Farmer Maggot's Dogs

[Moonraker]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

As master of his lands, Farmer Maggot had complete authority to drive trespassers off his lands, with dogs or with weapons, for matter. Up until very recent times in Britain, poachers were summarily shot or hanged. Property rights trumped personal liberties for centuries, laws supporting landlords were harsh, and considering Maggot lived on the marches of the Shire, there was practically no law save for what he considered proper to protect his interests.

Maggot is what I would like to think of as a gentleman, and not a brutal enforcer of punishment. His friendship with Bombadil would go out of the window if the dogs were used to effect as he threatened to on hobbits or the big folk unmercifully. Sooner or later the tables would turn and his own farm would be attacked by a greater enemy and all his kindred slain if he had killed a trespasser previously. Did he have the right to protect his land? Yes. Did he have the right and authority to kill trespassers at unawares with his dogs? In my book absolutely not.

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Moonraker

Maggot is what I would like to think of as a gentleman, and not a brutal enforcer of punishment. His friendship with Bombadil would go out of the window if the dogs were used to effect as he threatened to on hobbits or the big folk unmercifully. Sooner or later the tables would turn and his own farm would be attacked by a greater enemy and all his kindred slain if he had killed a trespasser previously.

Again, there is no evidence that the dogs ever killed, or even injured, anyone. Pippin and Merry were friends of Maggot's, knowing full well that he had dogs guarding his land. Obviously, that was not out of the ordinary, at least for that part of the Shire near the Old Forest.

[Moonraker]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

Again, there is no evidence that the dogs ever killed, or even injured, anyone. Pippin and Merry were friends of Maggot's, knowing full well that he had dogs guarding his land. Obviously, that was not out of the ordinary, at least for that part of the Shire near the Old Forest.

Nevertheless Maggot had to be careful not to bite more than he could chew. The dogs should have been used only as a last resort to defend his family, and as a means to remind trespassers that stealing from his land would not be tolerated. One slain hobbit and it would have been all over for Maggot and his reputation.

What became of Farmer Maggot in the end? He was not involved in the Scouring of the Shire.

[Nerwen]

Moonraker, why do you believe Maggot would be going around killing hobbits with his dogs? I didn't get the impression he meant, "I'll have my dogs tear strangers to pieces".

[Moonraker]

Originally Posted by Nerwen

Moonraker, why do you believe Maggot would be going around killing hobbits with his dogs? I didn't get the impression he meant, "I'll have my dogs tear strangers to pieces".

He gives that impression strongly with Merry after the encounter with the Nazgul. I think he obviously misunderstood that your average trespasser was never going to be as formidable as a Nazgul.

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Moonraker

He gives that impression strongly with Merry after the encounter with the Nazgul. I think he obviously misunderstood that your average trespasser was never going to be as formidable as a Nazgul.

Yes, well, that was precisely the part I was talking about, that "didn't give me the impression". Honestly, I think you're reading into it.

As for the Nazgul- well, I know others have said this already, but he didn't know he was dealing with a Nazgul (or even what one was, presumably).

[Moonraker]

Originally Posted by Nerwen

Yes, well, that was precisely the part I was talking about, that "didn't give me the impression". Honestly, I think you're reading into it.

As for the Nazgul- well, I know others have said this already, but he didn't know he was dealing with a Nazgul (or even what one was, presumably).

The Nazgul sent his dog sprinting as though he was stung, so Maggot may have realised this was no ordinary trespasser. Also the Nazgul would have radiated a foul presence of fear and coldness that he would have sensed.