Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Resident Says Uncontained Dogs Are Creating A Hazard
A Summertown resident who filed a complaint with law enforcement officials this week says that several persons have been allowing their dogs to run at large, which has resulted in a hazard for those living nearby.
The complainant said that the problem is a long-standing one. He said that despite the fact that several complaints have been filed about the situation, owners continue to allow their dogs to roam in the Depot/Daley Street vicinity. Altogether, he said around eight dogs have been killing his birds and turkeys, acting aggressively toward pedestrians, and attacking other pets.
“I lost about a thousand dollars worth of turkeys and chickens last week,” he said. He noted that last summer his efforts to protect his son from the dogs had resulted in his own arrest. “I was walking on the road with a BB gun and they took me to jail for disorderly conduct.”
State law dictates that, “The owner of a dog has a duty to keep that dog under reasonable control at all times, and to keep that dog from running at large.” While the law indicates that owners are liable for any damages created by their dogs, it also stipulates that, “It is an offense to knowingly and unlawfully kill the animal of another without the owner’s effective consent.” Killing of the animal is permitted if it is causing, “Imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury” to a person, or an animal owned by that person.
When he filed the complaint about the loss of his chickens and turkey this week, law enforcement officers pointed out to the complainant that he is allowed to shoot the dogs if he finds them killing his livestock on his property. “But I don’t want to have to shoot them. Those are someone’s pets.” He urges residents to keep their animals contained to prevent any further problems.
