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Please don't shoot dogs

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14K views 47 replies 25 participants last post by  Blood Trail 13  
#1 ·
I ran across this story yesterday that's burning up the internet, apparently a guy in Ohio's dogs got loose, and another guy deer hunting decided to shoot them.


Hunter to face charges after man?s dogs are shot to death, found under brush pile | fox8.com


I'll keep my opinion of this "hunter" and what his punishment should be to myself. But what I found the most troubling was reading comments from guys in PA who think it's perfectly acceptable to shoot a dog they run across in the woods or chasing deer. :facepalm: The current language was taken from Page 19 of this year's hunting digest:



[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]• All hunters are urged to respect dog owners and their sport. [/FONT]Dogs can be attracted by electronic calling devices, as well as turkey calls. Be sure of your target. While the law requires dogs to be under the control of their owner or handler at all times, dogs often are not within sight of their handler while tracking game. Dogs cannot read no-trespassing signs and do not heed fences. If you see a hunting dog running or barking, its handler probably isn’t far behind. It is unlawful for dogs to chase or pursue big game, however, the Game Commission recommends that dogs not be shot unless they are actually in the act of attacking a big-game animal and there is no other option. If you see a dog or dogs chasing any deer, bear, elk or turkey, please contact the Game Commission and report the violation. Hunting-dog owners have significant amounts of time and money invested in their dogs, and they consider their dogs hunting partners and friends. Please do not shoot hunting dogs just because you do not immediately see their handler. [/FONT]


• There are appropriate penalties in the Game and Wildlife Code to deter owners from permitting their dogs to chase big game. If you shoot a dog that is not attacking a big-game animal you could be subject to prosecution under the Crimes Code as a misdemeanor offense, with penalties of up to $5,000 and two years imprisonment, as well as civil liability for the restitution of the dog. Any person who destroys a dog (licensed or unlicensed) attacking a big-game animal must report the incident to the dog’s owner or a Game Commission officer within 48 hours, as required by law.


Guys, these are our pets, our kid's companions, and in some cases our best friends. I do remember hearing old-timers brag about shooting dogs when I was a kid, but the laws are different now. Is a deer really that important?:confused:




 
B
#2 ·
Saw this on fb last night. The guys who shot the dogs actually used them and screamed for joy as they were trophies and bragged about it. I love my dog and if some jag off would shoot her on purpose to cause harm im not sure what I would do. His fb is being bombarded with hate and he deserves every bit. The neighbor was yelling and he still did it.
 
J
#3 ·
There is something seriously wrong with the guy who did this and he should be relieved of anything he has in his possession, or can have access to, that could harm another person or animal. Guns, knives, sharpened sticks should be removed from his reach. I don't know if jail time can can be given to him but a mental examination needs to be conducted and then acted on.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Even after using 30 hours vacation, driving 8 hours to Ohio this bow season, spending 600$ in gas, food, camp rent, and a license for 4 days of hunting the rut...... I still couldn't hit the release on the second day after 2 dogs ruined 2 full mornings worth of hunting.

Yup...it was pretty tough being full draw at 11am on the second day after hours of barking and chasing when that pit bull came within 30 yards hot on the trail of a button buck.

But, At the end of the day what good does killing a dog do for anyone? This "hunter" looks pretty sick.

Funny thing was that the other dog wasn't there the second day, later in the week I saw the thing dead near a public land parking area....This stuff happens a lot more than we hear about I'm sure
 
H
#6 ·
I grew up in an area where many loose dogs packed up, and ran down deer (and other game) and killed them, and ate them. Some livestock too. Dogs were shot on site if they were not on the property of their owner. It was the only means to control out-of-control pet owners. It gets ridiculous when "owners" think they can leave their "pets" do "whatever", and think there are no repercussions cuz it's their "pet", and should be free to do as it pleases, where it pleases. WRONG! In this case, I see no mention so far of the dogs chasing game, but I see no mention that they weren't either. I get it that the guy's dogs got out, and he apparently had a fence and tried to keep them in. I'm a dog owner myself, and get tore up every time I lose one. However, having seen where it gets outta hand from owners who think their animals should be "free" to do whatever they please on other folks properties, I don't get too excited personally when I hear of such things. Cats and their owners can be even worse.
 
B
#7 ·
I had two dogs come right up to me one year while I was deer hunting. I was in the middle of nowhere when these two came up tails wagging. I was annoyed that they laid dog scent all over me but I let them walk. Now, had the situation been different and say I saw those two dogs running a deer past me, well, lets just say the story would have ended differently, and not happily for those dogs.

I did not read this story about the dogs, but will just say that the owners are responsible for their animals and when they get loose, they need to understand that this sort of thing can happen to their pets. Not saying its right, but it happens. The owner should be more responsible.
 
#9 ·
Blue Bird said:
I had two dogs come right up to me one year while I was deer hunting. I was in the middle of nowhere when these two came up tails wagging. I was annoyed that they laid dog scent all over me but I let them walk. Now, had the situation been different and say I saw those two dogs running a deer past me, well, lets just say the story would have ended differently, and not happily for those dogs.

I did not read this story about the dogs, but will just say that the owners are responsible for their animals and when they get loose, they need to understand that this sort of thing can happen to their pets. Not saying its right, but it happens. The owner should be more responsible.
Click to expand...
:facepalm: I swear there must be something in the well water in this state....the law is that you can't shoot a dog that is running a deer, it has to be actually attacking the deer before you can take the law into your own hands. I don't think anyone is promoting irresponsible dog ownership, what worries me the most is some yahoo shooting my turkey dog, "just because". I've pounded it in her head to stay away from deer and use an e-collar just in case she forgets (hasn't yet), but I've seen other bird dogs chase deer, beagles also. This deserves a death sentence?
 
M
#8 ·
I am NOT saying shooting dogs is right
BUt I have hunted and seen deer at deaths door from being chased by dogs
as a fact I once shot a deer so run down from being chases(and seen dogs all week chasing deer) that I shot the poor deer due to it was so far gone, and the MO game dept issued me a new tags due to condition deer was in.
never seen such deer dog damage before first hand and was very upsetting, and the darn dogs I SEEN doing the chasing were small mix breed dogs, NOT big one
I was amazed a buck would run from such small animals and not just kick them to death!

MY dog was alike a kid to me, and a hunting dog, I am sure I'd be in jail if someone shot him, not a doubt in my mind I go NUTS

BUT at the same time, I NEVER let my dog chase a deer, I was and AM a responsible PET owner and took the time to train my dog to LISTEN to commands and NOT chase NON targeted animals I was hunting

I personally think its the OWNERS that are responsible for there pets, and IF there allowing them to CHASE deer, and THERE dog gets SHOT
THEY hold a LOT of the blame here in allowing the situation to happen in the first place
YES hunters should hold some trigger control and SEE what happened,
there is a BIG difference in a PET getting loose by accident and a dog following a deer and then a BUNCH of dogs running deer down!
OR having a deer run by in such POOR condition, and as dog on its tail.

a healthy deer being chase ONCE by a pet that got loose will still be rather healthy looking, and a RESPONSIBLE, PET/DOG , owner will have a collar on the dog that should be able to be seen!
Over the yrs I returned MANY dogs that got away from there owners, IT happens

BUT even when that happens, ITS THE DOGS OWNER at fault!
if your dog isn't trained to come on command or STOP when told, DON"T let them off a check cord till they do, or get them an E coller and HAVE Them trained to that BEFORE letting them run free!

MY bird dogs traveled across the USA, hunting, never once got away, never once chase anything I didn't allow, and NEVER used a leash unless going to the vet!
I was always responsible for MY dog'/s

its sad so many pet owners DON"T be so like wise!
 
#11 ·
Once again the deer hunters in Pa show what idiots they really are. Thankfully I dont have that problem in NY and hope to be up there twice next week to hunt grouse alongside of their deer hunters. If all goes well I'll get shooting at some birds and they'll get shooting at deer we move around for them.
 
#35 ·
I hope you meant "some" PA deer hunters are idiots. Otherwise a blanket statement like yours would seem rather ignorant. I would never shoot a dog that was chasing or attacking a deer. I would report it and do my best to see that the owner faced some fines. I would expect those same fines if it were my dog.
 
S
#13 ·
I had the last day of a turkey hunt completely ruined by someone's loose farm dogs on Nebraska public land. I had a gobbling flock headed near me and all that was left was them to appear from some tall grass...just as the dogs ran right past my spot to chase the birds.


Was I furious that my last day/last chance at a turkey was ruined compliments of someone's unsecured pets? Absolutely.


Was I annoyed at the thought that the same person whose dogs just spoiled my hunt on public land would likely never give me permission to hunt on their own land? You bet.


Did it ever cross my mind to shoot the dogs out of frustration and anger? Not even for a second!


Even the best attended pet is going to get out of its owner's care if a delivery man or lawn care service rep forgets to close a gate or fence. I can assure you that it's not always a negligent owner being lazy. A buddy of mine had his dog shot by a cop under those exact circumstances.
 
Z
#14 ·
We adopted a 8 month old dog from a shelter. Very affectionate dog. But we soon learned she is a runner. We paid to have our back yard fenced. Just over an acre. She can run there. However, last week of October, the meter reader bozo left the gate open while he read the meter and she took off like a rocket. One of the Archer's who hunts my property called to say she was running down a fox up on that end of the property. He tried to get video. She was going so fast that she body checked the fox and rolled it not once but twice while he watched. Neighbor claims they were playing. Dixie only weighs 30 pounds now that she is almost 2. She was back home after an hour. Nothing we did permitted her to run. That was the first time in 6 months that she got out. Our German Shepard cross, also from a pound, never strays more than 150 ft from the house unless he is following me to the barn. A complete home body at 13 months. Those dogs are family. Nothing to do with the owners, some dogs have personalities/breeding that makes them run. Just as some are lazy homebodies.
 
#18 ·
But that doesn't change the fact if your dog chases deer, its 100% in the wrong, and chasing leads to attacking IMO
and then thats a GREAY eare of the law to interpit ! and who's to say, when the "DOG" gets shot, HOW is one to prove it was ONLY chasing and NOT attacking, you expect the deer to stick around and give its side of the story LOL
and if the DEER could talk,. what do you think its going to say, IT KNEW The dog only wanted to PLAY< mena while it was running for its life
as don't forget a dog can out RUN a deer, and thats why the law for yrs allowed for them to be shoit doing so, deer don't have the abality to run as long as a dog can, thus they can KILL the deer by chsing it,
so again chasing a deer is actually a version of attacking based on thsi FACT, deer don't have the cadio to run long distance's as a dog can by nature!
and can be run down to the pojnt of NOT able to recover!
Click to expand...
I'd be curious to see how that argument plays out in court....
 
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#19 ·
Even if another person's dog was chasing, or even killing, a deer, I'm not shooting another family's beloved pet. No buck is worth inflicting that kind of trauma on other people, especially kids.

This piece of trash makes hunters look bad--really bad, like we all are blood thirsty savages. He is, but he sure doesn't represent me.

Hopefully, he gets the Jeffrey Dahmer treatment in jail. He's the same kind of monster.
 
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#23 ·
Nobody so far has said not to defend yourself, your family, your livestock, or your possessions. The point I have tried to make is that illegal to shoot someone's pet that gets loose in the woods, or a hunting dog, even if it's chasing a deer. I know the law used to be different, but it has changed. The knucklehead in Ohio shot 2 dogs just for fun, and I'm guessing he's going to pay a big price for it.
 
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#34 ·
If your dog is attacking ME...I'm shooting it if my kick or rifle butt doesn't make it come to its senses and back off. If it is loose, and chasing game its a different situation.

I would only expect you would do the same if I had dogs.
 
Z
#25 ·
As I recall, an hunter killed a dog here in Berks county a couple years ago. Might have been an archer that skewered the pooch.

As for chasing deer. Are they chasing to eat to kill or chasing as a game. When we had a pet doe, raised with two pups, they frequently chased each other around the yard and barn. Even napped together on the porch when they were all very young. When out cutting hay years later, I watched those same two dogs playing with wild deer at the end of the field. They chase deer, deer turns and chases them. The deer could have outrun the beagle crosses in a heart beat. Any body shoots a stumpy legged little dog for chasing a deer is an idiot.
 
M
#27 ·
NOT to sound like a jerk, BUT the deer I described above was being chased by a small beagle mix breed dog, SMALL about 25-30 lbs, IF that! and the deer still ran for dear life,
Over the 7+ day hunt I seen that dog MANY times chasing deer BIG deer and I never under stood WHY a BIG deer would run from such a small dog
then later in that week was when I had to dispatch the deer as described in above post!

But I gather its mother nature at work there, FEAR and NO a DOG can OUT run a deer in the long run , they have better cardio, and can run a deer to death, that's why these laws came about in the first place!
MANY BIG animals RUN from smaller dogs, bear and cougars will tree in fear of them, and they for sure can KILL a dog even a BIG dog isn;'t a match for the,m YET they still run from them!
MAYBE some what where the old saying comes from
' NOT the size of the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog!! " HAHA!
 
B
#29 ·
It's been a while, but 25-30 years ago there was a big problem with wild dogs where I hunted in Northern Butler County. We encountered these mutts with some regularity while in the woods. They looked like skinny pit bulls and were aggressive to everything they encountered, including people. My buddy and I were driving home from work in late winter when a deer shot across the road with a pack of these mutts only yards behind. We pulled over and saw these dogs form a circle and take turns lunging at the deer's hind quarters. We ran them off, but don't know if the deer survived. Eventually folks dealt with these dogs, I knew of some that were shot and our sightings of them died off the next few years.

I'm not talking about some farmer's barn dog or someone's pet, these were true wild dogs living in the woods. The dog officer for the county and the PGC were called, but to the best of my knowledge never took any action.
 
Z
#30 ·
You saw a small dog chase a deer and later that week had to dispatch a deer. Did the dog bring the deer down? Did a different dog bring it down. Was it sick in the first place? Too many things left out to connect those dots. Many years ago I saw a dog chase a deer and later that afternoon had to dispatch a deer just over the hill from where I saw the large dog chasing the deer. The fact that I watched as that deer ran in front of an automobile and get hit with no dog in sight, could be important facts.
 
#31 ·
Perhaps don't look for any excuse to shoot somebody's pet. I can guarantee you, that deer doesn't mean as much to you as the dog means to it's owner. My daughters, and I, would be basket cases should something happen to my beagle.
 
T
#33 ·
Growing up in southwest pa. We had some people that lived next to us. There was 3 or 4 families, and they always had packs of dogs. They just left them roam. My dad and Grandpap, didn't go looking to kill them, but I remember them shooting dogs for killing our chickens. trying to get into the rabbit pens, and chasing the heifers, and calves. When they destroy your personal property you have a different view.

If you shoot a hunting dog, that's just messed up. being a hunter We all know what a hunting dog is. It's not that hard, and they should be totally off limits. When you have a pack of 4 to 8 mangy mutts that you know aren't hunting dogs, and have seen on numerous occasions run deer the choice is easy. Not everything is black and white. there's always gray, however the guy in ohio was in the wrong, and it looks like he will be spending some time in jail, as he should.
 
S
#36 ·
We have pets, and we love our dogs. But we also care for them properly. I would not allow my dog to roam the woods as it pleases, chasing deer or whatever. I raised hunting dogs all my life. Dogs are trainable folks, you can train them to NOT ! run deer or anything for that matter. I also will not tolerate a dog that is mean and bites people.




Now I don't know what happened in Ohio could be the hunter was just a slob hunter and shot an innocent dog. Then he should be reprimanded by the law.


But if it was owner neglect, and the dog was running loose free to chase game as it pleases then the owner should be reprimanded. Same goes with a dog that bites or attacks a innocent person.


Dogs are animals folks, not humans, they are to be cared for properly, controlled and trained.
 
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