Unleashed Dogs are Dead Dogs in Semi-Rural America
Protesters Want Stiffer ChargesUPDATE 09/23/08: Protesters want the farmer who shot two dogs after threatening his cattle charged with a felony. Christopher Commins, the farmer, currently faces misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. Protesters held a rally and demanded the state take additional action against him. One of the shot dogs, Hoochie, also attended the rally.
07/15/08: Farmer May Be ProsecutedBack in May, we reported on a farmer that shot two huskies circling one of his cows. At the time of the shooting, wolves had been seen in the area. There were also calves in the field. The dog owner caught the scene on video and the Orange County Humane Society is now urging the State Attorney's office to prosecute the farmer.
05/23/08: Farmers Will Shoot Off Leash DogsOrange County, FL - Farmers are losing livestock at an increased rate due to loose dogs and they're unhappy about it. As urban folks spread into semi-rural areas, they bring their dogs with them and an attitude that is unwelcome to farmers: "Look at all the open space! I don't need to leash my dogs."
This attitude will get your dogs shot and killed.
If your off-leash dog steps onto a farmer's property and chases livestock, it's perfectly legal for the farmer to shoot and kill your dog. Loose, roaming dogs are a significant problem in semi-rural areas of the US. Livestock owners suffer enormous costs as these dogs destroy herds of goats and other animals.
Dog owner Chris Butler now has two shot dogs and a pile of medical bills. He had the dim-witted idea that walking his two huskies off-leash would be "good for the dogs." Next thing you know, the dogs were chasing cattle on a nearby ranch. An unhesitating farmer shot them both and he doesn't owe the dog owner a dime.
Labels: livestock attack, roaming dogs
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