Protecting Livestock, need a registered gun?!

[Helpful_Cub]

So early friday morning one of my pet goats was killed by feral dogs. A pack of 6, dug under the fence and killed the little guy. They didn't eat him. They just killed him for the fun of it.

Anyways, LA County Animal Control comes out and we talk about my options. I still have livestock to protect after all. The Animal control guy tells me flat out that to protect my livestock I'm allowed to shoot the dogs or use any other means to stop or trap them. However, he wanted to make it clear that the Sheriff has to respond if a gun is discharged in the county. In his words, "they will check to see that the gun is registered and then go on their way since I was protecting my livestock which is legally allowed."

So my question is, where is this legally registed stuff coming from? For a handgun I get it, we have to register them or they come registered through the DROS process. But its not 2014 yet and I have no reason to register my long guns early...

[taperxz]

So early friday morning one of my pet goats was killed by feral dogs. A pack of 6, dug under the fence and killed the little guy. They didn't eat him. They just killed him for the fun of it.

Anyways, LA County Animal Control comes out and we talk about my options. I still have livestock to protect after all. The Animal control guy tells me flat out that to protect my livestock I'm allowed to shoot the dogs or use any other means to stop or trap them. However, he wanted to make it clear that the Sheriff has to respond if a gun is discharged in the county. In his words, "they will check to see that the gun is registered and then go on their way since I was protecting my livestock which is legally allowed."

So my question is, where is this legally registed stuff coming from? For a handgun I get it, we have to register them or they come registered through the DROS process. But its not 2014 yet and I have no reason to register my long guns early...

I wouldn't normally take Animal controls word for what gun laws need to be followed in regards to the legality of a firearm.

[desertexplore]

Tagged, great topic. Maybe get yourself a Ruger Mini 14 for the job?

[AleksandreCz]

Its coming from the Animal Control not knowing the gun laws. If a Sheriff comes he might check to make sure your gun isn't stolen but they cant check if its registered unless its a hand gun in large pard due to the fact that there is no long gun registry.

[john67elco]

10/22

[LuvLRBs]

I know how nasty this kind of thing is because I have been through it. I would strongly urge you to speak to the dogs owners if you can identify them, before you shoot the dogs. They may be a- holes, or they may offer to compensate you for the goat which really is better than a neighbor war. Give them a chance to be responsible as it's their fault and not the dogs just doing what uncontrolled dogs do.

[taperxz]

I know how nasty this kind of thing is because I have been through it. I would strongly urge you to speak to the dogs owners if you can identify them, before you shoot the dogs. They may be a- holes, or they may offer to compensate you for the goat which really is better than a neighbor war. Give them a chance to be responsible as it's their fault and not the dogs just doing what uncontrolled dogs do.

Never! The dogs are in a pack and probably wild. Kill the dogs firsts and make the owners (if any) come to you so you can make them pay for your dead goat.

[sealocan]

I think I put up a post once where are described how I saw a small pack of feral dogs kill a young cow. The wolf mixed breed was leading the pack and was eating first while the others waited. some of these Ferrell dog still have their dog collars and dog tags on, maybe they were going home to their masters later on that night but for a moment they were all wild.
this was on Maui Hawaii and the of plot of land that was not near the ranchers house so to protect his young cows he put in a donkey ( ,burrow or,jackass? but I do not don't think it was a mule because it wasn't that big).
now this might have been based on the old wives tale and I'm not sure it's going to help your situation but apparently the donkey makes enough noise and potentially can hurt very badly the dogs with a kick.maybe donkeys are natural protectors or they just don't like feral dogs I'm not sure. but I never saw another dead cow in that field or those dogs again.
now of course this is California and not Hawaii so that donkey will have to be registered, licensed, insured. and taxable. I hope that helps but it probably won't good luck.

[Emdawg]

Blast 'em. That is how the ranchers do it in up here in the Central Coast. Probably no different anywhere else in the state if wild animals are attacking livestock.

Oh and try shooting the alpha dog if you can figure out which one that is. Higher chance they won't come back than if you just shoot one of the lesser dogs.

[taperxz]

I think I put up a post once where are described how I saw a small pack of feral dogs kill a young cow. The wolf mixed breed was leading the pack and was eating first while the others waited. some of these Ferrell dog still have their dog collars and dog tags on, maybe they were going home to their masters later on that night but for a moment they were all wild.
this was on Maui Hawaii and the of plot of land that was not near the ranchers house so to protect his young cows he put in a donkey ( ,burrow or,jackass? but I do not don't think it was a mule because it wasn't that big).
now this might have been based on the old wives tale and I'm not sure it's going to help your situation but apparently the donkey makes enough noise and potentially can hurt very badly the dogs with a kick.maybe donkeys are natural protectors or they just don't like feral dogs I'm not sure. but I never saw another dead cow in that field or those dogs again.
now of course this is California and not Hawaii so that donkey will have to be registered, licensed, insured. and taxable. I hope that helps but it probably won't good luck.

Yes! "donkeys" make for good guardians of livestock. I use a Great Pyrenees to protect my livestock. Nothing better IMHO. Donkeys, preferably female donkeys will protect her goats or sheep.

[Sutcliffe]

I don't think the dogs are feral

Feral dogs would've likely eaten their prey. These are your neighbors dogs(dogs can travel miles from home when untended). Get a shotgun and use something like #2 shot(for geese) it is sufficient enough for larger dogs and won't travel nearly as far as even a .22lr
We used to have a hole pre-dug at my childhood home.
"Gee, Officer Bob, I heard a gunshot too. Sounds like it came from over that ridge. I'll let you know if I see anything."
Shoot, shovel, shutup.

[LuvLRBs]

Wow, you guys are brutal!

[Ninety]

A handgun wouldn't necessarily have to be registered either. Call the sheriff but it sounds like mis information from lack of knowledge.

[taperxz]

Wow, you guys are brutal!

Have you ever lost livestock to wild dogs? I'll SHOW you brutal!

[LuvLRBs]

I have lost poultry to neighbors loose dogs. And the poor goat. I don't know this man's neighborhood. If they are wild dogs they are dangerous. They could come across a small child and kill as well. But if animal control came out, maybe the dogs belong to somebody, which is not to say they aren't equally dangerous. Just that if they are owned by somebody they could be running off and the owners just think they are out playing. Just saying that if they appear to be feral, yes shoot them. If they have tags then maybe give them just one chance to live by warning the owners if you can identify them.