Almost every one of these neighbors thinks their dog is entitled to open range. I live in the country, in Dodge County. I GUESS they think it is not against the law for animals to have access to everyone’s land, trash cans, flower beds, and yards since I have seen little action by any government official to prevent the invasions.
For several years I have heard of dogs attacking cows, goats and hogs and wild game. I guess they just like to kill. It is their nature.
A few weeks ago there was an article in a Middle Georgia newspaper showing a picture of a goat whose ears had been chewed by neighborhood dogs. The paper stated that the goat owner found eight of her 17 goats dead. The paper also said that hundreds of heads of livestock have been killed by dogs in the past three years.
A deputy sheriff was quoted as saying, “residents can shoot the dogs if they’re protecting life and property”. Livestock, yards, gardens, timberland, open fields are all “property”. It is almost impossible to protect your property from dogs because they will cross fence, burrow under the fence, roam for miles, and gather in packs.
One goat farmer said he would see seven or eight dogs at a time after his goats. Dogs do the same way after many types of livestock, and many types of wild game. Just about every breed of dog will “hunt” and attack.
One man interviewed by the paper suggested deputies be given permission to shoot un-collared, unleashed dogs. Property owners have a right to protect their property in the same manner.
Submitted by,
Cletus Mullis
