In rural areas, dog owners sometimes become a little less cautious, or even careless, about where their pets run off to. While local laws might not be as clear-cut and applicable in the countryside, it’s still important to keep an eye on your dogs, but one neighbor in Texas learned this the hard way. This neighbor’s dog has been a menace to a nearby homeowner. Just within a few months, this dog had damaged his porch, harassed his livestock, and even killed over a dozen of his chickens. It wasn’t until the neighbor’s unruly dog attacked his own that he took things to the extreme and opened fire on it.
According to his story on r/legaladvice, the man had let his two dogs out, one male and the other female. Without any warning, the neighbor’s dog attacked the male one, and as any dog owner would know, trying to break up leashless dogs is dangerous. Without hesitation, the owner ran back in, grabbed his coyote gun, and shot the neighbor’s dog on the spot. It didn’t die but ran home, as he didn’t shoot to kill. It was a “warning shot,” as he put it. Wildly enough, this is the third time this has happened.
“The owner has since been driving by our house slowly. Should I report to police?” the Texas man asks Reddit, wondering how he should deal with all this. Of course, plenty of people in the post’s comments strongly encouraged him to take his dog to a vet since he didn’t seem to be too worried about his pet’s injuries. “I would immediately call the police and make a report. You need documentation in case this gets ugly,” recommends another.
Texas Law States the Man Had Every Right to Shoot His Neighbor’s Dog
As to whether the dog owner might get in trouble for what he did to the neighbor’s, one commenter pointed out that “In Texas, if a dog is attacking your livestock, you can legally end its life. Health and safety code 822.013.” For context, this Texas law states, “A dog or coyote that is attacking, is about to attack, or has recently attacked livestock, domestic animals, or fowls may be killed by any person witnessing the attack.” In other words, even if the neighbor tried something, he’d be in the clear.
As to whether the man intends to do anything to prevent the neighbor’s dog from causing trouble again, it seems uncertain, based on his responses. Someone recommended he put up fencing to protect his pets and his 3-year-old, but he replied that he owns over 100 acres. As for suggestions for getting his female dog fixed, he refused, saying that she’s too young and he might keep her for breeding.
In the end, it’s rather confusing as to what the man plans to do legally, considering he did the right thing protecting his dog. Yet, based on their downvotes, Redditors aren’t too sure whether he has a handle on what to do next to prevent further problems.
