A gun was fired at 0400 to silence my barking dog

[peacebuzzard]

this happened yesterday. My newest dog, which I rescued from my neighborhood, was lividly barking at the object which I am speculating is the neighborhood prowler. The gunshot scared the sweet dog and she scampered through the dog door and immediately to my side.
Fortunately, I was home and already awake, contemplating my alarm clock and my work week. This prowler has roamed the streets with her little dogs for 18 years. Her history also includes shooting and killing a neighbors dog she claimed was going to attack her (bullshit). She has always roamed in the wee hours of the morning. I recently caught her right in front of my house on the other side of the gate. (Typically I am gone from my residence most of the time on work trips...all my neighbors know this...my pet sitter only comes once a day) What she does or says to my dogs I do not know. All of my dogs go nuts barking at her whenever they sense her nearing. I have caught her several times right on my fence line, and when she sees me, she rapidly retreats. This woman is certainly strange. She has dogs and cats, but is not a rational human being, she lives in a blown out unkept trailer and is probably classified a hoarder.
And that is why I suspect her. I have not spoken to her for years over an incident also involving a stray dog and my suspicions.
And that is the reason I only place my gentler, friendly dogs in the yard facing the street. My large rottie and chow mix are in the back yard away from my street fence line.
But shooting a gun in the county is not illegal. I called the police non-emergency line to inquire about the gun laws. The officer told me as long as the person shooting is doing this in a safe manner. Great.

I think I need to learn how to set up a web cam on my fence line and put up surveillance warning signs. Any other suggestions? Anyone have a webcam at home to watch your residence??

[flvegan]

1. So many morons, so little time.

What's this person's deal? I'm sorry that you live somewhere that your constable thinks that an unlawful discharge of a firearm at 4 am is okay.

If you're talking wee hours of the morning, you're going to not only need a camera, but lights (or a night vision set up). CCTV is not that expensive anymore. A webcam that continuously writes to a drive might be a real memory hog, but if you're only running it at night, when you're not using the computer, it might not matter.

[peacebuzzard]

3. great quip there! thanks for input

my objective when I arrive home in a couple of days is to set up something that is both low light and motion sensitive.

[Robeson]

2. You're being kind with "strange". She sounds like a nut....

...a web cam is a definite option. They usually include the software with them, and are pretty easy to setup.

Also, I would double-check on the laws. I've known more than one officer who is willing to "shoot" their own mouths off about laws, without really knowing all the laws.

[peacebuzzard]

4. I will certainly double check the laws .... I have heard the residence cams

were easy. I do not know anyone who has one with the latest tech gear set up ... I hope to have one up and running very soon though.

[ThomCat]

5. A camera would be a good idea.

I hate the idea that you might have to wait until she kills another dog before you can do anything, but if she does go that far then you absolutely want to have proof.

[prolesunited]

6. I'm glad your dog is fine

But judging by you description, she sounds mentally ill. Perhaps you can focus your efforts on reaching out to her or the proper agencies in your area to get her the help she needs.

I think it's as important to care about our fellow human beings as much as we do about our animal friends.

[peacebuzzard]

7. My with her covers an 18 year span.

For the last 3-4 years I have just avoided her. It has been better that way.