Category Archives: Animals

Worst Neighbor Nomination: How about the one who shoots, kills your family dog?

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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.opposingviews.com/i/society/animal-rights/orange-county-florida-family-accuses-neighbor-shooting-their-dog

Wedgefield HOA

http://www.wedgefieldhomeowners.com/faqs.html

Legal references:

FL Statute 828.12

https://asci.uvm.edu/equine/law/cruelty/fl_cruel.htm

FL Statute 775.082

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0775/Sections/0775.082.html

FL Statute 767

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

Busy Beavers in Colorado High Country

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A lot of areas in the Rocky Mountains have problems with beavers gnawing trees. But this state has a much bigger problem with humans who are busy as beavers gnawing away at large sums of money that belong to their neighbors. The story linked below contains an interesting line: “…it’s just the latest in a series of extraordinary embezzlement cases throughout the Fifth Judicial District, which includes Eagle, Summit, Clear Creek and Lake counties.”

imagesIt’s sad to think about, but these areas include some pretty ritzy communities with million dollar vacation homes. It must be that people put in a position of trust handling large sums of money just somehow think they’re entitled. Why shouldn’t rich people just allow us to wander through their bank accounts at will? What right do they have to complain?

(colorado embezzlements)

 

Health Problems, Computer Problems, & a Dash of Old Age!

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In complaining the other night about health problems, age problems and computer problems, I completely forgot the main point of bringing all of this up in the same post. It was a way of directing you to one of the funniest commentaries on old age that I’ve ever seen. It was a speech to the Conference on Aging done by a well known California weatherman.

You may end up with some laughter-related medical problems of your own. 

 

 

The Death Of Common Sense

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Living in Colorado, I know there’s a big problem in this state with coyotes killing pet cats and dogs. Driving up and down suburban boulevards you see countless posters asking for people to help find a missing pet. In almost every case the pets have been killed by coyotes. And it’s not just small pets, either, it’s German shepherds, boxers, even pit bulls and mastiffs. When a pack of coyotes starts ‘harvesting’ there’s no breed of dog that can’t be easily taken down.

Some communities in Colorado have populations of mountain lions that exist primarily on household pets. In fact, the Division of Wildlife says Colorado has a population of between 5000 and 8000 mountain lions. The attacks are bold. It just amazing that more humans haven’t been killed by wildlife.

Nevada’s KTNV Hall of Shame report by Darcy Spears shows there’s an easy way to end backyard pet killings. But Homeowners Associations across the southwest refuse to recognize the solution: a four inch high fence top roller that prevents predators from jumping fences. It’s easy. It’s inexpensive. It’s certainly not a threat to power-hungry HOA board members.

But in HOA Amerika, self-interested board members don’t seem to be interested in welcoming sensible solutions to neighborhood problems. Their personal power trip is sometimes just beyond reason.

(link to KTNV story on solution to pet killings)