A good rifle shooter will pick a dog off at over 300 yards some even 600 or more yards so for the shooter to be identified is almost impossible ,the poacher/ pikey/ traveller is extremely unlikely to go to the Police as they would have to admit to a crime themselves plus their type usually have a warrant out for them for some other crime , also remember livestock owners have a right to shoot dogs that are threatening / attacking livestock.I imagine if a poacher/ pikey/ traveller(take your pick) noticed his/her dog had suddenly expired due to a large calibre bullet coming their way, then the landowner would very quickly find plod on their doorstep wanting to examine their firearms.
These people are venal in the extreme, but they know their 'rights' and how to exploit the firearms regulations to their benefit.
However should a land owner shoot a trespassing dog for no good reason it appears to be a civil offence not criminal so at the worst you would have to pay for the dog but not gain a criminal record.
To stay within the law, If you do shoot a trespassing dog it appears you must report it to the Police within 48 hours ,Failure to do so will prevent the statutory defence being available.
http://www.fwi.co.uk/farm-life/law-shooting-dogs-critical-facts-farmers-must-know.htm
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