Assingment # 2 - Two Dogs Euthanized

According to the Austin American Statesman, last week (Friday) in Hays County, two dogs were caught killing twelve chickens on camera and consequently euthanized. Because the owner of the chickens had installed a game camera due to previous incidents with his livestock, he was able to figure out which dogs were getting into his chicken coop. He shot one of the dogs, a black Labrador retriever-pitbull mix, but only injured and scared it off. The Hays County Sheriff's Office collected both dogs into their custody on Sunday and Monday morning. The officials had to visit the owner of the two dogs, explain the situation and demand the owner give up custody in order to follow through with the regulations regarding animals killing livestock. In Texas, the animal responsible for killing livestock is to be euthanized. I think this law is extremely drastic and unnecessary. Although the dogs were physically responsible, it is their owner's job to keep them contained. If an owner cannot prove himself/herself fit to be a responsible caretaker of an animal, the law should address that issue first and foremost.