Entertaining Suggestions for Dealing with Neighborhood Stray

[XJ Dreamin']

You know...The one from somewhere down the street that someone is feeding but on one will claim. So far he has not been a biting threat, but he seems to think that my yard is part of his range. I beg to differ. We are county, unincorporated, so no leash laws and no municipal animal control. By the same token, being rural loosens up the field somewhat in terms of possible solutions without running into the law.

Precident that does apply is that the animal is considered personal property, so destroying it is destroying private property whether it's on the owner's property or off. Same as if you busted up his car in his driveway or on the public street. Whether or not it's on his property it's still destruction of private property. I know...asinine to apply that to a dog running loose, but without specific regulations on the books that is how some claims courts have ruled. The point is, if the owner can prove value and tie me to the animal's demise, the court could find me liable for compensation.

Second, partly relating to the point above, I don't like idendifying myself as an enemy. I prefer to operate covertly. The owner, whoever that is in this case, should not be able to identify me as being involved. As I have the only Jeep on the street, I'm not too worried about the owner seeing this exchange.

Of course, in the end I will deal with this as the situation demands and as I see fit, but I thought it might be entertaining to hear some suggestions. Assume I have the materials required :explosion and be creative.

Oh yeah, details. The stray is a white chow mix, about 70#, male. Lots are about 2/3 acre so figure houses and people well within lethal range.

 

[Lawn Cher']

Take the dog to an animal shelter.

 

[XJ Dreamin']

Take the dog to an animal shelter.

Yes, that is most likely. I'm a little disappointed that that was the first suggestion. Being annoyed as I am, this morning, I was hoping for something a little more creative :laugh3:

The problem with taking it to the local shelter (after I get hold of it, which could be a problem) is that after the owner recovers it he will release it back onto our street. The solution (if I can get hold of it) is to take it to a shelter in another town and lie about where I found it so that the owner has some difficulty recovering it. Getting hold of the animal will take some thought, as after several disputes with the animal as to ownership of my yard, it is careful not to get within throwing range, let alone grabbing range.

 

[85xjwoody]

Take the dog to an animal shelter.

x2.

Kim.

 

[Kejtar]

Shelter! or some other proper authority.

 

[xj4x]

From the sounds of it you don't know who the owner is does the dog have any tags on it most areas rural or not require at least a rabies tag on a dog. If the dog does have a tag you can call just about any vet to find out the owners name. I would then try and talk to the owner about the problem even though this usually doesn't work its worth a try. If owner will then not at least give an effort to keep dog away from your property then send them a bill for the reseeding and cost of maintenance for your yard or anything else destroyed.

Do you have a homeowners assoc. , if so they can sometimes help.

These are the preliminary steps I would take beyond that I'm sure someone else here will give you some ideas.

 

[XJJPR]

Not on

hinkley