Why is it

[Micanopy]

That when people move out to the frontier they feel it's an open invitation to let their dogs run wild, get into your pastures, kill your livestock, harass your livestock and generally screw things up that it's the stock owners fault for not having secure fences....? I'll never figure it out. Now I have their freaking dogs eating my goat kids, it's like they are taking money out of my pocket but it's my fault? I hate to be a bad neighbor but it looks like I'm going to be forced into doing something I don't want to do. Keep your goat killing k9's out of my pastures!!!

[Watauga]

Micanopy,Sorry to learn of this trouble you are having....
I would hate to be in the position of shooting someone's "Pet that would never hurt anything"
But sometime you have to do it......
It's Bad Pet owners that cause this by letting the Dogs Run and get Wild.
In Indiana you are in the clear if you shoot an animal that attacks livestock on your property.....I guess is the same everyplace???

[Micanopy]

Texas as well. Hate to do it but it's my livelihood and I'm being robbed. times are hard enough as it is and every kid born now represents money in the bank. it never ceases to amaze me that new people out here think that we are supposed to change to their ways. what they dont realize is that people moved out here to get away from the crap they bring with them.

    everyone here that has ever met me and spent time in camp with me knows that i am a peaceful person, i live and let live and judge no one. the last thing i want to do is hurt someones pet but what am i supposed to do, just keep leting them do this/

    good grief but this is taxing. they only just moved in and this is happening already. no i have to lock the goats up in my back yard to keep them from being torn apart because the owners just havent got a clue. bad enough yestarday i caught them cornering the goats in the pasture, missing kids, that were there two hours earlier, tell the owner and shes upset because my fence wont keep her dogs out....... a couple hundred bucks worth of goat kids fed her mutts and shes upset with me,, ha.

[mtnmike]

I have a sign posted here at my place::  I do not fire warning shots   Just had to demonstrate once

[hotfxr]

Even out here in overpopulated and over-regulated California where just owning a gun is tantamount to being branded among Americas most wanted, there are signs all around my semi rural area warning that there is a leash law and wandering dogs will be shot. And there are several shot every year that decimate the goat & sheep herds that dot the countryside. As of yet there has not been a single successful lawsuit of a dog owner suing a rancher. It amazes me that city folk feel the need to let their dogs "run free as nature intended" once they move a mile or so out of town. These are the same folks that have caused the closure of almost all the dairies in the county because the noise and smell disrupted their country living experience. Too bad you have to shoot the dogs instead of the owners who really deserve it.
I'm sorry, I can't believe I just said that. But I can't take it back.

[Micanopy]

from the texas health and safety code.....
Sec. 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.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.  Renumbered from Health & Safety Code Sec. 822.033 and amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1002, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

not liable for anything according to the law,,, still dont want to have to do it. called the sheriff to make a report and hopeful the deputy can convince them that it is to their best interest to keep their dogs at home. i hope so.

[Watauga]

Micanopy, have the deputy take them a bill for the lost livestock when he goes to see them... that might get their attention ....

[pilgrim]

     I had a friend several years ago that live in southern New York.  He owned 220 acres and the closest neighbor lived 1/2 mile away.  That neighbor had 35 dogs that ran wild and killed deer.  the game warden could not do anything unless he saw the dogs killing the deer.   the dogs ran down the deer at nighttime, so my friend decided to deal with the dogs on his own.  Last count, his neighbor was down to 5 dogs. 

     Moral of this story,  if the law is on your side,  use the law to its full extent.  Destroy the dogs and then the dogs owner will get the message.    The owner does not give a damn about you so return the  sentiment.

[Papa]

Since you have already notified the sheriff, I would send the dog's owner a registered letter including the statute you have just posted and a bill for the livestock that has been killed. If they are put on notice and continue to let the dog run, there is only one alternative and they shouldn't have a leg to stand on legally, or a dog to feed.
Mark

[Hawken50]

   Once a dog or cat for that matter taste the blood they will be back for more. When i was raising Herford and Angus cattle if i caught a dog after a calf it was simple....Put a bullet through its heart.

[Micanopy]

deputy made an information report at my request to document what has taken place so far, a cya if you will. the only problem, as with any crime, is the lack of physical evidence, since these are dwraf goats, the kids are about the size of a small cotton tail and there aint nothing left, or photographic evidence that nails these dogs to the cross. being a retired lawman myself i fully understand what the young deputy said. he did however state that he and i both know that once they start killing they wont stop. and he believes that indeed they are guilty. he asked if i was going to file a civil suit for the cost of the goat kids, which would be grand if i had any physical evidence at all to take before the court.

he went to speak with her and give her and her ''partner'' a wake up call as to how things work out on the frontier vs how things work in town. he indeed stated if it comes down to protecting the livestock, the law is clear and you'd be in the right. hopefully it will be taken care of... i hope so

[mongrel]

Much as I love dogs, and anyone with even the slightest real acquaintance with me knows that I do, and even though I seriously doubt I could pull the trigger on one in almost any circumstances (there are exceptions I can think of) -- unlike the typical tree-hugging liberal I understand that real life isn't all that touchy-feely or black-and-white. Mother Nature is brutal and it's well-worth remembering, even (or especially) as a loving dog owner, that dogs are genetically still almost 100% wolves. They have a pack mentality and a powerful "prey" instinct. Certain breeds possess the "prey" instinct more strongly than others and especially once they start running and killing other animals will be difficult unto impossible to control by any means short of absolutely secure confinement -- or killing them.

I will confess without embarrassment to being a real softy when it comes to animals. I don't even hunt deer any more (though this would change if I ever were put back in the position of literally not being able to afford to buy meat). BUT, unlike the typical tree-hugging liberal, I don't extend my emotional attachment to animals to the point of dictating to others what they will or won't do, short of actual cruelty to animals for its own sake.

My point being, do what you have to do. It's to your credit that the idea of it bothers you, but life is full of hard choices and this is one of the harder ones. I will not judge or condemn what you might find yourself forced to do.

[Red Badger]

The law is the law and as a former deputy yourself you know what you need to do - you pay taxes let the law work for you. 

I like the idea of the bill being served along with a copy of the statute and I am sure you must know an active deputy who would serve it for you....

If that does not work then a shell is cheaper than the revenue those dogs are depriving you of....

Jim

[Micanopy]

Indeed my brother. No dogs this am. No tracks at the place they had dug under. So hopefully they took the words that Deputy Bradely spoke to them to heart. I did chain the gate on the south end shut locked. But i remain watchful. MtVo

[Papa]

The other thing that comes to mind regarding photographic evidence would be the use of a few trail cameras set up where you keep the goats penned. Just might be surprised to see what shows up.
Mark