Pictures soon

[2thdoc]

Sorry about your dogs. The person or persons who did this aren't hunters; they are some kind of low-life scum. They say it takes all kinds to make the human race, but people who do crap like this don't deserve to be part of it. Certainly would be nice if the proper authorities could apprehend those responsible.

 

[dmccarty]

Richard,

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. Its just plain aweful.
Especially during the Holiday.

Hopefully the story in the paper will open some leads.

Later,
Dan McCarty

 

[DaveNay]

Richard,

As an complete animal lover, I cannot express how sorry I am for Wiggles, Daisy and your entire family. To be perfectly hosest with you, I did not even look at the additional pictures after the first two for fear that you had pictures of an "evidence" nature posted here. I hope that you and your neighbors are able to take enough measures to change the attitude of the people who are tresspassing, but do so with a measure of temperance. I know for myself that like you said in your original post, if I had actually seen it happen, I would probably be in jail for my actions.

Dave

 

[Richard]

Thank you Mike, thank you DAn, thank you (the couple others) who send a pm.

even though this happened the night after Christmas, I got the pictures back this morning and seeing it brought it all back to me. I was in tears as I typed up much of what I wrote.

It was somewhat therapeutic putting it here because I knew most everyone here would see how despicable this was.

Another idea sparked in my head today...

These 4-wheelers, truckers love to go trail riding in these woods, in spite of it being illegal. (and of course, TVA doestn' have the resources to enforce much)

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Scenario: Imagine let's say 100 acres of woods with a circle trail. These dudes use a mud/pothole "driveway" on the inside of the woods and use the paved road as the other 1/2 of their circle (at times, not always).

I just got done blocking ONE entrance they use to transition from dirt to pavement. TVA is intending on blocking the other entrance. I might talk to the TVA guy and instead of dropping boulders and only block 2 entrance points, get another 30 tons of boulders and I'll drop them all along the path in the woods to prevent ANY (sane) vehicle driver from taking his vehicle through there. Instead of blocking the enterance and letting them drive around it, I'll just use these boulders as "speed bumps" THROUGHOUT their course so they dont have a clean shot ANYWHERE to drive around (again, don't forget they are doign it illegally)

If I can screw up their riding trails, their drug hideouts, their trash depositories... maybe, just maybe, they'll take their lives and go somewhere else where it's easier. I intend on doing all I can legally do, to make their choice an easy one.

Richard

 

[Richard]

DaveNay, your instincts served you well. The first three pics are "good" pics, the last 3 are the ugly ones.

Story has already been in the "local" paper (out once a week, VERY small) and just today, I called the Knoxville paper to see if they'd care to hear about it. Their return call is still pending.

Richard

 

[OkeeDon]

If it happened to me, I would post the property line between my land and the TVA land. Not with the typical "No Trespassing" signs. I would make up a poster with the tragic pictures of the murdered dogs, and a caption that said something like, "One or more of YOU people did this. We're watching you." I'd laminate them and post them. I'd also put them up near the blockades.

Maybe shame doesn't have much of an impact any more, but one thing that would result is that the legitimate hunters would be as outraged as you, and would keep their eyes open for the scum. It would also serve as a more than adequate explanation about why the blockades are in place.

 

[8NTX]

Another animal lover here and I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved pets. Sounds like you are determined to do what it takes to prevent this kind of thing from happening again. Your neighbors will no doubt owe you a debt of gratitude. Maybe some kind benefactor will offer a reward for info. leading to the low-life's arrest and indictment. Good luck to you, Richard and keep us posted.

 

[shvl73]

Re: Richard

I'm very sorry for your loss.
We have 4 boys (3 dalmations, 1 rotty/doberman), I'm not always the most rational person but, if I had witnessed it, justice would have been swift & severe.
Maybe it would be for the best if they don't get caught because if you react as I would, you would likely face a long prison term.
That being said, I sincerely hope they do get caught & the bastards fry in hell.

 

[Richard]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Maybe shame doesn't have much of an impact any more, but one thing that would result is that the legitimate hunters would be as outraged as you, and would keep their eyes open for the scum. It would also serve as a more than adequate explanation about why the blockades are in place )</font>


VERY interesting idea and honestly, one that I like. AFter all, I have no beef with the honerable hunters we get out our way. I wish them a full catch every time they're out (less road hazzard /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif)

Not sure about the immediate politics with the wife though, but I think after she reaches "that point" (where ever it may be in her journey of healing) allowing her to see the reminders... and be less effected by it than she currently is... hmm... I think she might just like the idea too.

I'm not blind to the fact however, that the signs/pics would soon be ripped down and trampled upon, or simply shot like they do the no parking signs.

Anyone want to trade neighbors? (except for Mdbarb /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif)

 

[RobertN]

Richard,
I am really sorry and personally moved by your tragedy. My Uncle had a wonderful dog caught in a trap a few years ago; a trapper set up hi traps within easy playing distance of my Uncles house. Cajun, a wonderful 175lb white german sheperd got caught. It could easily have been a child though. My Uncle did catch up with the guy, destroyerd his traps, and left them on his doorstep. In addition, he pressed charges.

Please be careful though, with the idea of putting boulders in the trial. In this age of litigation, some bozo would hit one, and come back to sue you. Also, they would just make a side trail around them.

On the Rubicon trail out here, 4wd clubs have worked to clean the trial. They have worked with the Forest Service to close down side trails, only to have someone make another mess by making even another side trail.

I really hate the idea of all this, that you could try to keep them from doing an onviously illegal activity, and still have them come after you for damages. But it is a real backlash that could happen.

 

[OkeeDon]

<font color="blue"> I'm not blind to the fact however, that the signs/pics would soon be ripped down and trampled upon, or simply shot like they do the no parking signs.
</font>

I'm often "criticized" for being a utopion liberal idealist, but one can always hope that the perpetrators might see the posters and feel some twinge of pain. Just the thought that it could occur would give me some measure of relief. You have to do something and the other obvious answer of sitting 24/7 with a bazooka in a blind above their trail is not really practical, however desirable.

I admire the solutions, and your restraint, that you have shown so far. Keep plugging at it -- it's worth it.

 

[Richard]

RobertN, I would not do any of the blockages UNLESS I had written permission from TVA to do it...

dis boy ain't sticking his neck on the chopping block for some sleezeball people...HOWEVER, if I have been HIRED (for say $1.00) or written permisson by TVA to do it on THEIR land, I think that I'd have SOME form of .... "protection"??? or arms length from that kind of thing?

Seems they'd have to take TVA to court also and if TVA was "in the right", then by proxy, I would too???

 

[MChalkley]

Richard,

I don't have much to say this time. There's not much to say. But there is one thing I feel needs to be said: It's clear that there are many of us here, myself included, who unfortunately can understand what you're going through. I say 'unfortunately' because it goes to show how common such things are. The relevant situations I've been through, mostly not too recent, are still painful enough that I still don't even want to go through relating them, so I simply say "I understand" and hope you believe how much I mean it.

 

[hillslider]

This whole story makes me puke. The idiots take your friends and now it continues with taking your time and effort away from enjoying your life. I commend you for not just sulking and feeling angry. You are making it better for eveyone. We need more people like yourself. I see to many times where someone is wronged and they sit back and do nothing but watch it continue. We all need to be more proactive rather than being forced to be reavctive. I am so very sorry for you and your family and I pray that 2004 will be great for you.

 

[Bob_In_MN]

Richard,

I don't know if some type of reward for info leading to the identification of this person(s) would help, but if you do set one up, send me a PM and I will add to the pot.

Also--as I stated in my PM to you, your story inspired me to protect our outdoor dogs a little more. Over lunch, I went to Fleet Farm and purchased locks and chains for our kennels. I've always been worried if we are away for more than a couple of hours that someone would let them out or try to get at them. If nothing else, it will prevent the gates from accidently opening and allowing the dogs to get out and possibly run into the same type of evil (can't say what I'd like to here) person(s) that harmed your dogs.

So--as I said to you earlier, there will be 3 dogs that are a little safer because of you.

As crazy as this may sound (from a big picture standpoint), I think if I ever caught someone doing this, they probably would never make off my land.

Bob

 

[Bird]

I guess it does take a special kind of lowlife to do something like that; just hard for me to imagine how anyone can be that mean.

 

[TOMLESCOEQUIP]

Richard........My heart goes out to you and your family for your loss . I'm a firm believer that what goes around comes back around..........God has a way of evening things out .....be patient.........Tom

 

[higgy]

My deepest regard to you and your wife. As many have said, I do not know how I would have acted.

I think your actions will have an impact, but it may bring repisal to you also, be aware, be viligent, be accurate.

My mind only sees red when I read your post.

If people were as fair and open as our k-9 buddies the world would be a better place.

Good Luck,