CNHI News Service

GAINESVILLE, Texas — A jury ruled that a Texas landowner was not negligent when he shot two hunting dogs who apparently wandered onto his property during a 2008 raccoon hunt.

Bob Boyd and Ricky Lynch filed suit against Everett “Mel” Durrett, charging that the Cooke County man failed to use ordinary caution when he stepped outside his home and shot the dogs, which were worth an estimated $20,000 each.

Attorney Derrell Comer — who represented Mel Durrett — said the case, which had attracted the attention of Texas coon dog enthusiasts, was important to all land and livestock owners.

“We are pleased that the jury in this case by their unanimous verdict strongly confirmed that property owners have a right to defend their property against trespassers and protect their livestock when their livestock is threatened,” Comer wrote in an email.

Not surprisingly, dog owner Bob Boyd saw things differently. Boyd said he’s afraid the jury’s decision sends the message that it’s okay to shoot dogs.

“(The verdict) is bad for every dog owner whether they live in the country or in town,” he said. “I also think it’s a bad thing for every dog owner in the state of Texas because there’s nothing stopping anybody from shooting your dog when he’s just trotting across a pasture.”

Details for this story were provided by the Gainesville (Texas) Daily Register.