Neighbrs goat attacked
 

O.k folks I'm needing some help an dadvice here. About an hour and a half ago I heard my dog barking and yelling. I thought she may be after a squirrel in the tree so I went to check and found the neighbors goats had it's head stuck in the fence and my dog had attacked it. She riped the ears off of it. and bite it in the throut. I ran up and hit the dog off of the goats and protected the goat with my body to keep it safe and get the dogs calmed down. I grabbed the dogs and dragged them to my moms house to get some help and my mom took her inside. I put my on the chain and made the boys stay on the porch. My mom called the neighbor and she came out and helped get the dog out of the fence. She was taking the goat back to her place and I went over and helped her take care of the goat.
As she was going inside to get some meds. she said she was going to call the sheriff but when she came out she said she called her daughter. I was trying to keep calm while she was telling me everything her daughter said (her daughter is sue happy) When I came back to our place and told my parents everything. Since the sheriff is an old family freind of theirs mmy dad said to go ahead and call the constable and ask his advice.
Talking to the constable he said theres not much they can do because my dog didn't jump the fence and their animals was basically on this land when attacked. Also goat put their head through the fence all the time anyway. Which I know from our goats. He said the most they can do is take us to civil court. I told him we are going to offer to pay market price for the goat or give her one of our little girls. He said if we do that then she shoud give us the little injured goat. Also said something about that if we do that not much can happen in the court room because we will be making it fair.
Have any of you ever gone through this? What happened with you?

You aren't going to like my answer. Any dog who attacks domestic animals should be put down.

You should pay for the goat.

My advice would be try to keep the peace with the neighbor, offer to replace the goat.

we are going to try and keep piece with the neighbor. We just haven't had a chance to offer to pay her for the goat or give her one of ours yet.

About the dog. I can understand you saying that and at the sametime my dog was in her yard basically protecting her area so I'm going back and forth on that. We have her because of the illegals. She know 10 minues before they hop the fence

I'm not sure I agree with this because I think it's asking a bit much to expect a dog to know which animals it should and should not attack. The only thing you can expect a dog to know is not to attack your own animals. Anything else that comes on your property your dog will attack because that's kind of it's job.

I think the neighbors are at fault for not keeping their animals safe; however, in the interest of maintaining good will, I would pay for or replace the goat.

Just my opinion,

RedTartan

I have been trying to think what I would do...... First, I would -imagine- what I would do if it had been my DOG with his head caught in the fence, and a mean nanny goat gored him in the throat with her horns.

Would I demand the life of the goat? No.

Would I demand that the goat owner pay for my dogs' vet bill? Yes.

If the dog died, would I want the neighbor to buy me a puppy? No.

Would I want enough money from the neighbor to GET a new puppy, if I wanted one? Yes.

Would I get the law involved? No, not with a neighbor, unless this was a repeat occurrance.

Although it's not fair, I DO have to LIVE next to these people for a long time (probably), and want the situation to be "forgotten" as soon as possible for both parties.

Just my $.02

Oops. Wait a minute. Was your dog in your yard or hers? In the original post you said the dog was in your yard and now your saying the dog was in her yard. If your dog was in her yard, then you may have to put it down because you didn't contain it.

Flip-flopping,

RedTartan

I agree with your plan to offer to buy or replace the goat. Just the right thing to do under the circumstances. I came home from school as a kid once to find one of our goats (horned) had stuck her head through the fence and gotten stuck...and a pack of feral dogs had found her. It's not a pretty sight, what dogs can do.

As far as the dog goes, if it had jumped the fence and attacked, I'd put it down. As it is, with the goat entering the territory the dog is supposed to protect, I'd give the dog a second chance. However, since the dog has now tasted blood, I'd be real strict on that second chance. Real strict.

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. As I said, though, I think you're right on track.

Meg

I believe the dog in question is a female, and was therefore in her (own) yard, protecting her (own) area.
If you re-read that post, that's how it reads to me.
Meg

Yep offer to pay for or replace the goat.Thats about all that can be expected of you.Or lord forbid the vet bills!
Wondering who's fence it is.One you erected or the neighbor.If its yours,and the neighbor is running goats against it than its her problem,id suspect.Though id probably still replace the goat to keep down on trouble.
If she refused the money and didn't have vet bills id take her a goat of equal value anyway.Who could refuse that?

A dog is a dog,And most will attack something that is putting up a fuss like a goat with her head stuck in a fence.Its just part of there left over prey drive to want to attack sick and/or injured animal.Doughting it will make her a blood thirsty killer of live stock.

Sorry about that. I reread the second posting and see where you got confused
My dog = in her own yard
Neighbors goat = head stuck in fence on our side

when I was saying the dog was in her yard I meant her as in the dog. She a little female. If she would have jumped the fence then I would have put her down no questions about it. I won't have an animal doing that. Like I said though she is here to protect her place.

It's the neighbors fence and it's about 15 or so years old. When my parents put in their fence they wanted to replce the fenceing in between us but her daughter wouldn't let us because her dad who died put it up. Well it's so old it breaks and stuff. We have even helped the neighbor replace post and rewire it all up and down so her goats weren't coming over here and our goats weren't going over there.

If it were me, I'd not say anything until the neighbor was given the opportunity to calm down and be more receptive to discussing the situation as two adults. If in her emotional turmoil of the moment she calls the police, I'd be understanding that it was likely more emotion then good sense which caused her to react that way right off the bat. I'd speak politely to her and the responding police officer.

After she was calmed down and thinking more clearly, I would then ask her what she believed would be a fair settlement. Then I would decide if she was being reasonable or not. If yes - I'd give her whatever she thought was reasonable. If no, I'd tell her what I was willing to offer at that time. If she was still unreasonable, I guess I'd see her in court...where it is likely she will end up with less then my reasonable offer.

Oh, by the way - you need to give yourself more time to calm down and think before you asks for outside advise.

Hugs
marlene

Legally you (and your dog) are probably in the right. Civil suit (small claims court) could go either way but circumstances probably favor you. The neighbor would probably be foolish to bring suit; however, that is no guarantee of anything.

Ethically, at least half the responsibility seems to be upon the neighbor (probably more).

However, it is important to maintain good relations with neighbors so it might be wise to keep things friendly if possible.

Is an earless goat "destroyed" or is it still a source of milk or meat? If it is merely "ugly" the amount of loss seems negligible and the issue seems largely emotional.

If I paid for or replaced the goat I would take the “damaged” one.

Oooooooooooooooh... Got it.

I stand by my original statement. :)

:) RedTartan

Yes I'm in agreement with that. I'm rally wanting to know how the little goat is doing but I don't want to step on any sore toes right now. Hopefully I will be able to talk with her tomarrow or the next day. I'll kinda wait for her to come ot the fence though. This elderly lady has been pretty nice all along but this here today might have sent her over the edge. I hope not but you never know. She has the old farmer attitude of "well it is an animal and these things happen" Just gotta wait for the dust to settle. It's the daughter that comes up out of san antonio thats the big worry. She's always wanting to sue someone for something. :grump:

Put up a fence on your side that they can't get through.

each pay check I'm going to be buying some chicken fence and stringing it. of course I'll have to do some new poles in the ground because of her daughter but it'll be worth it. Especially if it keeps the peace

As a goat breeder, I can totally sympathize with the way your neighbor must be feeling at this time. If this had happened to one of my goats, I would probably be thirsting for your dogs blood for several hours.......but when I calmed down and really thought about it.....its not your dogs fault as much as it was a result of a bad set of circumstances. In my opinion, you should offer to pay for damages done(be sure she is not hitting you up for more than is needed!), and I would certainly put up a fence on your side of the goat fence to keep your dog away from other stuck goats. It is not only a smart thing to do it is a sign to the neighbor that you really are sorry and trying to be sure it doesn't happen again. In other words, good for neighborly relations. And I would watch that dog CLOSELY. Not likely, but it may decide that it likes savaging goats. If it happened a second time.......definiately time to do something with the dog. But if you put up a fence, it wouldn't have a chance to happen again....=)
My thoughts on this situation. Sorry it happened at all, for all parties involved.=(

Good idea, but I think I would go for something stronger than normal chicken wire.......my dogs can go through that no problem if they want to.

...........Offer the neighbor market compensation for her goat , let her KEEP the goat . See about installing a Hot wire on your neighbors side of the fence maybe even a double wire on some metal supports about a foot back from the fence . If the goats can't get up too the fence , they Can't get their Horns entangled IN the fence . Obviously , the fence is adequate to keep your dog within it's confines so no problem there . You might also want to run a HOT wire on your side of the fence to prevent Your dog from having immediate access to any goat that penetrates the hot wire barrier on your neighbors side of the fence . good luck , fordy... :)

As I understnad it the neighbors goat stuck it's head throught the neighbors fence onto your property where your dog injured the neighbors goat.

Seems like the neighbors poor fencing allowed the goat to trespass onto your land where your dog defended your property.

I willl also take it as fact that the fence is exactly on the property line and not setback onto the neighbor's property.

If all these facts are correct I would not compensate the neighbor at all.

You have it right. We are only offering the compensation to try and keep some peace.

Just talked with my mom and she's wanting to put the place up for sale. She tired of dealing with the womans children.
Her daughter and son from san antonio juet came up and the daughter was a bit nicer. She told us we need to put a chain link fence up. :flame: Wasn't my dog on their property but I kept my mouth shut. Figureing it was cheaper then goin to court. The son praved what a jerk he is. He said the way the fence looks "we have been jumping it" uh no stupid it's the goats climbing the fence to get to the trees. I've help HIS mom so much over these last 3 years but no more. I'm just gonna tell her 'sorry but your son doesn't want me on your property". As he was walking the fence he kept picking stuff up and throwing it over to our side :flame: Her family is such jerks. Can't wait to get out of here.

I would NOT allow it to go to civil court..wouldn't even consider it. Good neighbors are a jewel..and whatever reasonable thing you can do to keep peace will be well worth it.
But if you fail to do every reasonable thing you can..then under those circumstances it would NOT be foolish for your neighbor to seek the redress of the court. It WOULD be foolish of you not to try to make amends in the first place.

But..I see that you fully intend to make amends and keep the peace..so I'm of the opinion that your good heart will succeed in keeping things friendly.

Moreover..If I paid for or replaced the 'damaged' goat..I (personally) might seriously consider giving my neighbor the option of keeping the 'damaged' goat too.


But..........I am curious as to why her fence is so close to the property line? Because my first thought was just put up another fence (as others ultimately suggested) and keep about a foot of space between the two fences. I'm thinking that if the goat got its head stuck this time..it may well happen again. I'm sure you both (You and Neighbor) will want to prevent a "next time".

Best wishes..I really do get the impression that you are going to be able to keep the peace with your good neighbor. And I hope the goat heals quickly.

[QUOTE=Qwispea]
I'm curious why her fence is so close to the property line? Because my first thought was just put up another fence (as others ultimately suggested) and keep about a foot of space between the two fences. I'm thinking that if the goat got its head stuck this time..it may well happen again. I'm sure you both (You and Neighbor) will want to prevent a "next time".
QUOTE]

Her goats are always getting their head stuck in the fence. I've stopped what I was doing many times to help one of her goats but I think once this is over with. I'll just leave the thing unless its in danger or something. Other then that I'll keep to myself.

saying the dog should be put down for protecting tits own space is stupid, it pretty much means ANY gaurd dog is a one use disposeable tool.

thats the dogs job and its nature to protect its own space. the dog did its job. good doggie.

now if I had goats smack up against a pen where my neighbor had a gaurd dog, i would ON MY OWN DIME put up a SOLID stockade fence with a below ground barrier to keep the dog drom digging into my goatpen.

this stuff doesnt cost much money, I'm pizz poor and i buy and install the correct fencing to keep my pets safe from the world.
its just being lazy on the neighbors part.... if i saw then dooing it to fence out MY dog, i would offer to pay half if the dog was the reason for the fence.

if the goat popped its head thru the fence, it violated the dogs space, and its natural for the dog to take a bite or 3. it doesnt mean the dog is nutty. it means the dog saw something that didnt belong in its space.
my donkey will run down dogs that stray into its yard, and it doesnt bother my dogs or my cats. he knows a stray dog or cat...and he protects his space.
I moved the manure truck the other day and he had a fit that something changed.

the neighbor is guilty of failing to contain his livestock.

if it was me, and they would sign a relese form over the issue i would replace the goat, if they were really cool about it, I'd give em 2 goats. but they would also sign a relese from any future goat maulings due to the "exisisting fences, see attached photos".

I'd offer to split the cost of a solid stockade fence between the dogs and the goats on the property line.
trust me, you will love it more than they will... buy it! you wont have to look at the neighbors anymore.

Please try not to withhold your good heart from the good old woman neighbor based solely upon the savage reactions of her inconsiderate children.

You don't like dealing with her children from time to time..imagine how the old woman must feel???? Perhaps the old woman really needs a kind loving person such as yourself to help brighten her day occasionally!!!

I think you did fine. Your dogs never left your property. offering to buy the neighbors goat is an act of good neighbors though

I think you should Limit your contact with this persn, I would send Her A registered letter return receit. And Keep A copy of it.And let the person know what you are willing to do. And the Law in Texas says you are responible for HALF of the fence the other party is then responible for their half. So in other words .You can replace the whole fence and send the other party A bill for their half..Ask you county agent about the fence, But I would use feild fence and A few strands od barb wire or the like.

Problem is these poor excuse for children threaten to sue anybody that moves. The son was out there threatening just now instead of trying to calmly talk and see what was happening. He said while pointing in the direction of our property "if I catch anybody coming from over there they are gonna be real sorry" These children never come around to help. I was the one helping whenever she asked. I don't want to get sued so Im just gonna have to tell her I can' do anything for her no more. I don't want to shut her out like that but I gotta think of being able to keep this patch of dirt until we sell it.

since we won't have the money for a couple more weeks. I'm going into town tomarrow and get as many pallets as I can and put up a pallet fence along that side. Gives some spacing and is also sturdy.

So sorry that the son and daughter are so unwilling to grow up and behave like neighborly adults.
I wish you the very best..and I know you'll be as kind as you can be. Take care.

Don't take the injured goat....your dogs will find a way to get the rest of it now that blood has been tasted....and the goat will be traumatized by the site of a dog now.....

I'd ask the Sheriff out as a mediator for the situation....offer her a goat or pay her just to be civil....have a document drawn for the agreed plan and ask Sheriff to witness.

Fix your side of the fence ASAP.

Yes, be kind, it goes along way. Your coming here for advice shows that you care. And "Good fences make good neighbors". How true is that?

You know, my first gut instinct was to shoot the dog because as a goat and a dog owner, i would never put up with a goat-mauling dog. But the fence seems to be the problem, an unusual circumstance. If I were you, knowing how very attched I am to my goats, i would do all i could to ease this old womans pain over the mauling of her goat, although your dog was in her own yard. be sweet, be kind. Do not let it go to court. Ask to pay for the expenses on the goat etc. Work on the fence. And ask her about the health of the dear pet goat of hers in future when things calm down, she will know you care....and that may go a very long way to keep the peace.

I sure as heck aint gonna ask the sheriff out here. He is a long time family freind and sticks up for them. Already had to turn him into the F.B.I. for not helping when the neighbors son in law was shooting a gun out over our place. The constable will be more middle of the road.

I would help with goats care, orr offer to replace. Keep the lady for a friend forget the kids as much as possible. If she's old time she'll help get around kids with no fuss fir you or her. still friend also use no climb horse fence little more money but goats don't get through it. good fences goood neighbors. why sell place? small thing between good neighbors. trust me I lived with neoghbors from hell for 5yrs after there dad died before i moved. new neighbores are nutral but will talk will supplly half materials for projact but no labor, still better than bad neighbors. goood luck. dan

I would not offer to pay any compensation for the injured goat, You will be admiting fault if you do.

I'm sorry your stuck in the middle of this. Personally I think you've done all you can where these people are concerned. Also, didn't you say that your mom wanted to replace the fence and they didn't want her to because their father built it? Well.... why didn't you guys just go ahead and do it anyway, on your side? Now they (the daughter) is telling you that you need to install chain link? I don't think so! I'd tell her that if your putting a fence up it's going to be of your choosing, PERIOD! Now, you also say that they are sue happy? Well... after today, I'd tell them to sue. Go for it, have a good time! Their goats are sticking their heads through the fence, the same fence that you know is bad and they won't fix or replace. Your dog attacked. OK, that's sad, but the dog was protecting her own space and NEVER left your yard. If they want to go into court and tell a judge all this....let them. But, I highly doubt that it'll happen. Sometimes with people like these you have to call their bluff... and I guarantee, over this, that's all it is... a bluff.

Good luck.

edited to add... FYI, I had a neighbor try this with me once over a calf that got out. Her calf, my dog. She wanted me to buy her a 2nd (undamaged) calf, and pay for the vet bills on the hurt one. I offered to assist with the vet bills, since my dog did hurt it, but not pay for all of them since this calf was always out and she never fixed the fence where he was escaping from. I certainly wasn't going to buy her another calf to go with this one. She threated to sue me, I said fine... "see you in court". The judge took one look at the pictures I took of her fence, the offer I had made her, and the claim that she made. I won! Judge said I was being more then fair and that the burden was on her to protect her livestock, not me to do it for her.

I know from experience~if you give in too much it will only get worse and worse the next time something happens. They will expect even more from you if anything else happens such as a limb falling off a tree into their yard or even her children finding something in the yard and wanting you to pay to have it hauled off "because it came from your yard". By all means be fair, offer to buy the injured goat or to trade one of yours for it but don't pay her anything or you might become a source of income for them.

Let me preface this statement by saying that I don't own goats. Ok? But I cannot imagine that goats are SO INCREDIBLY STUPID to sit there while a dog is attacking them. Are they? Are they that stupid? If they aren't then there is something that does not right true about this story.

Either way, the dog should be restrained enough so that it doesn't attack goats again. What if a kid had wandered in from next door, would the dog have torn his/her ears off too? Why would you even WANT a dog like that? A good dog is going to know the difference between what is a threat and what is not. I wouldn't have dog that just attacks things without even thinking about it.

First I'd pay for the goat and then I'd tie the ---- dog up someplace.

donsgal