Bad Bad Terrible Day UPDATE post 35

[True Grit]

I'm sorry for your loss. What a terrible neighbor, and the dog would be better off with someone who wouldn't let him run lose to be run over or shot. I agree that speaking with the local authorities would be best. Hopefully they will be able to fine him, hit him where it hurts.

 

[chickenlorena]

I'm really sorry for our loss... The dog was just acting like a dog (no blame whatsoever), but the owner is obviously lacking intergrity and decency. All animals deserve to be taken care of in a responsible way, including this dog. I'd contact any dog rescue group in your area (just google it) and tell them about what happened. They'd be able to suggest a possible place to take the dog other than a regular shelter where he'd be in a cage, which seems miserable to me if he's a farm dog, and wait to be adopted or put down if nobody adopts him.

Humans certainly know how to be "human"... and shooting the dog doesn't strike me as that... that'd be taking "an eye for an eye". This is not the law of the jungle I think, and this situation can be resolved with good intentions and taking into account who really is the one to blame (irresponsible dog owner, of course!). Please take into account that shooting a dog is a misdemeanor in all states and a felony in many (not sure in your state).

I hope you can find a place for that dog... then you can call animal control and report this farmer. At least they'll pay him a visit and for sure he'll think twice when getting another dog and letting him roam around. I'd not call animal control before the dog is placed because they'll likely take the dog and put him down.

A neighbor's cat killed one of our pullets and although we were very sad, I didn't go after the cat, as I realized it was just his instinct.

Hope the other chickens are recovering...

Lorena

 

[tammyd57]

Quote:
Shooting a livestock killing dog is NOT a misdemeanor in all states. It certainly isn't against the law here or my Sheriff wouldn't have TOLD ME TO DO IT! (As a matter of fact, the owners of the last two dogs shot on my property were known, the sheriff came out and made the owner retrieve the carcasses and then wrote them up and they had to pay fines)
It's best to look up the laws pertaining to your own state or county to be sure you are legal. Or just call your local Sheriff, they'll let you know if what you want to do is legal or not.

 

[sourland]

Call animal control and report this situation. Take pictures of the injured birds to validate your complaint. You are right, it is nt the dog's fault, but it doesn't sound like the owner is going to do the right thing unless forced to do so. My neighbor is our local animal control agent, and he takes these sort of situations very seriously. Hopefully you have an animal control person with the same approach. You must become proactive. This situation will not clear itself up. Good luck rehabbing the injured birds.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
X2 I'm sorry for your losses.

 

[theFox]

Quote:
Totally incorrect Lorena,

Any dog attacking, injuring, or killing any domestic animal belonging to another off of the dog owners lot in Maine can be legally shot and the the owner can't do anything about it.

You might be better off reading all of the laws dealing with dogs, these include so called castle laws, leash laws, trespass laws, and many others.

 

[vmdanielsen]

I agree that it is the moronic owners fault. Dogs will do what dogs do. I have recently bought a BB pistol to protect my flock. Don't think it will kill so to me it seems like a good compromise. If it doesn't work I will upgrade to something stronger.Hopefully I will never have to use it.
So sorry for your loss.

 

[birdicus7]

I am very sorry for your loss and concerned about your situation. As a Police Officer (Retired Chief) I can tell you that animal control may help but I wouldn't expect much. They usually concentrate on care quality issues. Some State agencies will enforce leash laws and this type situation. That said, you need to realize that a dog that kills and tastes blood will be back until you have nothing to kill. IT WILL BE BACK!

Second, as far as laws go it is NOT illegal to kill a dog attacking your livestock. Here in Pennsylvania even hunters have the right to shoot dogs attacking deer in the wild.

Check your state laws, but I feel confident that you will have to handle this issues sooner or later. Good luck!

 

[theFox]

In the OP's case I think this applies:

351.27 Right to kill tagged dog .
It shall be lawful for any person to kill a dog , wearing a collar with a rabies vaccination tag attached, when the dog is caught in the act of chasing, maiming, or killing any domestic animal or fowl, or when such dog is attacking or attempting to bite a person.

This is from the IWOA state statues

Statutes (Code Chapters & Sections)/2009 Merged Iowa Code and Supplement/TITLE IX LOCAL GOVERNMENT/SUBTITLE 1 COUNTIES/CHAPTER 351 DOGS AND OTHER ANIMALS/351.27 Right to kill tagged dog.

 

[theFox]

Quote:
The laws likely give you the right to kill such a dog (you can do your own search), however it is unlikely they give you any protection if your intent is to cause harm in order to drive them away.

That is likely to be considered animal abuse.

Unfortunately any of these methods is a sad way to discipline the spoiled brat dog owner.