hogey Posted September 20, 2011 Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 Guy I work with on the rig tells me his wife phoned him last night in tears to say that their two dogs had been shot and killed by a farmer for sheep worrying. Story goes his 16 year old son took them for a walk in the morning and let them of lead and he lost them in the fields. He went to school and when the wife came home from work there was a note from the police to ask her to contact them. They gave her the news that the dogs had been shot by the farmer for worrying his sheep.Apparently he fired warning shots into the air but they took no heed so he shot them.I dont know the kind of dog but they where from Finland and very big like a german shepard and husky cross. Its a sad state of affairs really and a great shame for the dogs to end their days that way but I guess the farmer has the right to protect his livestock.Non of the sheep where physically hurt. The guy I work with is gutted especially as he is out here with what has happened to think about. I guess the moral is to keep your dogs on a lead especially when near livestock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted September 20, 2011 Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 sounds like he needs to hope he doesn't have a claim for the cost of the sheep coming his way. They don't have to actually harm them to make them abort fetuses so the economic damage can be significant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hogey Posted September 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 sounds like he needs to hope he doesn't have a claim for the cost of the sheep coming his way. They don't have to actually harm them to make them abort fetuses so the economic damage can be significant. forgot to add the case is with the fiscal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swiss.tony Posted September 20, 2011 Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 i got a letter from the police saying i could shoot this blokes dog who my farmer had some bother with he did not give a toss wat the farmer said to him so he rang police to make sure i was legal to sort the dog couple of nites later bloke walks his dog round head land and bumps in to me with .17 hmr after a few words from me he promised not to walk dog is sheep fields any more funny that if only he had listened to farmer i wood not have had to go down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntsman Posted September 20, 2011 Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 (edited) Confrontation of any description, with a firearm, is not something I would relish,even though you have the backing of the landowner/farmer. I would not be the one to offer to shoot anyones dog . ANY dog owner who has a dog shot,will be very very irate I feel sorry for your friend, whos dog has been shot,But I also do see it, from the farmers opinion Edited September 20, 2011 by huntsman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixhills 69 Posted September 20, 2011 Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 Its a sad state of affairs when the farmer has no other option but to shoot the dog. One farmer i no has printed of some signs and he puts them next to public footpaths that run through and next to his property warning that this could happen, its suprising how many people just don't take any notice. What is wrng with these people? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted September 20, 2011 Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 Sad story for sure but the farmers well within his rights. I would have to question the sense in letting the son walk them when he obviously didn't have full control over them as well. I wouldn't let my youngest take either of mine out unsupervised to anywhere that they could be let off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esox Posted September 20, 2011 Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 Fair play to the farmer......its his animals at risk. I remember being out pike fishing about 5 years ago, this boy sets up next to me with a dog on a lead, after a while he lets it off and it goes straight for the herd of cattle in the field. The cattle bolted, straight through barbed wire fences done alsorts of damage to them selves and the fences, one even got out onto a road and nearly caused an accident. Next thing BANG one dead dog and one very irrate farmer. Police were called and i had to give a statement, sneeky basket tried to say it wasnt his dog but the police soon put him straight. Never seen him again, bumped into the farmer some time later, he said he never got a penny from him, had to fix his fences out of his own pocket and pay all vets bills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12borejimbo Posted September 20, 2011 Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 I nearly shot 2 weirmeraners the other week, caught them for the second time ravishing my poultry in front of my mum who was screaming, I got hold of my 12 and ran out, the dogs ran off, and I looked over the wall and the bloke was 200 yards away, no control at all, so I went over there, squared up and told him if I caught his dogs again he would not be getting either of them back, I could of shot them, my mum was distraught as she loves the birds, and this has been the second time, so 3rd time, he will not be getting his dogs back, I've warned him, and I don't really want to shoot the dogs, but I have given him a chance, but they know where to come now! Whether I catch them, put them in the van and take them to a rehoming place I don't know, or they may end up 6 feet under! I see the story from both sides! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimlet Posted September 20, 2011 Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 Every sympathy for the farmer, and the dog. None for the dog owner. In my part of the country at least, dogs have become a plague as hordes of town folk moving into ever expanding villages treat farmland as a town park/outdoor latrine. Few dogs seem to have had even basic obedience training. Their owners are incapable of controling them and are rarely in possession of a lead. They are oblivious to livestock and the concept of keeping to rights of way, and most are utterly ignorant of the habits and behaviour of wildlife. I wish I could shoot dogs that attack wild deer. I reckon I'd down half a dozen a year. Unfortunately this is a very opaque area in law and as things stand I would be likely to face prosecution, revokation of my FAC, and very possibly a civil case for damages from the owner. As ever 'rights' have overtaken responsibility, and wild creatures only have rights when there is political capital in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wesman Posted September 20, 2011 Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 If you don't want your dog harmed, keep it on a ******* lead around livestock. People drive me mad. What right do some dog owners think they have to allow their dogs to potentially ruin someones livelihood. As mentioned, I have sympathy for the farmer and the dog itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted September 20, 2011 Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 If you don't want your dog harmed, keep it on a ******* lead around livestock. Not necessarily always necessary, if the dog's trained it should be easily brought to heel as and when required, and I think most owners know in their heart whether they have full control of their dogs...if not then yes, leash it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colster Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 Not necessarily always necessary, if the dog's trained it should be easily brought to heel as and when required, and I think most owners know in their heart whether they have full control of their dogs...if not then yes, leash it! I agree but I still keep mine on a lead around livestock. As a working gun dog, I know he's used to them and will show no interest even if they run and can always be bought back on command but it can cause alarm if people see it off the lead in a field full of lambs as they don't know he's not there on a killing spree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoughton Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 As usual there are two sides to these situations and like most I can sympathise with both. But - before shooting a dog I would encourage lots and caution and self-testing to satisfy yourself it is the only option, not just your right. Use any other possible method to resolve the issue, possibly informing the owner that you may be forced to this action if the problem continues. If the animal is physically attacking livestock and you see it doign so then I guess it's an easier decision - but in most cases (thankfully) that hasn't actually happened, yet. A friend of mine, many (20?) years ago, shot a dog that had attacked and killed 2 of his lambs. He saw it do so, with no owner in sight and didn't hesitate, The dog actually belonged to travellers who when they found the dog, were furious and violent. Police were involved etc etc and he was not charged with any offences - but the threats that were made by the travellers were serious and nasty (but not in front of the police). And they kept to their word and made his family's lives just terrible for some considerable time. It was life changing and I won't go into any detail on here. I'm not suggesting that people should get away with letting their dogs commit these crimes - but if you do kill somebody's dog just be prepared for an extraordinary response. People love their dogs and may well not behave within the law or in a rational manner. Is it really worth that risk and potential consequence? Our dog is trained well but we still put him back onto a lead whilst there is lots of game on some of the land this time of year - if a partridge sits tight and burst up at the last moment he can't always be trusted, Although the farmer/keeper wouldn't be entitled to shoot him for worrying the game we wouldn't test that and lose our dog. Additionally it just isn't right and we have to respect their right to raise game without our dog chasing (and eating )it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 Confrontation of any description, with a firearm, is not something I would relish,even though you have the backing of the landowner/farmer. I would not be the one to offer to shoot anyones dog . ANY dog owner who has a dog shot,will be very very irate I feel sorry for your friend, whos dog has been shot,But I also do see it, from the farmers opinion I offered last year to shoot a couple of dogs, didn't need to in the end but the owners were letting them run riot. The neighbouring farm they ripped the throats out of a couple of ewes and savaged some more. This was on two occasions the second after being told and presented with the bill. They never did pay, the sheeps owner was at a loose end after the second time so I offered if needed despite it being dogs belonging to a house down the road. The consequences I could live with I was more irritated by the damage they were doing and the owners couldn't give a fig attitude. When it was suggested they would be shot funnily enough they started keeping them under control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 I've only ever been in this situation a couple of times and luckily people have usually listened to me so no action has been needed. People just don't realise the damage their lovely mutt can do when it's having fun. Usually I try to chat with the owner and make it clear that if it was the farmer that had witnessed it their dog could well have been shot. Explain the law to them and they usually take it in. If they argue then I simply state that if I see the same thing again I will shoot the dog and I will then call the police to start the ball rolling with a damages claim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 12borejimbo, I am not sure that you can shoot dogs worrying poultry. You would have to look this up as I thought it was livestock only. If your going to kill someone's pets you need to make sure your 100% legal and ensure it's your only option. Harry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southeastpete Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 my parents and girlfriend own alsatians, and with anyone they dont know, they will bare teeth growl and bark. very frightening if you are unsure around dogs. give them a stroke and they love you. run, and they will chase. I have worried when out with the dogs, what would happen if they went after someone and ignored my calls, would i ever have to shoot my own girlfriends dog? luckily he does always come back. If someone else were to shoot one of our dogs, for good reason, of course i would be distraught, but i would understand, and not take any action against that individual. People do just let their dogs roam, well off footpaths though. I see them walking staight through the middle of fields they have no right to be on, but as soon as they here a 12 gauge booming across the field (obviously not in their direction or anything silly) they soon lead up their dog and find the nearest footpath... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 the vice versa of that is if someone was shooting nearby my dog might well pop and see them given half the chance but it would be looking for a retrieve at the time. Worth remembering for those scared of dogs who think any approaching one is going to attack them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bothbarrels Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 I nearly shot 2 weirmeraners the other week, caught them for the second time ravishing my poultry in front of my mum who was screaming, I got hold of my 12 and ran out, the dogs ran off, and I looked over the wall and the bloke was 200 yards away, no control at all, so I went over there, squared up and told him if I caught his dogs again he would not be getting either of them back, I could of shot them, my mum was distraught as she loves the birds, and this has been the second time, so 3rd time, he will not be getting his dogs back, I've warned him, and I don't really want to shoot the dogs, but I have given him a chance, but they know where to come now! Whether I catch them, put them in the van and take them to a rehoming place I don't know, or they may end up 6 feet under! I see the story from both sides! Thats what I'd do. I recon most of on here are dogs lovers. so to shoot one leaves a bad taste in your maouth BB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hushpower Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 Believe me dogs cant tolerate BBs and no 1s when worrying livestock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12borejimbo Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 Thats what I'd do. I recon most of on here are dogs lovers. so to shoot one leaves a bad taste in your maouth BB. I've got 5 dogs myself, believe me I wouldn't want to, but when your angry............ :yp: 12borejimbo, I am not sure that you can shoot dogs worrying poultry. You would have to look this up as I thought it was livestock only. If your going to kill someone's pets you need to make sure your 100% legal and ensure it's your only option. Harry I know a solicitor and he said if you have warned twice and if they are on your property you have every legal right, really I wouldnt want to shoot the dogs but I just wanted to get my side right, first thing you do when you hear your mum screaming and live in the country is grab your gun :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 This is a very emotive subject . Under the conditions of my ticket I am authorized under the humane dispatch of animals to shoot any animals worrying stock or threatening humans with my .308 ,.22 rim fire and .17 hmr . I would have to be sure that dogs were in fact worrying sheep or a danger to humans before I decided to shoot them . On my farms if the conditions did arise then I would most certainly shoot them . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big bad lindz Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 Sorry to hear about the dogs. I work offshore myself and own dogs and have lost them in the past to illness when I have been away, so I know what its like when you go home and you are not greeted by them. I can understand some of the reasons for the shooting but dont some sheep dogs worry the sheep ?? I have seen my local farmers dogs chase sheep all over the place over & through barbed wire fences etc. Not any of the "come by" training that you see on the telly and at propper sheep dog trials. I am sure there will be more to come out of this and the farmers actions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 Not sure about your wording there jimbo. What else you going to do with your gun when your angry? Having looked it up poultry can be classed as livestock and there is no requirement to warn the owners prior to any shooting. If your dog was let out of the garden and started running round a neighbors garden chasing their chickens how would you feel if they ran out of the house and shot your dog? Do you think that would be reasonable? Harry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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