Posted on 09/28/2004 6:07:18 PM PDT by SLB
Someone shot one of our dogs this afternoon. She is a tri-color beagle who is the greatest escape artist from our yard we have seen. She will find any crack in the fence and wiggle out. She did so this afternoon and someone took a shot at her with a BB gun. Not too powerful you say? I have the vet bill and x-ray to show you a BB lodged in her back next to her spine. No surgery to remove it, just some anti-biotic to keep the infection down.
Who did it? One neighbor is retired and feeds the birds. He wouldn't do it, as he has a squirrel problem the dogs like to take care of for him. My suspect is the tree hugger across the creek with the Kerry/Edwards sign in his yard. He is probably the biggest grump in the area, always complaining about kids cutting through his yard. Not going to report it to the police, at this time anyway. All they do is ask too many questions and never solve anything.
The Dread Boston Salty is my baby, and I am his mama (and the mama of the Ferocious Felines). Anyone who thinks differently ought to smile and come say so to my face.
Looks like I'll have to come to a Houston area Freepers meeting.
Animals are property. While I care greatly for my old mutt, she is not my "child" and I am not her "parent". I'm sure as hell not the "parent" of my !@#$%^&*()_+ cat, who has been fed and cared for for the last ten years, mostly by me, first as a favor for my wife, and second because old animals deserve some loyalty.
Some of the most horrifically trained animals I've run across have human "parents". That was why I bristled at that characterization.
Both my animals are old. The dog eats a pound of freshly cooked turkeyburger a day, plus all the dry she can eat. The rat eats two 50 cent cans of cat food a day, plus all the dry she can eat.
But I'm not their "parent" !
Bristle as you will, but don't be surprised when we dog and cat parents take offense at your telling us what we are and are not.
Oceanperch first used the term "parent" for dog owners in post #34.
You both can think of yourselves that way, of course. Just please don't ascribe it to others. Callin' me the father of a bitch is fightin' words. ;o)
Fortunately my dog is too old to get out of the yard. She's getting too bony and arthritic to be out with younger dogs anyhow.
Oceanperch also has a real baby (okay, he's in his 20s). I don't recall calling anyone else that - only myself.
Contact the media. Contact the state Attorney General's office.
Might try that.
Don't try to tape them, however, since that's illegal.
But keep a journal. You'd be amazed at how much weight a journal carries in legal circles.
You also might, after you've logged all the information, go to the head of the police dept, whatever that is. Show him/her the info and tell them you can't get the protection you pay for, viz., through taxes.
Best of luck.
"Wash out an empty soda can. Insert two pennies. Tape the mouth closed. Voila - instant anti-canine noisemaker. Works on every dog, guaranteed."
Great! I hope everyone takes this route instead of shooting at them.
Thanks.
If it were me, I would report it. If another incident happens, it will back up your complaint.
I once had a Chow Mix that I nicknamed "Houdini". She could and did escape everything. Even tried an electric fence. She'd put those big furry paws right on the wire and not even grimace - just climbed right over it. One time she escaped the electric fence and disappeared for several days then showed up with a busted hip and leg. I then put her in the garage thinking she wouldn't escape. She chewed through the wall and did just that.....
For example --- my yard isn't fenced and I have several acres --- my chickens, ducks, geese, dogs, and cats run loose together but stay on my property --- the dogs will chase off strays and coyotes. Sometimes neighbors dogs come by and play with the dogs --- but I think I would be in my rights to shoot a dog that began attacking any of my animals --- with a BB gun or any kind of gun. I wouldn't shoot or harm an innocent dog that is just passing through or doesn't try to harm my animals.
Cars are property, pets are family. When one's property gets old typically it is replaced. Why don't you simply replace your worn out "property"?? If you cannot recognize the difference then you are the one with a problem.
Perhaps you might want to attend HAT's tentative shoot in Beaumont and we can all discuss this further. Trust me, you will be in the minority.
Being first listed, I'll presume this is directed to me.
I am not even trying to decide what kind of relationship others have with their pets - unless it's cruel or abusive.
I merely don't like the PC approach of calling a pet owner the pet's "parent". That's all.
I definately would. Put the creep on notice. In fact, I'd walk accross the street and confront him myself.
Let me on the record saying this is ridiculous. It's no reason to SHOOT a dog.
Sorry to hear what happened. I would normally say to report it just to have the paper trail, but you know your local cops better than I do so I defer to your judgment.
Give the dog a hug for me. As for the perp, what goes around comes around. Sometimes with a little help.
10-1 odds say you're the jerk that shot the dog.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.