Their argument is, which was backed up by the Police, that they have a right to protect the wildlife from local dogs killing the wildlife as long as has no collar and is 300 metres away from the home.
Actually I believe its 150 meters not 300 meters. I've seen wild dogs roaming myself and they are a problem. Hunters feed the 'wild game' to eat and pay farmers for the damage they cause, they even buy the land surrounding forests so that the boar and deer eat their crops rather than other farmers who have to be compensated. In the case of pheasants they pay for them to be bred and released. Not surprising they shoot dogs let loose by irresponsible owners (of whom there are many).
Having said that, I would not be surprised if a hunter shot a dog with collar on. Keep dogs close to the house...
There are two deer that have been visiting my house since i moved here , and so far they have survived all the hunting seasons thankfully...
I also made it known i am an ex soldier who would regard anyone coming near me with a gun as a threat...i might well shoot them....!
The deer belong to the hunters in effect, they pay for their upkeep when they shoot them.
The chance you would have a gun without the hunters knowing about it are nil; you need to be in a club to get a license and penalties for having an illegal gun are severe.