Neighbor shoots dogs while defending his cattle

A Columbia Falls woman is mourning the death of her two dogs after they were shot by a neighbor, who said the animals were on his land chasing cattle and chickens.

Lauren Fredenberg lives with her husband, Keith Wright, on Trap Road, outside Columbia Falls. Fredenberg said she grew up in the neighborhood and she and her husband purchased about 10 acres from her father, who bought land in the area several decades ago.

“I have horses, so I wanted to have enough land for them,” Fredenberg said. “I feel hurt and scared for my other animals. I’m afraid for my cats, horses and other dogs.”

According to Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino, his department received a call at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31, from a man who said he had just shot at two dogs that were running loose on his property chasing cattle and chickens.

In a press release, it was reported county deputies and animal control officers responded and spoke to the reporting party and with the dog owner. It was determined the dogs were running loose and on property that contained cattle and were harassing the cows. The dogs were not under control of their owner.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t latch the gate and his (the older dog) nose got the best of him and he got out,” Fredenberg said. “The puppy got over there, too.”

According to the Sheriff’s Office, in the course of the investigation it was determined the owner of the cattle was defending his livestock under Montana Code Annotated 81-7-401. No charges will be filed at this time.

Heino said previous incidents had been reported by the cattle owner in 2019 and other reports from the location included animals chasing pedestrians.

“We’ve had four calls about dogs at this residence,” Heino said.

In February 2016, the neighbor who shot the dogs said the animals had killed some chickens, according to Heino. In October 2017, Heino said people walking their dogs near the residence on Trap Road pepper-sprayed dogs that lunged at them.

Then in May 2018, two people riding bikes pepper-sprayed dogs from the property who chased them as they rode past it.

“I wish I had confirmation my older dog was chasing cows,” Fredenberg said. “He’s half blind and half deaf.

“I just want every dog owner to watch their animals closely because there are a lot of mean people here, but right now I’d just like to put it behind me.”

Heino noted in his press release that “with this unfortunate incident,” the Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public to be familiar with the Flathead County dog ordinances, which can be found at www.flatheadcountysheriff.com under the patrol and animal control tabs.

He recommended dog owners read the state law, MCA 81-7-401, and be familiar with Montana law regarding dogs chasing livestock.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.