Dog Attack AGAIN UPDATE

[pj]

I really really need to vent. I am so frustrated I could explode!!
Background: I have a neighbor across the road who does NOT believe in keeping dogs confined. He will NOT!

Several years back his dogs killed one of our goats who had gotten out of the pasture, still on our property but out of fence.
Four or so years his pack of dogs got in our pasture and killed seven bred does. He still wouldn't put them up. I begged him, I screamed at him, I threatened to shoot all his dogs on sight and so on. FINALLY he put up the two females and left only one male loose. As long as the females were penned the male stayed home. (None are spayed or neutered, of course).
We spent a few thousand dollars on horse no climb fence, making sure there was no dog access. All seemed well.

He started letting them all "run free" again. One female was killed by a car.
This morning both of his dogs were in my pasture. They'd dug a hole to gain acess.
Fortunately the goats had gone to their shelter and were standing their ground. If they'd run I feel sure those dogs would have brought every single one of them down. The only injury is to one doe who probably did try to run and they grabbed her by the leg. A tooth went right into the joint and she's in lots of pain.

Called the Vet and then went to visit the neighbor (had already been over to tell them what happened once). Told him the Vet was coming and I expected him to pay the Vet bill. He got a shocked look on his face and wanted to know how much it would be.
Told him I didn't know but it wasn't going to be cheap being a Sunday morning emergency visit.

Vet asked if I had called animal control and I told him I'd done that before and they'd done NOTHING. It made him really angry and he said HE could light a fire under them and he would do that first thing in the morning.

Vet said they would send me a bill in the morning to give to the guy and a letter in case I needed to take him to small claims court, which I will if he doesn't pay.

What else can I do to just maybe make this guy learn his lesson? (other than beating him with a base ball bat?) I've told my husband if he sees those dogs over here again to shoot them but dern I hate to shoot the stupid dogs when it's the stupid owner's fault!!
IF we end up shooting the dogs he'll just get more. No telling how many dogs he's gone through in the last ten years.

Frustrated, angry and fit to be tied,
PJ

[Pancakes]

Wow. That's tough, especially if animal control won't get involved.

How about getting your local news involved? I'm sure the dog owner doesn't want everyone to know about how crappy of an owner he's being and a threat to the community. Small claims court might be a good idea, especially if you have a vet to back you up. I'm no lawyer or law expert, but I'd say you have a pretty good case. Do you have documentation? Pictures? I'd start keeping pictures if I were you...any and everything you can to build a case, if you need to take it to higher authorities.

[Luckydonkey]

Why are you not calling the sherrif's office on this guy?

[pj]

Why are you not calling the sherrif's office on this guy?

I did that before and they refer you to our so called animal control. Animal control is new here and now there IS a leash law for the county but when I talked to animal control they would agree to do something and then just do nothing...ONE time the female officer said she went over there and didn't see anyone or any dogs. I told her that if she didn't see the dogs it was because they were somewhere they shouldn't be!
She never bothered to go back.

[Bluey]

Why are you not calling the sherrif's office on this guy?


That was what I was thinking, first of all a report to the sheriff, after the vet.
Last the owner.

We had one owner, when we told him we sure hate to have to shoot his dogs, tell us to go ahead and shoot them.
We told him that it was up to him to so something, not the public to run over them or shoot them, that it was not the dog's fault that they had such a lousy owner.

We didn't see the dogs again.
Either the sheriff laid the law down or the dog owner decided HE may get shot if his dogs hurt any more of our calves and took care of the dogs, one way or another.

I hope your goats will be safe now.
If you are willing to educate others, you could go to the TV news with your story.

[BuddyRoo]

I'm so sorry. I think that if you do not get a good response from the local law enforcement in charge of this, then you could potentially call one of the local news stations and I bet that would light a fire.

[SLW]

The media will get involved if you have photos or video- that makes news, not when you/we call to complain. Take photos or a video when the dogs are on your place.

I could and would shoot dogs chasing my livestock. A year plus ago hubba had the pistol in his hand and was aiming at a dog when the owner showed up. This guy gets big rowdy cross bred dogs and lets then wander. The owner took the dog but not until he got threats in on us. I rang 911 and asked for a deputy. All is well that ends well and we've not seen hide nor hair of that dog since then.

If you can't shoot a dog then find another way to make them go away, there are plenty of options out there. Your livestock are counting on you to protect them.

Good luck. People can be such jerks.

[Liz]

In Texas if it is a loose dog chasing livestock you can shoot the dog.

Harsh for sure but thats the law here.

[pj]

That was what I was thinking, first of all a report to the sheriff, after the vet.
Last the owner.

We had one owner, when we told him we sure hate to have to shoot his dogs, tell us to go ahead and shoot them.
.


That is EXACTLY what this guy said when I told him we were going to shoot them!!!

We've never made him pay any damages before and we should have. His Wife told me this morning that she couldn't do anything with him but if we made him pay and if we could catch the dogs and take them to the shelter where he'd have to pay to get them back that would stop him. I can't catch them as I've chased them so much they are afraid of me.

He said today that he guessed he'd have to get rid of the "girl" dog as she was the ring leader and always led the male off so I expect him to take her somewhere and dump her.
He's done that before.

I'll let y'all know how it goes with animal control and with him paying the bill.

Oh meant to tell you, too, when his dogs killed the other goats he SAW what was going on, opened the gate and called his dogs out and wasn't going to tell us..not even that we had dying goats lying there. He was very surprised when I confronted him that anyone had seen him and his dogs in the pasture. He was hoping that we'd never know.

[EponaRoan]

Money talks. Didn't you bill him for the dead goats? I know in our state, it's triple damages. Your state has got to have similar laws.

3-1311. Dogs killing or chasing livestock; liability of owner; classification
A. If any person discovers a dog killing, wounding or chasing livestock, or discovers a dog under circumstances which show conclusively that it has recently killed or chased livestock, he may pursue and kill the dog.
B. The owner of a dog is liable for damages caused by the dog chasing livestock. In the case of a dog killing or wounding livestock, the owner of the dog is liable for damages to the owner of the livestock equal to three times the value of the livestock killed or wounded.
C. An owner of a dog who intentionally or recklessly allows or causes the dog to:
1. Wound or kill livestock owned by another person is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.
2. Chase livestock owned by another person, causing injury to the livestock, is guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor.

[Guin]

Wow. I'd be out there with a rifle. Too bad for the dogs, but you can't have them killing livestock.

[pj]

Money talks. Didn't you bill him for the dead goats? I know in our state, it's triple damages. Your state has got to have similar laws.
We didn't and we should have. It appears that money is the only way to hit him. He really looked shocked when I told him I expected him to pay this bill.
I'm hoping that animal control comes down hard on him, too.

He's got a bunch of chickens that he's very fond of and I asked him today how he'd like it if I let my four dogs run loose and they were killing his chickens. He had no answer.

I AM going after this guy this time...whatever I have to do.
(I need a now calm but very determined looking smiley)

[Bluey]

We didn't and we should have. It appears that money is the only way to hit him. He really looked shocked when I told him I expected him to pay this bill.
I'm hoping that animal control comes down hard on him, too.

He's got a bunch of chickens that he's very fond of and I asked him today how he'd like it if I let my four dogs run loose and they were killing his chickens. He had no answer.

I AM going after this guy this time...whatever I have to do.
(I need a now calm but very determined looking smiley)

Remember, don't get mad, get even.;)
Don't let him get your goat twice by also getting mad and then he can feel like the victim of an unreasoble neighbor that can't understand his side.

Be sure to stay cool and calm and read him the law, tell him this is past reasonable and he needs to become proactive about his dogs.
Don't give him a chance to try to find excuses and get you mad.
Right is on your side and you don't need a high horse, just the facts and he needs to pony up for the goat's care and do something so the dogs don't get out again.

Be sure to file a police report this time, because this may happen again, sadly.:(

[vacation1]

My sympathies. It sounds like the only thing this guy will understand is a hit to the wallet, so the best strategy is just to make him pay for every last thing his dogs do. Maybe this one vet bill, for the Sunday morning (ouch) to multiple animals, will be enough to do it. At least you have the vet prepared to go to bat for you - all too often, vets don't want to get involved. Good luck!

[twofatponies]

That is EXACTLY what this guy said when I told him we were going to shoot them!!!

We've never made him pay any damages before and we should have. ...

Haven't finished reading the thread, but on this point: DO IT already!! Why are you being nice to him? He needs to pay not only vet bills, but the loss of any goat, the cost of the fence, the repairs to fix the hole the dogs dug, etc. etc.

Take him to court already, especially if the sheriff/animal control are being useless.

[Marshfield]

You need to talk to whoever animal control reports to. The majority of the ACO I meet are great people. The lazy ones are PIA, the only thing I've ever found useful is knowing who their boss is and going up the chain of command.

This varies from town to town. Some report to the town police, others to the mayor or selectman. We actually had a problem with dogs going after our technicians at the office when they were out walking sick pets. Couldn't get the ACO to respond. Called the town manager whom he reported to, got resolution. It sounds as if your veterinarian probably has a good idea of who to call.

[ReSomething]

Nail him in the pocketbook for the maximum amount. It totally sucks that owners can be so irresponsible.
We had a bitch and two kittens dumped off (so they said) at the neighbors. Well, they don't win any prizes for animal care either so the bitch ended up at our place and got one of the baby rabbits crushed by the panicking doe - so I guess we have to build a visual barrier as well as the double fencing we already have. I came home and the poor half starved thing was making up to me and then lunging at my chickens. DH finally caught up with it next door, who disclaimed it and we ended up trucking the dog to the local Humane Society/AC, but not before making a scene at the neighbors about the d**ned dog.:mad:

I hate the whole moral quandary around this issue. If we'd have SSS'd the bitch then that would have solved our immediate problem for certain and not cost the taxpayer's a penny, but the mission of the HS is to prevent that sort of thing and it is pretty final for the dog. OP went to extra expense to be proactive with fencing - what does the neighbor expect? That until OP lays into him with the baseball bat everything must be OK? He'll just dump the dog somewhere and it won't be his problem anymore.

Nope, OP, I really feel for you. Hope you can get this resolved in a long term fashion.

[cloudyandcallie]

PJ, you have a small claims court in your circuit, and you can go there to file a civil action. Of course, he can ignore it and let his dogs keep on coming over. I'm PM you. I don't know your sheriff, but I might know someone who lives in your area and works in another law enforcement jurisdiction who can put the fear of prosecution into the guy.
Animal control and the local cops usually don't help in GA.
However, trying calling Pam Martin or Monica Kaufman at WSB, if it's a slow news day, they'll send someone out to do a story.

[Casey09]

I think that the only way to put a permanent stop to this would be making him pay for any dead goats and for treatment on any injured goats every single time. Also, if you ever could catch the dogs and take them to animal control, that would probably also help. Some of these types are just going to go get another one if one gets ran over or shot. If it keeps hitting their pocketbook, it gets expensive, and they change their mind about confinement.

[Obi]

Similar situation happened with my neighbors. They lost 7 goats and had 2 seriously injured. A vet bill of over $500, plus the going cost of pregnant goat was submitted to the owner of the dogs. The owner asked if he could do a payment plan as he just bought a new fence for the dogs a month ago.:eek: What seemed to help was that the vet, I believe, reported the incident, as well as a neighbor who owned hunting dogs. The neighbor was very upset two 'pet' dogs (black labs) did this and assisted in strong arming the neighbor to pay up. The dog owner was told that the next time his dogs appeared on the property, they would be shot. It most states, this is legal, and as much as it would pain me to shoot a dog, I have experienced similar issues with my neighbors and my chickens. I bought a paint ball gun and shot the dogs with bright pink paintballs. I then when over to the neighbor and said the next time, it would be a 45. The dogs have remained off my property since. It was kinda funny to see the bright pink splatter of paint on the dogs:lol: as they ran into the house with the paint!!!

[SLW]

You could also set some live traps to catch his dogs when they wander onto your property. Then take them into animal control.

[cloudyandcallie]

Anima control in most places in GA will loan you the traps or set them up for you. However, goats are about the same size as dogs, so you might trap a small goat?

How close are you to Griffin? I talked to animal control/humane society there a few months ago about a poster on coth, and the woman there is very nice and helpful. I'll see if I still have her name and number, she might loan you a trap, or at least call your A/C for you.

[Guilherme]

The OP really doesn't want to get into a "killin' match" over animals.

First, call the sheriff and make a report of a crime, because that's what it is. Animal Control is for the management of loose animals, not prosecution for damages done by them. The dog owner is responsible for his animals and if they do damage it's at least misdemeanor vandalism (and maybe even a felony if the amount is big enough; don't count on an indictment, but it should "rattle a cage" or two).

Second, you've just created a job for LawyerMan. Sue the bastard for the value of the goats. Make part of the judgment in injuction to keep his dogs penned (or better, get rid of them). If he lets them out it's contempt of court and the procedure for getting a big fine levied is pretty easy.

Good luck in what you need to do.

G.

[magnolia73]

I agree, sue. Can you go back and sue for the goats already killed? The fence repairs, the goat he injured.

People who let dogs roam don't give a $hit if they die. So you can keep killing dogs.... or you can hit his pocket book enough that he thinks twice about the real cost of dog ownership.

I hope your goat feels better soon. I want a goat so badly, but my neighbor is a bit....errrrr..... tense, in a type A fancy yard manner.

[Muleskick]

In Texas if it is a loose dog chasing livestock you can shoot the dog.

Harsh for sure but thats the law here.

It is the law in alot of states. If dogs are chasing and killing livestock they should be shot. It may be harsh, but once they have done it they will come back.
It will get alot more exspensive when they start chasing horses and cattle and if they run your livestock into the road and a person is injured or killed the cosiquences are not good.
Hope your goat recovers well.

[Whitehedge Farm]

I had a neighborhood pit bull un-neutered stray come along and kill a chicken. Also hurt one of my older dogs. Caught it and turned it into animal control. 2 weeks later the SAME dog was on my property again killing my sons beautiful pet rooster! Owners had paid to let it out of the pound and then let it loose again!!! I caught it and this time did not call animal control but a neighbor that can take care of these kind of things. (I don't do guns) I feared that my little jack russell or worse my children would be next. It was getting more and more aggressive.
So if you catch a dog harming any animals on your property, don't count on animal control actually taking care of them, do it yourself!

[pj]

My Vet did call animal control and they called me. They will go in the morning and talk with the owner. If he isn't there they will leave a warning along with telling him to call them.
They said after that if the dogs are loose again then a case will be made against the owner and it will go to court. Asked that if I see them out to get a couple of pictures if possible.
If I get pictures I won't need to appear in court but told him that I don't mind going to court. In fact I'd be happy to.

The clinic is sending me a bill to give him and if he doesn't pay (and I honestly don't expect him to) then I will be taking that to small claims court.

<sigh> The animal control guy said "I should have already shot them. Would be within my rights to do so".
Told him I KNEW that but I shouldn't HAVE to do that. A lot of people worked really hard to get animal control and a good shelter in this county so that wouldn't be our only option as it used to be.

Maybe, just maybe this will be resolved now and will work as the system is supposed to work. If not...I guess we will shoot the dogs but I won't shut up. I'll call the moron and tell him to come get his dead dogs.

We DO have a wonderful Vet and he's with us all the way on getting this stopped. They NEED to pay attention to him as he's the one who does all the spaying and neutering plus other stuff for the county and the dogs from the shelter. I'm really thankful for his help.

Will let y'all know if justice wins!!! :)

[MistyBlue]

Have the dogs shot, present wiith bill on attorney letterhead for replacement of previous dead goats, current goat vet bill, fence repair and add on the thousands spent in no climb fence added after his dogs got your other goats. (the last one probably wouldn't count, but adding it can scare the hell out of a person with a dollar amount like that. That fencing isn't cheap!)
This situation isn't an either/or...you can dispose of the dogs *and* be compensated for damages and losses. At least you can in my state and in most of the states. Almost all states allow owners to shoot dogs harassing livestock, mine also adds in people and domestic pets. Our wording includes "chasing, harassing or otherwise worrying" I think. :winkgrin:
So dispose of the dogs he has now, make him pay for current and all past damages. It will be cheaper than when you had to refence your property and the dead dogs will let him know you won't put up with crap from him anymore and the resulting cost to him will ensure if he gets replacement dogs he'll be a lot more careful about them getting loose. Might not care if they get shot, he'll care a helluva lot if it costs him a few grand.

[pj]

Anima control in most places in GA will loan you the traps or set them up for you. However, goats are about the same size as dogs, so you might trap a small goat?

How close are you to Griffin? I talked to animal control/humane society there a few months ago about a poster on coth, and the woman there is very nice and helpful. I'll see if I still have her name and number, she might loan you a trap, or at least call your A/C for you.

Not far from Griffin, maybe forty five min.

The thing about traps is this isn't an all the time thing. The attacks have been years inbetween. Just when you get comfortable BLAM!!

[pj]

I agree, sue. Can you go back and sue for the goats already killed? The fence repairs, the goat he injured.

People who let dogs roam don't give a $hit if they die. So you can keep killing dogs.... or you can hit his pocket book enough that he thinks twice about the real cost of dog ownership.

I hope your goat feels better soon. I want a goat so badly, but my neighbor is a bit....errrrr..... tense, in a type A fancy yard manner.

You are right. They don't seem to care. This guy had one REALLY nice dog that came home shot TWICE. He claimed he loved this dog so much but left him to run loose all the time.
If I loved something and people were shooting it I believe I'd keep it home so it would be safe.

Oddly in spite of being shot twice Sam (the dog) is the only one of his dogs who lived into old age. When Sam got down and was dying he called ME and wanted me to put him down some way!! Told him to call the vet but his wife said that he let that dog lay there all day and all night before he died. :sad: I DID like Sam.

[pj]

Money talks. Didn't you bill him for the dead goats? I know in our state, it's triple damages. Your state has got to have similar laws.

We do have that same law but I didn't. Should have.

[Anne FS]

Here's a MD story about this same thing (unless this IS your story)! Wait, no, this is a dog that had always been "nice" but just flipped into prey drive.

http://www.abc2news.com/news/local/story/Pit-Bull-Attacks-Livestock-Kills-2-Injures-12/twlFZJplMkK07nvjfcavTA.cspx

"She wrestled the dog off the animals and locked it in a shed.

But by then two goats were killed and more than a dozen other animals were injured by bite marks...including a pony that was twice his size.

‘I think with that dog it must have been about the chase I know these guys started running because sheep they don't have any defense so I think he grabbed who ever he got the closest too and if he couldn't take them down she ran to the next one.' Cozzone says.

The owner surrendered the dog to Anne Arundel County Animal Control and it was euthanized yesterday."

[pj]

AC DID go to see the guy this morning. Haven't talked to the ac guy but lady in the office said he did and he didn't have time (had to be in a meeting) to tell her about it but to tell me it was resolved.

The ONLY way it would be resolved as far as I'm concerned would be for ac to have given him a warning which means if they are off his property off lead again a case will be made against him and he will be taken to court. I'm PRESUMING that is what happened. Will find out more tomorrow.

The next thing is to see if he is going to pay this vet bill and if he doesn't take it to small claims.

MAYBE, just maybe this will make this sorry you know what start respecting other's property and rights. Lord, I hope so.

[MistyBlue]

I hope whatever AC did worked. Update if you find out how it was resolved?

[katie+tru]

If it continues to happen before you get a chance to take him to court or really do something to stop him, perhaps you should run some electric tape along the bottom of the fence? That way they'd have a hard time digging under/

[cloudyandcallie]

We do have that same law but I didn't. Should have.

You have a 2 yr statute of limitations on civil cases. Any attacks/deaths within the 2 yr period from time of attack or time that you discovered the dead/injjured animal, to the date you file the lawsuit.
so go to small claims court and the judge and clerk will help you fill out the paperwork. You have to pay filing fees, but you can sue for the return on the filing fees and court costs as well as the damages. List everything, every animal, every damage, evr vet bill, etc.
Add some "intentional infliction of emotional distress" use that term, and add $ to meet the max amt, 15000 in small claims. Judge will probably not give you a lot for the "intentional, etc" unless the guy makes an a** of himself, then the judge will max him out. And the reason for the "intentional" is that the guy continues to allow his animals to run loose, knowing that they have and will attack and kill your animals.
You are in rural GA. All disputes in rural GA are settled with guns. Heck, all disputes in Atlanta were settled with guns which is why I had job security.

You can also legally tape record all your phone conversations with the dog owner, as well as tape record surreptitiously any face-to-face conversations with him. So that when he says he is not going to put up his dogs, or not pay for vet bills, and then he lies under oath in court, the judge will not like him.

[Huntin'Fool]

Hey, my neighbors do the same thing and we live in town-small but still town. They also refuse to neuter anything and have a goofy story about how their little dog was on his usual girl hunt and "why coyotes must have gotten him and eaten his testicles off because when he came back they were gone." DUH-your neighbors got sick of him coming around-lucky he wasn't shot!

I do think my neighbors love their dogs but they just have a weird blind spot where letting them run loose is concerned. Why they haven't been killed is *beyond* me. The people spend *hours* every day calling and calling for them-they're disobedient too. They've been turned in to the police-told to stop-did no good. They are nice and helpful folk and I truly like them-I don't know why they can't see that no one wants their dogs roaming around, digging holes, squashing flowers and pooping in other folk's yards. I forgot to mention though they like me and don't bark at me "Tessimo" in particular will rush up to people in their own yards and bark frantically at them-I don't think she'd bite-she's too dumb..still....

I'm hoping to move my horse here soon and I really don't want him chased. I plan to fence my property mostly off-someday all of it and it will be with great satisfaction that I hear that first yelp when "Tessimo" hits the electric fence.
Regards,
Huntin'Fool

[pj]

The ten days I gave him to pay the bill is gone and he insists he will pay ONLY half as that's what is fair.
I told him then we'd go to court and let the Judge decide what is fair.
I've written him a letter of intent which I will send registered tomorrow which gives him ANOTHER ten days and if he doesn't pay then I file in small claims court.
I got a couple of neighbors to write me notes saying where all they have seen the dogs roaming in case he pulls the "my dogs NEVER leave my property" crap in court.

AC has given him a formal warning and told him they are asking that I carry a camera and if I see the dogs ANYWHERE other than his own property that I get pictures for him and then he will file a case against him.
The moron told me that the ac told him I had to have pictures on MY property. Not...anywhere other than his property. They did say that if we shot the dogs it had to be on our property and to take pictures of the dead dogs on our property.

So far he has kept them at home but he ties the female up and trusts that the male will stay home because she can't roam with him...so far he has but it won't last.

When I start down the drive I turn the camera on and keep it on all the way down our road and when I come back I turn it back on as soon as I turn on our road so if they are out anywhere I'll be ready.

The dumbo told me he was going to sell his place and move, I asked why because you can't let your dogs run loose? :lol: He said NOO so he could have some peace. Said he moved from Atlanta so he could have some peace. Well DUH. Keep your dogs up and we can ALL have some peace. I really wish he would do it but he won't.

[cloudyandcallie]

PJ,
send that "demand" letter Certified, Return Receipt Requested. You need to do that in GA to get the little card back to prove service (or refusal, which is also ok).

Put in letter that you demand payment "in full" for all expenses, vet bills, value of dead animals, all the incidents in the last 2 yrs, within ten (10) days of receipt of your letter, and state that you will file suit if payment is not tendered in full within the 10 days.
then get ready to go to small claims court.
keep all correspondence, emails, etc. Keep a journal daily of all your talks with the neighbor. You journal is a "record" which is admissible in court, start it now and put in everything daily, you can put it what has happened up to today's date. Also put in what the vet and a/c said and what dates, etc., and dates animals were attacked, in other words, a daily "diary" of the neighbor and his dogs.
More later. This is GA. This guy your neighbor thinks he has a "right" to let his dogs run free and kill your animals. I was born here and have been seeing this my entire life. (Of course it was the same in PA and MO and CA and VA and SC, unfortunately, altho in PA the game wardens used to shoot dogs that ran loose.)

oh and add up all the totals or the guy will say he couldn't add it up, or he'll send you a pittance.

[Nes]

For the general protection of your herd, have you considered rescuing a donkey or llama?

I hope everything is resolved for you soon, that's really disappointing that your neighbour is being so irresponsible!

[pj]

For the general protection of your herd, have you considered rescuing a donkey or llama?

I hope everything is resolved for you soon, that's really disappointing that your neighbour is being so irresponsible!

I have considered that but while I used to have a large herd of goats I'm down to just six old girls now and I really am trying not to bring in any more animals than I have now.

Thank you, I am hoping that the warning from ac has hit home with my neighbor but I am trying to do everything that I can to drive home the point.

[pj]

We got a judgment against the guy who refused to keep his dogs up even after they had killed nine of our goats in three different attacks.
Got the vet bill, price of goat and court costs., 12 percent interest...pure satisfaction.


NOW this is what I'm thinking of doing, what do y'all think? Blackmail?? If so I don't give a flip. This guy is not going to pay this but it wasn't the money I was after anyhow. I must say that while he ignored the order from ac to keep them up I haven't seen hyde nor hair of those dogs since he was served with the court papers on Aug. 20.

Anyhow I'm thinking of going over and telling him I will make him a deal. IF I don't see those dogs out again then I won't come after the money. I will keep this court order but will forget it as long as I don't see those blinking dogs. First time I see them or even one of them off his property I not only will go after the money but will have ac file a case against him (second complaint and they can do that) and have the same neighbors who gladly wrote statements for me about his dogs roaming to do the same for ac.

Maybe...just maybe after all these years it is the end of his dogs driving us nuts.

[twofatponies]

Why make a deal? How does that improve things? As I understand the judge has ruled in your favor, and you will then be compensated for the damages and losses. If you offer Mr. Neighbor a "way out", he's most likely to see you as a softie who can be ignored. As it is he has a nice motivation to keep the dogs in already. I don't quite see the point in "negotiating" anything now.

[pj]

Why make a deal? How does that improve things? As I understand the judge has ruled in your favor, and you will then be compensated for the damages and losses. If you offer Mr. Neighbor a "way out", he's most likely to see you as a softie who can be ignored. As it is he has a nice motivation to keep the dogs in already. I don't quite see the point in "negotiating" anything now.

Hmmmm I see what you mean but I was thinking kinda like a sword hanging over his head.

You really wouldn't believe how hard headed this man is. Once he pays I'm really afraid he'll think "all over now...turn 'em loose." I don't want to EVER have to deal with chomped up goats again. It's so pitiful.

[pj]

Someone on another list just said the same exact thing twofatponies said.
Maybe that is the best thing.

[Laurierace]

It sounds to me like that would just get you to where you already are. The dogs are being kept in and you won't go after the money unless they are out again right?

[pj]

It sounds to me like that would just get you to where you already are. The dogs are being kept in and you won't go after the money unless they are out again right?

Right. I was just thinking that the owner needed to know that so if I didn't go after the money he wouldn't think that court awards just fade away.

:) I am really tired..not even sure I'm making sense.

[Laurierace]

My guess is either way you aren't getting the money so do whatever you think gives you the most leverage.

[Mara]

He's laying low right now. Keep him nervous and he'll stay that way. Don't give him an out.
I'm in the same situation right now with horrid neighbors whose horrid child uncapped our sewer cleanout and threw bricks into it, causing it to back up into our yard. They KNOW it was their child - we had chased him out of the yard several times before. Plus we caught him in the act. We had already mentioned giving them the bill for the repairs. Now they are essentially in hiding, scared we're going to give them the bill. Downside is we won't get any $$$, most likely, but the plus is that horrid child stays very very far away from our property.

Point being, you have a clear upper hand right now. Don't rock that boat. Keep him on his toes and the dogs will stay in.

[Kikki]

There is a limit to the time you have to go after him for the money, so I wouldn't mess around with it too much. I think by seaking legal action you are demonstrating that you take this very seriously and aren't afraid to do what you need to do to protect your property and will likely seek action again. Depending on where you live, you might very well have the legal right to shoot the dogs if they are threatening your livestock. Not my favorite solution, but as long as you killed them relatively instantly the dogs won't know what hit them. But hopefully he will just keep them up or you can deal with ac.

[ChocoMare]

By not pursuing him towards making payment, you are enabling him to get away with it again. You hold his feet to the legal fire and ensure that he NOW follows the law of the land.

Alas, the only true way to get through to some folks is via their wallet. Stick to your guns!

[MrWinston]

I would not make any concessions about collecting the money. We had a similar situation with a neighbor's dogs digging in and attacking our dogs. I went the whole court route. I can't say that the neighbor has been much more careful, but the barbed wire my husband dug under the fence in strategic areas has worked well. We will not hesitate to take her to court again if necessary. Good luck.

[cloudyandcallie]

Oh wow, that title made me worry that the goats had been attacked again.

OK, congratulations on winning your suit, altho any time an animal dies, money cannot compensate for the horrible death such as your goats suffered from dog attacks.

OK, hmmmmmm, does this guy have a job? I think you can still garnish wages here in GA. You "could" broker a deal that you will not enforce your judgment if he agrees to not turn loose the dogs.

But I'd wait and let him come to you. If you go to him he'll think it is a sign of weakness. Let it be known that you are deciding how to collect your money. Actually, he is supposed to bring you the money, altho he probably won't do that. However, if you know where he works, it might be good to check into garnishing wages. For example, Delta used to make sure their people paid child support and did not like garnishment, telling their employees to pay up or lose their jobs. Maybe where this guy works is a responsible employer too?

[Zu Zu]

By not pursuing him towards making payment, you are enabling him to get away with it again. You hold his feet to the legal fire and ensure that he NOW follows the law of the land.

Alas, the only true way to get through to some folks is via their wallet. Stick to your guns!
Ditto what ChocoMare advised. Good Luck - keep after him !

[goodhors]

By not pursuing him towards making payment, you are enabling him to get away with it again. You hold his feet to the legal fire and ensure that he NOW follows the law of the land.

Alas, the only true way to get through to some folks is via their wallet. Stick to your guns!

I would agree with this statement. If you cared enought to take it to court the first time, why are you quitting NOW? Time for judgements usually is finite, so the sword hanging only has XX amount of time to be useful for you.

If you don't go in to "finish the deal" then you have wasted your time, money, energy, and the aid of your neighbors in making the case. Sorry, like killing a rat. You can kick him to the corner, but if you don't deliver the coupe de grace, rat comes back again and things get worse. Neighbor may get another dog, which is not covered by your "paperwork" and turns it loose. You start ALL OVER again, because obviously he expects you to wimp out before the end, AGAIN.

Think like he is a bully, and finish the deal as allowed by law. Get your money, maybe with a collection agency. Time consuming, PITA deal, but anything less is wimping out.

[gieriscm]

Another vote for no deal. Your neighbor had plenty of opportunities to make things right and shape up, and he refused to do so.

Look into what's required to garnish his wages. I had to do that once for a deadbeat tenant in my state, and it was easier than I thought it would be and did not require an attorney. An alternative is to file a lien against his home if he's not a renter.

[pj]

It wouldn't be easy to collect from rock head. He works from home most of the time for himself, occasionally works somewhere else but not sure where.

Wonder if it could be turned over to a collection agency? LOL don't know if they could do anything but they could sure annoy him.

One good thing is I didn't know there was a time limitation on collecting on a court order and bet you money he doesn't know it either.

[Bluey]

Law enforcement and the courts come across people like you seem to portray here all the time, that fight to get their rights upheld and then "forgive", making all their efforts to help you keep your rights for naught.:(

I would not fight him, you are right there, but I would definitely not go say now all is fine, lets negotiate, either.:eek:
He did wrong, he has shown he doesn't care, I don't think he will change and if you try to make up, you are just enabling him.:no:

Now, I don't know you or him, but for what you have told us, that is what this situation looks to be.

[Nezzy]

i think what you should be asking of him is to fence his yard. Not sure if the dogs would still get out, tho. If you try telling him that you'll press charges in the future, he's just going to let time go by and let them do it again. You need to MAKE SURE he pays you. No matter what, keep taking him to court to get paid. that is the only way he's going to learn anything.

[Lori B]

pj, you have to collect, to teach this clown that you mean business, and your patience with his crap is all done and gone. If he doesn't pay the judgment, it will go on his credit report, and that has a way of getting most people's attention. Don't be predictably weak on this. This guy, and people like him, COUNT on you not wanting to take the time to hassle them for what is your right.

He is not doing you a favor by ceasing to break the law. He is not doing you a favor by paying a judgment the court ordered him to pay to you.

Stand firm, and don't take crap.

[pj]

Law enforcement and the courts come across people like you seem to portray here all the time, that fight to get their rights upheld and then "forgive", making all their efforts to help you keep your rights for naught.:(

I would not fight him, you are right there, but I would definitely not go say now all is fine, lets negotiate, either.:eek:
He did wrong, he has shown he doesn't care, I don't think he will change and if you try to make up, you are just enabling him.:no:

Now, I don't know you or him, but for what you have told us, that is what this situation looks to be.

No. I had no intention of firgiving or saying now all is well or making up.

I needed the court award to give me SOME power as before I had none. <g> Ability to use the court order as a sword. Either do right or else.
What I want is for him to keep those blinking dogs on his property. I am not worried about the money but he is.
If I can get him to keep his dogs up I would be perfectly happy without the money.
If this court order does that then my mission is accomplished.

I do intend to tell him that if I see them out again I will help build ac's case which if we won would involve fines.

Someone told me that if he doesn't pay this court order (the one we have now) and we had to take him back to court again for the same thing that the court could find him in contempt. Anyone know if that is so?? :D I might tell him it is anyhow.

[whbar158]

I am confused about the deal you were thinking about with him, you won't make him pay if he keeps his dogs home? I would think that you could collect your money (or try to) and also be able to call AC if you see the dogs out again and he would have to then go to court for that too? Isn't that a win win? I think you have the upper hand for both now. I would not give in, that basically undermines the whole system if you win and then don't follow through.

[pj]

I am confused about the deal you were thinking about with him, you won't make him pay if he keeps his dogs home? I would think that you could collect your money (or try to) and also be able to call AC if you see the dogs out again and he would have to then go to court for that too? Isn't that a win win? I think you have the upper hand for both now. I would not give in, that basically undermines the whole system if you win and then don't follow through.


Well the majority seems to feel that the best thing is to go for the money and I expect you all are right. The only thing is it seems like an impossibility to me to collect this money.
I haven't a clue how you would do it. No job to garnasee (sp).

Seems as if I do that I will lose. Nothing to bargain with and no money either.

There is still the threat of a case made by ac but that didn't seem to bother him too badly before. The one dog only got put up the day the court papers were served on him. Now that seems to have made an impression as they haven't been seen since. I really think he thought that I wouldn't take it that far and was shocked when I did.
Since I did the threat of a case by ac MIGHT make more of an impression now... might make it more real to him.

I hate for him to find out I'm trying to collect this money and can't! I feel that right now I have the upper hand and hope to keep it.
You really would have to know this man to understand how dense he is, how me me me.
When you talk to him it's like talking to a brick wall. How he takes things you say and edits them to make them mean what HE wants them to mean.
For instance ac told him that they didn't drive up and down the roads picking up dogs that were out, didn't have time for that BUT once a complaint was filed you HAD to keep your dogs up.
He took from that that it was not mandatory for you to keep your dogs up even though there is a law saying you must.
Ac told him that I would be carrying a camera and if I saw his dogs off his property that I would get pictures and a case would be made against him. He tells it that ac said if I got pictures of his dogs attacking the goats (like I would stand there and take pictures during an attack) THEN a case would be made against him. He IS truely unbelivable.

[ChocoMare]

Then you choose what to shoot the dogs with: paint ball (frozen is best) or bullet.

He still pays (I know, I know...unlikely but still...) and has dead dog(s). The only call you make to him is to come get the bodies.

Brick walls must be dealt with by Siege Weapons.

[pj]

Brick walls must be dealt with by Siege Weapons.

ROFLROFL I like that!!!

[Grasshopper]

Re collecting money...check how it works in GA, but you should be able to have your judgment recorded as a lien against his real property and also against his personal property. How to do that varies by state.

Once recorded as a lien, although it may take a while to collect, it will improve your chances. If, for instance, he actually does want to sell his house and move, you will need to be paid before he can sell it (before anyone will buy it and before title company will insure title to it). Same (theoretically) with vehicles, although not even dealers always check for clear title before buying from individuals.

[Bluey]

If he is really as dense as you say, I would just not have any to do with him, at all.
Don't go to try to talk to him, you already know he is not listening.
Follow thru on getting the money, or not, but leave him to stew and think and keep his dogs confined.

Some people really are not worth getting your blood pressure up over.
It is over for now, you don't have any reason to go back to him to do any talking and he won't listen anyway if you do, may even feel doubly persecuted, if he is really that dense.

Better stay out of the way of such people.

[Plumcreek]

Well the majority seems to feel that the best thing is to go for the money and I expect you all are right. The only thing is it seems like an impossibility to me to collect this money.
I haven't a clue how you would do it. No job to garnasee (sp).

Seems as if I do that I will lose. Nothing to bargain with and no money either.
I hate for him to find out I'm trying to collect this money and can't! .

If you can file a property lein, do it - that is cheap to do.
I went up against someone exactly like this. I was owed $10,000. so it was worth it to me to use the meanest lawyer I could find who was kind to my wallet (and smart enough) to write three sentence letters and do the minimum required to arrive at the legal end of doing a Sheriff's Seizure on the man's personal property. That was a lot of work on my part (saved me a lot of money doing all detective work myself on what he owned in his own name) but when the sheriff's car, moving van, and tow truck (all costs recoupable) rolled into his yard at 6 am, he made the father-in-law phone call and I got my money.

C&C, can you advise on this re Georgia??

BTW, I have a similar neighbors - dogs problem so I feel for you. Ran my horse through a fence with considerable injuries, but I did not see them do it. Horse told me who did it the first time he went out to same (refenced) pasture after healing and saw the dogs. They still will not contain their dogs. I will SSS next time, but here that is a felony unless you have video proof of dogs chasing stock. "New Ruralism" .

[Nezzy]

if you have already won this and have been awarded the money, you just need to get the sheriff out there to help you get it. If he says he can't pay, isn't he supposed to go to jail? I wish you could just Shoot the owner. i've had Neighbors from Hell, so i know how bad it feels.

[cloudyandcallie]

PJ has to file the lien and then levy on something. Like his truck, if you get a guy's truck in GA, you have emasculated him.:lol: Or his guns.
Trouble is, in GA people think they have the "right" to let their vicious animals run loose, and they really don't understand that we care about our animals.........they think you can just get another cat or dog or goat and were those geese at chocomare's barn who were killed by the dogs?
So Georgians understand only (1) guns; and (2) the "po-lice." (I guess animal control would be considered the police in this case.)
So PJ needs to file a line against his house or his truck, and she can levy on the truck or garnish his wages (I think, I need to look that up), and make sure he knows the threat hanging over his head like the sword of Damocles (is that he?) except this will be the "lien of Patti."
And don't flame PJ for being hesitant. Here is the south, if you "mess" with the neighbor after his animals have killed some of yours, he will retaliate, by killing your animals himself.
PJ, if the guy gets threatening to you or your animals, call the high sheriff to put the fear of God in the neighbor. He's just laying low and then those dogs will be right back out. Only a no climb no dig fence and a berm of manure and dirt and rocks will make your animals safe. This is the south, where people think the Constitution says they can do anything they want to.
Oh wait, does he have a bank account? File the lien, go to clerk's office and get certified copy of your judgment, and then file a lien against his bank account.

[cloudyandcallie]

Yes Plumcreek, I'll look it up for PJ.

I sent my victims to civil lawyers after I convicted their defendants, and the civil lawyers filed liens against motorcycles and cars and land and boats and all.......it was atlanta so no rural issues, just the usual gun play.

One guy got 38,000 after a 250000 judgment was executed, 38000 in atty's fees. Sadly, I was a government employee and couldn't get a referal fee, but I did make him buy lunch for my boyfriend and his investigator.

[ChocoMare]

Yup, 3 pits got 3 baby goats and 2 geese :(

The dogs owner DID understand PO-leece and Weapons, because it was my co-boarder, a Cobb County PD Officer, who confronted said owner (after same dogs attacked his dogs in his hard) with brief sentences: Your dogs get out again, the only call you'll get is the one to come claim the bodies. :mad:

Then county sheriff & A/C hit them with a final warning: keep 'em in or face $500 per dog fine and seizure. So far, so good.

[asb_own_me]

Collect every g*ddamned penny.

[ThatScaryChick]

Collect every g*ddamned penny.

I agree!
__________________
thatscarychick.com (http://thatscarychick.com)

[Plumcreek]

pj, you need to write down license plates on all his vehicles, go to the DMV main office, and for a couple of dollars each, you can find out the legal registered owner of same. You will need that to file a lein, because often the owner is the wife only or a finance company. In my case, I did that, then actually staked out the persons home at 5 am (Yawn) each morning for a week to see if the 'right' vehicles would be there at 6 am for the sheriff's seizure. However, there were many steps between judgement and seizure, but my lawyer explained the person's long record of avoiding judgments to a District Court Judge, and got intermediate processes waived (like statement of assets = wedding ring and watch, yeah right).

Funny aside, when the sheriff presented him with seizure order, he denied it was legal, and they woke up the judge at 6:30 am to say, yes it was legal. I would have loved to have been in the room, but laid low in the sheriff's car for fear of future retribution to my horses. (I actually tried to get a restraining order re my horses, but a nice lady judge told me they do not issue those orders for animals).

[Marshfield]

Don't let him get away with the crap of not paying for all that he owes you. But be prepared to file a lien against his house or vehichle for it.

[pj]

Just had a talk with the dog owner....you would NOT believe this man. He is
hot. Said the court could NOT do this just because I said. Said HE knew
the law and this wasn't right. He was going to find out about it. LOL told
him to go down to the court's office and talk to them about it.

Bet he told me twenty times that we didn't know that HIS dogs did this. I
told him twenty times that we saw them.
He wanted to know how I knew his dogs dug the hole to get in, I told him
because that was the way they left but it didn't matter as HIS dogs were the
ones we saw biting the goat. He said it did matter because other dogs were
probably in there. Said his dogs were not killers, I said well they played
the goat to death then....

Need I say this did not go well....Oh, he does have his female penned up but
said that if bobcats started getting his chickens again he would have to
turn her loose. I answered and if they come over to my house we will shoot
them and I will have ac to make a case against you....He said "what good were the dogs to him if he couldn't leave them loose to chase bobcats when they tried to get his chickens" and that "I wasn't being fair to him."

I finally told him I was done talking to him. I'll do whatever I have to do.

I REALLY think something is wrong with this man. Guess we wait and see how
it goes.

Thanks to all for the advice and words of support.

To C&C:
LOL we DO have some humdingers here in Ga. but honestly not all are like that and I'm not the least bit afraid of any of them. I may be little and pretty old but I'm a tough old broad and have LOTS of stamina.....:D

[ChocoMare]

Gee, maybe the idjit should just PEN IN his chickens in a bob cat proof pen? Helllllo???? :confused:

Oh wait. Silly me. That would make sense. Duh! :o

Time for ye ole' S-S-S. Have the gun and shovel handy at all times.

[Gatorsgirl]

Or... idea of all ideas, fence his property so his dogs can't leave but can still protect it/the precious chickens off leash/tie.

There's Invisible Fence if he doesn't like the look or price of other fencing options.

Ha! They played it to death... :) I'm almost a little suprised they don't play his chickens to death on occasion. Is he sure the 'bob cats' aren't actually his dogs?

Even if not, for some reason dogs really do like to attack goats. Saw it quite a bit working for a large animal vet... something about the musty smell of a goat I guess. He needs to be responible and keep them ON his property. How he does it is up to him.

[cloudyandcallie]

I told you so. I am a GA native. I have studied the male species here both in Atlanta and in coastal GA for years.:lol: The species tends to be dumber than the possums on the other thread, more stubborn than any animal mentioned on any other thread, and more aggresive than any dog mentioned on a thread. Not to mention totally ignorant of the law and believing the "The Constitution" gives him/them the right to let their animals kill anything in their path, and tough darts for anyone, especially a female or person of another color, telling them what to do with their wives, children or animals. (BTW the GA constitution incorporates the US constitution, and neither have a clause allowing the "right" to let one's animals kill those belonging to another.)
See post supra. The species only understands force, either from gunfire or from law enforcement.
Well take his money, and we'll check up on filing your lien with your judgment, and then use that money to upgrade your fence...........or to buy a very big caliber gun.

And don't get me started on the ones who think it is ok to drive drunk and if they kill someone it is "just an accident."

[pj]

I told you so. I am a GA native. I have studied the male species here both in Atlanta and in coastal GA for years.:lol: The species tends to be dumber than the possums on the other thread, more stubborn than any animal mentioned on any other thread, and more aggresive than any dog mentioned on a thread. Not to mention totally ignorant of the law and believing the "The Constitution" gives him/them the right to let their animals kill anything in their path, and tough darts for anyone, especially a female or person of another color, telling them what to do with their wives, children or animals. (BTW the GA constitution incorporates the US constitution, and neither have a clause allowing the "right" to let one's animals kill those belonging to another.)
See post supra. The species only understands force, either from gunfire or from law enforcement.
Well take his money, and we'll check up on filing your lien with your judgment, and then use that money to upgrade your fence...........or to buy a very big caliber gun.

And don't get me started on the ones who think it is ok to drive drunk and if they kill someone it is "just an accident."
LOL!! This guy IS black so guess it's a southern male thing regardless of color.

We have LOTS of guns, handguns, rifles, shotguns. My husband is an excellent shot but guess I need to get out and practice. It's been a while.

Seriously not ALL sourthern men (white or black or whatever) are this way. Some are very good men. I have one of the good ones but :D I did have to train him and I did good.

[cloudyandcallie]

Oh so it wasn't our indigent good old southern boy?
Good grief, now the minorities are getting as bad as the majority, altho we did have one guy who shot his neighbor,, killing him, in atlanta for blowing his leaves onto the other guy's driveway...........

so no cig pack rolled up in his tee shirt?
no beer or bourbon on his breath?

[MrWinston]

Is a white, blonde, boob enhanced, southern woman. I promise, she was just as dumb as any man in her behaviour, especially in court. The AC officer had to keep his eyes on the ceiling for fear of cracking up in front of the judge. By the time she was done babbleing, she had denied that her dogs were ever off of her property or had ever been on mine (we produced photos of the holes under our fence, between her property and ours and photos of them loose on the road) and admitted that they were "houdinis" that brought her gifts in the form of deer carcasses and possum skins. The judge got the message and threw the book at her. We laughed all the way home and when we got there the AC officer called because he hadn't been able to stop laughing yet. Stupid is an equal opportunity thing.

OP, hold his feet to the fire, make him pay and then pay again if it ever happens again. One thing that worked for us was to dig a trench under the fence and lay barbed wire in it. Good luck!

[Plumcreek]

Naw, the issue is: securely penning in chickens, installing invisible fence, or a real perimeter fence costs MONEY and some WORK. Not going to happen.

Sad, but true: Those who care the least usually win.

[Yip]

PJ, you can't lawfully make any deals with this idiot.

You placed it in the judge's hands, he ruled for a settlement, and that stands. When you put it in his hands, you took it out of your own. If you try to settle now, you are also in contepmt - but maybe no one would care.

You're stuck with receiving the settlement! Aww, darn!

[vacation1]

Just had a talk with the dog owner....you would NOT believe this man. He is hot. Said the court could NOT do this just because I said. Said HE knew the law and this wasn't right. He was going to find out about it.

That's what really gets me about trash neigbors. They're indolent, indifferent, sociopathic assholes who make everyone around them miserable, but the ONE time someone else manages to aggravate them, they become incensed. Oh, it's so WRONG, they're inconvenienced, they're out of pocket, they're being pursued by a horrible unjust world! This guy has probably frustrated dozens of people half to death in his life, but the one time someone else makes him pay, he's incandescant. Good for OP for making him this way - don't back off now by even hinting of a deal. Maybe you'll never see the money, but he clearly already feels cheated - you took that poor man's peace of trashy mind:lol:

[cloudyandcallie]

That's what really gets me about trash neigbors. They're indolent, indifferent, sociopathic assholes who make everyone around them miserable, but the ONE time someone else manages to aggravate them, they become incensed. Oh, it's so WRONG, they're inconvenienced, they're out of pocket, they're being pursued by a horrible unjust world! This guy has probably frustrated dozens of people half to death in his life, but the one time someone else makes him pay, he's incandescant. Good for OP for making him this way - don't back off now by even hinting of a deal. Maybe you'll never see the money, but he clearly already feels cheated - you took that poor man's peace of trashy mind:lol:

Oh you nailed it!
PJ needs to just watch out for retaliation, another southern custom.
I think PJ needs to get a restraining order to prevent the neighbor getting near her property (read PJ but really meaning her goats) and then have the high sheriff go visit the neighbor. You'd be surprised how helpful the rural sheriffs are in some of our 159 counties.

[cloudyandcallie]

OK PJ, how to file your liens, get fi fa order from the clerk's office, then go to the general execution docket in superior court and file the fi fa.

for a vehicle, you can get info at
www.dmvs.state.ga.us/forms/motor.asp (http://www.dmvs.state.ga.us/forms/motor.asp)

for the "how to file liens" go to the forsyth co website and they have the pdf with good instructions:
www.forsythco.com/pdf/files/summary (http://www.forsythco.com/pdf/files/summary)
this is a good easy to read instructional.
or google "lien judgment filing lien georgia" and get the whole list.

ok so watch my links. I put dvms and not dmvs, duh.
hmmmmm maybe neighbor has a nice tractor?

[spurgirl]

Keep pressure on asshat neighbor to collect....Money is the only thing that smartens them up some. In my case, I pursued the owner of 2 dogs who kept coming onto my property harassing my horses and cows (did not injure animals)...Finally, after 15 loose dog reports-with 12 captures, 4 of them involving me, he was taken to court, by me and my husband. After many months, he got a fine of around $1,000, plus I'm sure he had attorney fees. This was on top of several (about 6) $75 dollar fines for roaming dogs, and kennel costs from the town of $10 a day for a month. The court ruling also stipulated the next time the dogs were roaming and are caught by AC, they will be seized and not returned. He also got one vicious dog conviction (for each dog) for the video evidence I presented of the dogs trying to attack my horses in their stalls. It was really scary-they were bloodying their muzzles from biting the stall bars:no:...

It also helped, I think, when my hubby and I got our carry permits/licenses, and took up our target practice...Hearing our different caliber gunshots when we practiced twice a week may have helped them decide we were serious when we said "The next time your dogs are on our property, we're shooting them."

Wish there was an Asshat Island they could alll be sent to....

[AiryFairy]

Well the majority seems to feel that the best thing is to go for the money and I expect you all are right. The only thing is it seems like an impossibility to me to collect this money.
I haven't a clue how you would do it. No job to garnasee (sp).

Seems as if I do that I will lose. Nothing to bargain with and no money either.

There is still the threat of a case made by ac but that didn't seem to bother him too badly before. The one dog only got put up the day the court papers were served on him. Now that seems to have made an impression as they haven't been seen since. I really think he thought that I wouldn't take it that far and was shocked when I did.
Since I did the threat of a case by ac MIGHT make more of an impression now... might make it more real to him.

I hate for him to find out I'm trying to collect this money and can't! I feel that right now I have the upper hand and hope to keep it.
You really would have to know this man to understand how dense he is, how me me me.
When you talk to him it's like talking to a brick wall. How he takes things you say and edits them to make them mean what HE wants them to mean.
For instance ac told him that they didn't drive up and down the roads picking up dogs that were out, didn't have time for that BUT once a complaint was filed you HAD to keep your dogs up.
He took from that that it was not mandatory for you to keep your dogs up even though there is a law saying you must.
Ac told him that I would be carrying a camera and if I saw his dogs off his property that I would get pictures and a case would be made against him. He tells it that ac said if I got pictures of his dogs attacking the goats (like I would stand there and take pictures during an attack) THEN a case would be made against him. He IS truely unbelivable.

You know what? I think since you got what you wanted and deserved from this asshat, silence is golden. He had a judgment against him that he is legally obliged to pay. Not your problem if he can't, it's his problem to satisfy the judgment (maybe he'll have to sell property or something, he must have other assets). If he doesn't pay, I think you can file another petition for the non-payment and let the courts handle it. You should stay out of it, be quiet, do NOT negotiate anything with this jerk whose out of control dogs savaged your livestock. You don't need to be "nice" to him, you need him to understand his shit won't be taken lying down and the law is on YOUR side.

[twofatponies]

Just had a talk with the dog owner....you would NOT believe this man. ...

I don't think there's any reason to interact with him anymore, is there? The judgement and any further action can all be just done with you talking to appropriate officials and agencies. Going over to tell him you just did this or that only makes him madder at you, and isn't productive. If you need to deal with him, call the attorney, sheriff, animal control or whichever other office is relevant to the moment.

Personally, anyhoo, I'd keep my distance.

[pj]

Naw, the issue is: securely penning in chickens, installing invisible fence, or a real perimeter fence costs MONEY and some WORK. Not going to happen.

Sad, but true: Those who care the least usually win.

The odd thing is I really don't think this letting his dogs run loose is about chickens.
It seems to me that he just has this thing about letting them run loose.
I remember years ago when he first moved here his stepson built a large very nice dog pen for the two dogs he had at that time. It made him furious and he tore down the pen.
Guess he can't think of any excuse except the chickens.

[pj]

I don't think there's any reason to interact with him anymore, is there? The judgement and any further action can all be just done with you talking to appropriate officials and agencies. Going over to tell him you just did this or that only makes him madder at you, and isn't productive. If you need to deal with him, call the attorney, sheriff, animal control or whichever other office is relevant to the moment.

Personally, anyhoo, I'd keep my distance.

You are right and the last words I said to him was "I can't talk to you. I'll just do whatever I need to do."

[pj]

It also helped, I think, when my hubby and I got our carry permits/licenses, and took up our target practice...Hearing our different caliber gunshots when we practiced twice a week may have helped them decide we were serious when we said "The next time your dogs are on our property, we're shooting them."

Wish there was an Asshat Island they could alll be sent to....

:lol: Now this is funny. I just went and bought two boxes of ammo today and am planning on doing a lot of target practice. :D Not only do I need the practice (it's been a long while) but I want him to hear it.

I do soooo agree about the island...with sharks being fed all around the island daily.

[pj]

OK PJ, how to file your liens, get fi fa order from the clerk's office, then go to the general execution docket in superior court and file the fi fa.

for a vehicle, you can get info at
www.dmvs.state.ga.us/forms/motor.asp (http://www.dmvs.state.ga.us/forms/motor.asp)

for the "how to file liens" go to the forsyth co website and they have the pdf with good instructions:
www.forsythco.com/pdf/files/summary (http://www.forsythco.com/pdf/files/summary)
this is a good easy to read instructional.
or google "lien judgment filing lien georgia" and get the whole list.

ok so watch my links. I put dvms and not dmvs, duh.
hmmmmm maybe neighbor has a nice tractor?

:lol::lol:
C&C, thank you so much. Very helpful and much appreciated.

A nice tractor would be nice but, guys, we are actually talking about a small amount of money. Three hundred dollars. As I told you I filed this thing to make a point and not actually because of money. :)
Now if I could file for the other eight goats that would add up, all were really nice reg. goats from great show and milk lines. Unfortunately that was some years back and I don't remember dates, etc. The one that was killed this time wasn't a top quality goat but was a much loved pet that my husband raised on a bottle himself

[cloudyandcallie]

What is so sad is that our laws and courts do not provide for "pain and suffering" for either the animals or the owners. Hand/bottle raising a pet or having a longtime pet suffer a horrendous and painful death is not compensated for under our GA laws.

Which means the person owning the vicious dogs needs to know that your defense will be "temporary insanity." Force and fear are the only thngs your neighbor will respect. If he thinks you might get him, he'll keep the dogs up.

I do think that someone who allows his dogs to kill again could lose if the victim sued for "intentional infliction of emotional distress" to the victim (human/owner). Crap, that guy is complaining about 300$? I get mad at the people here who shell out the money and then turn their dogs loose to kill again.

[pj]

I'm not going to let up....EVER.

His comment that if bobcats start getting his chickens again he will have to turn both dogs loose finished me with him.

I'm really really hoping that since we did have ac out and did file this case it's made enough of an impression on him to make him believe that I meant I would do whatever I had to do (including shooting the dogs).

Another possibility I thought of if it should become necessary is suing him for interference with the enjoyment of our property. :)
It's hard to enjoy your property when you are worrying about dogs attacking stock not to mention that I often get up in the middle of the night when I hear dogs and patrol the property. That's not much fun either.

[cloudyandcallie]

I'm not going to let up....EVER.

His comment that if bobcats start getting his chickens again he will have to turn both dogs loose finished me with him.

I'm really really hoping that since we did have ac out and did file this case it's made enough of an impression on him to make him believe that I meant I would do whatever I had to do (including shooting the dogs).

Another possibility I thought of if it should become necessary is suing him for interference with the enjoyment of our property. :)
It's hard to enjoy your property when you are worrying about dogs attacking stock not to mention that I often get up in the middle of the night when I hear dogs and patrol the property. That's not much fun either.

and at the barn today, I was thinking about his turning dogs loose again being an "intentional tort" that would put you in superior court and get bigger sanctions against the neighbor. I know the guys on the supremes would love to have a case like that to discuss and to rule on.