- Dec 18, 2012
- 6
- 1
- 11
A few days ago as I was racing out the door to take my baby to the emergency room I noticed our flock of nine (and beloved pets to my children and I) were attacked for the THIRD TIME since August! It is an annoyingly sticky situation as I discovered the culprit dogs belonged to the neighborhood "crazy lady" who also happens to attend my church. I approached her for a friendly resolution chat and got cussed out in front of my three youngest children (who were already devastated and traumatized at the site of their dead pets torn up all over our yard) and she basically said "dogs will be dogs".
I do not have a full fence around my property but the coop was in my back yard and made of wood and enforced with chicken wire which the dogs tore through both. The dogs are huge Shepperd/Rot mixes and chewed and broke through wood and wire like it was tooth picks and bubble wrap to gain entrance.
Originally, I felt for the dogs who are just acting out of instinct but at this point I'm done with these dogs. I already tried animal control and they were less than helpful. They said they would go harass her (sounds like a good idea to tick off a woman who has been in and out of institutions...NOT) but aside from that they said city ordinances do not support CA law which states no dog can kill or even harass poultry or they can be shot or put down.
Now I'm left with a terrible choice...either shoot the dogs, capture them and drive them far away or give up on organic eggs and the positive experience my children were having caring for and loving their chickens. I am terrified if I don't have chickens back there they will go after my babies.
Has anyone had experience with this type of situation? Of course my main concern is for my children but I want to know if anyone has ever been able to secure their coop from predators after they already got a taste for their blood (in case we don't catch the dogs)?
I do not have a full fence around my property but the coop was in my back yard and made of wood and enforced with chicken wire which the dogs tore through both. The dogs are huge Shepperd/Rot mixes and chewed and broke through wood and wire like it was tooth picks and bubble wrap to gain entrance.
Originally, I felt for the dogs who are just acting out of instinct but at this point I'm done with these dogs. I already tried animal control and they were less than helpful. They said they would go harass her (sounds like a good idea to tick off a woman who has been in and out of institutions...NOT) but aside from that they said city ordinances do not support CA law which states no dog can kill or even harass poultry or they can be shot or put down.
Now I'm left with a terrible choice...either shoot the dogs, capture them and drive them far away or give up on organic eggs and the positive experience my children were having caring for and loving their chickens. I am terrified if I don't have chickens back there they will go after my babies.
Has anyone had experience with this type of situation? Of course my main concern is for my children but I want to know if anyone has ever been able to secure their coop from predators after they already got a taste for their blood (in case we don't catch the dogs)?