Law, dog, and guns...?

[hob97]

Okay, I live in a country setting and own a dog. Most of my neighbors have one, as well. My problem is that we have a guy who rides a horse down the road occasionally and carries a pistol with him. His says he does so in order to protect his horse. The problems is that he seems to believe that if a dog barks at his horse and spooks it, that gives him the right to fire his gun at the dog in question. I don't let my dog run free. He is either outside on a tie-out in the front or backyard, in the house, or being walked by me. But yes, if he sees a horse walking by, he's probably going to bark. That's what dogs often do...
This guy has stopped in front of my house before when my dog was barking, and I've stepped outside to see what he was doing. He then started moving again. My guess is that he was contemplating on whether to shoot at my dog or not. I've told him in very clear terms that if he fires a gun onto my property, I will not hesitate to blow him out of his shoes. I'm not a violent person, but bullets aren't intelligent. Even if he fires at my dog, he'll also be risking the bullet going into my house. Besides, I'm not going to let someone kill my dog if he's secured on my property and not a threat. What gets me about this is that the person has a large ranch on which he can ride his horse. If he's so concerned about it getting spooked while he's riding it on the road, why not just ride it on his own damn property? My question is, if he pulls a gun to shoot at my dog, do I have the legal right to fire at him first? God, I would hate for it to come to that, but I'm not going to let some idiot put my family in danger.

[bergh39]

Myself if I was in your passion, and he had a firearm pointed at my dog, I would go out and stand by my dog, with a fully loaded firearm, and ask this idiot if he really wants this to go any further. You are in your right under these circumstances where I live, if he points a firearm at you where I live I have the right to shoot him off of his horse.







@ Greek God AKA Greekman. If you point a firearm at a policeman's property he will not care if you don't think you are pointing at him, you are either going to jail, the hospital, or the morgue, depending on how accurate he is with his firearm. Anyone that does not feel their life is in danger, or in danger of great bodily harm when someone points a firearm in their direction, is nothing but an idiot.

[curran]

Nope, he is not on your property, not aiming a gun at you, not threatening you. Having said that, I would find out what your State laws say and then make it crystal clear that a gun pointed in your general direction does invite retribution which may be deadly. See if you can figure this out in a civilized manner, then take action, legal or otherwise. Hope I helped.

ADD: Wolf...who and where did you see anything about a police officer? Who is the idiot here now?
We are talking about a dog, a piece of PROPERTY under the law. Shoot and kill a human who is going to or has shot your dog and see what that "police officer" you mention has to say when they get to your house...what is wrong with people in this forum?
Stand out there with a loaded gun and shoot the person and we have premeditated murder..should I keep on going or are you getting the point?

[cinnard]

I know you have the 'right to bear arms' in your country, but honestly two wrongs don't make a right, so quite frankly I can't see you have any reasonable right to consider firing first. If this guy is riding around with a loaded gun, I'd have a word with your local police before he lets off, and kills a kid (never mind a dog, or an adult!!). The man sound mentally challenged. Hopefully the cops will check he has a gun licence, and have a quiet word with him about what's going on.

[mace]

"if he pulls a gun to shoot at my dog, do I have the legal right to fire at him first?"

Of course not. You'd be arrested for attempted murder or perhaps just assault if you deliberately missed him....

OTOH, nobody says you can't have some bear bangers on the edge of YOUR property. And that you can set them off whenever you want. Like when a certain rider goes by.... (Note: if you do try this, be sure to set one off beforehand so you know what to expect. I read that some bangers have flares, and you wouldn't want to aim it directly at the horse's axx...either one....).

Have you tried getting in touch with law enforcement to ask what they suggest? Because if this jerk does shoot your dog, all he will be liable for is the current market value of the dog. Not much of a punishment.... Also contact the Humane Society, and any other authority you can think of. Maybe someone can come up with a solution.

Good luck.

[andor25]

What you have not done yet and should do is talk to your local law enforcement.

As far as *I* am concerned? Somebody points a gun in my direction, even if they are OFF my property, I consider that a threat to my life.

And as long as your dog is ON your property and contained? Like I said, check with your local law enforcement but I do believe if he fired a gun towards your dog he would be arrested.

Sounds like the guy has a serious *dominant/aggressive* temperament and has been watching too many crime shows & thinks he is badass because he rides a horse and carries a gun.

These kind of people are a threat to themselves......