When is it legal to shoot a domesticated animal?

**GruGrux515** · March 9th, 2013, 09:01 AM

I am just curious what the laws say about shooting a domesticated animal such as a dog? The reason I ask is because I have an overly ignorant neighbor who NEVER leashes her golden retriever and he constantly runs at you barking. He has yet to attack anyone thankfully but it doesn't mean he could never.

Thanks

**CHEMICAL** · March 9th, 2013, 09:11 AM

pepper spray is your friend and I can assure you that the dog will remember for a long time.

**GruGrux515** · March 9th, 2013, 09:31 AM

I agree I would never want to just shoot a dog and claim it was attacking me. I just wanted to know what rights I had if it ever did attack me.

**TParrish** · March 9th, 2013, 09:44 AM

Yeah, don't do it. I know someone (OK, a former student of mine) who punched out a dog that ran onto his property and attacked him. A neighbor lady saw it happen, and filed an animal abuse complaint against him, and he actually lost. Paid a fine. The dog was fine. The neighbor felt fine. Fines all around.

**Odonnks** · March 9th, 2013, 10:22 AM

Pepper spray by far the best solution.
No legal hassles afterward.

Shooting would likely involve a visit by local LE and in this day with all the current events there's no telling where it could go from there.
I wouldn't want to give them a reason to visit me.

**Manxdriver** · March 9th, 2013, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by Odonnks

Pepper spray by far the best solution.
No legal hassles afterward.

Shooting would likely involve a visit by local LE and in this day with all the current events there's no telling where it could go from there.
I wouldn't want to give them a reason to visit me.

AND, you already stated your motives and intentions in post#1. You also gave evidence that the dog is friendly and wants to play and is NOT attacking.

For clarity, I do not agree with what I just typed, I was just pointing out what THEIR lawyer is going to say in front of the Judge and Jury!

**Sleeper1g** · March 9th, 2013, 10:51 AM

yeh, pepper spray.....its a golden retreiver, no one is going to believe that the dog was attacking you

**K.C.** · March 9th, 2013, 10:57 AM

§ 459-501. Killing dogs; dogs as nuisances
http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/s...9_502.htm#s501

.

**internet troll** · March 9th, 2013, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by GruGrux515

I am just curious what the laws say about shooting a domesticated animal such as a dog? The reason I ask is because I have an overly ignorant neighbor who NEVER leashes her golden retriever and he constantly runs at you barking. He has yet to attack anyone thankfully but it doesn't mean he could never.

Thanks

It's a gray area even with the statute. Check out the twists and turns in the following thread where a dog was shot.

http://forum.pafoa.org/lounge-108/20...t-vincent.html