Neighbors dogs chasing mare...advice please?

General Brown · #1 03/26/14, 07:22 PM

We live on the edge of a very small town, around 2500 people. We just purchased a mare for our daughter about 3 weeks ago.

Within the first week, the neighbors 2 smaller dogs got in the pasture and started chasing and barking. The mare wasn't too upset at this, as the dogs are a miniature pincer and a young pit bull cross, about 4 months old. At that time I chatted with a good friend who is related to the neighbors, and the miniature pincer immediately was put on a chain. I didn't see the cross anymore.
Last weekend, on Saturday afternoon I was outside building a pen for my own dog. My friends daughter showed up...who was visiting the neighbors, and said their dog was in the pasture and could they go in to get it. Just as I looked, this full grown pit bull started chasing the mare. The mare took flight, and the pit right behind her. We finally caught the dog, and I told the owner then that if this continues, I will shoot the dog. I really don't want to, but that cannot and will not continue.
Fast forward to last night...the 2 smaller dogs showed up and began harassing her again. I ran out and ran the dogs off, but this time the mare was visibly shaken and nervous . She kept running the fence line until I finally got her calmed down. I went inside, and called the local police. An officer arrived and I began telling him all the incidents. He abruptly interrupted me, and said I do not have to put up with that. I told him I was aware of Misssouri's laws pertaining to dogs harassing life stock, but didn't really want to kill the dogs. I also told him I was concerned about firing a firearm within the city limits. He said not to be, I have a right to protect my animals.
he left, and went and spoke with the neighbors. He returned and said he informed them that I was well within my rights to shoot the dogs if this continues, and for them to consider this a warning from him. If he is called again, they will receive a citation.

No..what do I do? I really don't want to kill said dogs, but I don't believe that the neighbors will keep them up. Im open for any and all advice.
Thanks....

chickenista · #2 03/26/14, 07:29 PM

You have done everything that you can do.
You asked.
You talked to the police.
The police asked.

The ball is in the neighbor's court and is the neighbor's responsibility.

Killing dogs is no fun. It is miserable and horrible.
But so is paying a major vet bill from either bites or from the mare running herself until she gets injured or slamming the fence etc...

Another option would be to electronet the whole fence line so the dogs couldn't get in at all, but that is expensive.

I am sorry that you are facing this one, but.......

Peggy · #3 03/26/14, 07:30 PM

catch them and take them to the SPCA. Good luck I hope you figure it out!!!
sad that they do that keep the dogs tied up!

doingitmyself · #4 03/26/14, 07:31 PM

Perhaps a warning shot would get both the dogs and the neighbors attention!!

Peggy · #5 03/26/14, 07:31 PM

what about shoting the dogs with a BB gun, just enough to sting the dogs?

Belfrybat · #6 03/26/14, 07:31 PM

Shoot the dogs. You might not like it, but you really have no choice.

OH Boy · #7 03/26/14, 07:33 PM

I would be putting my shotgun and some ammo in a convenient place, then do what you have to do if it becomes required.

Chief Cook · #8 03/26/14, 07:41 PM

Sorry that you are having to go through this. Some people have no respect for others. I hope your mare stays un injured, but I am afraid it is only a matter of time. Good luck and I hope the neighbors take care of their stingin dogs.

bigjon · #9 03/26/14, 07:41 PM

#6 bird shot,or for real fun-a paintball gun,wont kill the dogs-but what fun when the neighbors let the dogs in covered in paint! HERE SPOT!!!!!

General Brown · #10 03/26/14, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peggy

what about shoting the dogs with a BB gun, just enough to sting the dogs?

Then I could be guilty of animal abuse. If I kill them intentionally, there is nothing the law can do.

plowhand · #11 03/26/14, 08:19 PM

If you have an electric fence, go to the extra trouble to put several more strands in, say...5",5",5", then 10"...make it hot...it should hold back most dogs....bulldogs of any breed are hard headed enough to ignore most electric fences.......some dogs will climb regular field fencing
I warn my neighbors, before I do what is needed in this situation if I can...I have almost begged them to keep their dogs out of my pastures....Then its time to do what has to be done...you ever had a neighbors' dogs go through/over a fence and run $2000 dollars worth of sheep in a pond to drown...it'll make you sorta defensive

Awnry Abe · #12 03/26/14, 08:31 PM

Be aware that Missouri has laws both favorable to you as well as favorable to the dogs. Call your county Sheriff and see which way the wind is blowing before you act.

Allen W · #13 03/26/14, 08:38 PM

Your neighbors have been fully warned of the consequences, I wouldn't hesitate to take the dogs out. A trip to the pound wouldn't be a bad idea either, especially if some one is willing to haul them to a nicer pound a city or two away.

secuono · #14 03/26/14, 08:46 PM

Catch and take them to a far away city or shoot them. Is it really worth it to have your mare severely injured or killed?

I have a LGD and if she goes after a dog or cat, I will back her up, no questions asked.
It's our job to protect our animals from animals of people who just don't give a darn.

arabian knight · #15 03/26/14, 09:02 PM

Yuppers they would not be living very long if I saw they were chasing my horses. No Way.

arnie · #16 03/26/14, 09:03 PM

I lie out in the boon docks and cannot tolerate dogs killig stock shoot em say nothing about it . in a more urban area things arn;t that simple could you live trap em and give them to the dog warden . there are more crueler yet definite ways of ending dog problems yet I would resort to them before having my daughters heart broken and having to put down a good horse over a worthless dog .or having my family be in danger of being mauld by a potentuly dangerious beast or having my own food supply and livestock harassed

General Brown · #17 03/26/14, 09:35 PM

I would like to thank everyone for their individual advice. Contacting the local sheriff could be a good idea, as he was involved in an earlier incident where I had my vehicle lights trained on by barn and was shooting raccoons that were after my chickens. Turned out there was a robbery in the area, and they saw the headlights trained on my barn and quickly checked it out. Not knowing it was I doing the shooting, they quickly ordered me to lay my rifle down and turn around with my hands up. After a few tense moments, all was good and we still speak fondly of it this day. They were doing their job!!
Oh, and its election time to boot!!

MO_cows · #18 03/26/14, 09:37 PM

If the neighbors refuse to keep their dogs home and live up to their responsibility, then you need to live up to your responsibility to the horse. It was posted the mare was running the fence and stressed over it.

If you let it keep happening, you will have a horse that comes unglued at the sight of a dog - not at all safe for your daughter.

It is the cold hard truth that you moved outside the city limits, so you left behind "animal control" to come and handle this situation for you. You have more freedom in the country but with it comes more responsibility.

Sorry if that sounds harsh. I know it's hard to shoot a dog but sometimes that's the only choice left. For the sake of your daughter's safety and the horse's safety, get rid of the horse or get rid of the dogs.

General Brown · #19 03/26/14, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MO_cows

If the neighbors refuse to keep their dogs home and live up to their responsibility, then you need to live up to your responsibility to the horse. It was posted the mare was running the fence and stressed over it.

If you let it keep happening, you will have a horse that comes unglued at the sight of a dog - not at all safe for your daughter.

It is the cold hard truth that you moved outside the city limits, so you left behind "animal control" to come and handle this situation for you. You have more freedom in the country but with it comes more responsibility.

Sorry if that sounds harsh. I know it's hard to shoot a dog but sometimes that's the only choice left. For the sake of your daughter's safety and the horse's safety, get rid of the horse or get rid of the dogs.

Im not taking it as harsh sounding, but I would like to invite you to go read the original post again. I stated that we lived at the edge of city limits, and called the local police. If I was in the county, the local yokels would not have jurisdiction here.
I also commented about discharging a firearm within the city limits.

Please, before you start judging me for the horses or my daughters welfare, please be sure what you are posting on. Im trying to handle this the best way possible.

MO_cows · #20 03/26/14, 09:59 PM

Duly noted, the hair has been split. You asked for advice, I didn't take time to sugar coat it. Good luck with the situation.