Another "neighbor's dog" saga

Maura · #1 05/18/12, 08:22 PM

New couple moved in a couple of years ago. Opened a bump shop. Okay, perfectly legal. But, his adult yellow lab and his big black Lab puppy run loose. Tried running the neighbor's beef cattle, got a lesson. There is forty acres of woods behind us, but eventually they found us. Killed my chickens. The black one would jump in our pond and go after our ducks, but couldn't catch them. Eventually, the owners put in an underground fence and we didn't see them for probably a year. Well, once in a while when the batteries needed replacing.

For the past couple of months, I was seeing them more and more. A week ago, 2 a.m., I hear dogs outside, thought they'd gotten the cat. I went out with a flashlight and discovered the two Labs plus a new one. And a opposum that was either dead or fainted. So, at 2 a.m., these dogs are all loose.

I've been seeing the black Lab during the day too. The owners go to work (not enough business so he's got another job) and leave the dogs outside. The dog is not even wearing the battery collar. Well, Monday evening I go outside to call my dog in, who is there? The Black Lab. He's running the fenceline. The donkeys are ready to jump the fence to get away, he's ready to go through the fence to get to them. He's friendly and I was able to grab him and wrestle him into my car. I'm under 5' tall and he is a big guy with no training. Grrr.

So, I drive over, honk the horn and make the owner come outside to me and take the dog. I explained that the dog has decided now to run the livestock and he can't come over any more.

"Guess I'll have to tie him up"

Duh, I guess it's either that, put up fencing that doesn't require batteries, or train him. Boy, do I feel guilty.

The next time this dog comes over he is going to the pound. He has a collar with tags so the owners will be notified. But inconvenienced. I mean, what does it take?

Pony · #2 05/18/12, 08:27 PM

S. S. S.

Alice In TX/MO · #3 05/18/12, 09:27 PM

What's a bump shop?

Joshie · #4 05/18/12, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

What's a bump shop?

My question too.

Will animal control come out to get the dog? If so, if the dog comes on my property I'd corral it somewhere then call out animal control. If they won't come out I'd do as you plan and take it/them to the pound. Take pictures of the dog on your property if possible.

winemaker · #5 05/18/12, 09:54 PM

We had the same situation here a few years ago. New neighbors who thought that living in the country meant that their dogs could run at large. The dogs chased the cows, wrong choice on the dogs part. I caught the dogs and held them till they came home from work. Upon their return I informed them how our dog warden shot dogs that chased cattle. It worked great. After that they would walk their dogs to my front yard every morning and let them do their business in my yard. now, my front yard is my pride and joy, 600 yds of the nicest grass you've ever seen. Luckily they leave for work before I do. So now every morning I have to scoop 3 piles of doo out of my front yard and gingerly place it on their doormat every day after they go to work. It only took them 2 weeks before they stopped that.

Sawmill Jim · #6 05/18/12, 11:02 PM

Bump shop = Yankee short hand for auto body shop .My wife was born in Detroit

Dusky Beauty · #7 05/19/12, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winemaker

Luckily they leave for work before I do. So now every morning I have to scoop 3 piles of doo out of my front yard and gingerly place it on their doormat every day after they go to work. It only took them 2 weeks before they stopped that.

"Hey man, you forgot this at my house! Thought I'd be neighborly and return it in a timely manner!"

Micheal · #8 05/19/12, 05:57 AM

Had this problem a few years back - shot the dog and buried it.
The next day neighbor asked if'n I'd seen his dog? My reply, not today.......

Laura Zone 10 · #9 05/19/12, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maura

New couple moved in a couple of years ago. Opened a bump shop. Okay, perfectly legal. But, his adult yellow lab and his big black Lab puppy run loose. Tried running the neighbor's beef cattle, got a lesson. There is forty acres of woods behind us, but eventually they found us. Killed my chickens. The black one would jump in our pond and go after our ducks, but couldn't catch them. Eventually, the owners put in an underground fence and we didn't see them for probably a year. Well, once in a while when the batteries needed replacing.

For the past couple of months, I was seeing them more and more. A week ago, 2 a.m., I hear dogs outside, thought they'd gotten the cat. I went out with a flashlight and discovered the two Labs plus a new one. And a opposum that was either dead or fainted. So, at 2 a.m., these dogs are all loose.

I've been seeing the black Lab during the day too. The owners go to work (not enough business so he's got another job) and leave the dogs outside. The dog is not even wearing the battery collar. Well, Monday evening I go outside to call my dog in, who is there? The Black Lab. He's running the fenceline. The donkeys are ready to jump the fence to get away, he's ready to go through the fence to get to them. He's friendly and I was able to grab him and wrestle him into my car. I'm under 5' tall and he is a big guy with no training. Grrr.

So, I drive over, honk the horn and make the owner come outside to me and take the dog. I explained that the dog has decided now to run the livestock and he can't come over any more.

"Guess I'll have to tie him up"

Duh, I guess it's either that, put up fencing that doesn't require batteries, or train him. Boy, do I feel guilty.

The next time this dog comes over he is going to the pound. He has a collar with tags so the owners will be notified. But inconvenienced. I mean, what does it take?

1. Call Animal Control.
2.. Take him to the pound.
3. Take him home and tie him up and put a sign in owners yard that if the dog gets loose again, he may not come home. Ever.
4. Call the local Sheriff and plead your case.
5. S.S.S.

DryHeat · #10 05/19/12, 07:37 AM

Quote:

4. Call the local Sheriff and plead your case.
5. S.S.S.

From those who've had to apply SSS, or *ahem* are familiar with its theory, shouldn't the third "S" best be proactive if you're thinking that's where your animal control problem may be going to go? Meaning, if you do a lot of complaining and then immediately afterwards the dog vanishes, doesn't that invite more serious trouble from certain types of neighbors? Or is it understood that you quietly suffer for several weeks after the last verbal complaint maybe before the offending animal is disappeared?

Waiting Falcon · #11 05/19/12, 08:22 AM

There are a lot of town people that move to the country for the express reason of letting their doggies have all the room they need to play. They do not call it roaming.
In the case of my friend when she complained to the neighbor that thier dogs had killed her chickens- she was told she should have her chickens in a pen- she did, the dogs tore into it. Build a stronger pen Pardon me???? It was alright for their dogs to roam but not Hazel's chickens?

In some states, maybe not all, you fence your animals in, you do not have to fence other peoples stock out. I think that should apply to dogs-

Pony · #12 05/19/12, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DryHeat

From those who've had to apply SSS, or *ahem* are familiar with its theory, shouldn't the third "S" best be proactive if you're thinking that's where your animal control problem may be going to go? Meaning, if you do a lot of complaining and then immediately afterwards the dog vanishes, doesn't that invite more serious trouble from certain types of neighbors? Or is it understood that you quietly suffer for several weeks after the last verbal complaint maybe before the offending animal is disappeared?

Timing is everything.

jen74145 · #13 05/19/12, 08:43 AM

Ugh, sorry Maura. A wild labrador is a special brand of hell.

You know, it doesn't matter where you are, people will be stupid when it comes to their dogs. We went camping this weekend in an area where you MUST leash your dog (Mama and baby seals are present right now, cutest speckled little things you ever did see) and encountered a loose rottie and a mutt. Both of which had owners who thought leashes in the state parks were optional, despite all the signage, narrow trails, marine mammals, and small children. The rangers here will hike you back to your car and write out a fine right there, so I don't get why they risk it. God forbid your dog gets after a seal pup, the fines and penalties are *huge*.

It's to the point now that when someone says "Oh, he's perfectly sweet!" I hear that as "Watch this dog, his owners expect little from him". And I'm generally right, because if the owner is stupid enough to let the dog run free in areas populated by livestock/people, well.

Leashes and fences are just part of having a dog.

pancho · #14 05/19/12, 09:09 AM

If a person does not take care of their dog do not expect that by letting them know it they will suddenly become good pet owners.
If you decide to let them know expect to become the primary suspect when something happens to their pet. Also expect more problems much larger than a stray dog.

If an animal is bothering you or destroying anything, SSS.
Do this immediately and do not forget the last S. It is the most important one.

jennigrey · #15 05/19/12, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DryHeat

From those who've had to apply SSS, or *ahem* are familiar with its theory, shouldn't the third "S" best be proactive if you're thinking that's where your animal control problem may be going to go? Meaning, if you do a lot of complaining and then immediately afterwards the dog vanishes, doesn't that invite more serious trouble from certain types of neighbors?

That has always been my take on the subject. I wouldn't want my house to accidentally burn down.

In the past I have undertaken to zing a wandering dog with my slingshot a time or two in the hopes that he wouldn't be back, but in my experience that just results in the dog making his rounds at an earlier hour, before I am up. Now, no one gets any warnings and I don't have to worry about retribution. I hate to do it but that's just the way the cookie crumbles. Contain your dog. I sure as heck do.

Maura · #16 05/19/12, 09:25 AM

The police will come out and shoot the dog, otherwise you have to drive it to the pound. He is a good dog, just not complacent to stay at home where he is alone all day with nothing to do. If I didn't have the sheep and mini donkeys I wouldn't worry. They are not bad people, they just don't get it. And, I don't get it. These are not watch dogs. Bark a little, yes, but they would have to be severely provoked to bite someone. There is also a little dog, but I've never seen him, he is indoors. Many people have loose dogs in the country, but when a neighbor tells you the dog is roaming off the property, you take the hint and put up a fence or put him inside while you are gone all day.

gone-a-milkin · #17 05/19/12, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pancho

.

If an animal is bothering you or destroying anything, SSS.
Do this immediately and do not forget the last S. It is the most important one.

+1

This is the procedure that all of my ranching/farming neighbors follow.
Troublesome dogs are absolutely NOT tolerated.
Dont expect your dog to be given any second chances.
That is just a simple fact out here.

yarrow · #18 05/19/12, 12:05 PM

neighbors to my north had a pitbull and a white terrier type dog... we had jerseys back then.. several times the dogs ran the cows back to my house..(neither dog was really aggressive & biting.. they just liked to get the cows running.. but I knew chasing would turn into more).. I'd yell, run them off.. call the neighbor.. they would be SO SORRY.. won't let it happen again.. one afternoon I was out front.. head the cows coming.. instead of going out towards, them I grabbed a buggy whip.. jumped into the car, flew up the road.. squealed into the neighbor's driveway.. (they were on the porch!!!!.. the people, not the dogs LOL.. dogs hadn't made it home yet)... never said a word.. met those dogs at the fence and whipped the **** out of both.. Neighbor's wife was screaming & yelling.. he told her to shut up.. went in got a b b gun and asked me to shoot them with it the next time!!!!!! I told him, sorry.. but the *next time* neither dog would be coming back home.. I would shoot both FOR REAL... that was over 7 years ago.. never had either dog step foot on my land again!!!!

sometimes, you just have to do, what you have to do...
susie, mo ozarks

oregon woodsmok · #19 05/19/12, 01:10 PM

One good thing about the packs of enormous coyotes around here. Nobody lets their cats or dogs roam free for very long.

People who allow their dogs to routinely roam loose don't really care what happens to the dog, so don't feel guilty about shooting it.

Neighbors around here know who takes good care of their pets and if one of those dogs escapes, the neighbors will be over to let you know the dog is out and where it was last seen. But if you leave your dog loose all the time, don't expect the neighbors to take care of it, and it isn't going to live long.

sammyd · #20 05/19/12, 01:30 PM

no stray dog bothering livestock gets a second chance, there are no warnings, not anymore.