Dog Spray-painted

[Guest guest]

CHUBBUCK, Idaho - Animal control officers had to decide if they were

investigating vandalism or animal mistreatment after someone spray-

painted a dog. A resident reported that he found the words " Go Home "

spray-painted on the sides of his large white dog late last month.

 

The animal had been allowed to roam freely, Capt. Mike Sanders said.

 

" An animal like that is domestic property, so technically that's

vandalism, " Sanders said. " It's really not the dog's fault. He's just

doing what dogs do. "

 

It could have been worse, Sanders said. Idaho law requires an

unfenced dog to be either on a leash or under supervision of its

master. And landowners are allowed to shoot a trespassing dog if that

dog is harassing livestock.

 

Sanders said detectives have not determined who spray-painted the

animal. They decided to drop the case, partly because the dog's owner

shouldn't have let the dog roam free.

 

It's both inappropriate and unusual to paint a dog, Sanders said.

 

" It's a little novel. It's different in the respect that it sends a

message, " Sanders said. " That's what always appealed to me about this

work: It stays interesting. "