The neigbor's dog debacle

[cjb]

Over the last 18 months, our neighbor's dog has come over and killed numerous chickens and ducks. As soon as we step out onto the deck, he takes off with a bird in his mouth.

Initially, our neighbor said "well, now that he's done it once, he'll keep doing it so you'll need to cage your chickens". Really? How about you cage your dogs?

We have tried and tried to work through the county to resolve this and all that they do is issue citations which she never pays. She has thousands of dollars of them now. She doesn't care because her credit is hosed anyway - she filed bankruptcy last year.

We have 18 hens left and one rooster (we've lost several roosters to her dogs) and our hens rarely lay eggs, even though they are all either 1 or 2. Not sure if this is due to the trauma?

The last time this happened, my wife went down to this woman's house to tell her that, once again, her dog has been killing our chickens. We was all apologetic, per usual, but did nothing about it (the dog was at large again last night). While down there, my wife saw multiple piles of feathers all over her property. She could even identify a pile that was clearly our beloved rooster, David.

Well, at least the county is saying that they will push a motion to declare the dogs dangerous and have them removed. This is after the second of two hearings scheduled where she just no-showed.

While I feel badly that the dogs will lose their home if we can get this order, it is time that something be done. My son is so sickened, he doesn't want to raise babies this Spring and doesn't want to get attached at all anymore.

This is the 9 year old that I told you about that was over the moon about "his girls".

So sad and so wrong.

This same neighbor's horse sat on my car and wrecked it. Yes, really. She refused to give our insurance company her homeowner's policy info so I was stuck with the bill. Nice huh?

[Levonsa]

I feel for you. We have had game chickens at out barn for years to scratch through the manure and cut down on flies etc.... Something has been killing our chickens and I haven't been able to catch it. I am sure it is a dog, but several neighbors have dogs. Whatever is doing it kills them, and buries them shallowly. It is very disheartening. Hopefully your situation will be resolved soon. Good luck.

Levon

[Dirtslinger]

What do you use for fencing?

[brody]

Hate to say this - I really really do (I do pet animal rescue work) if that was my chickens the dog would be shot the minute I saw it with feathers or threatening my chickens after I warned the neighbour once

[Otter]

If you want to be nice, get a paintball gun. I've heard you can even rent one if there's a paintball arena around. Get one with a long range and a CO2 canister.

Shoot the dog with it. It will be good therapy for you and your son, the paintballs can leave a good bruise, so will send Fido yelping home and perhaps teach him your place isn't the most fun place to be and you'd be surprised how often it suddenly becomes wretched neighbors problem after their dog has come home covered in fluorescent blotches.

If the dog is in the habit of running when your door opens, shoot out a window. Call the insurance company's legal department, THEY can get her homeowner's policy info and if the horse comes back, ping it in the rump with a few paintballs too.

Good luck, I know it's a nasty situation to be in.

[jtsummie]

My suggestion would be to try and catch the dog, if you have a kennel or crate, with a little dog food in it. then call the dog catcher, and tell them you got it. She might act when you turn her dog in... I bet they would make her pay the tickets to get her dog back.

[Bearfootfarm]

Over the last 18 months, our neighbor's dog has come over and killed numerous chickens and ducks.

I would have killed the dog 17 months ago.

[Kim_NC]

Shoot the dog (yes through a window if he's so slick about running off), bury it, and say nothing more....SSS

Call the insurance company's legal department, THEY can get her homeowner's policy info

Good advice.

I don't mean to sound harsh. But a large part of the problem is she is getting away with it all...enabled to let her animals trespass and reek havic on your property, animals, and family.

You're even letting her get away with the horse/car mess.

You're too nice. Really, shoot the dog - and do something about the damage to your car through your insurance company or by taking legal action.

As long as you let her get away with it, she'll continue to be irresponsible and let you pay the consequences. Stop enabling her.

[cjb]

I would have killed the dog too if I could catch it. I was told very clearly that the dog had to be in the act of killing a chicken for me to get away with killing it.

Believe me - if I ever catch either one of them on my property, chasing the birds - they're done for. The thing is, they do it while I'm at work and my wife will NOT shoot a dog. They are also quick.

We have electric fencing around our 5.5 acres and our chickens free-range. If we have to keep them in a run, we'll get rid of them. I know people will post that it's my fault for not fencing them up etc but I disagree. I have every right to free range my birds and she has the obligation to contain her dogs, especially now that she knows that they kill livestock.

Last year, I told her that I had a brand new registered Jersey calf on my place and that her dogs better not take that down. They were up on our property within days after that warning. She just doesn't care.

[Kim_NC]

Originally Posted by cjb

...... I know people will post that it's my fault for not fencing them up etc but I disagree. I have every right to free range my birds and she has the obligation to contain her dogs, especially now that she knows that they kill livestock.

Last year, I told her that I had a brand new registered Jersey calf on my place and that her dogs better not take that down. They were up on our property within days after that warning. She just doesn't care.

I agree...you have every right to free range your birds. And yes, she has an obligation to keep hers at home.

Start putting out food in the evenings for the dogs. Once they have that regular 'feeding time' that's convenient for you...blast them one night.

[Otter]

Will your wife or son consent to shoot it with a paintball gun? I'll bet your boy would. I know my DD (8) would have a hard time dealing with we killed a dog for any reason, but if she had one killing her birds she'd pepper it with a paintball gun and cheer when it squealed and took off with it's tail between it's legs.

Not as permanent a solution as I'm sure you're ready for, but it will help.

[Bearfootfarm]

I was told very clearly that the dog had to be in the act of killing a chicken for me to get away with killing it.

And if youre the only witness to the shooting, I'm sure thats how it will be.
Luckily you will be able to make the shot just in time to prevent the chicken from being harmed.

If I were in your situation, I'd bait the dog into an ambush, since it's clear the authorities arent offering any solutions.
It's sad the dog has to suffer for the owner's negligence, but such is life

[cjb]

It is sad about the dogs but they are so neglected anyway. The older one once broke his leg and she just let it dangle.

I feel that baiting the dogs, shooting them and saying that they were chasing my chickens at the time is deceptive and am not willing to do that. Believe me, in my weakest moments, I've thought of that, riding by and poisoning etc. but it's not in my moral makeup to do.

I will continue to work through the law and hopefully, it will go the right way.

We've actually left the paintball guns out to do exactly what was suggested but the dogs run like heck as soon as we open a door. The same would happen with sliding a window open and it's too cold to leave them open and wait

[pred]

My one neighbor had a very angry dog which scared the dickens out of me a couple of times.
On the other side of the angry dogs fence there was a mean old guy who started to feed the dog, Tossing food over the fence. The angry dog wandered into the road like he was in a daze and got run over?
I suspect foul play (no pun intended) But I suspect meat was seasoned with something.
And as I read your woes, The LADY needs to be taken away!
And the horse issue, Well it is like leaving the scene of the accident, SHE IS STILL liable IF you file a police report first.
Peter.

[Joshie]

I'd put food in the barn or garage. Good, tasty food. Maybe chicken since the dog seems to have a fondness for chicken. I'd then close the door and call animal control.

[The Monkey Mama]

Why not trap the dogs and have animal control come pick them up if you aren't willing to shoot them? [I don't think "baiting" them is immoral - you are trying to save the lives of your chickens, and you have a right to do that].

Kelly

[cjb]

Oh I would trap them and take them to the animal control and they would give them back to her, unless we get the order from the judge next week.

We'll see how it goes.

[Willowynd]

You can trap them and take them to animal control in another county...like 2 counties away. You found them on the road and are being a good samaratin turning them in. I doubt they are microchipped if she is one for not paying bills or even taking them to the vet.I would say take her to court for the cost of the chickens but she won't pay anyways. I can say that shooting with air pellets don;t work. Once they get in the habit, the dog will come back anyhow. You should not feel bad that the dogs lose thier home as she is not a good owner anyways. I bet the new owners would take the dog to the vet if it had a broken leg and keep them home so they don't get hit by cars or shot by farmers.
For the damage to the car though- I assume you called the police and filed a report? Your insurance company can get her homeowners info. It is thier job. Its just easier for them to tell you- your problem. Contact the head office and work from there.

[John Carter]

I know what Idid with my neighbors dog that was taking down my chickens.

The chickens are jsut fine now and that dog..............................who knows?

[Judy in IN]

I've had waaay too much experience with lousy, irresponsible neighbors!

First, a question. Do YOU own a dog? An outside dog? Probably not.

This gal has already shown you that she has no respect for you, and the destruction will continue.

Put out some "special kitty food" before you leave for work. It works quickly, so is humane. When you come home, dispose of the bodies.

Your neighbor is the one who put her dogs in jeopardy, by not containing them in her yard. (evidenced by the dog hit by a car) She's a lousy pet owner, as well as neighbor.