A dog vs chicken question.

[horsejody]

Gary Farm, where do you live? Some states have laws that require the dog owner to pay double or triple the cost of the chicken. Personally, I would determine the cost of the chicken and send them something in writing. Keep in mind that the cost of a chicken is more than the $1.99 it costs to buy a chick at Tractor Supply. Go in Eggbid.com and search for completed auctions for birds of similar breed and age, and don't forget there are shipping charges. If there is a breeder in your area that sells similar birds, get a quote from them. If it was a production type bird of no fancy breeding, get a quote from McMurray Hatchery, including shipping costs, for a started pullet. All of these things can be printed to get an actual value. If the coop was damaged, figure in the cost for materials and labor.

As far as declaring the dog dangerous, some states have it written in their statutes that a dog that has attacked pets or livestock is considered potentially dangerous. Those laws are not because anybody thinks a dog is going to mistake a child for a chicken, but because a human (adult or child) could be injured if they try to intervene and separate and excited dog from its prey. As far as overcharging the guy, the kid's parent is obviously an irreponsible idiot. Maybe hitting him in the wallet will help him to decide to be a better citizen.

Letting a 7 year old supervise a 4 year old that's holding the leash of a visiting dog, that was beyond stupid. It's a shame that the guy had kids and further contaminated the gene pool.

 

[gary farm]

Wow! Thanks everyone for your responses...

I will try to answer the questions that came up.

We live in Seattle. This happened in the alley behind our house...and then in our yard. The kids live across the street form the park...so no, their parents did not know where they were and could not assist them if needed.
The dog was a visiting dog of the brother in law. They got the mixed breed as a Katrina rescue. No known (reported) attacks. But if we don't report it, they still have this claim.

We are not trying to make money off of this....clearly. And asking him to make ammends to our family that lost a pet makes sense, to us. Asking him to replace the bird at $2.50 seems too easy. And we would then have to purchase an adolescent coop to house the new chick (and we know that we would have to get 2 because you can't just get 1! We had our girls in the house with us for 3-4 months. We hold them as often as possible and I even napped with them. They are very sweet birds. And we think the way we raised them is why. So I feel like he should pay for an adolescent coop for the new girls. We told him if he wanted to search around and find one, fine, we would accept whatever he found.

I think we will report the dog so there is a record. For the animals...not that I think it will turn on children.

Thanks everyone!

 

[citrusdreams]

First of all, I DO think it is a very big deal that the dog was being walked by the children, unattended by adults. I'd report that to the police and ask them to tell the parents not to do that again. Period. That is a serious lack of judgement and child protection services should be notified.

Then I would ask them for payment for the chick that died. I don't think he has to pay for an additional coop. You'll have to work out your arrangement. Is it even necessary to replace the bird right now? But that part's up to you.

I would definitely report the dog, just so it's on record. It will help you later if this happens again, and I'm sorry but due to the lack of judgement that the parents have shown thus far, I'm sure you'll have trouble in the future. I'd also tell the parents (in writing) that the dog is not welcome on your property at all, ever again and will be considered trespassing. When you (if you) report it to the police, they should mention it to them as well. I really think it's important for you to establish boundaries with these people because from what you said so far, it looks like they crossed a few in only a few minutes and are clueless on top of it.

Then I'd find out what my rights are in your area concerning protecting your chickens from the dog. For example, if the dog does come again, can you call animal control out to remove the dog? Because there really shouldn't be a second time at all.

 

[horsejody]

RCW 16.08.010
Liability for injury to stock by dogs.
The owner or keeper of any dog shall be liable to the owner of any animal killed or injured by such dog for the amount of damages sustained and costs of collection, to be recovered in a civil action.


[1985 c 415 § 14; 1929 c 198 § 5; RRS § 3106. Prior: 1919 c 6 § 5; RCS § 3106.]


RCW 16.08.030
Marauding dog -- Duty of owner to kill.
It shall be the duty of any person owning or keeping any dog or dogs which shall be found killing any domestic animal to kill such dog or dogs within forty-eight hours after being notified of that fact, and any person failing or neglecting to comply with the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and it shall be the duty of the sheriff or any deputy sheriff to kill any dog found running at large (after the first day of August of any year and before the first day of March in the following year) without a metal identification tag.


[1929 c 198 § 7; RRS § 3108. Prior: 1919 c 6 § 7; 1917 c 161 § 7; RCS § 3108.]


Maybe you should show the dog owner the statute that says he has to kill his own dog or be in violation of the law. He might just be a little more willing to shut up and pay the bill.

 

[citrusdreams]

While I personally wouldn't demand that law be followed for a first time offender, I definitely would show it to the dog owners. Even if they give you attitude, they had better not let it happen again.

I wonder, if after you report this, if the police will see if the law was followed.

And also, hile I think that law is too strict, it will eliminate for you all the repeat attacks that most of us get.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
I'm not saying that the dog should be put down at this point. I just think that it might soften the neighbors resistance to paying damages if he knows just what he may be required to do if the issue is pushed. I just wanted to clarify that.

 

[jjdward]

Here are my thoughts:
1. the parents of the child should have to pay to replace the bird. Get a price of a started bird, plus shipping.
2. As far as reporting the dog? If it is the law, then yes do it. If its not the law, then I personaly wouldn't go that far.
3. Calling child services: I think unless the children are often left unattened then a report may be in order, but if this is the only time you have noticed the kids out alone, then I would just talk to the parents face to face.
There is no question in my mind that the parents should pay you for the damage to your pen as well as a new started bird and shipping. Thats just me.

 

[edb]

I personally have been in this same situation but not a chicken killed, it was a cat. I informed the dog owner, whom offered to buy us a new cat that everything was fine. I also let him know that next time not only would he need to buy us a new kitten to replace beloved old cat but I would be buying him a new puppy to replace his old lab. As far as the children, I never second guess anyone's version of childcare. Its not a science and if its filled with hundreds of quick decisions daily. We always hope we make the right decisions and don't mess it up too bad!

 

[Ladyhawke1]

Quote:
No four year old should be walking a dog outside of his or her own yard. What if a strange dog came along and decided to attack the dog and the child. What if the dog raced out into the street dragging the child behind into the path of a car? Would that make more sense to you than saying …. “OH WELL it was just a chicken that got killed”.