When did it become illegal to kill dogs and cats in the US?
I’m not trying to make a point, but I have a legitimate curiosity about when killing dogs and cats became a crime in the US. And whether the shooting of dogs and cats is currently a crime. And how this might vary from state to state. (BTW, I don’t need an answer fast.)
Some background: I am 46 years old and grew up in rural NC, and based upon stories I heard while growing up, and basic general knowledge regarding hunting and the raising of livestock in NC, I never thought it was illegal to shoot a dog or cat in the US until a few years ago.
Has there been a shift in general policy regarding the killing of dogs and cats in the US since the 1970’s-80’s?
And when “Old Yeller” is remade will it have a dramatically different ending?
Well, I can shoot any animal wild, feral or domestic that are harassing my livestock - though a smallish [18] full adult geese can put the fear of god into coyotes or a dogpack that isn’t too large. I think we are up to 22 or 23 canids shot and hauled away by animal control after about 20 years. They come in clumps of from 3 to 5 critters per pack.
Why do you think it is?
The short answer is it may be illegal depending on where you live, but there is no blanket federal law in the United States addressing the issue. Instead it depends on state and local ordinances. So in Texas it is in fact illegal to shoot a cat or dog that does not belong to you without an owners consent ( penal code 42.09 ), but I don’t believe it address you shooting your own pet, unless you do it such a manner as it is deemed “cruel.” Similarly many, many jurisdictions prohibit discharging firearms within a town limit, which may place another limitation. On the other hand there are often specific exemptions that allow shooting dogs that are attacking livestock or people for example.
It all just depends on where you live and what the circumstances are.
Yeah, it will be a state-by-state and/or possibly a county-by-county ordinance. If you take an otherwise completely healthy dog or cat to the ASPCA, local animal shelter, or vet’s office and demand that it be put down simply because you no longer want it, at the very least they can (and almost certainly will) refuse to. They may even try to confiscate the animal and tell you they’re required by law to try and find it a home (even if that’s not strictly the truth) and hope you just leave.
Killing a non-feral dog or cat, i.e. someone’s pet, for no legitimate reason would generally fall under animal cruelty statutes, and some animal control officers do have the authority to arrest individuals for this. As horrible a thing as it is to do it’s still only a misdemeanor. And as much as I love dogs & cats I still don’t think it can or should realistically be considered a felony. 
If your heartstrings can take it watch the show Animal Cops on Animal Planet. You’ll see all kinds of cases and their various penalties & outcomes.