Be responsible for your dogs !!!(graphic pics)

[Akane]

This is where a paintball marker is useful. It will give some deterrent but more importantly mark the animal and prove it attacked your chickens and show that if you used lethal means it would be dead now. An air gun (air soft, bb gun) of the right power and with the right ammo will also leave a more serious mark (break the skin) and be a much stronger deterrent but still not be lethal provided you aren't hitting them in the head. If it were a first time offense I would follow it up with the threat that next time it will be a real gun aimed at the dog. Most people decide to do something about their animals after that. If I were in that situation where the dogs had shown up multiple times and the neighbors had been warned, the police/animal control called, and everyone was well aware of the problem I'd be borrowing a lethal gun from my grandpa and taking aim.

I should have the right to turn out animals on my property without worrying about the neighbors animals. It is their responsibility to keep their animals contained not my responsibility to keep them out. I am only responsible for keeping my own animals and wildlife from being able to harm them.

You can shoot a dog & get rid of it but are you going to shoot EVERY animal that's going to do harm to your chickens?

Yep. Most people around here do. People have since they started keeping chickens. Most farms used to have free range flocks and being in a farming area that still relies heavily on their animals the mentality still remains. It is well known that if your dog wanders it will be shot. You will most likely never see it again. A friend of mine said he killed 5 dogs one year. My neighbor can often be seen with a gun in hand while checking his sheep. When I got a new dog I told him and let him see her so he knows she is mine and is less likely to shoot her should she escape onto his property. If she's actually attacking one of his animals though I will not be surprised if he kills her. No matter how much I care about my dog I will not be mad at him should it happen. It's not possible to fence dozens to hundreds of acres with something that will keep every dog out unless you've got a small fortune to spend on fencing. He is only responsible for a fence that keeps his sheep in and I am responsible for keeping my animals off his property. Same applies to chickens as it does other livestock around here.​

 

[augiedranch]

im an all animal lover.. but thats something i wont just let go.. u have the right to protect the animals u love... the dogs would have been shot, the second time they came. they will continue to come, they have the taste of blood and the "fun" of killing and chasing. my dogs wont even look at a chicken wrong. AND IM NOT GOING TO KEEP MY FREE RANGE CHICKENS PENNED UP, because someone eles is letting their dogs on MY land. its my property and i shouldnt have to put alot of time and money into a "fence" or "pen/cage" to keep my chickens in... BOOM! and your problems willl be over... besides,,, if you keep telling the owners ummm im gonna shoot em.. but then dont... and it happens again,, the owners dont believe you and obviously dont care about their dogs.

 

[SpottedCrow]

A dog that is behind a fence or being walked on a leash is a pet...if it's running loose and chasing my animals it's a predator and will be treated as such...

 

[GmacD]

geeze, i hope they compensate you for it. last year my neibors dog killed 3 of my hens and one of my ducks

 

[horsejody]

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ditto

 

[Oblio13]

We've had dogs kill chickens here several times. I've never charged anyone because I bend over backwards to stay on good terms with my neighbors. Most of them apologize and offer to pay anyway, and we say "No, but thanks for offering". We just consider chickens "semi-disposable", callous as that sounds, and hatch extras every year. I love dogs, but the reality is that they're large carnivores and most of them will kill chickens if they get a chance. I've never shot one, but there's a particular little brown mutt that lives down the road that I hope I'm ready for next time - it's a "repeat offender", and the owners pretend it's innocent, which aggravates me.

 

[moenmitz]

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Hear!! Hear!!
Do we have to send them to school now too??

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WHAT???!!!

That is one of the most ridiculous things I've read in a long time. Sorry, but its AN ANIMAL. The only rights they have is to be fed on time and treated HUMANELY.

Ditto to that one... and I love my dog.

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I agree 100%


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WHAT???!!!

That is one of the most ridiculous things I've read in a long time. Sorry, but its AN ANIMAL. The only rights they have is to be fed on time and treated HUMANELY.

UMMM>>>PEOPLE??? I didnt say a dog had the SAME rights as a human child, I said it TOO HAD rights. I said both had the right to run loose in the yard. Dogs weren't created to live in a cage, tied to a post, or locked in the house-they love to run and play and explore, the same way kids do. Dogs and people both have the right to eat and sleep too....but that doesnt mean I am saying they need to eat the same food, nor do I find it necessary to get the dog a Sealy Posturepedic. I never stated or implied the rights of a dog should be equal to or above those of a child-merely that SOME rights were similar. The measures one takes to allow them to access that right safely are seldom equal, or the same-and I never implied they should be. If you are going to be impolite and mock someone, at least be sure you understood the point you are intent on mocking.

It IS my opinion that every animal has a right to freedom, unless by having such freedom he infringes on the rights of others. Just because someone or some THING has a RIGHT to do something, does not automatically mean they should be allowed to exercise that right-there are always variables. I stated that up until the chicken incident, MY dog, HAD EARNED that privilege, and it was within my means to grant it to him.

God told Adam and Eve to live in HARMONY with the animals, not to pen them up and make them their slaves. He DID however, place animals in subjection to HUMANS-essentially, people get to decide what is in the best interests of all of creation. At times they may mean confining them for their own safety or to protect others. The dictionary defines humane as follows: humane - marked or motivated by concern with the alleviation of suffering. If we are to treat an animal HUMANELY we need to fully consider what their physical AND mental needs are, and if depriving them of either will cause sufferring- mentally OR physically.

God gave people permission to use animals for food as well, but throughout the bible, he stressed that a man who treated an animal inhumanely was despicable to him. Disregarding the needs of an animal was wrong. So where was one to find balance?

A man whose animal caused injury or loss to another human would be held responsible for the animals behavior, and when possible, must compensate for it. The bible also says that God weeps when a sparrow falls-showing that God has deep love and appreciation for ALL animals, and the unnecessary death of even a lowly sparrow grieves him.

There-in lies my argument. Shooting a dog if it can not be humanely prevented from infringeing on the rights of others is justified. WITHOUT A DOUBT. Shooting a dog simply because it HAS infringed on those rights is not always necessary. Other options may exist, and the harshest action should be a last resort. The dogs' lives matter as much as the chickens' lives did.

God commanded we treat animals humanely and with respect and appreciation-after all, they were HIS gift to US. If we treat some of his gifts as though they have great value, and other of his gifts as though they are disposable, are we really showing proper appreciation?

He allows humans to determine what we feel is humane, he doesn't make rigid rules. So ask yourself, is it humane to take an animal whose instincts are to run and be free and keep them under constant confinement-either in a house, a pen, or on a leash-if it isnt absolutely necessary? Is that really showing that you are "motivated by concern with alleviation of their sufferring"?

Is it humane to let said animal do as he pleases when there is great risk to him or others by not taking SOME protective measures?

If proper training and patience can benefit both the animal and human, so that they can both be content with the arrangement, should reasonable attempts be made to apply and enforce such training?

To what extent should one carry either idea? Not for me or YOU to say- we were instructed to use our conscience in matters like this. When our conscience is not pointing in a specific direction, look for guidance from the one who GAVE us that conscience-if in doubt as to what HE would do, open your bible, and READ it.

The general lesson-While God DEMANDS obedience for our own good, and is not hesitant to render harsh discipline when necessary, he tempers that discipline with love, kindness, and mercy. He genuinely CARES for all of his creations, man and beast. If you genuinely care about ALL animals, YOU will do what is feasible FOR YOU to help them co-exist peacably and HAPPILY.

Now, the OP did not ask ANYONE to tell them WHAT to do, they were merely sharing their anxiety. As humans, when we see someone in trouble, we try to help, as most posters did by offerring their suggestions, ideas, or personal experiences. We can all learn from eachother, there is never only one easy solution for any problem. It is the decision of the OP as to whether to use one, some, all, or none of those ideas for their own unique situation.

Since so many posters seemed to not hesitate to take the life of an errant animal who had killed other animals, I thought perhaps a different possible solution might be of value to the OP as well. Most people on here claim to love animals, I find it hard to believe that anyone here would enjoy seeing dogs eliminated-so why would people react hostilely to a suggestion that might possibly save the rest of the chickens, as well as the life of the dogs? Is everyone so rigidly convinced that THIER way is the only way, and the BEST way, that you cant even consider another possiblity? Is it necessary to berate a person for feeling differently than YOU do? I hate to see the dogs shot, but I would not have an ounce of bad feeling if the OP decided to do so- it is within THEIR rights to make that judgment. I would not mock someone who makes the decision that the only way to protect THEIR animals is to keep them strictly contained- in whatever manner necessary. Why berate someone who DOESN'T feel that is necessary for their situation? That is our perogative as humans-WE get to decide what is best for OUR animals, and those who become part of our lives. BUT, we dont get to decide for everyone else what is right or wrong for THEIR animals. Same rule applies to children....what works for one child may be impossible, impractical, or inconvenient for another-and the needs of each child have to be evaluated individually by those entrusted to care for them- not by well emaning friends, neighbors and online message forums. Now see--- comparing dogs and children, NOT equating them- see the difference?

I love my dog, the Bible leaves NO DOUBT that ALL animals AND people have rights, not necessarily the SAME rights. It is up to ME to decide what the rights of MY dog are. You may all have the same privilege for deciding what is in the best interest of your OWN dogs.

I only wanted the OP to remember that not all dogs will behave identically, and that SOME dogs might respond to training and would not necessarily HAVE to be destroyed. Nothing more.

Some of you may find it interesting to know that Tim is still under restriction due to his chicken killing and is not allowed outside off leash during "chicken-time." He now is brought on a leash along with us to all chicken chores. He is instructed twice a day to lie down and "stay" in the chicken coop while we change bedding, feed, etc-and the chickens goa bout their business all around him. We have required him to continue lying down while placing the chickens on his head and back-which the chickens really seem to enjoy as he is quite a fuzz ball. While at first this was very unpleasant for him, he has since relaxed and now does not seem to mind at all. At night he is now locked in the barn in the alleyway between chicken coops-as opposed to his usual position under the dining room table. It is our hope that all fo these things will help him understand that the chickens are part of his pack, and thus, not food. So far, so good. We will not be hasty in giving him total freedom back, but will continue to teach him, test him...and eventually, trust him we hope. For us, this is feasible to take the time to do this and his value, as well as the value of our chickens, is great to all of us. TIM deserves that much from us-another dog may not warrant such efforts. Not for ANYONE to decide for anyone else.

Now, certainly some of you will disagree with all or most of what I said- some may not-perhaps some of you will have an open mind and at least give it consideration. But perhaps those of you who found it necessary to berate and mock MY thoughts will at least take a moment to consider if that was right, necessary, beneficial...or just a way to get a laugh and make yourselves feel good? We are adults here for the most part, and I would like to think we can behave as such.

 

[MonkeyZero]

I'd Catch the dogs and sell em to someone who HAS A BRAIN!!! Really though. My house is fenced all around, but one day my neighbors evil dog broke a fence. I told em off and made em replace the fence!. But you are totally different case. SOryy about your loss too. I love dogs, but that has gotten way to far!!!

 

[buffedbarredandbrahmed]

well said spottedcrow!!!!! he owes you money and let him know that. think about time and feed. my child loves her chickens and if they are going to be taken away then i am going to take away those that try to harm them.

 

[Akane]

Sure moenmitz you can spend all the time you want training your dog. That's part of the responsibility of owning multiple animals. Making sure you do your best to have them get along instead of just eliminating whichever one is most difficult. The first 2 months I had my puppy she was tied to me 24/7 and has slowly earned her freedom to run around my property and play with the other animals. The problem is you can't train everyone else's dogs. I don't have the time to haul the neighbors' dogs around with me doing chores, taking them to obedience classes, and training them all the commands they should know. I don't have time or money to go build a proper dog yard for them either. Very few people do. Which is why all you can really do is discourage the dog, complain to the owner, and when that fails protect your own animals by whatever means necessary.

Personally I think it should be a law that every owner of a new dog take it to a minimum of 6-8 household obedience classes and learn how to properly handle the animal and socialize it. We'd have a whole lot fewer problems with poorly trained or socialized dogs, irresponsible owners, owners who don't care what happens to the animal, and as a result less homeless pets. It would do a lot more for the animals than any of our current laws and if spending 6-8hrs over several months training your dog is too much of an inconvenience you shouldn't have a dog.