Shooting dogs

[gixer1]

Given the rise in dog worrying events in recent time (made worse by lockdown restrictions) there is a real political will ( in Scotland anyway) and to drive home the message that dog worrying is unacceptable and has deadly consequences to the dog. Politicians and the Police have been very supportive of the shooter in many recent cases.

Given the Police support and reluctance of procedures to bringing proceedings against shooters I thing the defence is pretty sold (providing the shooter is acting reasonably).

A new Bill has just passed through the Scottish Parliament and is now awaiting Royal Assent which with strengthen the position

I agree, there has been a little give; however, if you have repeated instances and documented warnings the defence will be even better if it does get to court - as there are still many people that see GUN = BAD....DOG = FLUFFY....and I am also in Scotland.

I guess it’s something each person needs to decide before pulling the trigger.

 

[bobthedug]

I've been following this for a while.
There is no legislation yet, so no change to the law in Scotland.
There is a consultation under way which ends this month.

Criminal law - dealing with dangerous dogs: consultation

This discussion paper seeks views on steps that might be taken to improve the way in which the criminal law may deal with dog owners where their dogs act in a dangerous way.

www.gov.scot

I'm sure the legislation is beyond the consultation process and has already cleared several hurdles.
It specifically deals with sheep worrying and not dangerous dogs.
An article here -
Scottish farmers have welcomed the passing of a new livestock worrying bill that will increase penalties to a fine of £40,000 or 12 months imprisonment.





The members' bill, brought forward by Emma Harper MSP, will significantly increase the powers of investigation and penalties to tackle the ongoing blight of dog attacks.





It gained cross-party support on Wednesday (24 March), which successfully saw it reach Stage Three approval ahead of the Scottish parliament going into recess.





NFU Scotland welcomed the passing of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill.

 

[slider]

I've been following this for a while.
There is no legislation yet, so no change to the law in Scotland.
There is a consultation under way which ends this month.

Criminal law - dealing with dangerous dogs: consultation

This discussion paper seeks views on steps that might be taken to improve the way in which the criminal law may deal with dog owners where their dogs act in a dangerous way.

www.gov.scot

the Bill has passed its 3rd reading in Parliament and now only awaits Royal Assent

 

[slider]

I've been following this for a while.
There is no legislation yet, so no change to the law in Scotland.
There is a consultation under way which ends this month.

Criminal law - dealing with dangerous dogs: consultation

This discussion paper seeks views on steps that might be taken to improve the way in which the criminal law may deal with dog owners where their dogs act in a dangerous way.

www.gov.scot

The Dangerous Dogs Bill is different (proposed) legislation from the Protection of Livestock Bill

The Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament examines what the Scottish Government is doing, makes new laws on devolved matters and debates the issues of the day.

www.parliament.scot

 

[User00036]

Listen up you lot, I have lost calves to dogs, usually chased into ditches & drowned. If you want a box of matches thrown into your haystack or standing corn, then by all means tell the owner that you have just shot their dog. If you inform the police then you may face some very serious counter claims by the offending owners regarding threatening behaviour & firearms. This is a reality. You already lost animals, you will give money to solicitors, & may even lose the case if they have so called witnesses. Think very carefully before you act. It is legal to shoot a dog that is killing stock, An old boy once told me DIG A DEEP GRAVE & TELL NO ONE. end of. Police can be surprisingly sympathetic, as you will be, when enquiring about a missing dog. Its a hard way to make a living raising cows or sheep. Don't make it any harder, and its an awful situation to have to deal with.

 

[Pkiernan]

I think the real question here is if a 243 is capable of humanely dispatching small size dogs.

 

[Klenchblaize]

I think the real question here is if a 243 is capable of humanely dispatching small size dogs.

You're a bad person Pkiernan!

The Op should be alright though but do use copper to be on the safe side!

K

 

[sikamalc]

Any dog that bites its owner or others is not fit to be kept and should be destroyed in my opinion. Certainly if it gets into domestic stock, sheep etc you are within your rights to shoot it.

 

[Sinistral]

The Dangerous Dogs Bill is different (proposed) legislation from the Protection of Livestock Bill

Many thanks, have now found it on Parlàmaid Na h-Alba.
Reading it, this beefens up police powers & the penalties for owners of dogs worrying livestock.
It sidesteps, and doesn't cover the issue of lethal force, or clarify the circumstances in which this might be lawful.
Maybe that's intentional because of these revisions to the law?

A much broader definition of 'livestock' and agricultural land too.

42. Section 6 of the Bill amends the definitions set out in section 3(1) of the 1953 Act, adds further definitions, and gives the Scottish Ministers power to amend those definitions.

43. The definition of “livestock” is amended to include camelids (for example, alpacas and llamas), ostriches, farmed deer, enclosed game birds and buffalo, and gives further explanation of the meaning of “farmed deer” and “enclosed game birds”; the definition of “agricultural land” is also amended to include land used for the purpose of raising game birds to ensure that where enclosed game birds are attacked or worried by a dog, this counts as attacking or worrying them on agricultural land.
“Donkeys” replaces the term “asses”, within the definition of “horses”, in order to reflect modern terminology.

 

[Scandially]

Almost always it's not the dogs fault, that is why i would never shoot a dog.

 

[shakey jake]

fair point, lets say that we are generous and put that down to a 50:50 misunderstanding, how do we get from there to a threat to put a boot on someones neck in the space of two comments? any lawyer worth his salt, when faced with a 'shooting dogs' case (from either side) is going to google the subject and find themselves here in one click. do we think comments like this and all the ones saying shoot shovel shut up ect are showing shooters in a good light

i would run out of the office of a solicitor that used google before a case, dozens of random opinions however well meant is not case law and i hope wont influence the legal system

 

[Ade8mm]

Wow !
What a multitude of responses, many different opinions and "advice" . Thanks to everyone who posted replies and to the kind SD member who sent me a lengthy pm (you know who you are)
Given all the above I have concluded I will NOT to use gun/rifle - however tempting and however justified I might feel -
This conclusion has been reached after full consideration of all the replies.


Thanks again . Ade

 

[landkeeper]

Having had sheep attacked several times over the years and having had to deal with the aftermath , ewes with aboted lambs hanging out of them ears noses udders ripped off !, a hogget ewe that had no flesh left on a rear leg from foot to exposed hip joint and still alive , 2.5ks worth of ewes and lambs drowned in a drain after some halfwits dog ran 150 sheep through fences and left them scattered over half the parish and a multitude of other incidents .
Now i just practise zero tolerance end of story !

 

[mudman]

I blame the sheep.

 

[Fadcode]

Baaaaa Humbug Sir

 

[gixer1]

I blame the sheep.

That’s what aberdonians say up here too...