Cities and towns, large and small, annex their surrounding natural woodlands, plains, farms and ranches. It results in city limits that extend miles from the edge of town and a beginning of the assessment imposing real estate housing development taxes and laws on rural inhabitants.
It happened to Mick. He had a 90-acre fenced pasture with a good well and easy access. A subdivision was progressing across the road.
One afternoon, he loaded his two cow dogs in the pickup to gather a bunch of his cows into the trap. Upon arrival, he crossed the cattle guard and sent the dogs out to gather the cows.
The dogs’ collars bore shock devices to receive Mick’s signals. He was concentrating on his dogs when a pickup with a camper banged over the cattle guard behind him. Mick looked back to see the town animal control officer.
“Whattya need?” asked Mick.
“Sir,” the officer said, “you are allowing your dogs to run loose. It is against the town leash law that prohibits canines to run unrestricted within the city limits. You, sir, are in violation.”
Mick explained to the officer these were working dogs, that they bring the cows into the trap and are under his control at all times.
They argued, but the officer wrote him a citation anyway.
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