Tired of off leash dogs attacking my furkids

I would like to assume here in TX also if a dog is actually attacking you, and worse came to worse, you'd kill it. (sad to even type out!) with that being said, if a dog is just running up to you and not causing you or your animal harm, and you sprayed at it to keep it from coming near, would you be in trouble? I never thought of that, and I can see how you would be in trouble IF the dog wasn't actually attacking you. Interesting thought.
 
I'm just catching up here and would like to add another thought, although I may be on the wrong tack it sounds as if these are new people who have moved in with dogs that are not being aggressive, just off lead in an area where they should not be. As the people are new I would think this is either due to ignorance of the rules (unlikely as presumably they would have only just read them) or arrogance in thinking their dogs are 'fine' and the rule does not apply to them.

I agree with marymrumfelt that hitting a dog with a stick etc is likely to escalate the agression, also if these owners are 'neighbours' it could make life unplesant to have a major bust up with them.

If it is simply down to arrogance (which we see a lot of here - the 'Don't worry he only wants to play' brigade) then perhaps putting a leaflet through their door or a notice up somewhere like the gate if this is allowed explaining the situation and reminding them that off lead dogs are not permitted, might work. Especially if you state that if this continues you will have no alternative but to take further (legal) action. Then they have been warned.

I really hope you can get this sorted soon Dawn. The last thing you need is a headache like this.:no:
 
Emmasmom said:
That is true, but if it has not actually attacked you or your dog or your livestock and you hit it or spray it, what does the law say?
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Ronna...did you read the link?

Here, I will post it here:
§ 11-505. When dog killing permitted

Any person may kill any dog which he sees in the act of pursuing, attacking, wounding or killing any poultry or livestock, or attacking human beings whether or not such dog bears the proper license tag required by these provisions. There shall be no liability on such persons in damages or otherwise for such killing.

We had a discussion about this a couple months back when an off-duty cop shot and killed a Husky, Bear Bear, at a dog park.

So, my assumption, is spraying a dog with pepper spray that is threatening you or your dog should be OK, if it is ok to kill them.

Interesting discussion....
 
To some degree, it probably depends on WHOSE dog you killed and how much money/authority that person has... as crooked as it seems, that's just the way it is. I feel like I know when a dog is aggressive based on the way it greets you or even is coming towards you. Hadley has slipped out there door before and she will run up to people jumping and smiling-- so if someone hit her with a stick, again, I'd be very angry. I'm not even sure how I'd react, but it wouldn't be good. Texas has crazy laws and you can go to jail for assault by simply blocking the door and not permitting someone to leave... but I don't know how they view assault on animals.

The bottom line is to try to get these people to follow the rules, not to have to hurt their poor dog who did nothing wrong(in this instance, as the dogs haven't been aggressive.) Sadly, people are selfish and don't like to follow the rules and I'm not sure how to enforce them as there seems to be more ppl who break the rules than there is people willing to argue to get them to follow them... if you find out, let me know! I do hope you have some success as you shouldn't have to worry about such things when you're in your own safe place(IE. apartment complex)
 
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danisgoat said:
Ronna...did you read the link?

Here, I will post it here:
§ 11-505. When dog killing permitted

Any person may kill any dog which he sees in the act of pursuing, attacking, wounding or killing any poultry or livestock, or attacking human beings whether or not such dog bears the proper license tag required by these provisions. There shall be no liability on such persons in damages or otherwise for such killing.

We had a discussion about this a couple months back when an off-duty cop shot and killed a Husky, Bear Bear, at a dog park.

So, my assumption, is spraying a dog with pepper spray that is threatening you or your dog should be OK, if it is ok to kill them.

Interesting discussion....
Click to expand...


What is the definition of livestock in Maryland? Usually dogs are not included in the definition nor are cats. Livestock usually refers to cattle, sheep, etc, any animal that is raised and sold for profit. If dogs are not included in the definition of livestock, then this law would not apply. Cats and dogs are usually considered dosmetic animals. I did a search on the legal definition of livestock in Maryland and that was the opinion that I found in a legal case: http://www.animallaw.info/cases/causin642ne2d1004.htm. Very intesting reading. It is the same in Canada and Ontario - cats and dogs are dosmetic animals not livestock. If so, then one could not kill an attacking dog, using the law quoted above by Danisgoat as a defense.
 
Emmasmom said:
What is the definition of livestock in Maryland? Usually dogs are not included in the definition nor are cats. Livestock usually refers to cattle, sheep, etc, any animal that is raised and sold for profit. If dogs are not included in the definition of livestock, then this law would not apply. Cats and dogs are usually considered dosmetic animals. I did a search on the legal definition of livestock in Maryland and that was the opinion that I found in a legal case: http://www.animallaw.info/cases/causin642ne2d1004.htm. Very intesting reading. It is the same in Canada and Ontario - cats and dogs are dosmetic animals not livestock. If so, then one could not kill an attacking dog, using the law quoted above by Danisgoat as a defense.
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Interesting! I don't know how I feel about this. In some ways, I can see how allowing individuals to kill animals who are attacking could lead to lots of people abusing the law and exaggerating stories so they could cover up what is purely animal abuse. I can see how police would abuse this law, also. There are lots of sick cops out there who like to assert their power on anything- including animals.

With that being said, if a dog was attacking me or my animals or anyone else, I'd like to know that I can use whatever force is needed to prevent any further injuries. Of course, killing it would be a last resort, as I don't think any animal should be killed unless there are no other choices. That applies to hunting or anything that involves killing animals for no purpose other than pleasure.
 
Emmasmom said:
What is the definition of livestock in Maryland? Usually dogs are not included in the definition nor are cats. Livestock usually refers to cattle, sheep, etc, any animal that is raised and sold for profit. If dogs are not included in the definition of livestock, then this law would not apply. Cats and dogs are usually considered dosmetic animals. I did a search on the legal definition of livestock in Maryland and that was the opinion that I found in a legal case: http://www.animallaw.info/cases/causin642ne2d1004.htm. Very intesting reading. It is the same in Canada and Ontario - cats and dogs are dosmetic animals not livestock. If so, then one could not kill an attacking dog, using the law quoted above by Danisgoat as a defense.
Click to expand...

Maybe Rachael can step in here. Since she is in MD, she is more familiar with these laws.

I don't have time to research it out right now, but I am pretty confident that Maryland has a strict law against "dangerous dogs." Their definition of a dangerous dog is very vague.

The laws in Canada are obviously very different.
 
Maryland Dangerous Dog Laws

You have driven me to Michie. Here is the dangerous dog law as written in Maryland. Each county/Baltimore City may have their own more restrictive regulations.

§ 10-619. Dangerous dog.

(a) Definitions.-

(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2) "Dangerous dog" means a dog that:

(i) without provocation has killed or inflicted severe injury on a person; or

(ii) is determined by the appropriate unit of a county or municipal corporation under subsection (c) of this section to be a potentially dangerous dog and, after the determination is made:

1. bites a person;

2. when not on its owner's real property, kills or inflicts severe injury on a domestic animal; or

3. attacks without provocation.

(3) (i) "Owner's real property" means real property owned or leased by the owner of a dog.

(ii) "Owner's real property" does not include a public right-of-way or a common area of a condominium, apartment complex, or townhouse development.

(4) "Severe injury" means a physical injury that results in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations requiring multiple sutures or cosmetic surgery.

(b) Exception.- This section does not apply to a dog owned by and working for a governmental or law enforcement unit.

(c) Determination of potentially dangerous dog.- An appropriate unit of a county or municipal corporation may determine that a dog is potentially dangerous if the unit:

(1) finds that the dog:

(i) has inflicted a bite on a person while on public or private real property;

(ii) when not on its owner's real property, has killed or inflicted severe injury on a domestic animal; or

(iii) has attacked without provocation; and

(2) notifies the dog owner in writing of the reasons for this determination.

(d) Prohibited.- A dog owner may not:

(1) leave a dangerous dog unattended on the owner's real property unless the dog is:

(i) confined indoors;

(ii) in a securely enclosed and locked pen; or

(iii) in another structure designed to restrain the dog; or

(2) allow a dangerous dog to leave the owner's real property unless the dog is leashed and muzzled, or is otherwise securely restrained and muzzled.

(e) Required notice.- An owner of a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog who sells or gives the dog to another shall notify in writing:

(1) the authority that made the determination under subsection (c) of this section, of the name and address of the new owner of the dog; and

(2) the person taking possession of the dog, of the dangerous behavior or potentially dangerous behavior of the dog.

(f) Penalty.- A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $2,500.
 
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