Advice needed, please!

[STFD15]

Does anyone have suggestions on how to deal with a neighbor that allows their pit bull to run with no supervision? I'm worried because the last couple times he's been on our property, he's been in or just outside of my barn. I have chickens inside the barn that run loose as well as fainting goats (an easy target) and calves ranging in age from a week old to 7 months old. Last time it happened, I put a leash on and walked him home. This time he had no collar and was running all over. I'm 6 months pregnant and can't take the chance of him knocking me down.

The owner always apologizes and is always very nice. Every time the dog has been on my property has been when his girlfriend has let the dog out. I don't want to cause any issues between us, but this problem needs to be taken care of. Another issue is his father is a county commissioner where i live, so I'm not sure if the dog warden would do much. How should I approach this subject?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I would politely, and firmly, inform them that the dog is not welcome on your property and that Ohio law allows the immediate disposal of any dog that: "chases, threatens, harasses, injures, or kills livestock, poultry, other domestic animal, or other animal, that is the property of another person, except a cat or another dog, can be killed at the time of that chasing, threatening, harassment, approaching, attempt, killing, or injury. If, in attempting to kill such a dog, a person wounds it, the person is not liable to prosecution under the penal laws that punish cruelty to animals." - and that, if they fail to keep their dog contained on their property you will be forced to do what is necessary to protect your livestock - whether that is turning the dog over to authorities or, if he is in the act of doing harm, destroying him.
If/when the dog appears again you capture the dog and call the dog warden to report a stray dog -- his fathers position is not the issue here. If the dog is in the act of aggressing your animals are you able/willing to take the steps of destroying it? A few times of paying the bail to get their dog back may convince them this is serious.

 

[enola]

Very good advice!

 

[drumstick diva]

if you can get photos of the dog near your animals - it would prove he comes on your property. By any chance are you allowed to have electrified fencing around your barn.

Doesn't have to be high, just a couple of strands - if the dog touches it, he probably will not come back.

 

[STFD15]

Thank you for the advice! My husband has already said next time he sees the dog on our property he's going to shoot him. I feel bad because the dog is actually really sweet. It's too bad he may have to suffer or loose his life because he has bad owners, but my animals and property come first. I would have no problems with getting the dog in the butt with a BB gun when he first crosses the road as a warning to him.

I took this picture yesterday and I plan on speaking with the dog warden Monday (they don't do anything after hours unless it's something serious). We're also going to be expanding our pasture that will include electric fence. This fencing worked great when we started out a couple years ago with just two steers, but our farm keeps growing year after year.