All was well...then the neighbors got a dog

[kota1369]

Quote:
Sneaky is what I call it when someone doesn't bother talking to their neighbors about a potential problem and instead plots to kill their dog instead. Seems a lot of folks are incapable of communicating in a civilized manner with their neighbors. That is a really sad way to be in this world. Adversarial with your neighbors versus being cooperative. Its sneaky if you don't have the common courtesy to at least mention your concerns before you do something that can't be taken back.

Thank you!!!!!! x2 RH

 

[Ole rooster]

Okay, I can see that. Makes sense to me. I will always warn first unless the animal doesn't give me that choice. I don't allow one dead chicken on the house as freebie.

 

[OldGuy43]

Believe it or not RHRanch I lived in San Diego, California for awhile. I've found that folks here in Texas are much(!) politer to each other. I wonder why? I guess we're both blessed; you for living where you do and me for living where I do.

 

[RHRanch]

Quote:
My brother lives in Texas, I'm well acquainted with it. He tells me that folks there are in his experience less polite and more confrontational. He thinks its because being allowed to carry makes them act braver. From my travels, the politest folks I have ever met were in Arkansas.

Its probably best not to stereotype people, wouldn't you agree? There are rude folks and polite folks everywhere. Other people's rudeness doesn't excuse someone for being rude, themselves, either.

 

[OldGuy43]

Quote:
Yes, I agree it's not a good idea to stereotype people, but if it walks like a chicken and clucks like a chicken there's a really good chance that it's a chicken.

As for being "rude" that rather depends on one's definition of rude, doesn't it? Same with confrontational. What some call confrontational others call a spirited discussion or even "just telling it as they see it".

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:

BRITANNUS (shocked):
Caesar, this is not proper.
THEODOTUS (outraged):
How?
CAESAR (recovering his self-possession):
Pardon him Theodotus: he is a barbarian, and thinks that the customs of his tribe and island are the laws of nature.
Caesar and Cleopatra, Act II
-George Bernard Shaw

Here in Travis County, Texas not only does the law permit me to protect my or my neighbors livestock by any means available, but dogs are required to be on a leash or penned. Chaining them is not permitted, and is considered animal abuse. Since most of my neighbors have livestock I would be applauded for eliminating a possible threat. When in Rome...

And yes, I did wait a half hour and reread this post before clicking the submit button. http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/images/smilies/cb.gif​

So, you are saying that underground fencing is not legally sufficient to constitute a pen? That an animal on its owner's property is not sufficient? I don't recall reading whether there were any fences involved or not. The OP knows that the dog belongs to their neighbor, so killing it to protect the neighbor's livestock that it apparently was not near as no mention was made of them? It just does not pass the sniff test. I know there are coyotes in my neighborhood, and I know there are dogs that would be happy to get to my birds for playtime; that doesn't mean I have the right to go gunning for them just because they exist. It means that I have the responsibility to provide a secure home for my birds.

 

[dixiebeast]

Ok.. a little off subject but as an example of a LOVING dog and livestock owner I will tell my story of my off leash dog...I have a dog I have had for 13 years. He does run loose and my 10 acres is not fenced(part of backyard is for my "dangerous"rottweiler!). He only leaves my yard to go across the road to the bathroom! Hilarious I know...he does not go in a neighbors yard...it is a wooded lot we share with the nieghbors for the kids to trail ride on. I DO run the risk of my dog being hit daily but in all his years he has climbed and dug out of everything...ran through shock collar fence...chews rope...and chain until his mouth is a bloody mess. He will eat my chickens with a chance( they freerange only under strict supervision) but he is why my chickens and my children are safe from coyotes etc..

I do not feel like I am a bad owner for not keeping him put up(as I said...impossible)..I agree if he EVER bothered someone they can dispatch of him...and if a car gets him I pray its fast. But being most neighbors cant even tell you what color he is and the others only can because they have seen him heading for a potty break I only worry over the summer traffic(lake community).

This is the only way I know to reward him for years of family protection is to let him live free...as he works sooo hard to be so. My other dog stays inside or fenced but in rare cases a dog is impossible to keep put away. I do feel that if such a dog is around he is fair game if he messes with other peoples property though and would hope they would atleast tell me so I would know what happened!

I hate to hear of so many dog/nieghbor problems but they do exist,we have dogs that harass us,we do give a warning...but just one...usually my dog runs off most problems but we have one that has taken to barking at me in the tree stand hunting and my dog knows not to come back during hunt time!!

I hope OP talks to their nieghbor first...sometimes we are reasonable...even if we dont seem responsible...maybe they have an impossible dog too!!

 

[Ole rooster]

As with most post that has any emotions involved this one has become just a bit tilted.

No one has said a word about going hunting for a neighbors dog. Not one word, yet some have taken on that topic. That's a problem when change a topic to suit your issue. If a person has their chickens off the leash, so to speak, and dogs runnin loose are in the area, so long as they stay off the property with the chickens there is no problem. If they come onto that property and attempt to do harm then there is a problem. What is it that is so hard to understand this. Some folks seem the think a dog had the "right" to roam and kill at will. He has neither, but if he's causing no harm, then with most folks I know there is no the issue?

My point is if an animal attacks my chickens without warning, it won't be sneaky and it won't be behind the owners back. The animal will cease to exist. The owner will be told, also. If I see the dog and he's or she is not causing a problem certainly I'll let the owner what the conditions are for that animal and my property. If the animal comes back then we have another issue to deal with. Do I or dont I? Who knows.

But it would be good to let emotions stay out of it, stay on topic, and stop trying to direct a thread to serve someone elses agenda. That causes thread to be closed.

 

[flyingtnh]

Goodness, the advice got out of hand quickly.

Don't mistake me - if a dog exhibiting aggressive or predatory behavior - by all means, deal with it appropriately, and a Dog that's actually killing or attempting to kill livestock needs to be put down.

But this is a dog sleeping on a driveway. If it's friendly, lead him home and tell the neighbor the truth - your pup is wandering and just about got run over. If he's not friendly, or seems skittish, walk over and tell them that. Maybe bring a dozen eggs with you. Mention your concerns about livestock - as you said, they'll probably understand. If it becomes a problem later, you can escalate. Like you've said, they've been good neighbors for 13 years.

If anything, it gives you a chance to invite them over for dinner to get to know them a bit better.

BTW, "gifts" of dog cables and fencing seem awful passive-aggressive to me.

Edit - I missed that the OP was in 2010. Oh well, my sentiment is still valid.