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Dog Shooting Exposes Ignorance of Some Law Enforcers

Dog Shooting Exposes Ignorance of Some Law Enforcers

Dog Shooting Exposes Ignorance of Some Law Enforcers

A Como, Mississippi family lives in a neighborhood in which several dogs have been shot. One dog was reported to have been shot in front of his guardian and responding law enforcement told the guardian the dog could legally be shot if the dog was trespassing. Wrong!

Mississippi State Statute § 97-41-16, (4a) 1 - 3 Maliciously injuring dogs or cats allows for the killing of a dog or cat that is actively attacking or menacing livestock, humans, or property. Some years ago the Mississippi State Attorney General issued a ruling that animals cannot be held responsible for trespassing, since they don’t read. He was addressing the issue of hunting dogs wandering on private property and being shot.

However, a guardian or person with custody of the dog could be charged with trespass after being given a warning, if the dog continues to come onto another person’s property.

Joe was shot February 6, 2017, and In Defense of Animals' Justice for Animals Campaign Director Doll Stanley saw to it that Joe was given emergency medical treatment. Joe and his attending veterinarian fought for his life. He survived and In Defense of Animals is working with Joe’s family on a media campaign to enlighten the public and law enforcement that it is a crime to shoot or by any means harm an animal that has innocently crossed property lines.

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