Off topic rant that I have to get off my chest

Today while I was on my way to do some errands my husband informed me that the game warden had gotten in contact with him. Apparently there was a 16 yr old kid (i'm still trying to restrain myself) that is from a 1/2 hour from where we live, that has been in our area killing dogs. He was caught ryin to sell these dogs fur. He said that had killed the dogs and thought the fur would make a good coat. He had a total of 10 dead dogs and 1 coyote. Our missing dogs might be in the bunch we don't know yet. We are planing to press charges and I would love to take it further than that by showing him my kids who no longer have the dogs they love.

Here are some of my thoughts.
How can you not know that shooting dogs is illegal? If you don't know the laws about hunting then step away from the gun.
I might not be the most observant person but as a parent myself why didn't the parent notice? When I was sixteen my parents didn't want me driving out of town much and I'm pretty sure if I would have had a pickup with dead dogs in it they would have said something. I'm truelly wondering if no offense to anyone but if the boy was all there in the head because it just seems common sense to me.

Like Terry Pratchett says in his books, sin is what happens when you treat people (or animals) like things. So sorry about the dogs, and I hope yours aren't among them.

My question is, is it actually illegal to shoot dogs where you live? In many rural areas it's legal to shoot dogs who wander on to your property (especially if you keep livestock), although I highly doubt this kid was waiting for dogs to wander onto his home property. The kid definitely needs something, whether it's therapy or a trip behind the woodshed.

According to the update my husband told me that our dogs weren't one of the ones in the truck.

But in answer to your question I don't know. But this kid didn't live down here he lives 30 miles away from us. Even if it wasn't my dogs I hope that he gets therapy.

#3 Hopefully your dogs will be found and OK. How is the dog that was wounded? And I agree that this 16 year old and his parents need help.

The dog that was wounded is doing good. Luckily it was only a graze above the eye. She as a little skitsh the first couple of days but is back to normal now.

Shades of Cruella De Vil - that's scary, and I'm crossing my fingers your lost dogs still turn up.
The kid in your case sounds a bit, well, off.

I'm currently living in a rural, ranching community where in-city-limits loose dogs may get taken to the pound, but outside-city-limits loose dogs are considered dangerous to livestock and ineligible for pound space - it's unfortunate, but a lot of dogs that get lost or dropped in the country where they'll "find a good home" end up shot as livestock chasers/killers, even when they're not guilty. People just don't want to take the chance. And as ArmyAngel1986 says, it's not illegal. Unfortunate and sad, but not illegal.

Growing up we lived 1/4 mile off a back road in a very, very rural area, and our dogs were never tied. Our fences were horse-proof, but not dog-proof.

Now... I think we were extremely lucky not to have one run over or shot. Fences, runs or ropes may not seem kind, but it's more likely your pets are going to survive longer.

I'm so sorry to hear about those dogs. And I agree with you - that kid needs help, before he turns from dogs to, well, something/someone else.

#2 ArmyAngel: Love the quote - thanks for sharing!

The kid had to know, and his parents had to know what he was doing...the skinning of any animal is a bloody business (we do deer) and there would be blood, bones, etc; to dispose of.

Please press charges and get some help for this kid. Sadly, I see a lack of empathy here and anti-social behavor--not good.