If someone shot my dog for any reason other that the dog attacked them personally for no reason, they better be concerned about the kind of weapons I posses than the kind that they have. And, more importantly, the kind of lawyers I retain. If my dog got out and killed a few chickens, bring the dog back to home. I’ll apologize and cut a check for replacing the lost birds to make things right - and make sure the dog stays under control in the future. Can understand if this were a dog that was chronically raiding live stock and the owner refused to control his animal, but shooting a dog that somehow got loose for the first time and did some damage as a one time thing is beyond the pale.
Was NOT first time dog got out, 5th that I know of, and I’m away often. We just happened to be sleeping this time, so did not intercept in time. Dog had been aggressive toward me on previous occasions (would retreat if confronted aggressively with a club of some sort - but no way to know this time if dog has just tasted live blood / thinks it is defending its kill.) Owner admitted to me today dog was over-energetic & hard to control, needed training. (Working type dogs need lots of “work” / free activity; this one except if it got loose was always penned up, owner not around. In some sense not the dog’s fault, but that is no more relevant than a druggie’s excuse that he has to rob to support his / her habit.)
Everywhere I know, a dog who kills someone else’s animals is toast.
That won't fly where I live. The livestock associations and livestock protection laws are strong here. I don't care if you hire F Lee Bailey as your attorney, you will pay every last dime of damages for those chickens, along with the delivery fee from the poultry house. You won't get a pass for being an irresponsible pet owner. And, if your stupid enough to think you are going to threaten retaliation against the livestock owner for shooting your dog, you are going to do a guaranteed stint in the county jail.