I'm Mad About This!

[fishinwrench]

the dog was apparently causing a problem

"Apparently" .... But probably NOT.

[Justin Spencer]

Having raised and used hunting dogs, one that runs deer is pretty well worthless for anything than running deer. If they start running deer and are not punished for it, then they have to be dealt with

If you have hunted with dogs then I would bet at some point your dog took off and chased a deer. Unless you always have a shock collar on a dog even the best trained dogs can sometimes be overcome by something that enticing. I would like some tips on 100% compliance when your dogs jump a group of deer. I have never hunted with beagles but I think they are even harder to control when they get on a trail. While hard to control they are also used because they are too slow to catch a rabbit. I would bet a deer can easily outrun a rabbit. I have shot several stray dogs (and absolutely hate to do it) that I could not catch and were killing our chickens, I have also caught several and taken them elsewhere. Sometimes feral animals must be destroyed, but this was not a feral dog, it was a dog with a collar that probably would have come to the ranger had he tried to catch it, then he could have called the owner, given him a ticket if neccesary and maybe a lesson would have been learned. Now a black eye once again for law enforcement and the government. I'm sure this guy didn't expect to ever have to tell anyone what he did, but now he (or she) is in a lot of hot water, and hopefully this will open up a position for someone with a little common sense, and maybe some people skills.

[Andy & JoAnne]

His actions are unbelievable.....Sounds like he was on his "HIGH HORSE" and had to prove to himself that he is "DA MAN" while he proves to everyone else how much he ISNT.

[fozzie.]

To me it just sounds like the agent didn't expect to be caught. I don't think he was in the right shooting a collared/tagged dog, but I'm not certain the dog's owner was in the right, either. At some point, personal responsibility comes into play- there are consequences for the decisions you make.

[jdmidwest]

IF you read the article, there are a few oddities about it. How does a single beagle hem up deer and run them in circles? Do y'all have places that a 10" beagle can hem up a herd of deer? Also note the fact that he pulled the owner after 3 trips through the park. Is there any legal hunting season for beagles in Ark. on Feb 27? Our rabbit season was over on the 15th.

I really do not take anything I read in the paper to heart. Does any one know the real story?

[Al Agnew]

Could the beagle actually kill the deer? No. But just because beagles are slow doesn't mean they can't harass deer. They can stay on a trail a long time, and deer are just as afraid of them as they would be a big dog. I watched a doe today that was trying to feed at a feeder, but there was a small possum already at the feeder. It kept the deer away until it was satisfied. And it was a lot smaller than a beagle. A "good" beagle could have run the deer to exhaustion.

Could the agent have handled it differently? Maybe. But I highly doubt that the dog would have stopped running the deer in order for him to catch it. Maybe the owner could have called it off the deer, but probably not a stranger. So exactly how else was he going to get the dog off the deer?

[fishinwrench]

Could the beagle actually kill the deer? No. But just because beagles are slow doesn't mean they can't harass deer. They can stay on a trail a long time, and deer are just as afraid of them as they would be a big dog. I watched a doe today that was trying to feed at a feeder, but there was a small possum already at the feeder. It kept the deer away until it was satisfied. And it was a lot smaller than a beagle. A "good" beagle could have run the deer to exhaustion.

Could the agent have handled it differently? Maybe. But I highly doubt that the dog would have stopped running the deer in order for him to catch it. Maybe the owner could have called it off the deer, but probably not a stranger. So exactly how else was he going to get the dog off the deer?

Several ideas come immediately to mind..... A hotdog, a frisbee, a STICK......... Or if he just HAD to used his firearm in the dramatic deer rescue, he could have shot "close" to the dog. Who keeps all the exausted deer safe from coyotes and foxes? Seriously, I've seen deer do stand-offs with full grown bird dogs and coon dogs, and the deer always got away just fine. I've even watched deer "play" with dogs chasing each other back and forth, stomping and snorting....it's downright cute.

Nope, the "hemmed up deer" defense doesn't cut it with this ol'boy. I like dogs more than I do most people.

[patfish]

I like dogs more than I do most people.

Amen brother! Give Riverdog a scratch behind the ears for me.

What if a deer was chasing a smallmouth? Then what Agnew? Gig the deer?

Ranger Rick obviously has "little bitty tic-tac" disease.

[techo]

I have been trying to stay out of this one, but it cracks me up. I am a dog lover and have two of them. I am sorry a beagle was shot. It is seldom I agree with jdmidwest, BUT mark this one on the calendar. The news story is from the dog owner's point of view and you don't have both sides. I have actually written articles on cases we handled for the paper, read it the next day and the paper had names. amounts, cash seized and locations wrong.

Some of the solutions are hilarious....shoot a warning shot? Are you serious? I am still laughing. Throw a hot dog? I can see the ranger pulling a fresh weenie from his weenie holster and throwing it in such a way as to divert the beagle (stubborn hunting dog) from the prey. LOL That is hilarious too. What caliber weenie was it? You guys are funny tonight.

When I lived in International Falls, Minnesota....they had trouble with the wolves killing sheep. They weren't eating the. just killing the sheep. A huge meeting was held because the farmers were getting ready to take the matter into their own hands. These particular wolves were protected at the time. A nice old lady recommended they catch the wolves and neuter them. The farmer stood up and said, Lady they are killing my sheep not (expletive) breeding them!

No offense to anyone. We (at work) have had a good chuckle here, and really sorry it was at the expense of a dog that was killed probably due to the owner not being responsible.

Headed up to LOZ at the end of March fishinwrench. Love to buy you a cup of coffee and put a face to a name. You have been a big help to quite a few folk on here with your knowledge.

[fishinwrench]

Throw a hot dog? I can see the ranger pulling a fresh weenie from his weenie holster and throwing it in such a way as to divert the beagle (stubborn hunting dog) from the prey. LOL That is hilarious too. What caliber weenie was it?

Well dung ! That's all it would take to get MINE from running a deer. LMAO !

I mean look at him.... we're talkin' Serious deer threat here !

And the coffee pot runs 24/7 around here. Give a shout and c'mon by if you are in the area. Bring an extra donut for River-dog (the ballchinian) though, or he'll pee on your tires