Neighbor's Dog Pack - Help Please (long, sorry)

[Absent Minded Farmer]

Update - June 2026. After Animal Control had no results, I called the sheriff's office. Deputy asked for neighbor's phone number. Afterward neighbor sent me several mean texts including he hoped me and wife would both die soon. I was the bad guy for calling the sheriff's office. About a week ago that neighbor drove past while I was in field. He rolled down his window, stuck his arm out and shot me the clearest arm and middle finger ever. I'll never hesitate to call the sheriff's office again. The dogs? They still have them, but I don't see them so can't shoot them. And, by the way neighbor got his wish as to my wife. She died today. Nothing to do with the dogs, I just am venting.

Sorry to hear of all that mess. You have my best, about your wife.

Mike

 

[cjunrau]

Update - June 2026. After Animal Control had no results, I called the sheriff's office. Deputy asked for neighbor's phone number. Afterward neighbor sent me several mean texts including he hoped me and wife would both die soon. I was the bad guy for calling the sheriff's office. About a week ago that neighbor drove past while I was in field. He rolled down his window, stuck his arm out and shot me the clearest arm and middle finger ever. I'll never hesitate to call the sheriff's office again. The dogs? They still have them, but I don't see them so can't shoot them. And, by the way neighbor got his wish as to my wife. She died today. Nothing to do with the dogs, I just am venting.

sorry to hear about your wife. Prayers for you and your kin.

 

[RBnWA]

Sorry to hear about your wife. All the best to you and your family. RB

 

[da.bees]

Help, please. I have a small farm. Neighbor has a pack of dogs. About two months ago they threatened me in my front yard. I yelled at them and they turned and ran. I phoned him. His response: "Well, they haven't hurt anybody." I called animal control. By that time the dogs were home, not on my property and animal control did nothing essentially. They said I could shoot the dogs if they were on my property and threatening. I told the owner I'd shoot the dogs if I saw them again. I carried my pistol for several days and had loaded guns next to each door. Didn't see the dogs for days.
This morning the pack (loose again) chased a momma cow away and chewed up a two week old calf and the calf's ears. I tried to save the calf-took it to a good vet. After $477.50 of effort, the calf died on the way home. It isn't so much the value of the calf but that it is so wrong for the neighbor to have animals that come onto my property and threaten and/or harm or kill. And to maul a two week old calf is horribly wrong. These dogs are a PACK.
The Sheriff's office says they can only shoot them IF they (police) are threatened or see them threatening me.
I've shot at the dogs but haven't hit any. I'm fearful of injuring one and getting sued and big vet bills.
Ideas? Marksmanship training? Wolf trap? Get myself a PACK of mean dogs? Maybe some of those that live with animals? (Great Pyrenees???)
Coyote bait?
Thanks, kelly
FYI The owner has no pens, just puts dogs into a house or shed. Eventually they are turned loose, of course. I can't afford to put dog fence around 40 acres to keep the neighbor's dogs out.

Update - June 2026. After Animal Control had no results, I called the sheriff's office. Deputy asked for neighbor's phone number. Afterward neighbor sent me several mean texts including he hoped me and wife would both die soon. I was the bad guy for calling the sheriff's office. About a week ago that neighbor drove past while I was in field. He rolled down his window, stuck his arm out and shot me the clearest arm and middle finger ever. I'll never hesitate to call the sheriff's office again. The dogs? They still have them, but I don't see them so can't shoot them. And, by the way neighbor got his wish as to my wife. She died today. Nothing to do with the dogs, I just am venting.

I'm sorrowed to hear of your wife's passing, please accept my condolences. It will be 2 years this coming July 24th when dogs attacked your calf and you came here asking for help. It's destressing this wasn't resolved long ago but you still have 4 weeks to do what you should have when you saw that dog's owner is indifferent. If nasty texts wishing you and your's death followed up only two weeks with obscene gestures prior to your wife's unfortunate passing isn't enough to prompt you into action, interweb buds certainly can't. Texas allows 2 years to file suit in local justice of peace office for damages caused by others. The calf is worth $1k, you had vet bill plus time and expense getting calf to vet. For particularly egregious behavior connected to causing damage, court is allowed to grant pain and suffering. Were I the JP and you have documentation and/or witness testimony, at minimum I'd grant $10k plus court and attorney fees. Limit is $20k grand total.

Even if dogs no longer roam, this is far from being resolved. Having this man in your community is by any measure, far more serious than dogs in the community. In the name of "To thine self be true" and in your wife's memory, for love of God man up and do what's right for society and your inner self.

 

[dcarp]

Update - June 2026. After Animal Control had no results, I called the sheriff's office. Deputy asked for neighbor's phone number. Afterward neighbor sent me several mean texts including he hoped me and wife would both die soon. I was the bad guy for calling the sheriff's office. About a week ago that neighbor drove past while I was in field. He rolled down his window, stuck his arm out and shot me the clearest arm and middle finger ever. I'll never hesitate to call the sheriff's office again. The dogs? They still have them, but I don't see them so can't shoot them. And, by the way neighbor got his wish as to my wife. She died today. Nothing to do with the dogs, I just am venting.

Condolences for your wife’s passing.

 

[Ray,IN]

If any of those dogs are indoors dogs, feed them X-Lax chunks. Since dogs love chocolate it works out well_so to speak. A man I once knew had a neighbor that let his dog out each morning before leaving for work. The dog always dumped in my friends front yard. He put out chunks of X-Lax one evening. The following evening his neighbor said his dog dumped all over their white carpeting in their house, and his wife was mad.

 

[Dingo3]

Condolences for your wife’s passing.

X2

 

[300jk]

Help, please. I have a small farm. Neighbor has a pack of dogs. About two months ago they threatened me in my front yard. I yelled at them and they turned and ran. I phoned him. His response: "Well, they haven't hurt anybody." I called animal control. By that time the dogs were home, not on my property and animal control did nothing essentially. They said I could shoot the dogs if they were on my property and threatening. I told the owner I'd shoot the dogs if I saw them again. I carried my pistol for several days and had loaded guns next to each door. Didn't see the dogs for days.
This morning the pack (loose again) chased a momma cow away and chewed up a two week old calf and the calf's ears. I tried to save the calf-took it to a good vet. After $477.50 of effort, the calf died on the way home. It isn't so much the value of the calf but that it is so wrong for the neighbor to have animals that come onto my property and threaten and/or harm or kill. And to maul a two week old calf is horribly wrong. These dogs are a PACK.
The Sheriff's office says they can only shoot them IF they (police) are threatened or see them threatening me.
I've shot at the dogs but haven't hit any. I'm fearful of injuring one and getting sued and big vet bills.
Ideas? Marksmanship training? Wolf trap? Get myself a PACK of mean dogs? Maybe some of those that live with animals? (Great Pyrenees???)
Coyote bait?
Thanks, kelly
FYI The owner has no pens, just puts dogs into a house or shed. Eventually they are turned loose, of course. I can't afford to put dog fence around 40 acres to keep the neighbor's dogs out.

I am very sorry to learn about the loss of your wife. My deepest condolences go to you and your family. I’m not sure what to say of your neighbors. They seem troublesome. Not the neighbors I’d want. I probably would have done as others have said. Three s’s. I’m a nice guy, but have no tolerance for stupidity. Will keep you in prayers and hope you can find peace in your hard time.

 

[Jawjadawg]

What a horrible experience for you. I’m sorry this has happened. You’ve gotten some good advice and some horrible advice. First thing I want to say is do not put out poison or bait them with fish hooks. That’s liable to land you in jail, possibly on the news, and on the wrong side of the issue in every way - plus it’s cruel, which is why it is against the law.

I’ve found that most attorneys will generally provide a free consultation over the phone while discussing your potential case. I believe you’ll find a sympathetic ear willing to have a 5 minute discussion within one or two calls. Most people would consider your situation to be very serious. Hopefully a person isn’t those dog’s next victim. The folks mentioning a restraining order against the dogs has my curiosity. Didn’t know that was a possibility but if you can get one then you’ll be in the drivers seat vs the owners. That’s what I’d be asking the attorney.



Good luck!

 

[Steven Allen]

My sincerest condolences on the loss of your wife. May the Lord comfort you.

 

[JJ in NE]

i am so sorry to hear about your wife passing . You and your family have my deepest sympathy. .