The city attorney wrote "The City has discretion whether to take action" as several local, state, and federal gov'ts do not enforce all laws all of the time. He went on to say it was to the city's advantage not to take action due to the costs involved. I have a copy of the letter written to the city, he emphasizes the cost to the city. He charged the city $350 to write this letter. See where I'm going with this. There was a pit bull dog who bit a young child, the child had to be taken to the hospital for stitches in her face. The dog was held for 3 days for testing for rabies and then released. The mother went to the city hall meeting, mayor referred the case to the city attorney for his opinion....another $350. This is a very small town.
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Neighbor's dogs killed my cat
- Thread starter melina
- Start date
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The city attorney wrote "The City has discretion whether to take action" as several local, state, and federal gov'ts do not enforce all laws all of the time. He went on to say it was to the city's advantage not to take action due to the costs involved. I have a copy of the letter written to the city, he emphasizes the cost to the city. He charged the city $350 to write this letter. See where I'm going with this. There was a pit bull dog who bit a young child, the child had to be taken to the hospital for stitches in her face. The dog was held for 3 days for testing for rabies and then released. The mother went to the city hall meeting, mayor referred the case to the city attorney for his opinion....another $350. This is a very small town.
Just Blue
Senior Member
not2cleverRed
Obvious Observer
Dogs that do this may escalate their bad behavior - especially dangerous since they are not limiting their bad behavior to their owner's property.
As seniors have urged: media. Surely your community at least has some Patch or other form of news in the area.
The officials may still be above being shamed... but if they refuse to do their job after you've informed them of the problem, you can sue the municipality, not just the dogs' owner. This is a case of the municipality being penny wise and pound foolish.
That child that was mauled? Okay, that's on the dog's owner. But IF your town does nothing about that dog and it attacks another child - it can be argued that the town is culpable.
Media, media, media. Document, document, document.
It is highly unlikely that these dogs are limiting themselves to trespassing on your property.
As seniors have urged: media. Surely your community at least has some Patch or other form of news in the area.
The officials may still be above being shamed... but if they refuse to do their job after you've informed them of the problem, you can sue the municipality, not just the dogs' owner. This is a case of the municipality being penny wise and pound foolish.
That child that was mauled? Okay, that's on the dog's owner. But IF your town does nothing about that dog and it attacks another child - it can be argued that the town is culpable.
Media, media, media. Document, document, document.
It is highly unlikely that these dogs are limiting themselves to trespassing on your property.
TigerD
Senior Member
It is even more unlikely that the cat limited its travels to only the OPs yard.
This is obviously a troll.
TD
Just Blue
Senior Member
I find you to be grossly wrong about that! You are not talking to some dummy. Those people have 4 dogs that are barking incessantly, my cats won't even go near the road. We keep the garage door lowered and also the shop bldg door lowered so they have a safe place in a hurry. Poster you do not know what you are talking about and take offense.
single317dad
Senior Member
Personally, I'd trap any killer dogs on my property and put them to a quick and humane end.
Check your local and state laws, as trapping of an animal may be illegal or require certain permits.
Use care to avoid trapping your own pets.
Check your local and state laws, as trapping of an animal may be illegal or require certain permits.
Use care to avoid trapping your own pets.
Just Blue
Senior Member
Simmer down...REALLY. If you care for you cats keep them in the house. They are "food" for many animals regardless if they are on your property.
not2cleverRed
Obvious Observer
Familiarize yourself with Iowa state laws regarding dogs.
I. C. A. § 351.1 - 43; I. C. A. § 162.20
These Iowa statutes comprise the state's dog laws. With regard to damage done by dogs and dog bites, the owner of a dog shall be liable to an injured party for all damages done by the dog, when the dog is caught in the action of worrying, maiming, or killing a domestic animal, or the dog is attacking or attempting to bite a person, except when the party damaged is doing an unlawful act, directly contributing to the injury. Further, the law states that it shall be the duty of the owner of any dog, cat or other animal which has bitten or attacked a person or any person having knowledge of such bite or attack to report this act to a local health or law enforcement official. The section also contains general rabies vaccination provisions and a prohibition on dogs running at large (results in impoundment).
I. C. A. § 351.27
This Iowas statute makes it 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.
Source: https://www.animallaw.info/statutes/topic/dangerous-dog
Keep your cats inside. Not an option for the horses. But frankly, horses are considered more valuable, and I wouldn't put it past these dogs to harass the horses.
I. C. A. § 351.1 - 43; I. C. A. § 162.20
These Iowa statutes comprise the state's dog laws. With regard to damage done by dogs and dog bites, the owner of a dog shall be liable to an injured party for all damages done by the dog, when the dog is caught in the action of worrying, maiming, or killing a domestic animal, or the dog is attacking or attempting to bite a person, except when the party damaged is doing an unlawful act, directly contributing to the injury. Further, the law states that it shall be the duty of the owner of any dog, cat or other animal which has bitten or attacked a person or any person having knowledge of such bite or attack to report this act to a local health or law enforcement official. The section also contains general rabies vaccination provisions and a prohibition on dogs running at large (results in impoundment).
I. C. A. § 351.27
This Iowas statute makes it 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.
Source: https://www.animallaw.info/statutes/topic/dangerous-dog
Keep your cats inside. Not an option for the horses. But frankly, horses are considered more valuable, and I wouldn't put it past these dogs to harass the horses.
single317dad
Senior Member
As to the issue of the horses, get a donkey. A good donkey will smash a dog's head, or a coyote's, or a wolf's, etc.
Simmer down...REALLY. If you care for you cats keep them in the house. They are "food" for many animals regardless if they are on your property.
That is something I will think about.
I've been told to do this for several years by the sheriff. I don't own a gun and I don't want to learn how to use one. But who knows???? I may have to.