Neighbor kid shot my hound...

[WAcoyotehunter]

I was cutting wood on the back side of my property this weekend and my redbone and cur dogs took off to the north messing around with squirrels. I shut the saw off in time to hear the red dog strike and start a track About a minute later I heard three gun shots from the area. i pretty much knew the story, but went back to see if the dogs were shot.

The Cur came back to me and we waited until dark when three kids came back to their truck and I jumper their a$$ and told them to take me to the dog. They, of course, said she was on a deer (she might have been?) and told me that a bear had come by earlier in the evening, so who knows?...one of them shot her in the back gut with a .22 I made them take me back their to collect the collar and have them carry her back to the house for me, but we couldn't find her that night. they agreed to meet me at 7:00 the next morning to get her.

I showed up and they were an 1:15 late...I found her still alive and in bad shape. I carried he back to the house and heard them pull up. So I met them in the woods and told them I had a dieing dog on my porch and that I would call them to come back with their gun and a shovel to finish what they started...little bastards... I also told them I was going to twist off their head...Not an easy thing to watch you dog die because some peckerhead wanted to pull the trigger on his .22.

So- the law here says that you CANNOT shoot a dog (even on your property) unless it's chasing stock or people. They were in the wrong as far as the law goes. What do you think I should do?

Bart

[michael.magorian]

I would talk to a lawyer and a police officer, and try to hit them with everything imaginable. Most of it will get dropped in the court house but whatever you can get to stick will be one hell of a lesson for them. I have to give you credit, you behaved in a rational manner that I couldn't have even thought about under similar conditions. I am sorry for your loss and you did the right thing.

[blackpaws]

if i am not mistaken, here in wisconsin it can be prosecuted as a felony. the only one that shoot a dog anywhere is law enforcement for just reasons. you should have them tell the cops that they shot at a bear with a .22 caliber gun. did they have a valid bear tag? i would stick it to them. i would have lost my cool for sure. get whatever you can out of them and make them pay dearly for the loss of your dog.

[BlacktailStalker]

Make sure they get the blunt end with no courtesy spit.
Sorry to hear about this.

[whoflungdung]

Sorry to here about your loss. Dont let them get away with a slap on the wrist.

[Mt Goat]

Sorry to hear about your lose. It would make me sick, and very HOT HEADED. I would base my decision on how they resonded to me when confronted, did they give me an attitude, etc... I would also take age into consideration. Older kids 14-17 know better, younger kids 10-13 make stupid mistakes, not that they have any type of excuse. If it was older kids and they gave me an attitude, I would throw the book at them

I think at the least I would talk to a cop and have him scare the shit out of them. I'd make sure that the cop keeps the information, allowing you to press charges on them later if you find they didnt learn their lesson. I'd make sure they dont have access to a gun for awhile. Id have them pay me the value of the dog, not just replacement cost for a new pup but what the true value of the dog was.

[lion hunter]

Man wasn't that a $3000. redbone that was do to come in heat next month so you could breed her to a top male and make a bunch of money from the pups. average litter 8 pups at $400. per pup = $3200. I think they owe you about $6000. plus loosing there gun rights.

[Hunter]

Man that sucks. Sorry to hear.

I would also go talk with there parents or guardians!!! Let them in on the situation, they may actually be understanding and impose a very harsh punishment on them. Kids make terrible choices at times, I would see how the parents respond and what they think should be done before I got the law involved and these kids were made to carry around a tarnished record for the rest of their lives. However, if the parents weren't respectful and do not seem to want to cooperate I would then contact proper law enforcement and see what options they provide you with.

I myself don't believe I could have held my composure towards these kids like it appears and sounds like you did. Good job on that.

[WAcoyotehunter]

I talked to the kids Grandparents (his folks are unfit) and he called me in tears w/in ten minutes to apologize and offer to pay for the dog. I told him I appreciate that and would meet w/ him tonight. We decided $400 to buy me a pup...It's not much, but it's a good leeson for a kid to pony up the money from his summer job and take responsibility. Now I have to find a pup and get back to work training. I'm out a years of training and the worst part is I'm short a dog for the season

I told them I was going to twist their heads off if we found her dead...I didn't do it, but sure wanted to. They were very apologetic and never mouthed off at all. What a bummer.

[whoflungdung]

It sounds like those kids might have just made a bad split second decision. I hope this helps turn them into respectful sportsman.

[redneckwoman]

I personally think you should call grandparents back and take one step further---you decide a restitution to yourself other then cost of a new dog. Basically I mean in finding a way to make these boys work for you, with you...for a certain amount of time.
I very much admire the way you handled the situation but why not if can in agreement take a step further? Why not make them take some time to get to know you, your dogs, why you hunt with them? Let them really understand just exactly what their foolish act was? Make them understand exactly WHAT they just shot?! What can it hurt other then education for them--maybe even a more focused interest with a gun it sounds like they need! And just might turn out in the long run a justification of losing your dog from fools...and an opportunity of you if you want to take the time, in turning a youth around...and focus a little bit of attention more positive. They will usually pass on if just taught.
It sounds like it may be a situation with a closed door but yet a possible open window, depending on how you want to picture it...
ON the other hand I can tell this year I just got a little bit older because last year if it would have been me I would have kicked some butt, then talked! I guess I'm just realizing lately how much is getting lost in youth and discipline and they are needing more introductions then given cause hardly anyone has time anymore in just trying to make ends meat....
It's just a thought...

[WAcoyotehunter]

I have thought about that- I was going to have them come over and see the dogs and maybe even invite him and hid grandpa on a hunt.... I don't know.

[Shorty]

I think you did the right thing. Kids do make mistakes. I know if one of mine had done that to your dog I wouldn't need the law involved. I would beat their ass then make them work for you to pay for the dog at way less than any other job would pay. Then I'd make them help you train your new pup. Let them see the hard work and dedication that goes into these dogs. Maybe when it was all said and done they'd want to be a big game houndsmen. Sorry to hear about your dog and good luck.

[three rivers catahoulas]

Man I'm sorry to hear this, that has to be the worst way to lose a dog, a good one or a bad one. Your alot nicer then me, I'd probly be on my way to prison by now after I gut shot both of'em. make sure they get all thats comein to'em.

[Blackheadedwalker]

I'm sorry to hear of this.. I'm about 98% sure I'd a had a neighbor kid mount on my shop door! You handled this terrible situation 1-ELLLL of alot better than I would have. Good for you! Hope you find a suitable pup!