Here's a different twist on shoot don't shoot.

[speedsix]

...now you be in a heap of trubble...dem woofs be pertectid... http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[tbrown]

...YES...YES...YES, and YES.... http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/txstatutes/ ... /B/822.013" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

• (a) A dog or coyote that is attacking, is about to attack, or has recently attacked livestock, domestic animals, or fowls may be killed by:
  
  (1) any person witnessing the attack; or
  
  (2) the attacked animal's owner or a person acting on behalf of the owner if the owner or person has knowledge of the attack.
  
  (b) A person who kills a dog or coyote as provided by this section is not liable for damages to the owner, keeper, or person in control of the dog or coyote.
  
  (c) A person who discovers on the person's property a dog or coyote known or suspected of having killed livestock, domestic animals, or fowls may detain or impound the dog or coyote and return it to its owner or deliver the dog or coyote to the local animal control authority. The owner of the dog or coyote is liable for all costs incurred in the capture and care of the dog or coyote and all damage done by the dog or coyote.
  
  (d) The owner, keeper, or person in control of a dog or coyote that is known to have attacked livestock, domestic animals, or fowls shall control the dog or coyote in a manner approved by the local animal control authority.
  
  (e) A person is not required to acquire a hunting license under Section 42.002, Parks and Wildlife Code, to kill a dog or coyote under this section.

Interesting read. I could interpret that law as meaning that you or your friend could go hunt the dog down after the fact and kill it. That seems a little odd, but then sometimes there are odd laws. Am I misreading this?

Very interesting. It seems if Rick Perry shot a dog instead of a coyote, the law is the same. It also seems the OP doesn't have to be on his own property to defend his dogs against an aggressive dog running loose.

[tornado]

Nobody will hear it, the victim will disapear and the driveway washed.

Victim? I think you meant perpetrator.

Your dog was the victim. How are the foot and broken nails?

[i8godzilla]

I have spent over $3K in medical bills, vet bills, and property damage in the last few months because of aggressive dogs. If it comes on my property and shows any aggression its likely to take it last breath right where it stands.

There is a similar thread running here: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=51809&start=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here is my response to that thread:

I posted my feeling about dogs showing aggressive behavior in another thread. Based on a recent encounter I have zero tolerance for any animal 'threatening' my well being. I am an animal lover and recently adopted an abandoned puppy.

If a person was standing in front of me with a deadly weapon and threatening to attack me, would I be justified in defending my life? Am I required to discern if they are only trying to scare me and may not really mean what they are demonstrating? Am I required to retreat, if I am at a location that I am legally allowed to be? Why is it different, if an animal is brandishing a lethal weapon (teeth) and showing signs of attacking (threatening) me? What if it is a coyote or wolf (members of the same species--canine)?

I value life of humans and animals alike. I value the life of my family and myself more than any that is threatening to to us harm.

[The Annoyed Man]

I am a dog lover and a sentimental old poop. In another thread not too long ago, I posted words to the effect that I felt bad for a dog that had been shot because the owners did not control it. My response wasn't directed at the shooter, but rather at the owners who allowed their dog to be in a position where it could be killed. I've never been particularly critical of people who shoot vicious dogs out of necessity. I would look askance at someone who shot a dog because they were just itching to do it out of prideful anger or spite. But when defense of self or property is on the line, you do what you have to do, and it isn't my position to criticize.

BUT.... I can't help but feel bad for the dog that has been shot. Dogs are not the same kind of predator as humans. Predatory humans plan their attacks on their victims, and they are often violent far out of proportion to the level "necessary" to successfully pull off their crimes—for instance, the old granny who gets beaten senseless over her purse....stuff like that. OTH, dogs are just acting on instinct and training. They lack the ability for the higher order thought processes (I know it is counterintuitive) that human predators possess. A dog, even a vicious dog, doesn't necessarily know right from wrong. A burglar or rapist does, which is why they try to cover up their crimes and evade arrest for them. Shooting a rapist does society a service AND it rewards the rapist for his behavior. Shooting a vicious dog may do society a service, but there is no element of reward in it......unless it is to the dog's owner. Unfortunately, the kind of people who let their aggressive/vicious dogs run loose tend not to be the kind of people who give a rip about their dog getting shot. They might give a rip from a property perspective, but not from the perspective of a pet owner who loves their dog. In that sense then, the dog is as much of a victim of its circumstances as is the person who rightfully defends himself or his property from that dog. It really is kind of sad.

So even the vicious pitbull in the OP's account was simply acting on a more basic predatory level than a human predator does. Does that make it any less dangerous? No, it doesn't, and it doesn't relieve us of the need to do whatever we have to do to protect ourselves or our property, given those kinds of circumstances. We kill predatory cats for attacking our livestock. We kill coyotes for the same kinds of reasons. But we don't do it with hate or anger. They're just being what God designed them to be. However, it does leave me feeling what a shame it is to have to kill a dangerous dog, unlike it does when the predator is human......because the predatory human richly deserves whatever happens to him, whereas killing the predatory dog is not so much a case of just deserts as it is a case of doing what is necessary, just like with a coyote or a mountain lion.

I hope that makes some kind of sense to somebody. If not, then I must be crazy.

[johncanfield]

Interesting thread. We're on acreage in ranch country and get the opportunity to deal with feral cats, skunks, raccoons, possums, rats with bushy tails (squirrels) literally all the time but thank goodness no dog or coyote problems to mess with the livestock (yet.) Like Mr. Annoyed, I am a real softie and really dislike killing something I'm not going to eat.

I kill any skunk I find due to their propensity to carry rabies and not think twice. I'll leave a feral cat alone and they are welcome to the outdoor cat feeder (we feed four barn cats) as long as they don't mess with our barn cats. When they do, it's off to cat heaven for them. I should probably shoot any feral I see, but I don't. You all might think I'm crazy, but I have a soft spot for raccoons and so far have left them alone. Yes, I know they are destructive, etc. With the drought, we have very few varmints around lately. I haven't seen a squirrel in a few months.

You city slickers have more issues than I have about shoot/no shoot.

[Seabear]

Nobody will hear it, the victim will disapear and the driveway washed.

Victim? I think you meant perpetrator.

Your dog was the victim. How are the foot and broken nails?

You are correct, and the broken nail is coming along. I made her take it easy a couple days. Everytime she would forget and try to play she would realize it still hurt and stop. She's better now.

[Seabear]

I agree, I really don't want to have to shoot a dog. Like TAM said they are just doing what comes natural, and acting the way their owners have allowed them to act. However I will protect my dogs.

The owner of this particular dog is a real class act. He has been known to sit in his driveway with his stereo blasting at all hours of the night. I had a class to teach yesterday so when his music was still going at 10:30PM Friday night I decided to look up the number for the Non-Emergency number for the PD and while I was at it I decided to see what our city codes had to say about it. According to the city, I am supposed to talk to him about his noise before I decide to complain. Not really the best move 10:30 at night but I did it anyways so we could get that part of the procedure done. He was sitting in his truck with the engine running (loud mufflers) listening to his stereo and drinking beer. I scared the heck out of him since I began by blinding him with my flashlight. I think he thought the cops were here. LOL I informed him that I would give him to 11:00 (since he thought that was the noise curfew.) He had no explanation about why he has done this till 4-5am the last two weekends. "too many kids inside the house" he said. I let him know about the dog issue and he said "That couldn't be MY dog, she's a LOVER" .

Well, long story short we parted "nicely" with the understanding that I will call the police the next time I hear him past 11:00, and his dog must be kept behind his fence, or I will have to defend my dogs the next time it is on my property.

We'll see how long this lasts.

I wonder if they could get him for DUI ? New Years Eve he played music all night and about 7:00am he kept burning rubber with his truck in his driveway. I should have called the police that day. I try to get along with everyone, but this guy has to go. Maybe I need to figure out who his Landlord is.