Options to prevent loose dogs running deer

[TurkeyCreek]

Any laws against wildlife harassment by dogs running free?

 

[scn]

This is the only TWRA regulation that deals with such dogs:

70-4-118. Unlawful to hunt deer being chased by dogs or to permit dogs to hunt or chase deer -- Confiscation of dogs -- Penalties.

(a) No person shall knowingly hunt deer being chased by dogs nor shall any person knowingly and intentionally permit such person's dogs to hunt or chase deer.

(b) Any officer of the wildlife resources agency may take into possession any dog known to have hunted or chased deer and shall notify the owner of the dog, or if the owner is unknown, shall advertise in a newspaper of general circulation in the county that the dog is in the officer's possession, giving the description of the dog and stating the circumstances under which it was taken. The officer shall hold the dog for a period of ten (10) days and shall report the facts in full to the director.

(c) If, within ten (10) days, the owner claims the dog, the owner may repossess it on payment of the costs of advertising and the cost of keep. If the owner does not claim the dog within the above specified time, the dog shall be deemed ownerless and a public nuisance and shall be disposed of in the manner prescribed by the executive director. In this event, the costs of advertising and keep shall be paid by the agency.

(d) Any person violating this section commits a Class B misdemeanor. It is mandatory upon the court to impose the prison sentence, and the minimum time is not subject to suspension, but may be served on such days designated by the judge.

HISTORY: Acts 1951, ch. 115, � 46 (Williams, � 5178.75); Acts 1961, ch. 198, � 2; impl. am. Acts 1974, ch. 481, �� 6, 7; Acts 1974, ch. 481, � 21; 1981, ch. 199, �� 1, 2; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), � 51-428; Acts 1989, ch. 591, � 113; 1990, ch. 891, � 15; 1990, ch. 981, � 3.

The reason it would be very difficult to prosecute under this statute is the knowingly and intentionally part of part (a). I am not aware of any cases that have been made or prosecuted on this outside of covert cases where our officers were there with the dogs were intentionally released to hunt deer.

 

[TurkeyCreek]

Thanks for the quick response.
This is a case of too many dogs running loose. I tried to look up any county laws, but they mostly deal with vicious dogs, not the easiest or fun reading. I watch deer being chased 3-5 times a week.
It bothers me more now that fawns are on the ground.

 

[TNLynn]

Is there not a leash law in every county in Tennessee? If so, call you local police over and over till they do something about it.

 

[trealtree]

Thanks for the quick response.
This is a case of too many dogs running loose. I tried to look up any county laws, but they mostly deal with vicious dogs, not the easiest or fun reading. I watch deer being chased 3-5 times a week.
It bothers me more now that fawns are on the ground.

There is a statewide leash law. It's not legal to allow your dogs to run free, see law and exceptions to the law at this link .

http://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2 ... 4/44-8-408

 

[TurkeyCreek]

Thanks Realtree,

I have numerous trailcam pics to support my case.

TC