Genocide.
History:
The new neighbor who bought the house directly behind me has a Jack Russell. There have been no problems. Three weeks ago another larger dog that is possibly a lab bull terrier leaning Henize 57 came to stay with him. I first knew there were problems when the digging started. Then two weeks ago while I was working at home they broke through the fence. Only the small dog made it through and wasn't doing any harm. But the large dog was trying to ram himself through the opening and I knew it was not going to be possible to keep him out by blocking the hole. So I called a fence repair co and they came out and replaced that area of the fence. I was timid about creating drama with a new neighbor and figured I'd just not get excited about it. Until it became an every other day event with spending an hour a day filling the holes he was digging under the fence. I blocked the dug up areas with dirt rocks and for good measure fire wood logs. I sent the neighbor a letter when no one would respond at the door. I was very firm in my message that it was time he took responsibility for his dogs tresspassing and distruction of my property. Two days later he called me and said he had been out of town and had someone coming over to feed the dogs. I was immediately relieved. Everything made sense and he told me the large dog was his friends who was on a work project in San Diego and would be making other arrangements for the large dog this weekend (today).
Yesterday:
I had to go to the dentist. When I came back all but one of my chickens were gone and there was a giant hole under my fence, and the yard was covered in feathers. Then friend in San Diego flew back home and came to my house. He paid me for all the chickens and the fence repair and promised they would be making massive repairs to their side of the fence today, digging and burying chicken wire a foot deep to stop the digging and that the big dog would be gone. They are very sorry. I'm very much in shock. I thought it was handled. I don't know what I will do next.
Today:
The lone survivor has been scalped of her tail feathers. There seems to be a bite or scrape mark mid back but she's getting around fine. She has scabs forming this morning. She is very quiet and probably in shock and grieving. But she's eating and drinking. She stayed in the house with me last night and I just put her outside. She's staying right at the back door hiding behind some tossed over lawn furniture - part of the carnage. I think she is OK but wonder if I'm being frivilous or insensitive to her pain? I read the post about the hawk attack and saw not to put pain relief on her boo boos. Sh looks so pitiful alone and scared. I'm leaving the back door open for now so she can come in if she needs to. I just hoped a bit of sunshine might make her feel better. I fenced off the side of the house where my kitchen door is, using a portable 4' tall dog pen/yard fence and put the coop in this area.
Do I need to do more? Do I need to take her to a vet? Should I go get her a companion hen? Would another hen accept her without the tail feathers? She was the dominant leader of the brood. Any advice? Thank you.
History:
The new neighbor who bought the house directly behind me has a Jack Russell. There have been no problems. Three weeks ago another larger dog that is possibly a lab bull terrier leaning Henize 57 came to stay with him. I first knew there were problems when the digging started. Then two weeks ago while I was working at home they broke through the fence. Only the small dog made it through and wasn't doing any harm. But the large dog was trying to ram himself through the opening and I knew it was not going to be possible to keep him out by blocking the hole. So I called a fence repair co and they came out and replaced that area of the fence. I was timid about creating drama with a new neighbor and figured I'd just not get excited about it. Until it became an every other day event with spending an hour a day filling the holes he was digging under the fence. I blocked the dug up areas with dirt rocks and for good measure fire wood logs. I sent the neighbor a letter when no one would respond at the door. I was very firm in my message that it was time he took responsibility for his dogs tresspassing and distruction of my property. Two days later he called me and said he had been out of town and had someone coming over to feed the dogs. I was immediately relieved. Everything made sense and he told me the large dog was his friends who was on a work project in San Diego and would be making other arrangements for the large dog this weekend (today).
Yesterday:
I had to go to the dentist. When I came back all but one of my chickens were gone and there was a giant hole under my fence, and the yard was covered in feathers. Then friend in San Diego flew back home and came to my house. He paid me for all the chickens and the fence repair and promised they would be making massive repairs to their side of the fence today, digging and burying chicken wire a foot deep to stop the digging and that the big dog would be gone. They are very sorry. I'm very much in shock. I thought it was handled. I don't know what I will do next.
Today:
The lone survivor has been scalped of her tail feathers. There seems to be a bite or scrape mark mid back but she's getting around fine. She has scabs forming this morning. She is very quiet and probably in shock and grieving. But she's eating and drinking. She stayed in the house with me last night and I just put her outside. She's staying right at the back door hiding behind some tossed over lawn furniture - part of the carnage. I think she is OK but wonder if I'm being frivilous or insensitive to her pain? I read the post about the hawk attack and saw not to put pain relief on her boo boos. Sh looks so pitiful alone and scared. I'm leaving the back door open for now so she can come in if she needs to. I just hoped a bit of sunshine might make her feel better. I fenced off the side of the house where my kitchen door is, using a portable 4' tall dog pen/yard fence and put the coop in this area.
Do I need to do more? Do I need to take her to a vet? Should I go get her a companion hen? Would another hen accept her without the tail feathers? She was the dominant leader of the brood. Any advice? Thank you.
. She's doing great. All her tail feathers grew back and she is as bossy as ever so she earned her name - she's now called Judge Judy. Of course she's still top hen even with a new crew. And apparently she hasn't forgotten her special time in the house because she tries to sneak back in whenever I leave the door open.
