Expert: Tina Volpe - 9/5/2008

Question
Let me start with a short version of the story... My husband was out in our yard with 2 of our dogs. <The dogs just happen to be pits. They are our pets. Just like any other dog. They are show dogs. Each are registered with 4 different kennel club and are NOT fighting or hunting dogs...at all.> We own 165 acres and the dogs were close but my husband was working and he could hear them but not see them. The two dogs walked 20 feet off of our property and on to our neighbors. Then there was a gun shot. My husband was so close that he made it to the neighbors before they even got back into their house. They shot Max. He wasn't anywhere close to their house and they were inside when they saw him. They never yelled at him to leave or for my husband to come and get him. They just shot. It seems like that was a very aggressive tactic to get a dog to leave the yard. Considering she shot him through a wooden fence. Luckily we were able to get him to the vet within minutes and he is alive. Not only did she try to kill our dog but she shot directly towards our home. So here is my question. The police just kind of said well it's a pitbull. And it would be up to me to continue. What should I do?

Answer
Hi Amanda,

I'm so sorry this happened.  This depends entirely on the State in which you live, but my first move would be to call the Humane Society for the State you live - the main website is:  http://www.hsus.org/

Laws differ from state to state, however if the dog meant no harm, then it would seem unjustified, and it would be honorable, or justice to have the shooters pay for vet bills.  

I am not a legal adviser, by any means, but I do know that the Humane society will investigate, and if all fails, somewhat interrigate the neighbor who shot an animal, esp a known pet of a neighbor.  

That was just wrong and I am sorry for you.  Definitely CALL the Humane Society though, because it will take quite a while for a response from them.

Thanks for asking, I hope this helps.  If you need further help, try calling P.E.T.A. - who is an animal rights group - they may have a better suggestion should this not suffice.

PETA - www.peta.org

Tina Volpe