My Neighbors Just Ate their Dog (Seriously). What is the libertarian stance on this?

[Anti Federalist]

I think you did the best you could do, and I'm imagining you are pretty defenseless there as well, meaning private firearms are prohibited.

I can get around the cultural differences on what is considered food if we were on Chuuk, but there was nothing quick or humane about the "slaughter." From initially hearing the sounds to seeing it had to be at least 45 seconds. But it doesn't make any sense for it to be ok to abuse an animal just because I am about to eat it but illegal to abuse that same animal in other cases.

And I was just minding my own business in my own house until I heard some horrible animal sounds outside coming from the direction of their house but still possibly on my property or caught on the fencing between until I went outside and saw that shit.

There is a little bit of history too with the neighbors. We've had to stop their kids from coming over and taunting our own dog (which we were relieved to finally get off the island yesterday), and throwing rocks at another neighbor's cow while it was tangled up. They also regularly kick and beat their dogs (all puppies because we have yet to see a dog make it to 1 year old there) with sticks all in plain view so its not like we are being nosy. We have tried to tell their children that they should treat animals nicely since they can't defend themselves when they came over to watch us put up X-mas lights. The adults are usually nowhere to be found.

The joy with which one of the kids does this shit and watches his uncle (the one killing the dog) is sociopath, future rapist/murderer stuff. Seriously chilling to my wife and I. And of course my concerns that if we did call the police, we would just be ignored and create a tense situation with the neighbors was confirmed. But just couldn't stand by and let it happen. At least we'll be out of here Tuesday...

 

[mczerone]

It is absolutely disgusting, but the dog is his property.

Just another reason why I am not against local ordinances that prohibit such things.

Sorry, but why not use some social pressure instead of a local tyranny?

Tell your neighbor that this is unacceptable to you, and even though it is his property you will not deal with him if he continues. Put up local ads telling your other neighbors about what you've witnessed. Try to inform dog dealers so that they won't sell dogs to him.

There are millions of ways to get him to stop without pulling the power of the gun on him - either a federal, state, local, or personal gun.

Peaceful means may not work, but you should exhaust them. Only then should you ask yourself "is aggression justified". If it is, you don't need the state to do it for you.

 

[pauliticalfan]

Thanks for ruining my night.

This shit is horrible and ridiculous. If you call yourself pro-life that means you respect ALL life. To do otherwise is completely hypocritical. When it comes to the life issue, I see hypocrisy everywhere and it's disgusting. So-called pro-life Republicans are for the death penalty, warfare, and animal abuse. The Constitutions protects in principle against acts of violence. You should have saved those dogs.

 

[pauliticalfan]

I can get around the cultural differences on what is considered food if we were on Chuuk, but there was nothing quick or humane about the "slaughter." From initially hearing the sounds to seeing it had to be at least 45 seconds. But it doesn't make any sense for it to be ok to abuse an animal just because I am about to eat it but illegal to abuse that same animal in other cases.

And I was just minding my own business in my own house until I heard some horrible animal sounds outside coming from the direction of their house but still possibly on my property or caught on the fencing between until I went outside and saw that shit.

There is a little bit of history too with the neighbors. We've had to stop their kids from coming over and taunting our own dog (which we were relieved to finally get off the island yesterday), and throwing rocks at another neighbor's cow while it was tangled up. They also regularly kick and beat their dogs (all puppies because we have yet to see a dog make it to 1 year old there) with sticks all in plain view so its not like we are being nosy. We have tried to tell their children that they should treat animals nicely since they can't defend themselves when they came over to watch us put up X-mas lights. The adults are usually nowhere to be found.

The joy with which one of the kids does this shit and watches his uncle (the one killing the dog) is sociopath, future rapist/murderer stuff. Seriously chilling to my wife and I. And of course my concerns that if we did call the police, we would just be ignored and create a tense situation with the neighbors was confirmed. But just couldn't stand by and let it happen. At least we'll be out of here Tuesday...

Fuck your neighbors. Scum of the earth, horrible parents. Call the cops before you leave.

 

[Anti Federalist]

Thanks for ruining my night.

This shit is horrible and ridiculous. If you call yourself pro-life that means you respect ALL life. To do otherwise is completely hypocritical. When it comes to the life issue, I see hypocrisy everywhere and it's disgusting. So-called pro-life Republicans are for the death penalty, warfare, and animal abuse. The Constitutions protects in principle against acts of violence. You should have saved those dogs.

So, to remain consistent, a vegan lifestyle is necessary?

 

[Lishy]

I wouldn't mess with them if they're crazy. Mind your own business and they cannot make a victim out of you.

 

[pacodever]

Tell your neighbor that this is unacceptable to you, and even though it is his property you will not deal with him if he continues. Put up local ads telling your other neighbors about what you've witnessed. Try to inform dog dealers so that they won't sell dogs to him.

That is basically what I lectured to him before the police had me handover the puppy. Called my landlord right away too since she will not be able to rent our place next to known dog-eaters, especially to US military like us. She is already in contact with the owner of their property. Probably not good for the neighborhood reputation either. We let all the neighbors know as well so they could at least keep an eye on their own pets and for future abuse. Maybe that will put the pressure on them.

I'll also be "returning" their trash that has blown over into our yard over the past year Tuesday evening.

 

[pacodever]

I think you did the best you could do, and I'm imagining you are pretty defenseless there as well, meaning private firearms are prohibited.

We tried. Actually I gave the 686 to the wife in the house with the baby who actually came out and covered me from behind the truck in the driveway unbeknownst to me. That's a great wife. But with the newborn, priorities have definitely shifted and physical confrontation wasn't the way to go.

But believe me, getting the firearm id is a pain out here.

 

[BamaAla]

The answer? There are a few:
1. Don't eat with your neighbors
2. Never sell your neighbors a dog...or any other animal for that matter
3. If you are so compelled, tell everyone that you see in the neighborhood (and beyond) that your neighbors are disgusting dog kilers
4. Warn the local animal shelters and breeders

I find their actions deplorable, but I'm not of the opinion that animals have rights, so their property is theirs to do with as they see fit. That doesn't mean you have no recourse though; the above actions would probably have some effect. If that is not acceptable to you, you could always just open up a can and deal with the consequences; that's always there.

 

[otherone]

They eat dog in Korea and Mexico too. People in India think we are nuts because we eat cow. Many Muslims think eating a pig is vile and disgusting. The French eat frogs. Different strokes for different folks.

There are quite a few folks who eat their god every weekend.

 

[otherone]

dogs don't have rights, end of story.

No Victim No Crime.
Prevention of offense to one's sensibilities is no justification for the state.

 

[Captain Shays]

Needs garlic

 

[tbone717]

Just an observation after reading through this thread. While most of the answers were consistent with libertarian ideological principles, you do need to realize how this comes across to the average person learning about libertarianism for the first time. When libertarians justify something that is abhorrent to the average American with ideology, it makes us look like a bunch of nut cases. Someone reading this would come away with the thinking "those libertarians think it is OK to eat dog".

One of the challenges we face if we desire to grow as a movement, is to be able to explain our positions and ideology in a manner that the average person wouldn't find off putting.

 

[Yieu]

They eat dog in Korea and Mexico too. People in India think we are nuts because we eat cow. Many Muslims think eating a pig is vile and disgusting. The French eat frogs. Different strokes for different folks.

Yes, I do not see much difference between eating a dog or a sheep (but as a Hindu, you would know how I feel about cows vs. any other animal).

I wouldn't eat either, but who am I to judge others for how they eat, even if I disagree with it?

 

[awake]

Unless you want to issue property rights to animals, the animal rests under the property right of the human owner. Property rights for animals would render all animals inviolate; humans would instantly become murders and slave holders. Courts would have to interpret the animals wish to prosecute its aggressors. In other words it would automatically prosecute each and every one. It would be absurdity personified.

As disturbing as this story is, one is only left to use social shame to dissuade similar actions. If he ate the neighbors dog, this would be a property right violation and could be prosecuted fully.

 

[otherone]

One of the challenges we face if we desire to grow as a movement, is to be able to explain our positions and ideology in a manner that the average person wouldn't find off putting.

Someone seems to be lobbying for appointment as Official RPF Spokesman (or Censor). What makes you believe the 'Average Person' reads this forum?

 

[Demigod]

If there is no law prohibiting him to slaughter animals on personal property or in urban areas ( if you live in a city ) there is nothing you can do about it.

You eat pork he eats dogs.If anyone here has ever witnessed what a pig does when it is slaughtered would find what the dog "normal".

 

[WilliamC]

Eating dog is one thing, but inhumane slaughter in public (hey, you could hear and see what was going on from your property) is another.

You should not have to listen to nor see your neighbors slaughtering animals just as you shouldn't have neighbors who have sex or relieve their bowels in public.

And if they are inhumane to animals they are far more likely to be inhumane towards other humans who are weaker than they.

But laws regulating this should be local, not national.

 

[Yieu]

Unless you want to issue property rights to animals, the animal rests under the property right of the human owner. Property rights for animals would render all animals inviolate; humans would instantly become murders and slave holders. Courts would have to interpret the animals wish to prosecute its aggressors. In other words it would automatically prosecute each and every one. It would be absurdity personified.

As disturbing as this story is, one is only left to use social shame to dissuade similar actions. If he ate the neighbors dog, this would be a property right violation and could be prosecuted fully.

I believe that some God-granted rights extend to all living beings. For example, the right to life is granted merely by being alive, regardless of species. This is not a "legal" right, which are fictions of humans for the purpose of organizing society, and are not God-granted. And only humans can violate rights, not other animals, so an animal's right to life is only lost when a human takes their life. But at no point is a court system involved because it is all under God's law, not man's law.

But I suppose that is irrelevant if looking at it from a human law perspective, as human law is not involved.

 

[Demigod]

Eating dog is one thing, but inhumane slaughter in public (hey, you could hear and see what was going on from your property) is another.

You should not have to listen to nor see your neighbors slaughtering animals just as you shouldn't have neighbors who have sex or relieve their bowels in public.

And if they are inhumane to animals they are far more likely to be inhumane towards other humans who are weaker than they.

But laws regulating this should be local, not national.

If there is no law prohibiting him to slaughter animals on his personal property there is nothing you can do.And as he said this was a one time situation it is not like he is killing dogs every day.If he lives in a rural community slaughtering animals is more or less normal.

Yes he should at least ask the neighbors if they agreed but that is another thing completely.