All the dog shooters might want to look into this one.

Felony charges are pretty serious!

I don't see this changing anything. Hunters will still shoot dogs if they want. They will shoot them...... let them lay. I don't see them doing autopsies and ballistic checks for killing a dog. They going to invent the money to pay for it...... I won't shoot a dog nor condone it, but I don't see it changing anything except for regular pet owners who abuse animals. Now it may change how they treat an animal.....

If convicted of a felony, you can no longer own or possess a firearm.

That is a lot different than sitting by a campfire talking about whooping somebody's butt over a dog.

I totally disagree with people using dogs to hunt illegally!!!
As a matter of fact, as someone who uses dogs to hunt hogs with myself, I hate it even worse than most. It hurts ALL the legal hunters who happen to enjoy hunting with dogs! They are our worst enemy!

But, just randomly shooting dogs that happen to cross a painted line is not the proper answer and should have strong consequences. The same as people that let dogs wander other's property, or use them to hunt illegally. They should be held accountable!

wow...here we go..you all talk about lack of responsibility in this country,..yet here it is in dog hunters.

Its really simple...you let your dogs on other peoples property...ruining THE PROPERTY owners(who pay the taxes) experience...but its ok..cause its FUN for you...

But god forbid they get mad and shoot your dam mangy mongrel....dog hunters are alot like dems in my opinion..no personal responsibility!
You run dogs purposely on other peoples property but CRY like a girl when some LAND OWNER ( ie, OWNS THE LAND, PAYS FOR THE LAND, and PAYS THE TAXES) kills your dam mangy mongrels!

Grow up.Take some personal responsibility! If your dogs are on OTHERS land..its WRONG..and its that simple. And If you CANT keep them on your own land..THEN DONT RUN THEM!

Personal responsibility and respect for others property is what its all about! if you dont respect the land owners property...why
should they respect your property..IE your DOGS!
Respect is a two way street in my book...give it and youll get it...

Danny:

Did you actually read HB27 for 2013? link to the proposed bill

The only felony mentioned is for Aggrivated Cruelty to Animals and one must knowingly and intentionally cause anguish and torture to an animal to be convicted under that proposed statute.

Do you intend to cause anguish and torture to a deer or hog when you shoot it with a rifle, or is that being sportsmanlike and minimizing the suffering the animal endures by using ethical placement of a bullet?

It's a serious question. If one action is considered to be humane when involving game animals, then it is humane for all animals, is it not?

By the way, people who truly abuse animals and knowingly torture them should be shot on sight. I detest what they do.

Yes, I read it.

A dog is not a game animal. It is not 'sportsmanlike' to make a good shot on a dog.

That is the absolute lamest argument that I have ever heard!!!

BTW,

Thank You outdoorobsession for proving my point concerning the arrogance, indifference and overall pompous attitude of many of the people who are guilty of this.

In your opinion...

In my opinion, an animal is an animal. All should be treated with the same respect. If you can shoot a deer, bird, hog, or other game, then why is it wrong to dispatch any other non-game animal - for good cause as per the law - with the same method as you use on game animals.

Would you agree then that shooting any animal - with good cause as per the law - is an ethical way to put down any animal?

Let's get this question out of the way first, then we'll move to what "good cause" means under the law, if you don't mind. This way we can look at the relative topics and discuss each one without just being "for" or "against".

I put dogs and other pets in a totally different category than Game Animals......and so does the Law.

Therefore, your argument is flawed and irrelevant.

Again, that is your opinion, and not fact.

Let's find out more about your opinion. You did not answer my questions. Will you?

If you have a dog that is ripped open by a hog, intestines spilled out all over, and essentially disemboweled. You're an hours walk to the truck, and another hour to the nearest vet. The dog is in considerable pain and will not survive. Do you put it down with a bullet behind the ear?

You hit a cat or dog with your truck and break it's back. The animal is suffering. No houses in sight so no chance of finding the owner and no chance of survival. Do you put it down with a shot to the head?

You are driving down the road and you see a child in the front yard at a house. You watch as he is chased down by a pack of 4 dogs and attacked. Do you get out and put a stop to it by shooting the dogs?

Would you consider the use of a firearm in a controlled manner to be inhumane treatment in those circumstances? If it is indeed humane, in your opinion, is that also because you believe it to not only be the morally correct thing to do, but also correct to do in the eyes of the law?

By the way, Danny, sticking your fingers (paws) in your ears isn't the way you have a discussion!

The sheer fact that there are Laws already on the books making your approach illegal is enough. And now, they are preparing to stiffen the penalties for breaking those Laws is even more proof.

You are attempting to argue with the wrong one!!!

We actually agree on something.

Why is it we view a dog differently than a deer?

Danny, I guess you're just set on sticking your fingers in your ears and don't care to have any type of rational discussion at all.

Good luck with your hog hunting.

Its our western culture. Dogs were bred and kept as companion animals. In all reality though, they are no different.

Because billions spent in the pet industry each year and Sarah McLaughlin wailing with crying doggies on the teevee and Nanny Nancy liberals who think dogs and animals are as important as humans all conspire to create this Disney Bambi mentality is one reason driving these kinds of legislative bills.

Dogs are, no doubt, companion animals. Trained dogs hunters and trialers use are definitely special. But should a landowner repeatedly be subjected to having to put up with rogues and bear the brunt of catching and locating those rogues to return the dogs, only to have the same schitt happen again and again and again with clear impunity?

So, you think there is no difference in a domesticated pet and a Game Animal?

I hope that the opinion you two share is in the Minority!