Here is a column by outdoor editor Mark Taylor in the Roanoke Times, followed by my response. Where do you weigh in?
Walt

Hooligan hunters need to be reported
Mark Taylor


Mark Taylor
Mark Taylor's Outdoors column and notebook appears regularly in The Roanoke Times.

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It wasn't unusual for Roxie the chocolate lab to wander off and explore the woods.

But she always came back to the house her owners Cara and Dennis McClane rent in the country near Wirtz.

So when Roxie didn't come home on Dec. 3, the McClanes feared the worst and hoped for the best.

They searched for the dog on Dec. 4 and again on Dec. 5.

Dennis finally found her in the woods about a quarter-mile from the house.

She had been shot in the neck, and covered with a piece of sheet metal and an old tire.

Amazingly, she was still alive.

But the wound was so badly infected the McClanes had to have their pet euthanized.

They were distraught, and talking with nearby landowners and neighbors didn't exactly help.

"They said that kind of thing happens all the time in hunting season," Cara McClane said.

Actually, it doesn't happen all the time.

"We don't hear that a lot," said Virginia conservation police officer Sgt. Bryan Young, a supervisor for Bedford, Craig, Franklin and Roanoke counties.

But it happens just enough to create a perception among some that it happens "all the time."

I shouldn't be writing about this, should I?

After all, I'm an obsessed hunter and an unapologetic cheerleader for hunting, which provides recreation, meat, game management and huge economic benefits for communities in Western Virginia.

Why would I want to bring attention to something like this? Something that, while the act of a careless or malicious individual, can't help but reflect poorly on the rest of us who are out there doing things the right way.

Because it's not good enough to say, 'It's just a few bad apples," and then move on.

We need to focus our attention on those bad apples, report them, fine them, humiliate them, saddle them with felony convictions and do our best to make sure people understand they are not hunters.

Maybe what happened with Roxie was a mistake.

Maybe in fading afternoon light a careless hunter thought the dark, four-legged creature was a deer.

Mistakes happen, although rarely.

"I've been doing this more than 10 years and I've never worked a case where a dog ... was mistaken for game," Young said.

It will take an investigation to figure out what really happened. The McClanes are hoping to get things rolling by offering a $300 reward for information that leads to the identification of the shooter.

If it wasn't a mistake, why would someone want to shoot a dog?

In the old days there used to be a saying that if you saw a dog chasing a deer, you should let the deer go and shoot the dog.

I've never actually heard of anyone doing that, but I suppose there are some out there who still cling to that misguided notion, and maybe would follow through on it.

But maybe this wasn't about hunting at all. Maybe this was someone -- maybe a hunter, maybe not -- just being mean.

That's almost certainly what was going on in another recent situation that hit close to home for me.

A few weeks ago I got an e-mail from my friend Marie Levine, whose family graciously allows me to hunt on their cattle ranch near Stewartsville.

Marie was livid.

Someone had shot one of their cows.

How do you mistake a cow standing in the middle of a pasture for a deer?

You don't.

This was the work of a piece of scum, or probably more than one, who did this for kicks.

It brought back memories of a case when four of my high school classmates thought it would be funny to shoot a horse.

Fortunately, they felt compelled to brag.

Fortunately, someone squealed.

And that's what I hope happens here.

You know Roxie's shooter isn't the only one who knows what happened. The same goes for the case involving my friend's cow.

Anyone with information about the cases, or any other wildlife crime, needs to call (800) 237-5712 or e-mail wildcrime@dgif.virginia.gov with the tip.

Tipsters can remain completely anonymous.

Hunters have long battled stereotyping as a bunch of careless hooligans. When cases such as these occur during hunting season, it doesn't help.

But the people who pull stunts like this aren't hunters.

They are criminals.

And they need to be treated as such.



To: Mark Taylor
Cc: Bill Cochran
Subject: Roxie the dog


Mark

I was shocked and dismayed at your column on Sunday 12-16-07. Like our contemporary Jim Zumbo, you have made a grave error and betrayed your hunting readers.

Roxie's death was the direct responsibility of the owners, as sure as if they had put a gun to her head. It sickens me to hear people like them talk about their precious pets, yet they allow them to roam. The dog is a domesticated animal and requires control; if this control is not exercised the dog will revert to it's predatory instinct. If owners do not accept the responsibility of controlling their dogs they can count on them getting hurt. I wonder if Roxie had chased a deer into a busy street or tried to cross a road and caused a fatal automobile accident and been killed in the process if there would have been any sympathy for the animal? Would not the owners have been just as responsible in that case?

To label the shooter of Roxie a "hunter" goes beyond redemption. Roxie could have easily been shot by an irate landowner, tired of seeing deer or other game (or livestock) run into a panic, into fences or roads. Roxie could have attacked someone and been shot in self-defense. Once dogs start to roam they stand in good stead to become feral, carriers of disease and a danger to the public. If you care about your dog, keep it under control and you won't have to worry about it. The shame of this is that it wasn't Roxie's fault, but the fault of those that supposedly made the commitment to give her care and protection.

You have done a great disservice to hunters by this column; you owe us all an apology and should take the time to correct your statements. It is not the responsibility of the hunter to look after a dog that obviously isn't cared for, and allowed to run loose. It is not all right to allow domestic pets to roam at large. The damage they do to wildlife is incalculable. House cats that are allowed to roam kill tens of thousands of songbirds and small mammals every year, and free-roaming dogs are no better and probably worse because they have the size potential to become a danger to livestock or children. Tell your friends do not get another dog; it is obvious that they are not intelligent enough to bear the responsibility that goes with owning a pet.

And, none of this has anything to do with hunting.

Walt Hampton

www.buckmountainrifleworks.com
276-773-3545

Well to your response I say Bull Pucky.I live on a farm and all the land around me is private property.My dogs are trained and have freedom to run my property.They are working herding dogs,but do sleep inside in the Winter.In early Spring they stay in the Barn to protect newly born animals from Bear ,Wolf and Coyote.If a animal has been trained I see no reason to hobble it with a chain or rope.If you live in a City or Town I can see a good reason to always have controll of your animals.If I was you I would write a letter of apology to this man.

I can provide a couple of different perspectives.

I grew up in a farm family that also kept hunting and herding dogs. All our family's dogs were kept kenneled and exercised daily when not "working". Stray dogs were usually summarily shot wether my family knew the owners or not as our family had livestock on the farm and lambs and calves were an expensive comodity to loose and they did lose them regularly to stray dogs. You'll just have to take my word for it, no my family was and is not dog or animal haters, they all dearly loved their animals and it bothered them deeply to have to shoot someones pet. They usually were very angry when they knew who owned the dog they shot standing over their dead lamb. Waiting for the stray dog to kill a lamb before shooting it was and is a bad business decision.

In rural Alaska, stray "sled dogs" can be a real problem for people and pets, not so much for the wildlife or livestock. (I pity the fool dog that tries to take on a moose or bear,). I always carry my .45 auto when out training or exercising my bird dog for the exclusive purpose of defending my dog from strays. My bird dog is always under restraint of some kind and never loose un supervised. I paid way to much money and have spent way to much time training my dog to let some cross eyed mangy cur tear it up.

Because I just don't have it in me I think I couldn't summarily shoot a loose dog out minding it's own business. On the other hand, stray cats always got a shot if I had a gun handy when down south. Up here the foxes and other small predators beat me to it.

Ok, if you live in the middle of a large piece of property, your loose dogs never stray outside the boundary, what the heck, if you want to it's your place, let 'em run! I think letting your dog wander loose on other peoples property or public land is irresponsible.

If you let your dogs roam on other people's property around here they will be summarily shot, collar or no collar, and likely hung up on the property owners front fence for the owner to recognize and claim if they like.

If you value your dog's life, make sure it stays on your property and is supervised when on public lands.

Love it or hate it, that's the way the world works. Being a dog lover myself, on my property I live trap strays and take them to the shelter if they don't have collars to contact and chastise the owners, but most of my neighbors just shoot them same as they shoot coyotes and bobcats. Feral cats I shoot on sight.

quote:

letting your dog wander loose on other peoples property or public land is irresponsible.

Amen! Dogs that wander on other's property are not to be tolerated! Control of pet's whereabouts is the responsibility of the owner.

Andy Cooper, DVM

quote:

Posted 17 December 2007 02:02 Hide Post
Well to your response I say Bull Pucky.I live on a farm and all the land around me is private property.My dogs are trained and have freedom to run my property.They are working herding dogs,but do sleep inside in the Winter.In early Spring they stay in the Barn to protect newly born animals from Bear ,Wolf and Coyote.If a animal has been trained I see no reason to hobble it with a chain or rope.If you live in a City or Town I can see a good reason to always have controll of your animals.If I was you I would write a letter of apology to this man.

OLBiker
If your dogs are trained, then you can't complain if they get shot on someone else's land, can you? Hopefully they can read posted signs

Walt

quote:

Roxie's death was the direct responsibility of the owners, as sure as if they had put a gun to her head.

Amen….

I’ve owned dogs my entire life and have never let them wander on other’s property…

It’s is rude & completely disrespectful to so blatantly ignore the property rights of others…

I’ve never killed any dogs but I’ve stung a few hides (air rifle) on repeat trespassing offenders…

If a dog ruined a hunt I might be mad enough to shoot it…

If it posed a threat to me or my family members I’d have no qualms about destroying it…

My neighbor has a couple of pit bulls with bad reputations and I told them that if they value their dog’s lives they should make sure they keep them on a leash. I have a few young nieces & nephews that visit from time to time and if one of those dogs hurt them I’d kill the dog and probably the owner as well…

quote:

Originally posted by BUCKMT:

quote:

Posted 17 December 2007 02:02 Hide Post
Well to your response I say Bull Pucky.I live on a farm and all the land around me is private property.My dogs are trained and have freedom to run my property.They are working herding dogs,but do sleep inside in the Winter.In early Spring they stay in the Barn to protect newly born animals from Bear ,Wolf and Coyote.If a animal has been trained I see no reason to hobble it with a chain or rope.If you live in a City or Town I can see a good reason to always have controll of your animals.If I was you I would write a letter of apology to this man.

OLBiker
If your dogs are trained, then you can't complain if they get shot on someone else's land, can you? Hopefully they can read posted signs

Walt

well I guess things are differnt here.My neighbors would not shoot my dogs nor I theirs.My dogs dont leave my property.They are also my burgler and trespasser alarms.We live a half mile off a dead end road.My nearist neighbor is over a mile away. When strangers come into the farm yard,they stay in their cars.Thats how I want it!!!

I hunt 700 acres surrounded on three sides by rural subdivisions, and this topic is a sore spot with me. I live in one of the adjoining subdivisions myself and keep my dogs in kennels unless I am working or training them. The mind set of "I live in the country so my dogs can run loose" is a selfish and irresponsible attitude and has gotten many dogs killed. I spend many hours in preparation for deer season and hunting, and I refuse to let "Fido" spoil it for me and my son.

If my neighbors have the same concern for their pets that I do, they had dang well better keep them at home.

On a related note, this is not just a dog issue either. My Dad raises pigeons and quail to use in training and working his bird dog and has problems with stray cats. I have proven several times that cats do not really have 9 lives.

So what you guys want to do is justify shooting any unattended dog you see.Many hunting dogs get lost during hunting.Dont try and find the owners just snuff the dog.No body has 100% controll of their dogs.Dogs get out of kennels.I am also a Hound Man .I belong to a Club that runs Hounds for Bear,Coon,Big Cats,Rabbits.Even though we have GPS units on these animals ,they can fall off.So just shoot anything you see.I got news for you .In most States not only will you pay restitution to the owner,but can face jail time if you are caught .I found two Beagles last winter that got lost hunting rabbits.perhaps I should have run them over with my Truck Instead of taking them home, feeding them ,and finding their owner.You are little ,little people.

You just don't get the point. The issue isn't dogs that escape kennels, or get lost when under hunting circumstances, it's non-responsible owners that allow their dogs to roam all the time, without regard to the animal's welfare, or the rights of adjoining property owners, and no regard for the wildlife those dogs distroy. I do not advocate shooting every stray dog on sight; but I can understand it happening when the animals are a nuisance, and the owners show no inclination to remedy the problem.
If you care about your pets, keep them under control. If you don't, then be prepared for the worst.

The anti hunting neighbours adjoining one of the spots I hunt have 2 very large mastiffs. Did I mention that the owners are anti hunters?? I watch the dogs chasing the deer, I suppose in the spring they kill a lot of fawns. They go out of their way to walk across a 1/4 section and bark at me in my treestand. One evening as I climbed down they attacked me. I climbed back up in a hurry! Should a dog like this be shot?? I think so, although I haven't yet.

I was hunting at buddies place and the neighbours dogs come over and attack buddies dog. They are off their property and obviously vicious, I watched the attack with my own eyes.

I stopped by the side of the road this fall to look at some road kill. Out of the bush comes two rotweillers, there isn't a farmhouse for miles. Where did these dogs come from, and why are they so intimidating? Didn't shoot those ones either, although I didn't see any tags or collars.

I don't want to shoot dogs, but dammit can't people look after their animals??
And what makes them think these dogs aren't into no good when they are off their property? There seems to be a sense of entitlement with dog owners and they can get damned arrogant when confronted with the fact that fido is a problem.

When I was young my dog went to the neighbours and stole chickens. You bet we looked after that dog after that. The neighbours kindly gave us a warning, but I knew it was the one and only.


the chef

Ole biker there is an obvious difference between a lost dog and a problem animal. Lost dogs should be treated with kindness...the other kind maybe not.

the chef

quote:

Originally posted by OLBIKER:
So what you guys want to do is justify shooting any unattended dog you see..<SNIP>..You are little ,little people.

Not me. I live trap them and find the owners of them if I can and otherwise take them to the rescue down by town. But most of my neighbors just shoot dogs that aren't theirs. Just how it is. On the same token, I had a problem escape artist chow that killed livestock and I put her down myself. She cost me a lot of money in repaying the neighbors for lamb and fowl.

Feral cats, however, well, I never liked cats anyway...'nuff said.

Regards,

quote:

Originally posted by BUCKMT:
You just don't get the point. The issue isn't dogs that escape kennels, or get lost when under hunting circumstances, it's non-responsible owners that allow their dogs to roam all the time, without regard to the animal's welfare, or the rights of adjoining property owners, and no regard for the wildlife those dogs distroy. I do not advocate shooting every stray dog on sight; but I can understand it happening when the animals are a nuisance, and the owners show no inclination to remedy the problem.
If you care about your pets, keep them under control. If you don't, then be prepared for the worst.

What you dont understand is that I have trained working Dogs doing their job.I live in the middle of a Section that my Brother and I own.We also lease 1500 acres for Crops and whatever I want to do there.They dont leave my property.I would bet you any amount of money you could drive in any large Farm here in NE Wi. and find Loose dogs.Most never are Chained or kenneled.It is a farm way of live around here.There is no Public land to speak of and my neigbors are my Friends.The Farm has been in my family for 150 some years.For some reason you think I don`t take care of or know where my Dogs are.I can go out anytime day or night and whistle them up within 10 minutes.I spend lots of time with them and Show my Border Collies.You are the ones "Who don`t get it"!!!!!!!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by OLBIKER:You are the ones "Who don`t get it"!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't believe you were speaking to me but I get it and I have borders and heelers and some mixed of the two that have the run of my property but not everybody else's and I don't have as much land as you do. It's still not to be unexpected around here for a loose dog to be shot. However you feel about that, it is what it is.

OlBiker, you obviously think your dogs are more than dogs; just what are they doing when you have to wait those "10 minutes" after you whistle them up? They're being dogs, that's what; chasing something, digging something, killing something, just being dogs. When one of them gets into a rabid skunk or killed by a coyote, will you be surprised, or will you simply go get another "working dog", without regard to the first animal, and turn it loose? You, sir, should not own a dog.

quote:

Originally posted by tom`:

quote:

Originally posted by OLBIKER:You are the ones "Who don`t get it"!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't believe you were speaking to me but I get it and I have borders and heelers and some mixed of the two that have the run of my property but not everybody else's and I don't have as much land as you do. It's still not to be unexpected around here for a loose dog to be shot. However you feel about that, it is what it is.

I understand what you are saying and you obviousley know where I am coming from.I was not looking for a fight by stating how I run my animals.Just because I have a differnt point of view does not make it wrong ,just differnt!!!!OB

quote:

Originally posted by BUCKMT:
OlBiker, you obviously think your dogs are more than dogs; just what are they doing when you have to wait those "10 minutes" after you whistle them up? They're being dogs, that's what; chasing something, digging something, killing something, just being dogs. When one of them gets into a rabid skunk or killed by a coyote, will you be surprised, or will you simply go get another "working dog", without regard to the first animal, and turn it loose? You, sir, should not own a dog.

Ever hear of rabies shots?????Ever been on a working Sheep farm?????We also raise Meat goats,Llamas and Alpacas.These animals pasture during the day.The Dogs stay with them all day.They bring them back to the Barn at night.The barn is a quarter mile from the house .It snows here in Wi.How long do you think it takes a dog to go a Quarter mile through snow.You would be better to keep your mouth shut about things that you know nothing about ,rather than show what a foolish person you are!!!!my last post on this thread!!!!!!!!

Sounds like a great life for a dog.

I wonder if you even went to the trouble to name them, or bother to look for them when they don't come home.

I'll stand by my last statement.

Olbiker I don't see where you are doing anything wrong with your dogs. We can take your word for it that your dogs are trained, they don't roam where they are not wanted, and you and those near you are aware of your dogs travels and don't seem to mind. Given all this, there is no issue.

However the original post at least inferred that the dog in question regularly roamed off of the property she was permitted on. The circumstances related in the copied article and reply are very different from the circumstances you describe at your farm. The dog getting shot is certainly regrettable to almost all, but very obviously foreseeable and avoidable.

I guess what I'd like to know is if the owners of the dog in question are willing to accept any responsibilty for the circumstances or are they wailing, wringing their hands and asking "how could this ever happen?"

No I don't really want to know.

I had two lost fox hounds show up on my place while we were working some cattle. Both were probably around a year old, a Walker female and a Black and Tan male. Before I could get them restrained, they roamed off, acting like they were looking for their owner.

They went through our fence and ended up near some other hunters. I heard two shots coming from that area. The male came back but the female was no where to be seen. I took the male back to our farm house and fed him. He seemed content to stay at the house so we left him there over night. The next day it was predicted to have ice and snow, so my brother went and picked up the Black and Tan and brought him to town. He started losing weight after a few days of feeding so we took him to the vet and found that he had been shot. the bullet entered just behind the shoulder and came out at the neck. No blood and only after the vet injected Hydrogen peroxide could you see the wound channel.

These were very good hunting dogs and anyone that would shoot one of these, deserves to be shot themself.

I understand taking out feral dogs that attack livestock and humans, but when the dog is obviously a working or hunting dog with a collar, there is no excuse to shoot them other than pure meanness or Machismo.

Letting people or their dogs hunt your land without permission is your perogative; deal with the "lost" as you see fit. We're not talking about hunting dogs lost on a hunt, we're talking about dogs let run, to travel as they please. My posted signs leave no question; I don't want you or your dogs on my land. If you don't want to face the consequences, stay off my land and keep your dogs under control.

HL,

I share your affection for working dogs or animals in general. My no good, low down, worthless, mean spirited, spoiled rotten, dirty black lab female sleeps under the bed covers every night! It's revolting, and I feel abused and frankly taken advantage of.

Having said that, I suspect that you and I will agree that dogs at their most basic levels are predators. My lab and those fox hounds work their trained profession because they are hunters/ predators/ killers. If we agree that is true, then perhaps you and I can agree that loose and un controled dogs could revert to their most basic level or instinct of predator. If those loose dogs can revert to the predator and if you do not think you can afford to loose livestock as a rancher, or if you do not think you can afford to loose wildlife as a game manager, (both examples very subjective I agree,) then can you understand the summary shooting of loose dogs?

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Sullivan:

The mind set of "I live in the country so my dogs can run loose" is a selfish and irresponsible attitude and has gotten many dogs killed.

I agree completely with that.

Whoever shot the dog in the opening article should receive a commendation for doing so, and the owners should receive a big fine.

My dogs have always run loose. They keep the coons, possums, and 2&4 legged rats out of the barn and yard, and keep the deer out of the rose bushes. They are well-fed, wormed regularly, and vaccinated, and neutered. If they get on a neighbor's property, they might get shot at or worse. If they chase the neighbors stock, they won't be around here long. IMO, penning them would be similiar to putting a man in jail to protect him for the rest of his life.

quote:

Originally posted by SGraves155:

My dogs have always run loose. They keep the coons, possums, and 2&4 legged rats out of the barn and yard, and keep the deer out of the rose bushes. They are well-fed, wormed regularly, and vaccinated, and neutered. If they get on a neighbor's property, they might get shot at or worse. If they chase the neighbors stock, they won't be around here long.

How do the dogs know where the line is, and what they are allowed to chase and what they are not allowed to chase?

No more than I would park my car in your driveway or dump my trash in your yard. Dogs are not people and cannot roam free...

No way do mine roam free! Dogs are dogs, and I'll gently disagree with you Steve and anyone else on allowing them to be free. The jail analogy isn't all that good since dogs are not people.

While my dogs are very friendly, one is an American Bulldog. They aren't the short, squaty cute bulldogs. If allowed free people would think he is a giant version of a pit bull. In fact, that's what everyone thinks he is. He'd be shot for sure.

My other dog is a lab. She too is very friendly and always looking out for a hand out. Like all dogs. She would get into anyone's car if allowed. This is a dog who loves going to the vet since it is another car ride.

No matter how well fed- dogs are going to hunt, whether it be begging from a neighbor, killing a neighbors livestock or killing wildlife, they are going to do it. They are going to do it even if they know they are not supposed to.

It is their nature.

More than likely they would also run in front of traffic and cause an accident/injury to a person or be injured or killed themselves.

I am a farmer and know the loss caused by other people's dogs. I am suing a company for allowing a technician to come onto my property who stupidly released his dog with out permission. His dog attacked my layers and injured my rooster. The hens shut down laying from January through May. I lost a bunch of customers due to that. I lost over $2000 in sales plus I was stuck with a vet bill.

The rooster can no longer breed hens, he produces a great layer, well, he used to. All of his daughters are excellent.

My dogs are not worth another person's livestock or health. They are dogs and they are my responsibilty so long as they belong to me.

Mine are kept on a trolly line when outdoors and not being directly monitored by me. We do go for walks on the road and hikes on my property. I live very rural but no matter, they do not belong off my property with out ME.

Both of my dogs are reletively young, the lab is 6 and the bulldog is 2, but when the last goes they are it. I'll be retiring and will spend more time traveling.

quote:

there is an obvious difference between a lost dog and a problem animal. Lost dogs should be treated with kindness...the other kind maybe not.

One of the few bits of common sense.

Whether or not a dog should be allowed to roam has many factors, mainly the dog and where he lives. Ultimately it is the owner who is responsible for the fate of the dog as the dog has instincts not decision making ability's. However that doesn't mean a guy who shoots his neighbors dog for pissing on his mail box isn't a asshole or the guy who knowing lets his dog run loose and cause problems isn't the same. Like anything else it's case by case.

If a person has taught his (yard)dogs not to cause problems on his own property (a natural thing to do), then those dogs are the best protection against someone else's dogs causing problems in the owner's absence. There are definite benefits to allowing dogs to not be restrained--mainly in keeping potential burglars away, but also in keeping problem wildlife, and other's dogs and cats off your property. If the dog is restrained, many of these benefits are lost.
Dogs that cause problems if unrestrained must be dealt with differently than dogs that have learned to behave. Older, fatter, neutered dogs are less likely to leave the vicinity of the house.
Other factors which could change whether unrestrained dogs can reasonably be tolerated: City vs Country, cattle country vs. sheep country, presence of many dumped dogs, presence or lack of trustworthy neighbors who can observe your property, liklihood of unwanted human visitors, presence of "attractive nuisance"nearby, and there must be more. But it is not all one-way or the other.

If I have a dog that roams far from the house anyway, he gets several feet of heavy chain attached to his collar. This usually keeps them close enough to do their guard work and away from causing problems for others. My house sits in a forest. The driveway is over 1/2 mile to the road, and no other houses are visible from my property, so my worries of my unrestrained dogs causing more harm than good are small. If a neighbor's dog shows up and my dogs don't chase him away, he gets a rock or a BB headed his way, along with a few cusswords. That's a neighborly way of helping your neighbor's dog learn to stay home.

i agree it must be taken by a case by case basis depending on where one lives, and what kind of dog one has.
to that though, dogs are animals, not people. i dont' care how much you love fido or how well trained, its an animal. if left alone for long enough, while maybe not 100% feral, dogs can and will revert back to predatory animals. and sometimes ones that are not afraid of humans, making for a bad combination.
i have seen my neighbors dogs killed by a couple strays that terrorized my neighborhood until someone called the dog catcher. i just wanted to start shooting, but didn't want to go to jail shooting in the city limits.
where i hunt there are houses somewhat nearby, but the owners keep their dogs on their own property, they have enough respect for the hunters to not let their dogs run free and continually chase deer. we have had problems with packs of dogs that chase deer, kill calves, and a group of 7 or 8 have charged my dad while stalking through the woods. they quit when the .270 dropped the lead dog, and they scattered. but i'll be damned if i let those wild dogs loose when my little cousins fish and play in the farm next to ours. if you value your dog, keep it near your house. i do not enjoy killing dogs, my folks have 4, i live with a beautiful belgian shepherd owned by my roommates. but if i'm in the deerstand and a dog comes out, how do i know if its one of the wild ones that will attack me, or if its a lost pet? no collar, dead dog. just the way it is.
yes, i would be deeply saddened by the loss of a pet, but i also realize the importance of keeping them at the house, due to the area i live in.
so do not call me a killer or murderer. i am a hunter, one of the most honest and ethical men you will ever come across. dogs strike such a chord with people because so many people have and love their dogs, they cannot understand that they aren't kids or people, but animals, and sometimes go 'bad'.