All,

I'd been away for a week on vacation to go and see my family. Got back into town late Thursday and went to pick up the dogs from the resort I had them in. Yesterday was great, as the doggies got to run but were always around me and around the house. I let them out this morning around 6:30, and by 8:00am, someone had shot Ginger's puppy (now a large puppy) twice, once in each rear hip. I took her to the vet, but it was to swollen to take x-rays. She'll be A-OKAY!

But I AM NOW PISSED OFF TO BE ALL PISSED OFF!

My dogs were on the porch when I heard them bark and go to the edge of the driveway. They didn't cross the property line as it is still about 75' away. Next thing, Karma is limping and there is blood. Bastard! 22 round in each hip from the looks of the entry.

That means the bastard shot in the direction of MY HOUSE! That pisses me off too!!!!!!!!

So, today it is over 100 with an ungodly heat index (about 110+), and I'm spending all flipping day out in the sun to catch the BASTARD. Yeah buddy, I f'en talking to you.

Sorry, just a little hot (from the heat) and more than a little PISSED OFF!

apoc (who is now really A PISSED OFF CHICK!)

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2002

Answers

Need any help?

Cause I'm a PISSED OFF old broad just hearin' this stuff.

I imagine you have a very good idea of just who is responsible.

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2002

OMG apoc, I am so sorry! I am crying for your dog and for you and for the souless being that could have done this to a defenseless animal. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE who are so sick they can do this kind of thing? If I could I'd come over with my shotgun to help ya patrol the area (not that I could or would shoot em, but they would know you had reinforcements!). If I didn't know better, I'd think you lived next to SAR's sick neighbor. The people who do this kind of thing will have such bad Karma in all their incarnations, it will take them MANY reincarnations before they work off such an inhumane, evil act. My prayers go out to you and to your pup for healing friend. Wish I could be there to hug you in person friend.

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2002

All these sick people. My God in heaven!

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2002

Apoc, I have tears of ANGER and frustration, and YOUR pain surging threw me..I can taste the bile in the back of my throat. I have no words to comfort you...just know...I FEEL YOUR PAIN...and ANGER...and RAGE....if you need help with Finances for the dog, PLEASE let me help. I was going to say this in a private mail and I can't figure out how to work this address thing.

Sar, who is reliveing the sight of Butchie runing to me with a hole clean through his foot...Remember the asshole here shot and DAN AND I were on the other side of the tree line.

At least file a report, this is the second time..get your vet involved....and I may hate myself for admitting this..but I'd HURT the son of a bitch in such a way he'd not be shooting anything for a long long time.. Hmmmm bet it is hard to shoot with out the pointer finger!

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2002

apoc, I'm so sorry. I second SAR's offer, let me know. Seems like the Currents pets all have bullseyes on them.

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2002

Thanks all for letting me vent my frustrations.

The vet bills are already paid, and if it costs me all that I have, this dog will come out fine.

She's already walking without a limp and is so eager to get outside. I just finished walking her to go pottie. Doc said I have to keep her up for about 3 days. Yeah, and I saw the fat bastard neighbor stumbling up his driveway about 11am this morning drunk as a skunk with a beer in his hand. Don't think I didn't want to give him what for!

From the entry points being on the rear, it is plain to see that she wasn't being agressive (which she wouldn't), but was walking away from something.

We'll see what Monday morning brings. Revenge is a dish best served cold, and now I have to serve it twice. So... it'll be twice as nice.

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2002

A common method of home invasion is to get rid of the dogs first.

Make sure you are totally secured in the house. If you have a gun and are comfortable with it, keep it with you. Wear it.

Stay safe.

If possible, have the police step up patrols in your neighborhood.

Make sure of your surroundings when you are out walking the dogs.

-- Anonymous, July 28, 2002

I've already said this in a private mail to apoc but I want to say it to the rest of you guys too in case you find yourself in a similar horrible situation. The previous poisoning was a relatively passive act, in that the dogs might not have eaten the bait, the poison might not have worked, the dogs might have vomited, other animals might have eaten the stuff, the owner might have found the bait and chucked it. However, the shooting is a big ratchet up, particularly since there were TWO shots. This is an ACTIVE thing, there is no passive "if" about it.

Is it possible the next incident will be another ratchet up? God, I hope not. Yes, a police report, even a belated one, is essential. As apoc says, the guy was shooting in the direction of her house-- next time he might hit her or another family member ("Well, I was trying to hit that damned dog. . .").

You all don't think that's justification? Read this: I attended a murder trial in Norfolk. Someone had gone to make a $5 drug buy, leaving $10 for safety with a friend. When he got back, he claimed the friend kept his money (it was never established whether he did or not). In any event, an argument ensued and the druggie got out his gun. The friend lunged at him to take the gun and the druggie shot him. His justification: "Well, I wouldna shot him if he hadn't gone for me." The Judge said, "Well, you wouldn't have shot him if you hadn't taken your gun out." The druggie just could not understand the judge's reasoning, you could see it all over his face. All for $10.

I wonder if the previous owner had similar problems with this guy? Any way to find out if the neighbor has a record of violence? If you make a report, apoc, play on the fact that your husband is gone a lot of the time (defending us in the war on terror, by the way!) and you're afraid for your son's life as well as your own. This will get the deputy's attention and they may be more inclined to keep an eye on your place.

-- Anonymous, July 28, 2002

Do you have any friendly neighbors? Talk to them, too. See if they have cameras to photograph anything suspicious. I realize you have a rather private piece of land but more eyes can be helpful.

Also, if possible, increase the amount of traffic coming and going to your house. If a relative or friend can 'visit' at odd times whether you're home or not just by pulling into your driveway to eyeball the house or check the mail or no reason at all, do it. If by chance someone pulls into the drive and someone is near or in the house it may give them the urge to split.

I agree with checking with the previous owner. The real estate agent may be able to help with that.

-- Anonymous, July 28, 2002

I'm pretty sure it is the neighbor and not someone wanting to take what is in the house. All the houses here have good alarm systems. The cops don't normally patrol this area because it is so rural. The only really bad thing is that my house cannot be seen from the road, just the small drive (even in winter with all the leaves gone). That is bad and good at the same time.

The neighbor knows that I pack heat, and came outside quick the first time he heard me fire off 6 rounds thru my .357. I'll take it over his 22 anyday! ;) I've gone to taking it with me on my walks on the property.

I spoke to hubby about the situation, and he is just as pissed as I am. Seems like that man doesn't like the fact that his dog can't use my field as his own personal dumping ground! Grrrrr I hate to be mean, and so does hubby, but after the dog attack (the German Shep) on our friends dog, then Ginger, then killing Ginger and Putt-Putt, and now Karma with the shots, we've about had it! He thinks it is time for their dog to have a few vet trips! Nothing fatal, and nothing bad. Dogs love the taste of chocolate, and chocolate ex-lax tastes just like chocolate. I don't know.

All the people in the neighborhood are the keep to yourself kind of people. We wave to each other, and speak if passing on a walk on the road. Other than that, nobody bothers anybody else. (That is one of the reasons we moved out here....) But I'll say that everybody knows everybody elses business, except us cause we do tend to stay all to ourselves. Heck, most of the people here go to the same church! I couldn't say anything to anyone without it getting back to my neighbor and who knows how twisted it would be by the time it reached them. I'll confront them when I see them out and about. Who knows, maybe I'll be lucky and it'll be when I catch the wife walking on my trails down by the pond.

When the fall comes, we are going to have a proper survey of the land done. We're waiting until then cause it'll cost us at least a grand less than if we try to do it with the leaves on the trees as they wouldn't be able to measure but about 10' at a time. We plan on putting some type of fence up, and are currently thinking about a split rail type of fence. At least that way we'll have the boundry of the property established for the neighbors to see. Then will come the no tresspassing signs.

In the mean time, I'm working outside with gun (a 22) by my side just waiting for that agressive dog to step one paw on my property. No more BB gun to keep the agressive dogs off the land. Besides, I have to worry about snakes and skunks too. ;)

-- Anonymous, July 28, 2002

(((((APROC!)))))

I'm so sorry to hear about this terrible situation. What is it with some of these rural sickos?

Yes, get a fence. I'd go with barbed wire, and run some 220 current through it if necessary.

-- Anonymous, July 28, 2002

apoc, I can come out there this fall and help you fence. I strongly recommend that you use at least woven field fence topped with barbed wire for all areas in the rear of your property, if not all of it. Chain link for the front, if you have some type of covenant rules where you live. This will establish not only your property line, but also keep your dogs definitely in and all other dogs/people out. No one can claim to be afraid of your dogs if you can clearly establish your dogs are confined.

Report this to the cops ASAP. They can shoot your kid if he happens to wander with the dog. Two attacks, each more severe, should be documented. If you have blood on the ground where your dog was shot, take a picture of it with any trees or structures near it for reference to the dog's location at the time. Videotape is better.

-- Anonymous, July 29, 2002

Split rail is okay as long as you also add chicken wire or other wire fencing stapled firmly to your side so nothing can get through it, nothing that will hurt you or the dogs, anyway. Then plant shrub roses which have rip-your-heart-out thorns. Therese Bugnet not only has wicked thorns but is also very pretty and hardy. You can find them for a relatively low price in quantity on the Net. Worked for my corner lot in Norfolk!

-- Anonymous, July 29, 2002