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Dog attacks me and child at different points. Don't want to kill it, but used a non lethal deterant. Am I wrong?

Ok, I live in Oregon, in the city. Since moving to our recient house, I have had to contact animal control several times about Pitbulls running at large. Reciently, our neighbor who owns an unaltered male Pit, has been allowing his dog to roam the neighborhood. This dog has made four attempts to attack myself, my son, and our animals, all on our own property. Last week, while burning some paper trash, the dog cornered me in my own yard, in the mud room. I did not want to kill the animal, and opted to shoot it with a BB gun. The dog yelped, but didn't look injured, only startled as he ran back to his home. The next week, our neighbor made a claim that we shot his dog with a pellet and we are to pay him or he would call the sherif. I tried to explain to him what happened, and that the time frame he insists that it occured could not have involved us (we were at the medical center). Am I wrong for trying to defend myself in a non lethal way? I don't want any issues, but I'm afraid now.


Asked by Member 1092770 on Feb 16th 2012 Tagged pitbull, dog, aggressive, shoot, attack, legal in Animal Control
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Jax

If it was me, I would protect myself and my family, which includes my dogs. I would have also, reported the attacks to the police. Hopefully, you have done that with each attack. That will help you with the dog's owner's complaints. If you haven't, then it's your word against theirs and depending on when you live, shooting the dog with a BB gun could be viewed as abuse. It's very important you report each attack. Good Luck!


Jax answered on 2/16/12. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 2 Report this answer


Bruno

I'm in Oregon too and recently looked at a similar issue from the other side- I was present when a neighbor shot my grandma's dog Maggie in the head with a .22 because she was chasing his sheep. (She recovered.)

You should really get a copy of the relevant laws- from what I remember, it is ENTIRELY legal to use lethal force in defense of a person or animal's life.

Also, his dog is roaming loose, which is against the law. I don't think he has a leg to stand on legally if he tries to sue you, so it's probably just hot air. DON'T pay him any money, you didn't do anything wrong.

I'm more worried about your safety if this dog is menacing you and your family. If it happens again, call Animal Control IMMEDIATELY, don't wait. Put the number in your phone so it's ready to dial. I want to see this guy served with a citation.


Bruno answered on 2/16/12. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 2 Report this answer


Howard

It is against the law to let animals run loose. If the dog is running loose and posing as a threat to you, you can protect yourself by shooting the dog with a BB gun or protecting yourself with any other weapon. Do NOT pay him, you don't owe him anything.
He is an irresponsible dog owner who doesn't care about his dog and let's his aggressive dog who attempts to attack others roam loose around the neighborhood.

Whenever I go walking, I always take a long iron bar with me in case a dog ever tries to attack me. It is not against the law to protect yourself.

Call animal control and the police and have them come out. You can file a report with the police on this guy.


Howard answered on 2/23/12. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


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