ORIGINAL: eng40sqd
I dont know the exact code, but I do know that killing a dog is a felony in VA. So if your saying that it is the only action you have left to take, (shoot a dog that is doing what is natural and what his OWNER directs him to do, remember the owner/handler is the one who decides where to turn out, not the dogs that decide he let me out of the box here) is to commit a crime, then like deerdogdude said you are no better, in fact those actions are worse. What if you finally snap some day and decide to kill a dog, lets say the dog actually was not turned out on your property, he was actually let out a few miles down the road and happen to get past the standers and continue until he crossed your path at which point you drew a bead on him and decide to take out your anger on the animal.. well lets say that when you walk out to your truck later on that day there is a truck sitting there with a dog box and you think to yourself finally I will get to give them a bit of my mind and tell them what is what.. well when you get there and get ready to throw the tracking collar off the dog to the guy in the truck, a young kid gets out.when this kid looks at his dad and says dad why does he have the collar off of brownie (dogs name)? As you begin your rant about you being at the end of your rope with dog hunters and you taking matters into yoru own hands on your land the little girl starts to weep then sobbing and crying uncontrolably as she starts to let out that that was her dog, one she had raised from a puppy and she fed and cleaned it everyday. Her father explains to you how she saves her money from her allowance to take care of its needs etc. Then explains to you that the dog was turned out 3 or 4 miles away on Smith RD on Mr. Jones' property and unfortunatly had gotten past the standers. They tracked the dog to yoru property and saw that there was a truck parked there, so not wanting to mess up anyone they decide to sit there and wait to see they could get her dog even though they know by law they can, they are respectful of others and this is where this situation picks up with you walking out to your truck.
Stop and think how you would feel in that situation? How would you feel if that was yor child and their pet that they took care of? Stop and think that the one time you decide to inact backwods justice this happens.
Now I will say that this may not be the situation and that you may have a problem all the time with dogs, in factthere is the chance that it will never happen like that but there is always a chance that in all your problems that brownie will come into your view..just stop and think before you kill a dog.
I understand your anger at having early season hunts ruined as I spend alot of time and money invested in my bow hunting things that go along with it and yes having it disturbed by someone running dogs out of season gtes my goat but I would not kill a dog to resolve it. Besides the fact it is a felony.
Justin
Then why is it exceptable for a hunt club to shoot dogs that refuse to run deer, or run someother animal besides deer. They shoot the old dogs or ones that are hurt to the point that it is not economically feasible to bring to the vet and treat.
I would not let my "pet" run wild. My dogs are trained to stay within sight of me and to come when called. They know the advantage of this. They will get their food and water and lots of love and praise, but if they do not come when called, they get their butts spanked. Training is a simple process of repetition along with praise and reward, or discapline.
It is a valient attempt to counter my question with a question, however the fact remains that my original question has yet to be answered satisfactorily. Somehow it alway get turned to a "well.....how about me" thing. I started it, someone answer my question, then I will answer yours. That's fair.