A Texas woman, Michelle Gomez, recently made headlines after defending her husband’s decision to shoot and kill three pit bulls that attacked her livestock in Caldwell County. The incident occurred when the neighbor’s pit bulls managed to breach her property and viciously attacked her pig, though fortunately, the pig survived the ordeal.
This was not the first time Gomez had experienced such a traumatic event. Over the past couple of years, her neighbor’s pit bulls had killed three chickens and a miniature horse before the most recent attack on her pig. Gomez expressed her fear for her safety, stating that she had been advised by law enforcement that she had the right to defend her property by shooting the dogs, despite her love for animals.
The situation had escalated to the point where over 45 service calls were made to the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office regarding issues related to animal cruelty, stray dogs, and animals running loose. The owner of the pit bulls had previously received citations for nuisance animals, paid fines, and attended court dates, but the problem persisted.
Gomez emphasized that issuing citations was not an effective solution and called for the removal of the dogs from the neighborhood to prevent further harm to pets and livestock. The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office stated that they had followed state laws diligently in handling the matter but acknowledged the need to address the ongoing issue to avoid more tragic incidents involving animals.
In light of the repeated attacks on her livestock, Gomez expressed her intention to take legal action against both her neighbor and Caldwell County. The emotional and financial toll of such incidents had pushed her to seek justice for herself and her animals.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the need for authorities to intervene effectively in cases where animals are endangered. It also highlights the challenges faced by individuals like Gomez who find themselves in conflict with negligent pet owners, underscoring the need for stronger enforcement of animal welfare laws to protect both animals and the community at large.
