Vandals spray-paint Idaho dog

CHUBBUCK, Idaho (AP) — Animal control officers in Bannock County had to decide if they were investigating vandalism or animal mistreatment after someone spray-painted a dog.

A Chubbuck-area resident reported that he found the words "Go Home" spray-painted on the sides of his large white dog late last month. The animal had been allowed to roam freely, Capt. Mike Sanders said.

"An animal like that is domestic property, so technically that's vandalism," Sanders said. "It's really not the dog's fault. He's just doing what dogs do."

It could have been worse, Sanders said. Idaho law requires an unfenced dog to be either on a leash or under supervision of its master. And landowners are allowed to shoot a trespassing dog if that dog is harassing livestock.

Sanders said detectives have not determined who spray-painted the animal. They decided to drop the case, partly because the dog's owner shouldn't have let the dog roam free.

It's both inappropriate and unusual to paint a dog, Sanders added.

"It's a little novel. It's different in the respect that it sends a message," Sanders said. "That's what always appealed to me about this work: It stays interesting."