being diplomatic to neighbor with dog killing my free-range chickens

[Tala]

Quote:
My preference is to have neighbor with livestock killing dog to carry cost burden of building fence. Free-ranging has not stopped since for short term neighbor has successfully contained dog. Another neighbor has doberman that visits and walks freely among free-ranging flock with no problems. That neighbor does not need to confine dog. Training dog not to molest birds is easy if a little effort is invested. Easy even if dog has killed before, assuming neighbors have dog under some kind of control.

This is my preference as well. My chickens on my property are not leaving my property and doing damage to someone elses property. The dog I leaving its owners property and doing damage to someone elses. Who needs to control their predator?
But good luck with that. And on the other hand a pack of dogs tore up my fence requiring me to spend even more time and money rebuilding it. Who should really be paying for those repairs???

Let me tell you, that particular pack visited my coop every 4th weekend all summer with regularity, about 4 visits over the summer. Two of those visits the pack went home missing one of its members. I have not seen any of the dogs since the second one "disappeared" I guess they learned to stop letting their dogs out. With such a reliable pattern I know someone was letting them run on purpose. Dogs don't escape on a schedule like that.

The dog owner will either pay for their own fence out of their own pocket, or pay with the life of their dog. That's how they bear the cost.

 

[Momhen]

The dog is only doing what it would naturally do - hunt. It's not the dog's fault that it's been "hunting" your flock, it's the dog owner's fault because they haven't been controlling them properly. Therefore, I wouldn't want to take any action against the dog; take action action against the owner.

Talk to them, bill them, take legal action, get the US version of the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - UK) or the dog pound to address the issue with your neighbours. You may need proof that it was their dog in the form of a video or photo of the dog "in action". In the end, their dog may need to be put down - but let it be on their conscience, not yours. Personally I would find it difficult to shoot someone else's pet because of the owner's neglect. How would you feel if someone killed your hens for free ranging on their property?

I haven't read through the thread in detail but I would also make sure that your hens are secure from predators - free ranging dogs or other wild critters. That's only fair to the flock.

 

[dainerra]

Momhen, those are all good ways to handle it, in certain areas.

Here, we do not have a leash law. Animal Control doesn't handle any dog that MIGHT have an owner. You have to sign an affidavidt saying that the dog is a stray, plus you have to catch it for them. Add in the fact that they only work 3 4 hour days, and you realize that calling them is pointless.

We do have a Humane Society, but they only take owner surrendors, again requiring a signed statement that the dog belongs to you. They also have a $45 surrendor fee per animal and there is a several month long waiting list to turn in a dog.

Legally, the only recourse is to call the police and have them tell the owner that the dog will be shot if it attacks your livestock. They will also give the owner a bill for damages, but it is YOUR responsibilty to have them pay. Taking them to small claims court is the only option if they don't pay willingly. As for the dogs, if the owner refuses to confine them, shooting is your only option.

As for my birds being on someone's property, I feel they would be perfectly within their rights to a free chicken dinner. That's because I hope they would make use of the meat instead of letting it go to waste. Chickens can do quite a bit of damage to landscapes and gardens, so I would cough up any costs for damages as well.

 

[Ole rooster]

It's sounds so good to be sweet about all things in the world. But unfortunalty this ain't a sweet world we live in. You learn to take of you and yours are you lose it. Plain and simple.

 

[halo]

Quote:
I'm sorry CheekyMare, but I have to disagree as to a predator fence being a prerequisite in this case. Predators are one thing, a neighbor's free ranging pet is another. If your flock is on your property you should not have to defend your animals from his. He's the one who needs a fence.

Many years ago a friend told me, "You have a unique talent for turning the crank just to see how far it will go." Let's turn this crank to its extreme and see where it takes us. You have a rooster whose crowing your neighbor finds objectionable. He comes onto your property and shoots your bird. His defense is that you didn't have sufficient fencing to keep him out. A valid defense for his action? I think not!

You are absolutely right, you shouldnt need a predator fence to keep out predators. So you can either be right and have a lot of dead birds over and over, or you can be proactive, and protect your birds and have them alive.

Your choice.

 

[OldGuy43]

Quote:
So, by your logic unless you have a 16' high solid board fence topped with electrified razor wire and a gate that rivals an ICBM installation my theoretical neighbor who hates rooster crowing is well within his rights shooting your bird, right? We are not talking about a feral predator here, but an out-of-control household pet. I cannot speak for where the OP lives, but here in rural Texas we can and do protect our livestock. Shoot the darn thing and be done with it. If your neighbor thought that much of his dog he would have protected it from getting into the road and run over, being attacked by a pack of wild dogs or an irate chicken rancher.

 

[mshuey1]

Quote:
I think your letter is short and to the point. I see no threats which of course is good. The letter is not emotional which is also good.

I hope your neighbor will do the right thing and pay you and keep their dog under their control.

X2

 

[judyc]

Well, something else you can do.

I brought the poultry home from the farm for the winter. This summer a TIRE SHOP moved next door. I just love the sound of air tools all day. (but I digress)

They have a white German Shepard named Teddy. I didn't have much trust in having Teddy in my yard before I could bring the sheep and Anatolian home, so I put up two sections of Electronet fencing with a solar charger. It has been my experience that dogs purely HATE getting zapped with electric fence.

The poultry has been in the yard, safe from the dog next door or ANY OTHER DOG. I currently have three bottle calves in the yard also. You might check out the Electronet fencing. Sometimes you can find some used on Craigslist.

 

[Ole rooster]

So what did you do?

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
Nothing yet. Leader of household has not been seen since incedent but he will be approached when he comes home. I will speak to him without actually presenting letter but will cover points listed. Since last round, dog has not been seen and is presumably being kept indoors. I do not consider that to be a long-term protection plan because dog will get out again eventually. I will formally offer to help break dog of chicken killing habit so dog can be outside more. Free-ranging dog that is not threat to my livestock is best of all worlds since it will be another critter-hostile patch wild predators will have to cross to get to my flocks. That should help preserve relationship with neighbor.