Eric, you said:
Quote "If you should use force remember, you cannot use deadly force to protect property, only if you believe your life is in imminent danger."EndQuote
Well, it depends on where you live. And I think you mean you cannot use deadly force on HUMANS to protect property...
I don't know where the OP lives, but it it perfectly legal in Missouri to protect livestock OR yourself from dogs by using deadly force.
If a dog just runs across your farm, you should leave it alone, but if it messes with your livestock, which includes ALL your animals, you are allowed to kill the dog to protect the life/welfare of your animals or yourself.

Little comment: Robbin, I SO agree with tazering the owners. Tazer them until their dogs are obedient...hee hee

Edited by Janice Jarman (12/11/2007 12:55 PM)
Edit reason: Add a little comment

 Quote: benjamin colbert

Jenni,

While I understand the difference in aggression I believe I could make the point well enough to avoid charges.

Unfortunately, you probably could b/c your average animal control officer will probably not be well-versed in canine behavior. This is how the media is fueled..."today it was the neighbor's cat, tomorrow my child." Slippery slope...

I agree 100% with Mike..... and that log is vital. Get a copy of every report. Note every call. Write down the circumstances.

ABSOLUTELY! It is well documented that having any kind of journal with dates and times can hold up tremendously as evidence in court!

In court, wording is everything. "I believed my life to be in imminent danger". Who knows who the other dog is going after. As for the tazer, I think anyone who has taken the time to get trained and learn when this moderate force is appropriate, should be allowed to carry and use one legally. A previous poster mentioned the dog would avoid your yard, that's most likely true. Is a tazer not much more than an e-collar you can use without a permit, it just projects the shock further than arms reach. Kinda silly, you can legally carry a gun to protect your life but are not allowed to use less than deadly force tactics such as a tazer. Although I personally would come up with some other methods, when giving advice to others on an open forum, I'd say document and let the police do their job, that is the safest way so you don't overstep the boudaries of the law and keep yourself from even further problems. The photos will show what they need to prosecute the offender. Never a fun time but life isn't fair. I hope you get through this and things quiet down for you.

Yes, a detailed log is essential, pictures or film is great. Ed advises in (I think) his Article on dealing with aggressive dogs, that you should also make sure the Police Officer you call logs the call into his incident book, and report it. If the officer doesn't want to, keep going up the line in rank until you get it entered in an incident report somewhere. He says if it isn't written in, as far as the police are concerned, it didn't happen. I hope I am not misquoting here, and I am typing from memeory as I cannot find the article, and I remember very well reading it. If I could find it, I'd post a link.

I'm not used to being around farm land and such. I just recently moved to the sticks and you're probably right. When I posted, my frame of mind was deadly force against humans.

I love the "Tazer the owner until the dog obeys"! Our planet would float a little softer from the lifted stress. LOL! Choice!

 Quote: eric dziedzic

In court, wording is everything. "I believed my life to be in imminent danger". Who knows who the other dog is going after. As for the tazer, I think anyone who has taken the time to get trained and learn when this moderate force is appropriate, should be allowed to carry and use one legally. A previous poster mentioned the dog would avoid your yard, that's most likely true. Is a tazer not much more than an e-collar you can use without a permit, it just projects the shock further than arms reach. Although I personally would come up with some other methods, when giving advice to others on an open forum

Er...guess I better put a J/K after when I say such things. Twas a joke. Unless seriously threatened I wouldn't want to taze the dog in the first place.

Note to self: PM Eric and educate him on my warped sense of humor.

 Quote: Mike Arnold

Have you contacted your 'neighbor?' You really do not have to contact your neighbor. And you really do not have to put up with the dog.

Of course you do not have to contact your neighbor, but why wouldn't you try? Might or might not help. What's to lose?