a bit of a dog problem

[tenmob]

Wow I'm shocked and saddened by some of these responses. My dog is my baby! I'd gladly and happily pay any amount to replace chickens and freak right out if she was filled with birdshot or worse, killed, over a chicken. I'm appalled that many would just shoot because you have the right to. A feral dog, coyote, wild cat...no problem. But someone's PET?

When we moved from the city to the country we asked the old timer next door to PLEASE not shoot our dogs, we would gladly reimburse him any losses if we could not break them of chasing calves or bothering his chickens. I hope you can work it out with the owners and it doesn't end in such an ugly way.

I would say this only holds true if its not a dog that the owners constantly keep letting out.
I'd be hesitant to shoot a random dog because it could be a pet that just managed to get out somehow.

Its fair game if its a dog that is constantly roaming though, especially if the owners refuse to keep it contained after hearing about it causing livestock problems.

 

[jellybellyx6]

This is true. When we lost our flock to foxes last year it was heart breaking and frustrating because we were out the time it took to raise plus the meat and eggs we would have gotten out of then. There is no way a dog owner would be able to compensate for the money and time lost when a chicken is lost.

 

[centrarchid]

Wow I'm shocked and saddened by some of these responses. My dog is my baby! I'd gladly and happily pay any amount to replace chickens and freak right out if she was filled with birdshot or worse, killed, over a chicken. I'm appalled that many would just shoot because you have the right to. A feral dog, coyote, wild cat...no problem. But someone's PET?

When we moved from the city to the country we asked the old timer next door to PLEASE not shoot our dogs, we would gladly reimburse him any losses if we could not break them of chasing calves or bothering his chickens. I hope you can work it out with the owners and it doesn't end in such an ugly way.

QuirkySue,

I work with folks describing themselves like you do. Like them you will have to do better than paying for losses, you must cure dogs of troublesome activities or not let them out. Curing is best route. Put a lot of effort into the training. Even then you may find confinement helps.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Wow I'm shocked and saddened by some of these responses. My dog is my baby! I'd gladly and happily pay any amount to replace chickens and freak right out if she was filled with birdshot or worse, killed, over a chicken. I'm appalled that many would just shoot because you have the right to. A feral dog, coyote, wild cat...no problem. But someone's PET?

When we moved from the city to the country we asked the old timer next door to PLEASE not shoot our dogs, we would gladly reimburse him any losses if we could not break them of chasing calves or bothering his chickens. I hope you can work it out with the owners and it doesn't end in such an ugly way.

Once a dog is on the loose and trespasses on someone else's property, it become a canine predator, no different than a coyote. We lost some valuable birds to such a free running dog that was chasing deer and killing neighborhood pets. That dog is only someone's pet when it is kept at home. On the loose and preying on whatever it wishes? It is subject to being shot or euthanized by animal control once captured. That is the law and it is enforced here.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Wow I'm shocked and saddened by some of these responses. My dog is my baby! I'd gladly and happily pay any amount to replace chickens and freak right out if she was filled with birdshot or worse, killed, over a chicken. I'm appalled that many would just shoot because you have the right to. A feral dog, coyote, wild cat...no problem. But someone's PET?

When we moved from the city to the country we asked the old timer next door to PLEASE not shoot our dogs, we would gladly reimburse him any losses if we could not break them of chasing calves or bothering his chickens. I hope you can work it out with the owners and it doesn't end in such an ugly way.

My dogs are my pets, too. As such, I protect them in the same way that I did my three flesh and blood children. I make sure that they know their boundaries and that they don't leave our yard. One of my dogs can't be trusted to stay within bounds so she doesn't go out unless someone is with her or she's on a long lead. I won't let them run the neighborhood unsupervised anymore than I would have let my children run unsupervised.

Those who love their dogs need to protect them. A sturdy fence works wonders. I know that a dog can get out by accident and would call animal control for first time offenders. But dogs who repeatedly run without supervision, harming the property of others, indicates a dog-owner that doesn't have respect for either his pet or his neighbors and must be controlled in a more permanent fashion.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Those who love their dogs need to protect them. A sturdy fence works wonders. I know that a dog can get out by accident and would call animal control for first time offenders. But dogs who repeatedly run without supervision, harming the property of others, indicates a dog-owner that doesn't have respect for either his pet or his neighbors and must be controlled in a more permanent fashion.

Agreed. An animal is only a pet when it is at home being petted.

If an animal, of whatever species, is on someone else's property killing their pets? That is a predator. End of story.

 

[sourland]

Wow I'm shocked and saddened by some of these responses. My dog is my baby! I'd gladly and happily pay any amount to replace chickens and freak right out if she was filled with birdshot or worse, killed, over a chicken. I'm appalled that many would just shoot because you have the right to. A feral dog, coyote, wild cat...no problem. But someone's PET?

When we moved from the city to the country we asked the old timer next door to PLEASE not shoot our dogs, we would gladly reimburse him any losses if we could not break them of chasing calves or bothering his chickens. I hope you can work it out with the owners and it doesn't end in such an ugly way.

Just as it is the responsibility of any owner to protect their animals, it should be an even greater responsibility for dog owners to control their dogs. Moving to the country does not include a free pass to allow your dog to roam in an uncontrolled fashion.

 

[ShellLea]

Just informed a neighbor yesterday from a few houses down that her dog was in my yard trying to get at my dog that's kept in a kennel. She said "Sometimes he likes to go exploring." So then I informed her that I keep chickens and that exploring dogs are likely to be shot in my yard. There was a little back and forth but a little while later she knocked on my door and asked if I would help her get a run set up since her husband is out of town. We chatted a bit while putting it up and she told me about a few calls she made. The Dog Warden informed her of our livestock laws and dog at large laws. She is pretty young and seems very naive so I'm glad I ran him off with the hose and talked to her. Since you've already talked to your neighbor I guess it's time to call animal control and/or the police and check your livestock laws. Around here you can kill any animal that threatens your livestock but you will have to pay the owner any difference in price between what their pet cost and the cost of whatever livestock they killed.

 

[Sonia]

It IS a shame when one has to shoot a dog. We had a series of incidents a few years ago where someones dog repeatedly got loose and came to my house and killed my birds (read thirteen times) ithe dog was very friendly and sweet otherwise and I tried to 'do the right thing' and kept taking the dog home. Not once was any of my birds paid for.the last time he showed up I tied him and went to the owner and told them that I was pressing charges. They then denied owning him! Now this dog was my problem. I even tried to keep him (chained). Then he killed my daughters cat. I shot the dog. Now IF I know the owner I will give ONE warning IF they pay for my losses. No pay, no dog. If said dog shows up again, dog is gone. My birds/goats feed my family in addition to many being pets and a source of income. If you don't want your pet shot you better make darn sure its not killing my pets/food/income. You as a dog owner (I have dogs too) do not have more rights than I do as an owner of birds. If my birds get in your yard and get killed by you/your dog/your cat, that is my fault and my problem, if your dog comes on my property and kills my birds that is your fault and I WILL take care of the problem if you don't.

 

[shmccarthy]

Wow I'm shocked and saddened by some of these responses. My dog is my baby! I'd gladly and happily pay any amount to replace chickens and freak right out if she was filled with birdshot or worse, killed, over a chicken. I'm appalled that many would just shoot because you have the right to. A feral dog, coyote, wild cat...no problem. But someone's PET?

When we moved from the city to the country we asked the old timer next door to PLEASE not shoot our dogs, we would gladly reimburse him any losses if we could not break them of chasing calves or bothering his chickens. I hope you can work it out with the owners and it doesn't end in such an ugly way.

It is irresponsible to let your dog roam, especially living in the country. A lot of people that own stock, have it because it is a source if income and a lot of people have them as pets. It is unfair to neighbors, other animals, and the dog itself if it is being allowed to roam around and do as it wishes. When your dog is on your property, it is your dog. When it is on someone else's property, harassing their animals it is considered a predator. The dog is only doing what it has a drive to do, and with proper training, or a fence, it can be easily avoided. You should never, ever, expect your neighbors to have to compensate for your property(dog) and have to form their lives around it. If your dog is bothering calves, much to less chickens, I wouldn't be surprised if someone did something about it right away. I would do the right thing for your neighbors and your dog, train your dog or install a fence.