Man shot animals on Monday as the pair acted aggressively

[Marty]

Corpus Christi,TX -- A homeowner who killed two pit bulls in the Annaville area this week will not be charged with animal cruelty, a Corpus Christi Animal Control investigator said Wednesday. "Unfortunately (dog attacks) happen pretty regularly," investigator Robert Smith said. "The decision to kill an animal legally depends on the perception of danger that a person feels."


A homeowner on the 700 block of Main Drive shot the pit bulls Monday night after the animals were being aggressive in the yard, Smith said. The only charge the homeowner might face is the unlawful discharge of a firearm, Smith added.

Despite the report of aggressive pit bulls in Monday's shooting, the breed is not necessarily more likely to be a threat than other dogs, some animal behavior experts and dog shelter managers said Wednesday.

If not selectively bred for aggression, pit bulls can be as friendly as other dogs, said Candace Croney, professor of animal behavior at Oregon State University.

"With responsible breeding and management, pit bulls are no more dangerous," Croney added. "A Chihuahua could be just as dangerous."

Ernie Cochran, shelter director for Pee Wee's Pet Adoption on Saratoga Boulevard, said there are so many pit bull attacks in Corpus Christi because pit bulls are one of the city's most popular breeds.

"Twenty years ago it was chows, then it was Dobermans - now it's pit bulls," Cochran said. "Some of the aggressive ones can be good pets for a responsible person who makes them feel like part of the family."

Contact David Kassabian at 886-3778 or kassabiand@caller.com

http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_4941259,00.html

[NcPrisonGuard]

Corpus Christi,TX -- A homeowner who killed two pit bulls in the Annaville area this week will not be charged with animal cruelty, a Corpus Christi Animal Control investigator said Wednesday. "Unfortunately (dog attacks) happen pretty regularly," investigator Robert Smith said. "The decision to kill an animal legally depends on the perception of danger that a person feels."


A homeowner on the 700 block of Main Drive shot the pit bulls Monday night after the animals were being aggressive in the yard, Smith said. The only charge the homeowner might face is the unlawful discharge of a firearm, Smith added

So what constitutes being aggressive? And were they his dogs or someone's dog off the chain? Pretty vague story... Thats why I love being in the sticks.. don't have to worry about wandering neighbors too much.

[circlekpits]

So what constitutes being aggressive? And were they his dogs or someone's dog off the chain? Pretty vague story... Thats why I love being in the sticks.. don't have to worry about wandering neighbors too much.I will have to agree with you on being in the sticks and nobody bothering it is great.

[pennsooner]

What were the dogs doing off leash in some guys yard? We had a poll here along the lines of "how do you restrain you dog", some chose the house, some a chain set up, but I remember at least 5% (and I think it might have been 8%) said "I let them run loose".


" I let them run loose". Thats the root of the problem, right there. By that I mean, people see that, and it makes them HATE the breed. IMO, Pitbull owners need to take a minute and think about why there is so much hostility to the breed. It is NOT just press hysteria.

[NcPrisonGuard]

What were the dogs doing off leash in some guys yard? We had a poll here along the lines of "how do you restrain you dog", some chose the house, some a chain set up, but I remember at least 5% (and I think it might have been 8%) said "I let them run loose".
I do all 3.. well they don't "run loose" but I have a pen built in the back yard thats 25ft x 50ft with dog houses inside.. then when I am not around I have them on 10ft chains.. then they sleep in the house normally. 2 beds in the house.. 1 king 1 queen.. and they usually pile in with my wife and I in the king..its a crowd.

[Attila]

Well I don't like that some one left dogs off the chain like that. I have to shoot strays often enough to understand both sides of this vague but typical event. A person should have the right to keep animals and people off his or her property. If you can't run them off shoot them. I see nothing wrong with what he did. I would hope they were not his dogs but if they were that is his call. They are after all animals and not people. No matter what they were on a persons property they are his problem to deal with how he see's fit Not my business or anyone elses to tell him how to handle his. Poking into other folks affairs is what got BSL and other dumb things started. Someone feeling they have a right to run anothers life for them. Think of this as a test. A test of why one person should view this as any thing wrong and why and why do we feel we should have any right to tell this man he can't shoot tresspassing dogs doing something in his yard he does not like or feels is a danger to him or his family and property. Hell maybe he has kids and little rodent dogs. Doesn't matter though. I don't see why the law got involved anyway. They need to worry about much more real crimes and start dealing with true crime and not with piddly stuff. The only reason I can see they don't is they are afraid to work for their money solving real crimes.

[Attila]

What were the dogs doing off leash in some guys yard? We had a poll here along the lines of "how do you restrain you dog", some chose the house, some a chain set up, but I remember at least 5% (and I think it might have been 8%) said "I let them run loose".


" I let them run loose". Thats the root of the problem, right there. By that I mean, people see that, and it makes them HATE the breed. IMO, Pitbull owners need to take a minute and think about why there is so much hostility to the breed. It is NOT just press hysteria.
it doesn't matter what breed of dog I don't let them just run loose. I would get sick if one got hit in the road or some one shot my dog because of me. I have 15 dogs two of which are Shar-pei and one South Texas Cur (a tiny pup) and no matter what if out side of the fenced in area they are either on chain or a leash. I think it is just respectful that others do the same. Whe wouldn't have all these dang problems if dogs were undercontrol in the first place now we have a bunch of media fed freaks hunting us and our dogs. The only time my dogs are released is during a hunt and they are right at my side or doing their job and I don't leave them for nothing. but as I said before if I did and some one shot them it would be my fault and not that dudes and if I shoot something in my yard I epect the owner to take the blame for what happened. I am not for any form of bsl but I think people should use their heads and leash all dogs in public. out in the woods or out in the pasture doing work is different the dog will stick to task and you cant herd livestock on a leash and you can't hunt that way either. But in a city or a park it just makes sence. I don't care what breed it is. Every dog has the potential and ability to bite and it seems that is what these nimrods are focused on is potential not action in every sence of the word. they are banning dogs that most likly not have bitten a person ever. but we see it every day in faces that they fear our dogs and us for the sole reason they are dumb enough to believe the media.

[Attila]

I do all 3.. well they don't "run loose" but I have a pen built in the back yard thats 25ft x 50ft with dog houses inside.. then when I am not around I have them on 10ft chains.. then they sleep in the house normally. 2 beds in the house.. 1 king 1 queen.. and they usually pile in with my wife and I in the king..its a crowd.that has to be hell on the intimate side of life. good thing dogs don't talk but they do sniff butts a cold nose could cause an injury. lol

any who. 25X50 yard. plus side mow and done in ten minutes. Minus neighbors. nosy ole neighbors.

[NcPrisonGuard]

that has to be hell on the intimate side of life. good thing dogs don't talk but they do sniff butts a cold nose could cause an injury. lol

any who. 25X50 yard. plus side mow and done in ten minutes. Minus neighbors. nosy ole neighbors.
And they can get upset sometimes when they get locked out of the bedroom when the wifey and I are... umm.. doing our thang.. ya know? Whining and scratching at the door

[pennsooner]

it doesn't matter what breed of dog I don't let them just run loose. I would get sick if one got hit in the road or some one shot my dog because of me. I have 15 dogs two of which are Shar-pei and one South Texas Cur (a tiny pup) and no matter what if out side of the fenced in area they are either on chain or a leash. I think it is just respectful that others do the same. Whe wouldn't have all these dang problems if dogs were undercontrol in the first place now we have a bunch of media fed freaks hunting us and our dogs. The only time my dogs are released is during a hunt and they are right at my side or doing their job and I don't leave them for nothing. but as I said before if I did and some one shot them it would be my fault and not that dudes and if I shoot something in my yard I epect the owner to take the blame for what happened. I am not for any form of bsl but I think people should use their heads and leash all dogs in public. out in the woods or out in the pasture doing work is different the dog will stick to task and you cant herd livestock on a leash and you can't hunt that way either. But in a city or a park it just makes sence. I don't care what breed it is. Every dog has the potential and ability to bite and it seems that is what these nimrods are focused on is potential not action in every sence of the word. they are banning dogs that most likly not have bitten a person ever. but we see it every day in faces that they fear our dogs and us for the sole reason they are dumb enough to believe the media.














Good answer, I take "running loose" to mean not under control, just doing what comes naturaly for a dog. A dog doing work like hearding or hunting is under control in that it is doing work with/for its human master. I mean, how long would you keep a dog that during a hunt got side tracked and went and killed the neighbors chickens? So when your working them, they are very much under control. And thats the key, under control. I don't care what the control is, as long as its there.

And I agree with you, people who let their dogs run loose.................... We nearly had an incident in MY yard. The neighbor lets their little white terrier, Laddie run loose and he likes to come mark in my yard. I was playing ball with Stockey and just when I threw the ball, here comes Laddie. He turns the corner and he sees (from his point of view) a Bulldog headed directly at him, running full speed. Of course Stockey wasn't after him, he was after the ball I'd thrown, but Laddie didn't know that. He left in a hurry, and hasn't been back.

[misterdogman]

You know actually in lots of states includung Iowa the language used in the event of killing a stray gives property owners lots of rights. I think Iowas law is so blatant it gives you these rights to kill either tagged or untagged dogs on or off property if within these law specifications.
351.26 Right and duty to kill untagged dog.
It shall be lawful for any person, and the duty of all peace officers within their respective jurisdictions unless such jurisdiction shall have otherwise provided for the seizure and impoundment of dogs, to kill any dog for which a rabies vaccination tag is required, when the dog is not wearing a collar with rabies vaccination tag attached.
351.27 Right to kill tagged dog.
It shall be lawful for any person to kill a dog, wearing a collar with a rabies vaccination tag attached, when the dog is caught in the act of worrying, chasing, maiming, or killing any domestic animal or fowl, or when such dog is attacking or attempting to bite a person.

Crazy but true. So I am sure his state has something similar and that probaly why he wont face any charges for the killing.

[Attila]

Good answer, I take "running loose" to mean not under control, just doing what comes naturaly for a dog. A dog doing work like hearding or hunting is under control in that it is doing work with/for its human master. I mean, how long would you keep a dog that during a hunt got side tracked and went and killed the neighbors chickens? So when your working them, they are very much under control. And thats the key, under control. I don't care what the control is, as long as its there.

And I agree with you, people who let their dogs run loose.................... We nearly had an incident in MY yard. The neighbor lets their little white terrier, Laddie run loose and he likes to come mark in my yard. I was playing ball with Stockey and just when I threw the ball, here comes Laddie. He turns the corner and he sees (from his point of view) a Bulldog headed directly at him, running full speed. Of course Stockey wasn't after him, he was after the ball I'd thrown, but Laddie didn't know that. He left in a hurry, and hasn't been back.
Thanks. It is amazing how fast something can happen. Hardly a blink of an eye that is for sure. I have had too many on the leash for me to handle right. I could hold them but that is because they don't go in one direction. I backed off to two of them not three at a time. They are just too strong and I am getting too old for my mind. lol Mind says your still 16 body says 40 +. lol

NcPrisonGuard- that is better than the cold nose on the back side. Still sort of funny though. out there like hey mom, dad what ya doing can we come in lol that is funny. Dogs are great. yours are spoiled like mine.

[Attila]

You know actually in lots of states includung Iowa the language used in the event of killing a stray gives property owners lots of rights. I think Iowas law is so blatant it gives you these rights to kill either tagged or untagged dogs on or off property if within these law specifications.
351.26 Right and duty to kill untagged dog.
It shall be lawful for any person, and the duty of all peace officers within their respective jurisdictions unless such jurisdiction shall have otherwise provided for the seizure and impoundment of dogs, to kill any dog for which a rabies vaccination tag is required, when the dog is not wearing a collar with rabies vaccination tag attached.
351.27 Right to kill tagged dog.
It shall be lawful for any person to kill a dog, wearing a collar with a rabies vaccination tag attached, when the dog is caught in the act of worrying, chasing, maiming, or killing any domestic animal or fowl, or when such dog is attacking or attempting to bite a person.

Crazy but true. So I am sure his state has something similar and that probaly why he wont face any charges for the killing.
same here. I have a farm so it makes sense as one dog can cause thousands of dollars of damage in a matter of minutes. Seconds in dairy and prized horses and such.