss of ability to feed my wife and children. I will continue to shoot any aggressive dog I see on my property, and drag its corpse out to the back forty so the vultures can dispose of it for me.

And, I'll continue to never tell anybody that I'm doing it. I'm safe saying so here, because I doubt any of my neighbors know that TheArmedFarmer lives nearby. :)