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With all due respect, I'm a bit offended by the "the smarter of us" comment. Who was that directed at? those who whose experiences have taught us that all dogs who have entered, have killed our chickens? Or those who are free ranging our chickens and shouldn't have to spend no small fortune to fence in their 30 acres to keep the neighbors' dogs out?
We, as chicken owners, ARE responsible for protecting our animals: by building secure coops and pens, etc. But part of our responsibility as chicken owners has to do with the way we choose to manage our flocks. However, we are not responsible for keeping the neighbors' dogs off our property. For some of us, the cost of fencing in our many acres sufficiently to keep dogs out is not possible. That burden should not be the chicken owners'. If it were, the law would state something like: "owners of fowl, horses, or cattle, must fence in their own property secure enough to prevent trespassing dogs from harassing their flocks". But instead, here, and in most places, the law states that a dog harassing livestock can be killed and any damages occuring to the flock is the monetary responsibility of the dog owner. Laws are there for a reason.
So while it's convenient for someone to fence in their 40x50 backyard with 6 foot high fencing (if, of course, it doesn't conflict with city ordinances), it's not that easy for those of us with many acres.
In addition, many of us don't just have chickens. We have other livestock that are easily contained as well. We do our part by containing our animals on our own property. Yet, we would have to convert our entire property into Fort Knox to keep dogs out.
The best part of owning your own property is the right to protect your property. Thankfully, we can just shoot mauraders who harass us. A bullet is only a few dollars.
