My dogs killed 5 of my Neighbors chickens!

[domino2339]

I was out hunting tonight and my mother in law was home watching my kids and my dogs. My mother in law took the kids outside and my dogs pushed passed and ran out the front door. They have never did this before. When I got home, I apologize and offered money to replace the chickens. I know how much it sucks I own chickens my self. The thing is. There chickens have me teasing my dog for a long while. They free range and there chickens are in my yard 80% of the time. The other neighbors and I have told them to keep them in there yard countless of times. But to get to the point. I'm sorry it happen. 4 out of 5 chickens were giving to her for free and the 5th was a meat bird that should have be taken out months ago. I ask what she was think I could give her to help replace the birds and she told me $150. I have help this person out numbers of time with money and items. I'm really sorry about what happen, and I want to pay her something but that's way to much.

 

[centrarchid]

If my understanding of situation is correct, then payment should be reduced by half relative to the agreed value of birds. Both parties then need to improve containment or be prepared to repeat transactions.

 

[BBQJOE]

Pay for the chickens, and keep any others that get into your yard.

 

[blucoondawg]

Just because they offered to pay for the birds doesn't mean they agreed to pay an unlimited amount of money for them, what if she said 500 dollars, should the op be required to pay that simply to defend their good name? I don't think so. I would either pay 80 dollars which is good money at 20 bucks a piece or I would get her 4 hen chicks and give her 50 bucks or so for her trouble.

Hell would freeze over before I paid 150 for 4 chickens that roam my property, but then I am not one to care what a neighbor thinks about the situation either.

 

[domino2339]

Thank you guys so much for the help. We managed to settle on a price. A big Fence is in my future

 

[domino2339]

Sorry I meant to say that's seems way to much

 

[Skylercarr]

I personally do not think you should pay her if the chickens were in your yard when it happened.

 

[mommadearest]

Holy Smokes....That's alot seeing how they were free...... IF they want that much i;d be stingy with any favors for a very long time,,

 

[domino2339]

They chased them out but ended up doing the deed in there yard. I have a fenced in back yard and a dog run just for them and they went out the front. There Isn't a fence to stop them

 

[junebuggena]

If your dogs had broken into the coop/run and killed the chickens, then yes absolutely you should pay for the lost birds. However, if the birds were not contained, the owner had to know that the flock was at risk of being killed by predators. It just so happened that the predators were your dogs.