State law allows dog to be shot

To the editor:

Cape Girardeau County has no leash law for dogs. My family, until Sunday, had three dogs. One was a miniature dachshund that weighed 12 pounds. On Sunday while we were at church our neighbor shot and killed our dog because, he said, she was attacking him while he was on his riding lawnmower.

Residents of Cape Girardeau County should be aware that although there is no leash law in the county, Missouri has an animal neglect law that says your animal cannot run at large anywhere in the state. Therefore, our neighbor was able to not only kill our beloved pet, but sign a complaint against my husband for animal neglect, adding insult to injury.

Be aware, those of you who live in the county. If your neighbor has a bone to pick with you, he can use a gun and get away with it because of this law.

MARY M. MILLER, Oak Ridge