by Pretorian » Fri 26 Jun 2009, 03:23:36
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Roy', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'O')ut in the country we shoot dogs if they attack or threaten any livestock or people. But my dogs run free 24/7 and haven't been shot yet. I did lose one dog years ago when it started killing my neighbors chickens.
I agreed with him that it was the right thing to do.
+1
I have two mid-sized female mutts. They run free on my property. They bark at intruders or strangers coming up the driveway. They do not bite but do make a lot of racket. Which is good. Being neutered females they don't range very far which is also good. I tried with a male beagle/lab cross when I first got here but he kept wandering off. Eventually he took up residence at a neighbor's house. They were glad to have him and I was glad to be rid of his unfaithful ass. 2 years later and he is still there, a happy member of that neighbor's 'pack'. I'd rather that he be happy and free than be chained to a post in my yard, which is what it would have taken to keep him here.
I have the 3 S policy when it comes to dogs on my property... IE if they threaten my livestock or my family its curtains for them. Same rules apply for my dogs as well. Those are canine capitol offenses I don't care who they belong to.
On that note, I expect the same from my neighbors. That's just the way it is here and it doesn't bother me a bit.
IMHO, my dogs enjoy a better quality of life than suburban dogs that are always in a house, chained up, or fenced in. If my dogs smell a rabbit in the woods they go after it if they want. They swim in the creek when they want.
They have a degree of freedom and they seem to be well adjusted and happy. With that freedom though comes a certain risk that their lives will end prematurely due to contact with moving cars, chasing the neighbor's cattle, or some other hazard. As far as I am concerned quality trumps quantity.
Some of my relatives heartily disapprove of my philosophy, believing me to be irresponsible in 'exposing the dogs to hazards'. Like the way I treat my dogs is somehow cruel. WTF?
Those relatives love their pure bred inbred high-strung wimp dogs that can't eat anything but special food and can't go outside because they will run away or are too stupid to handle not being leashed. No thanks. Not my cup o' tea w/regard to a dog. I want a companion/watchdog, not another infant.
My dogs are not OC or hyperactive and disobedient like the urban dogs I have met or many of those on the dog whisperer show. I think the bad behavior is a direct consequence of close confinement (not natural) and owners who don't understand that dogs need an alpha. That show cracks me up when I see a people let a small dog be the alpha in their home.
My dogs also know the pecking order in our 'pack' and they seem happy about it. They could run away any time they want but they don't. That may have something to do with the fact that I feed them, perform all the required maintenance per the vet's schedule, and even pet them/play with them occasionally. I don't know.

They are low maintenance though and I really like that.
Leash laws are a necessity in crowded areas unfortunately. I used to hate when I mountain biked in state parks and some ill-behaved unrestrained dog on the trail would chase or ambush me while I was riding. When I took my dogs hiking one time here, I did leash them both. I didn't know how they would react to other people and dogs on the trail and didn't want to take chances or be the guy who's dogs wouldn't mind him. We all know THAT guy!
Mattduke, you did the right thing even though it sucked. Seems like no matter how far you go, there is always some guy with a badge and John Wayne complex waiting to ruin your day. Even if it was for the right reason and even if you knew your dog to be well-behaved.
It all relates to population density. The more densely populated an area is , the less personal freedoms one can have in that area.
I feel for you.