* Hunter fined for killing pet dog

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Fayette | News

Hunter fined for killing pet dog

Tue, 01/23/2007 - 5:01pm

By: John Munford

A hunter has paid the price for shooting a Brooks family’s pet dog Fender back in November.

Tommy Grier, 32, of Palmetto must surrender his hunting license for a year and pay $100 towards the dog’s grave marker and $1,200 to the Fayette County Humane Society, according to the ruling by Fayette County Magistrate Joe Tinsley.

Fender’s owner, Mike Edwards, recalled Monday how his wife was looking for Fender, shouting his name when Grier appeared with the dead dog. Edwards said he remembered Grier’s choice of words exactly: “I’m sorry, Mr. Edwards, your dog was running deer and I had no choice but to shoot him.”

At that moment, while the hunter apologized while holding the dead Fender, Edwards was flummoxed.

“I didn’t know whether to hit him or fall on my knees and cry,” Edwards said.

Fender had made his way into the family’s heart after Edwards’ son had rescued him as a stray last year. Initially the dog had mange and was malnourished, but Fender was nursed back to health and ended up with Edwards and his wife when the son joined the army in September.

Edwards said he thinks about Fender every day, and although some might say, “It’s just a dog,” he and his family feel otherwise.

“I’ve never seen an animal so grateful to get a second chance,” Edwards said. “... He was a very frisky dog.”

Edwards said he couldn’t convince the sheriff’s department to file criminal charges, so he filed papers in Fayette County’s Magistrate Court, seeking an arrest warrant against Grier. That led to the court hearing and the judgment assessed against Grier, who is a policeman for Fulton County.

Although the matter was heard during a criminal arm of the court, it is not clear if the judgment will be entered on Grier’s record.

Grier had cited in his defense a Georgia law that Edwards later learned allowed for the shooting of wild dogs who were pursuing deer, Edwards said. That law was passed years ago to help protect Georgia’s whitetail deer population, Edwards was told in a letter from the commissioner of the state Department of Natural Resources.

Edwards has been in touch with Ga. Senator Ronnie Chance in hopes to repeal the law, a move supported by the DNR commissioner, Edwards said.

He also hopes the court case helps deter other hunters who might think about shooting non-game animals.

As formerly rural areas become developed in more and more, particularly in south Fayette County, hunters should exercise extra caution to try and avoid problems, Edwards said.

“I want hunters to know if they do this, this could be their consequences,” Edwards said.

It's the dog owners fault

Submitted by zarbob on Mon, 01/29/2007 - 1:08pm.

As a dog owner, I regret the loss of the dog; but hold the owner responsible. The dog owner should own up to failing to properly control the animal. It could have been run over by car, chasing a jogger, bicyclists, or mauling a kid. The dog was not acting like a ‘beloved pet’ but like a wild dog trying to kill a deer. If what the hunter did was wrong, then why is there a law that allows it? Try to imagine what happens when wild dogs kill a deer; it would be many times more gruesome and less humane than what the hunter did. I believe the hunter. If he had shot it because it disturbed his hunt, he would have left it; instead he carried the dog back to try to find the owner. If the dog was so important because it was owned by a deployed service member, why wasn’t it being taken care of?

Then why is there a law that allows it? Guess again.

Submitted by bad_ptc on Mon, 01/29/2007 - 2:16pm.

Because there isn't a law that allowed this NON-hunter to kill the dog.

"Tommy Grier, 32, of Palmetto must surrender his hunting license for a year and pay $100 towards the dog’s grave marker and $1,200 to the Fayette County Humane Society, according to the ruling by Fayette County Magistrate Joe Tinsley."

To quote from one of my previous posts:

"He was quick to hide behind Georgia statute 27-3-49(c) which reads: “It shall not be unlawful for any person to kill a dog which does not have a collar and which is pursuing or killing deer in any locality ...”

According to the statute, in all other instances where dogs may be “pursuing or killing” deer, only a conservation ranger, sheriff, or deputy sheriff can engage that dog with the intent to kill it.

Fender was wearing a bright blue collar with an identification tag attached. Ample contrast was provided against his beautiful light brown coat; there was no mistaking the presence of a collar unless you were seeing what you wanted to see."

Bad: how do you know?

Submitted by dollaradayandfound on Mon, 01/29/2007 - 2:43pm.

The dog had a bright blue collar? Who said? Did the shooter say it
was? What would a collar mean at 100 yards? Nothing.
What ever happened to his word, her word? Or was the guy honest by bringing the dog home, and got crucified for being honest? He could have headed home, couldn't he. Honest people always get screwed!
My, how we let a roaming dog create problems that aren't necessary for humans. Ever notice how mass murderers get death if they plead guilty, and other mass murderers get life if they plead not guilty? We hate fools.
Unless another person was there, heard every word, we will never know what really happened, will we?
Worry about our soldiers, will you?

How do I know, simple

Submitted by bad_ptc on Mon, 01/29/2007 - 4:00pm.

Because he was convicted!

What would a collar mean at 100 yards? The same thing It would mean at 200 yards, DON'T SHOOT!

Anything else I can help you with?

Bad: help me?

Submitted by dollaradayandfound on Mon, 01/29/2007 - 5:53pm.

I think not. You think about six inches from your nose, no further.
This case will surely get overturned upon appeal. These local judges want friends locally!
Obviously, you have never hunted.

dollar and a box of rocks

Submitted by skyspy on Mon, 01/29/2007 - 7:13pm.

It will never be overturned:

1. hunting in a residental neighborhood
2. hunting on someone elses property(the dog and hunter were close enough to the home, so close in fact that he knew where to take the dog, and probably heard the owners calling fender)
3. dog had a collar, only an officer can leagally shoot a dog with a collar, unless the dog attacks a person.
4 shooting, or hunting at dusk, if I recall correctly, also illegal, for safety reasons.

dollar what is wrong with you?? I have rocks in my backyard that have more common sense than you.

dollar, You need all the help you can get

Submitted by bad_ptc on Mon, 01/29/2007 - 6:16pm.

I've hunted for over 30 years in several states.

This is the first time that I've ever heard of a NON-hunter killing someones pet because it was "supposedly" running a dear.

I did kill a poachers 4 wheeler once while hunting on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. A 7.mm can do wicked damage to one of those things.
Funny thing, the guy never called the cops. I wonder why.

The "hole" in the guys story is how could he hit a 30 lb. dog and not the deer it was "supposedly" running? He sure doesn't sound like much of a hunter to me.

Oftentimes the only shot you have is a deer on the run. I've been able to do that with a bow, this guy had a rifle and couldn't do it?

Tell me dollar, if you run over some kid chasing a ball into the street are you going to try and blame the kids parents for not keeping an eye on them?

dollar, do us all a favor; the next time you go "hunting" put the pointy end up against your forehead and pull the trigger. I promise none of us will hold you accountable.

This guy was just mad

Submitted by christi on Fri, 01/26/2007 - 8:17am.

that the dog ran some deer that he wanted to shoot. The dog just messed up his hunt. He had no choice but to shoot him? That statement right there lets me know he's a dumb a**. My husband is a hunter and since I'm not, I asked him what he thought about this. He said that this guy is one who gives hunters a bad name. He said that he would never shoot a dog that was running deer (even though dogs that do that can be frustrating) especially if it had a collar on. This guy probably wasn't taught hunting correctly and he's probably an idiot.

Now, I can't stand to see dogs running loose, especially in my neighborhood. I have an inconsiderate neighbor that lets his dog out every day and doesn't care where he poops. But that doesn't give me the right to shoot him just because he interfered with my day.

I seen nothing wrong with a dog running loose in the woods

Submitted by oldbeachbear on Fri, 01/26/2007 - 8:31am.

I can't think of a better place. Most deer hunters don't like dogs that chase deer and if given the chance, will shoot them. I think this one was just arrogant enough to read the collar and bring it home to these people to prove his point. I am very glad it backfired on him.

What an asinine statement!

Submitted by bad_ptc on Fri, 01/26/2007 - 8:51am.

"Most deer hunters don't like dogs that chase deer and if given the chance, will shoot them."

What the heck would you know about the subject?

As a rule, "hunters" don't shoot dogs. Idiots shoot dogs.

P.S. a real hunter might possibly attempt to shoot fools that say "given the chance a hunter would shoot a dog".

The Dog Shouldn't Have Been Shot

Submitted by Git Real on Fri, 01/26/2007 - 9:28am.

The so-called hunter was dealt with. Now let's deal with the clown who was in violation of the Fayette County leash ordinances.

Or is this another case of "gubment selective control"?

__________

You don't need to defend a Lion. You just need to let him out of his cage.

C.S. Lewis

I disagree with you this time...

Submitted by Tug13 on Fri, 01/26/2007 - 11:19am.

Git Real, I enjoy reading your funny comments. You have made me laugh many times. Smiling

I have to disagree with you on this one. From what I understand the Edwards dog accidently got loose. It happens. I have a inside dog who is never outside without being on a leash. One time one of my grandchildren opened the door and out he went before we could stop him. Thankfully, we caught him before he left my yard.

I agree the leash law should be enforced. I see the same dogs running loose in my neighborhood often. Some irresponsible pet owners around here let them out. I have called Animal Control, she told me that I need to tell them where the dogs owner lives, but "they will check it out." I saw the same dogs yesterday.
Am I supposed to do their job and go through the neighborhood knocking on doors? I think not!

How about the

Submitted by eodnnaenaj1 on Fri, 01/26/2007 - 3:36pm.

neighbor's dog that "accidentally" barks ALL night long? Got a solution for that? There are folk who just aren't pet lovers. I would never ever hurt an animal; but do you dog/cat lovers ever stop to think YOU might love 'precious', but we don't, and we don't like listening to it, or watching it run and poop across our yard.

eodnnaenaj1, noisy dog

Submitted by bad_ptc on Fri, 01/26/2007 - 5:10pm.

There are just as many bad pet owners as there are bad parents.

Depending on where you live there are ordinances against barking dogs.

I would suggest talking with the neighbors and when that doesn't work, call the Sherri's office.

I can't find info. for Fayette County but this is what I found for Villa Rica, Georgia.

"Sec. 13-33. Animals and Birds
No person shall own, possess or harbor any
animal or fowl which howls, barks or emits audible
sounds that are unreasonably loud or disturbing
and which are of such character, intensity and
duration as to disturb the peace and quiet of the
neighborhood. For the purpose of this article,
“barking dog” shall mean a dog that barks, bays,
cries, howls or makes any other noise
continuously and/or incessantly for a period of ten
minutes or barks intermittently for one half hour or
more to the disturbance of any person at any time
of day or night regardless of whether the dog is
physically situated in or upon private property;
provided, however, that a dog shall not be deemed
a “barking dog” for the purposes of this regulation,
if, at the time the dog is barking or making any
other noise, a person is trespassing or threatening
to trespass upon private property in or upon which
the dog is situated or for any other legitimate
cause which teased or provoked the dog.
(Ord of 8-3-99)"

If all else fails, Get Real has a cure.

Thanks ptc_guy

Submitted by eodnnaenaj1 on Mon, 01/29/2007 - 7:24am.

I appreciate this information. I really don't know the neighbor well enough to knock on the door say hello I'm so and so, shut your dog up. So I'll just have to think about it; however, I'm waaaay behind on my beauty sleep and the more I lose, well, you know.

I can only imagine Git Real's solution!

Accidentally Got Loose

Submitted by Git Real on Fri, 01/26/2007 - 3:20pm.

Sorry Tug, I have to disagree with you on this one too. First of all I don't have a problem with nailing the guy that shot the dog. He sounds fishy anyways and what kind of a hunter would want to hunt in a populated area like Fayette County anyways?

the Edwards dog accidentally got loose. It happens.

OH REALLY (sorry...I couldn't resist after watching that Michael Vick thing that Bad put on Fayette Speaks Ron Mexico - Oh Really )But I digress....

That's the story I hear from my neighbors all the time. No doubt the owners of the dozen or so strays on my street would use the excuse "accidental" if the Fayette County Animal Control folks would do their jobs. Heck if I started gunning down loose dogs and cats on my street it would sound like our troops picking off terrorists on the streets of Baghdad.

__________

You don't need to defend a Lion. You just need to let him out of his cage.

C.S. Lewis

Re: Accidentally got loose

Submitted by Tug13 on Fri, 01/26/2007 - 5:26pm.

I believe we agree that the person who killed the Edwards dog is an idiot. I think he should also do community service cleaning up dog poop at the Animal Shelter.

I don't condone people allowing their pets to run loose. Like I said,I have to deal with that here in my neighborhood. It's a waste of time calling Animal Control.

Fender, the dog who was killed by the idiot, belonged to the Edwards son who is a soldier. Don't you think they have sacrificed enough?
I believe them when they say the dog got out accidentally.

Git Real, how did the thug Vick get involved here? Smiling Start a blog on that. We are all Falcon fans but not thug fans. (you're still funny) Smiling

Dogs and cats loose

Submitted by dollaradayandfound on Fri, 01/26/2007 - 12:48pm.

Depends upon whose ox is being gored doesn't it, whether something is done?
I have never heard of a dog or a cat who just didn't "get loose" when they got into trouble! Bull!
My car hood got scratched: I saw the cat that did it ( it wanted to be on my warm car hood from the engine heat) and when I told my neighbor, she said she never let her cat out, except at night, and it didn't scratch. I saw it many times before dark. My flowers get fertilized regularly. Mateing scenes are most noisy!
Owners won't do anything, animal control won't do anything when people are involved, who is to do it? Build a fence or keep them in the house.

Go ahead and fine them

Submitted by bad_ptc on Fri, 01/26/2007 - 10:24am.

I'll gladly pay the $25.00 for the owner.

While you're on the subject of "gubment selective control" why don't you get an answer as to why the authorities decided NOT to act?

It's obvious that the judge disagreed with them.

Dog shooting

Submitted by dollaradayandfound on Fri, 01/26/2007 - 8:08am.

I don't get it. An unattended dog is shot while off its owners property by a hunter. He brings the dog home and is taken to court for the shooting. He is fined heavily and denied hunting privileges.
There has to be more testimony that we haven't heard!
I would never kill a dog that way unless he was trying to bite me, but the law is the law.
How did the hunter know where the dog lived? Was the owner yelling such that the hunter could hear her?
I know this, also: some deer hunters will do anything to get a deer to strap onto their vehicle and brag about for months. So an interferring dog would provoke such an attack for those people. I remember once that a man killed a deer in a valley while he was on a hill. When he went to get his deer, another man was there and claimed it as his--apparently he had also shot at the deer at some point. There were threats with high-powered rifles but one finally bluffed the other and took the deer, my what a risk for one deer. The bluffer still brags about it to this day.
Also, I know that some people have killed other people over a dog.
What it is, really, is not the deer, not the dog, but domain rights as the two see them. There are more stories I am sure about that particular piece of woods!

One question

Submitted by JoAnn on Thu, 01/25/2007 - 3:32pm.

Was the dog wearing fake christmas "antlers"? I grew up in the country myself. I know that sometimes dogs, maybe even cats get mistaken for a rabbit, squirrel, etc. It happens. This is one reason my two black labs (hunting dogs themselves) live IN my house.

Shooting rabbits while deer hunting malone?

Submitted by Enigma on Thu, 01/25/2007 - 4:15pm.

Okay Malone - I am trying to follow your fake antlers logic. Let's suppose for the sake of argument this dog was mistaken for "a rabbit, a squirrel, etc." - What responsible hunter would shoot "a rabbit or squirrel, etc.", with a deer rifle while deer hunting? What would you do with a rabbit hit by a 30-06 or a 30-30?

As for responsible ownership - let's talk about responsible GUN ownership - try hunting a little further away from houses, know what you are shooting at (which he did) and if a dog runs the deer, shoot it at a full trot - the deer, not the dog....it's a bigger target, edible and why you got up at 3am anyway.

I wish the hunter had done some time in county lock up, and written an apology to the soldier who lost his dog to the careless imbecile.

By the way, for all of you manly hunters out there who like to kill deer and support shooting dogs, try hunting something that can shoot back like a terrorist in Afghanistan or Iraq. It's more exciting, more competitive, and actually takes some guts to hunt down a guy that can shoot back and actually knows you are trying to kill him.

Lifelong hunter who now uses a camera with a scope.

Enigma, I like your thinking

Submitted by bad_ptc on Thu, 01/25/2007 - 5:14pm.

Two questions:

1. Can we legally hunt terrorists, gang-bangers, drug dealers and pedophiles right here in Fayette County?

2. If we can, do we need a license or are they considered vermin?

Dear Mr. Edwards & Family

Submitted by sam0917 on Thu, 01/25/2007 - 8:27am.

I just wanted to say to Mr. Edwards that I'm glad you were finally able to do something about the senseless killing of your dog. You may not remember me, but you came into my office at the courthouse trying to determine what your steps should be for some type of justice for your family because you'd been turned away from having a report made. I'm glad you were able to follow through with the Magistrate proceedings and receive some justice. God bless you and your family.

Come on Mr. Edwards

Submitted by JoAnn on Thu, 01/25/2007 - 3:36pm.

Please read my first post. This happens. Keep your dog inside or on a leash. However, DO NOT make someone else pay for your being stupid. Most of all, you son and his dog. Not to mention the guy who "accidently" shot your dog. This is where stupid lawsuits begin.........

Stupid????

Submitted by Tug13 on Thu, 01/25/2007 - 5:27pm.

This family is grieving over the loss of their pet. This dog belonged to their son who is in the military.
The person who did this was stupid! He KILLED their dog!
The Edwards used more restraint than I could. I would probably be in jail for beating this "hunter" with a stick.
Be realistic, pets do get loose sometimes.
I hope this family doesn't see your comments.

Leash Laws

Submitted by Becca on Wed, 01/24/2007 - 4:30pm.

None too happy about dog being killed, but are we missing another point here? How about so-called "Leash Laws"? Turns out Fayette County has some on the books and could have entered into this equation (both prevention of the dog running loose and a court case...). Here is the link to existing leash laws in Fayette County, GA: www.admin.co.fayette.ga.us/animalshelter/laws_animals.htm#431

So, shoot em???

Submitted by GloriaG on Wed, 01/24/2007 - 5:30pm.

Is that the point you think we are all missing? Dogs are going to run free, it's their nature. They are going to break loose of whatever constraints we place them in because of their nature.
In a perfect world your thinking would be correct. We don't live there.

Be A Responsible Citizen

Submitted by Becca on Wed, 01/24/2007 - 7:42pm.

Agree - we don't live in that perfect world. Dogs, by nature, DO run in packs and may kill your neighbor's cat. Also, ask any avid runner/biker and I'm confident you will hear stories of injury or near-accident concerning dogs without "constraints". I'm not familiar with this dog, the owners or the circumstances surrounding the size/location of property, any broken chains, etc. The hunter did have a choice and managed to kill a beloved pet.

Mr. Edwards, the plaintiff, did send a letter to the Citizen discussing legislative action to prevent hunters from shooting dogs in accordance with the current law. In seeking prevention and pet safety it is also wise for OWNERS to consider any leash law REQUIREMENTS and maintain a modicum of individual responsibility.

Hint: Brooks

Submitted by Enigma on Wed, 01/24/2007 - 8:01pm.

The guy was hunting just off of the back yard of this family in Brooks. Please recall that the owner walked to meet the hunter in the back of their property in Brooks when he received his son's dead dog.

Just for the sake of argument, let's pretend he didn't shoot the dog. What was the worst that would have happened? Bambi get's away?

If he really wants to hunt let him hunt something that can shoot back - like terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan.

???

Submitted by JoAnn on Thu, 01/25/2007 - 3:38pm.

Come on..... This happens. Let's don't get stupid. Make the owner pay a fine for not having his dog on a LEASH.

Tragedy

Submitted by Vernon on Wed, 01/24/2007 - 12:11pm.

I am very much pro-gun, pro-hunting, pro law enforcement. That said, this guy had a "choice" and chose a bad one. He sounds like alot of police officers that do their best to exploite laws in their favor and need to feel they are "the man". These same cops are the ones you see speeding down the road and breaking almost every traffic law, because they can. I'm not refering to when they do these things in the lawful actions of their jobs. I'm glad the family got some justice, even if the good ole boy deputies didn't want them too.

Edwards Family Re. Fender

Submitted by Tug13 on Wed, 01/24/2007 - 9:22am.

Good job! I am so happy that this "so called hunter" will pay for this.
God bless you.

Two Problems with This...

Submitted by 30YearResident on Tue, 01/23/2007 - 7:43pm.

First of all, I do NOT condone the shooting of a pet.

However, the hunter was acting within the laws of Georgia and at the time. He did not know the dog WASN'T wild and it was chasing deer. Clearly within legal parameters to shoot.

Second, $1,200 to the Fayette Humane Society ????? What is this, a county government revenue generator?

IMHO, bad verdict from Joe Tinsley. (BTW, I'm not a hunter and never have been)

Again

Submitted by JoAnn on Thu, 01/25/2007 - 3:42pm.

Again, was the owner fined for not having the dog on a leash? I have two beautiful black labs, either on a leash or in my house. Give it up it was a dog (not a child). Where I came from if a dog was hurt and couldn't be fixed my daddy shot it. If you want to do some good then let's do something about the child molestors, kidnappers, and murderers...................

Dogs and Cats running loose

Submitted by dollaradayandfound on Wed, 01/24/2007 - 12:21pm.

I have owned many pets over the years--all kept upon our property or in our house.
There is NO right for anyone to turn their animals loose onto my property, or onto public property. They also drag in filth.
It is very much like : let Grandma keep our kids and raise them while we have fun!

Good Verdict

Submitted by skyspy on Wed, 01/24/2007 - 8:08am.

Just a little too lite if you ask me.

It sounds like this wack job was trespassing as well. Did he have permission to hunt on that property?

The dog had his collar on, this wild man should have known it was a pet. To top it off he was shooting close enough to their home to hear them calling for their dog. So he knew where Fender belonged and took him back home. Further more if I remeber the story correctly he was shooting at dusk as well. I thought that was illegal? I'm not sure about that one, but it seems like it wouldn't be safe to shoot at dusk or after.

This psychopath got off very easy.

What? No choice?

Submitted by mudcat on Tue, 01/23/2007 - 8:33pm.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Edwards, your dog was running deer and I had no choice but to shoot him.”

Could someone explain why the hunter had "no choice?" I think that even if you have a gun in the woods, holding it up, pointing and shooting at something is a "choice" Is it some kind of crime to "run deer" whatever that means.

meow

Thanks Judge Tinsley!!!

Submitted by GloriaG on Tue, 01/23/2007 - 8:32pm.

I applaud you for your judgement acknowledging the rights of the family of the dog that was slaughtered for no reason. If the hunter didn't know the dog wasn't wild and chasing deer he shouldn't have shot it. I think he got off light by only losing his license for 1 year. I'm sure the Fayette Humane Society will put that $1,000 to good use-I wish it was $5,000. Maybe next time this person, and others, will think twice before illegally shooting a pet.

By no means was his shooting the dog legal

Submitted by bad_ptc on Tue, 01/23/2007 - 8:00pm.

As per the origional post

He was quick to hide behind Georgia statute 27-3-49(c) which reads: “It shall not be unlawful for any person to kill a dog which does not have a collar and which is pursuing or killing deer in any locality ...”

Fender was wearing a bright blue collar with an identification tag attached. Ample contrast was provided against his beautiful light brown coat; there was no mistaking the presence of a collar unless you were seeing what you wanted to see.

The killer, NOT A HUNTER disobeyed the law and a judge agreed with the owners.

This is tragic

Submitted by happy2bME on Tue, 01/23/2007 - 10:27pm.

I come from a hunting family, and no one would consider shooting a dog running afield unless obviously rabid. This man needs a psych evaluation. My deepest empathy to the family of this pet.

Respectfully yours,
Happy. (usually, but not after reading this story)

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