guest blog by Deborah Goonan
On New Year’s Eve in Wedgefield, a deed-restricted, golf and equestrian community in Central Florida, someone shot and killed the Evans family’s yellow lab.
The family’s beloved pet escaped from its yard, as pets sometimes do, and apparently wandered onto a neighbor’s property. The neighbor allegedly confronted the owner of the dog, Brock Evans, and threatened to shoot his pet. When Evans quickly went to retrieve his dog, and talked to his neighbor for about ten minutes, he heard several gunshots. Shortly thereafter his dog was found with gunshot wounds, and later died as a result of those injuries. The neighbor denies shooting the dog, but does not deny that his son might have pulled the trigger. Orange County is investigating the matter as a case of cruelty to animals.
Under Florida Statute, the perpetrator, if properly identified and if guilt can be proven, may be charged with a misdemeanor or fined up to $5000 or both. However, if your dog is deemed as “dangerous” or if your neighbor claims that your dog attacked a person, pet or livestock on his property, this often suffices as a defense for shooting your dog.
Before the unfortunate incident, Evans had never spoken to his neighbor, who lives just two doors down the road. Wedgefield is a deed-restricted community with voluntary HOA membership.
Orlando Sentinel link to story of family pet shot by neighbor
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-yellow-lab-dog-shot-20150107-story.html
Opposing Views report on Orange County neighbor dispute over shooting of pet dog
http://www.wedgefieldhomeowners.com/faqs.html
Legal references:
https://asci.uvm.edu/equine/law/cruelty/fl_cruel.htm
FL Statute 775.082
http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2011/Chapter767
When Killing a Dog is Legally Justified
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/dog-book/chapter9-2.html
I believe every word of this because the same, or similar has been reported by some HOA homeowners in other HOAs, in other states, for years. From an HOA board member allegedly shooting cats and another long time HOA homeowner advocate from NC is sure someone associated with his board, or their ongoing issues, killed their dog. This HOA homeowner and his family were the boards victims too! Great people! I believe these HOA boards, other HOA homeowners (neighbors) and their accomplices are capable of anything, any criminality. If they will kill animals, what are they capable of and what will they do to people?