Angry situation - update (edited)

[Bassy]

I want some advice. Maybe some of you can help me with this. <br /> We live in the mountains on 10 acres. Our dog, Buddy, came up missing 2 days ago. My husband heard shots fired that day and knew something had been shot. (Being a War Vet you know what it sounds like when something alive is shot). So, Buddy didn't come home that day. I got home yesterday and took our other dog, Elijah, to go find Buddy. I didn't know what I'd find. After looking all over the property I found him dead. He was 16 years-old, so I thought maybe he just died of natural causes. I got my husband and he took a look at him. He was shot by some kind of rifle and the way he was laying he was headed back home. He was on our side of the fence on our property. <br /> I want to confront the people. We know who's property attaches to ours. These people pop off shots often. I don't have a problem with that, but this time it killed our family member. I am so angry!! and husband wants serious revenge. Does Smote mean anything? <br /> I know its dangerous sometimes to confront people in these kinds of situations. People are weird! I just want a good reason as to why my wonderful dog is dead. I don't want things worse.<br /> How would you handle this?<br />I would appreciate any helpful comments or experiences. Thanks in advance.<br /> I bit of previous history:<br /> Their bull was out last week for quite a few days being a nuisance in the street in front of our place and running through our vineyard. Nothing was damaged, but could have. We didn't shoot their bull. Heck, that could have been a free side of beef. But we aren't that way. Now we wish we were. Probably not, but think it.<br />Bassy<br />Edit:<br /> Husband went to talk with the neighbor. He talked to the Son-in-Law and he said dogs have been hurting their sheep and one sheep was down due to it. Husband saw the injured sheep. Husband explained Buddy was 16 years old and part of the family. Also to have Dad-in-Law come by so we can talk about it. So, it looks like a stake of mistaken identity. We feel better about the situation. We know Buddy didn't attack those sheep, but we understand why they did what they did. I hope the man comes by so we can clean air and get communication open. Good neighbors are good to have around. <br />Thanks to you all for listening. You don't know how much having people who understand helps. Soo much!<br />Bassy and Mr. Bassy

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: Angry situation - update (edited)

I would call the cops. I'm sure it's illegal to kill someones pet, especially on their own property. Maybe they can do some kind of ballistic test to identify the firearm used. Revenge is sweet, but let the law handle this one, too many emotions flying around to confront the jerks yourself.<br />I'm sorry for your loss. Losing a pet that has been a part of you family for so long is difficult, I know. Under these circumstances....terrible.<br />Godspeed Buddy<br /><br />Dave

 

[gaugeguy]

Re: Angry situation - update (edited)

Yep, let the law do it's job Bassy that's the best/safest bet. Sorry for your loss

 

[mikeandronda]

Re: Angry situation - update (edited)

Im sorry for your loss Bassy, I know how much my little buddies mean to me. I dont envy you or your husband cuz Im not sure I could contian myself, I later would regret my actions but dang it there like family members. Once again sorry and you should probably follow Daves advice. Call the cops.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Angry situation - update (edited)

That sucks Bassy!!! Like the others said dont get all riled up and do something you will regret. Let the law handle it. I would also keep a tight leash on the other dog for a while. <br /><br />I know your pain about losing that dog, I had to put mine down last week and it was about the worst thing I ever had to do

 

[KennyKenCan]

Re: Angry situation - update (edited)

Please do not retaliate against your neighbor, call the police!<br /><br />I'm sure it is illegal to shoot a domestic animal in your state too, unless attacked, which does not seem to be the issue here.<br /><br />Call the police and a lawyer!<br /><br />Sorry about your loss.

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Angry situation - update (edited)

Oh Bassy, so sorry. <br /><br />Call the cops. Unless your dog Buddy was pesterin his bull on HIS property I don't think he can't shoot your dog and get away with it. Let the law handle it eitherway.<br /><br />I understand you and your husbands anger. It would be very difficult for me to control myself if I was in your situation. Good luck to both of you.<br /><br />Again, I am sorry for your loss.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Angry situation - update (edited)

Bassy – I am sorry for your loss. You have every reason to be upset about losing Buddy.<br /><br />I do not know the circumstances of what happened. Here’s some thought based on what you posted…<br /><br />Buddy may have been shot on the other side of the fence then tossed back. Perhaps the neighbor was concerned with Buddy spooking the bull?!? Or it could just be a mean neighbor. Either way, if the neighbor did this he should have said something to you.<br /><br />Ultimately, the very bottom line ends with the owner’s responsibility for their animal. Regardless of how justified or cruel the neighbor may be; no matter how right or wrong; legal or illegal shoot a dog may be; Buddy’s safety was with his owners.<br /><br />After retiring form the Coast Guard, my uncle took a job with Calif F&G. He was responsible for transplanting fish all over the state. He lived in a state facility in the middle of nowhere in the mountains with neighbors far apart. All around him, people let their dogs out. The kindest, friendliest dogs by day would pack together in the afternoon and become viscous, chasing down and killing deer. Sometimes the deer would run out of the forest and collapse from exhaustion on my uncle’s lawn, followed by a pack of ‘friendly’ dogs.<br /><br />In the late afternoon/early evening, my uncle would sit in a chair on his porch with a lever action .30-30. Lots of dogs never returned home. A single, wondering dog was never shot; only when they packed and were on the kill.<br /><br />It doesn't sound like Buddy was part of a pack. You might politely ask the neighbor if they know anything about what happened to Buddy...and only LISTEN!…then let the police take it from there IF you decide it is something that needs to be pursued.<br /><br />Again, I am sorry for the loss of Buddy.

 

[oddjob]

Re: Angry situation - update (edited)

If the police dont help you out....heres how I might handle it... tell the neighbors what happened..if they dont own up to it then at least they will not be surprised if in the future a beef or two mysteriously meets the same faite as your pet did......They cant blame you if your one of the co-victims to the serial domestic animal murders.<br /><br />Sorry for your loss Bassy.. <br /><br />Sorry for my negative reponse, but dropping that animal on your property without warning or complaint was plain arrogant(sp?) and extremely unneighborly. <br /><br />Years ago, when I lived on a farm my father shot @ my own dog w/ bird shot to stop it from chasing his cattle. I'm not saying that this is the case with your situation here, but it might provide a motive. <br /><br />I would politely confront them, not in a non-accusing manner mind you, but as a friendly neighbor concerned that some moron is running around on local folks property.

 

[Bassy]

Re: Angry situation - update (edited)

Thanks for your responses and your condolences(sp?) Our dogs are always tied up except when we are out with them during the day. They do take off and check out what's been on the property and being on the back side of the property on our side should have not been a problem. The bull is in a corral far away from the property line. I agree if our dog was pestering them I understand their actions, but I wish they would have talked to us. <br />The law sounds like the best thing to use if that's what we decide to do. Thank you again for replying.<br />Bassy

 

[oddjob]

Re: Angry situation - update (edited)

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: Angry situation - update (edited)

Dear Bassy,<br /><br />As a pet owner myself,i fully comprehend the pain one feels when losing a family member as your dog surely was. It galls me to think that someone can be so callous to cowardly kill their neighbour's pet, that is something that would with certainty push me to extreme violence, however please do not take such matters into your hands,let the law handle this as Dave and others have so wisely urged, i am verily saddened by your loss.<br /><br />sincerely Elmer

 

[JB]

Re: Angry situation - update (edited)

Hi, Bassy.<br /><br />First, I weep for your loss. It is tragic. <br /><br />Second, don't assume that your neighbor did it. Evidence may lean that way, but there is no proof that you have mentioned. Let the police take care of the question about what happened.<br /><br />Third, there is nothing I know of that will make a happy country life miserable quicker or more thoroughly than a neighborhood war. Even if your neighbor did do it and the police cannot build a prosecutable case. . . well, let it go. Retribution will only escalate bad feelings and bad behavior. People have been killed over less important events.<br /><br />This may sound stupid to some, but believe me, it is the best way to prevent and cure ill feelings. Cultivate friendship with the neighbor in question. Neighbors who are good friends look out for one another and wouldn't think of harming their friends' animals.

 

[oddjob]

Re: Angry situation - update (edited)

Thanks JB, for saying what I meant to say..

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Angry situation - update (edited)

Bassy,<br /><br />Terribly sorry to hear about Buddy. I will be brief. I would personally be looking for my pound of flesh as well. <br /><br />Rule one in an arguement, the first to over-react will lose. There has to be an animal advocacy group in your area. These folks are tenatious, probably more so than the police. I would alert them to the situation and the facts as you know and percieve them to be....<br /><br />Then let them loose....<br /><br />food for thought.

 

[muskyone]

Re: Angry situation - update (edited)

i too am sorry in wi it is illegal to shot a dog even if it's harassing your animals so call the cops show them were you found the dog and let them accuse the neighbor

 

[rolmops]

Re: Angry situation - update (edited)

Sorry to hear about your pup.This should not have happened.<br />Good fences make good neighbors,besides it will also give you a good excuse in case a bull is behaving in a damaging way on your property. I have seen what is left after a cow or bull decides that he needs to scratch himself on your vines.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Angry situation - update (edited)

That is a terrible thing Bassy. I lost a dog last year to glycol poisioning. Notify the cops, nothing will come out of it. At least it didn't for me. still don't know who or why.<br /><br />I handled my situation by going to all the neighbors in my local area. I asked them if they had any problems with someone doing it to their pets. I just let them know that there was some lowlife that was doing this and to be on the look out so their pet doesn't get poisoned.<br /><br />Most of the people were greatful in knowing that something was going on. Several didn't seem to care and one of those did make me suspecious. <br /><br />It has been slightly over a year now. Our new dog Keeper stays inside most of the time. I still go out a check his dog run area to make sure nobody has set anything out. At least now I have one of my security cameras covering his 350' dog run.<br /><br />If you talk to your neighbors, just make sure you don't say anything that relates to them being a suspect. Be informative of what has happened to Buddy.<br /><br />Sorry for your loss.

 

[wajajaja]

Re: Angry situation - update (edited)

to be brief, here in nj, it is illegal to shoot any dog or cat, they can only be euthanized by injection by a vet or certified euthanize technician, no one can shoot a dog. <br /> the only exception is to shoot a dog on attack of a farm animal.<br /> the police probly wont get involved pass public relations with you, you'll need to involve a SPCA OFFICER. <br /><br />gave up being a Animal control officer to go boating.

 

[Bassy]

Re: Angry situation - update (edited)

Please refer to edit in first post.<br />Bassy