Chicken Murder... I didn't think it would happen to me.

[Guinea Goonie]

If I see ONE MORE DOG ATTACK and a why or a what do I do I think I am going to get sick.

When people lose their chickens i generally respond with sympathy and i would like the same. It is a traumatic thing and it really helps to post a tragedy. Also, one learns from others unfortunate situations.

The dog attacks have my sympathy, but i am vigilant about what I do in these situations and NO ONE apparently wants to hear about it, so I stay out of it.

I have had my share of death and diseases with my flock. You move on, learn and doctor them the best you can.

People seem to come to the conclusion that "politics" forms a role in these matters. Dogs seem to have some "immunity" from their actions, killing your hens and roos.

Oh, it is not the dogs problem or Oh the owners were soooo "whatever" about the situation.

I just leave them wondering what happened to their dog for a few days and feed the coyotes.

If you think this is non caring, wait until you wake up one night and find your birds destroyed by the very same dog you let live the week before.

rim

 

[cmjust0]

First of all, let me just say that I'm really sorry to hear this.. The part that really got me was where you mentioned all the weeks of waiting on eggs, because we're only at about 9wks with our first chicks and we're biting at the bit already.. I'd be seeing RED if we were right on the cusp and some idiot's dog came along and wiped out everything I'd put so much effort into..

That said, however, I feel obligated to play devil's advocate about these next two quotes..

Quote:
Quote:
If I were the dog owner in this situation and I were facing the prospect of having to shell out several hundred bucks to replace everything my dog took from you, I would absolutely LOVE IT if you came at me with this argument.

Reason being, I'd run straight and tell every neighbor I could that you had the gall to tell me that I should have left my poor, innocent, sweet, beautiful baby all alone in the house just so I could go save your stupid chickens....like your chickens are worth more than my baby!!! How crazy is that?!?!?!?!!!!

See where I'm going with this?

Do yourself a favor and don't go there.... She thought it would be wrong to leave her baby alone in the house, and you'll have a hard time convincing anyone she was wrong about that -- especially a judge, if it comes to it. Afterall, everybody loves babies, yet very few people place much value at all on the life of a chicken.

I only bring it up because I'd really hate to see you hamstring your case against her with one little comment..

 

[Cackling Hen]

Im sorry 4 ur loss o few years agos my neighbors dog got all my chickens 1rooster i had 4 nine yrs... It hurts sorry for your loss

 

[lovemychix]

I would make them pay for the loss. May make them think about letting dog loose next time.
I am in a similar situation. A big husky was at my coop the other morning. Couldn't get in the coop and run of course but had them all scared out of their feathers. Literally. The dog dug in my garden and destroyed about $30 worth of plants trying to get into the coop. The owner of the dog came to get it and I simply told her that if I see her dog again she probably won't ever again! If my husband would have been home he would have been gone.
I wish you the best!

 

[Warfrost]

cmjust0 is right...that argument will not fly. However, I don't even think it needs to be brought up. The dog should be fenced in and not running around the neighborhood.

There is severe liability for someone who is irresponsible enough to let their dog run loose in the neighborhood. What if instead of chickens it had been your child? That's a dead dog in my yard. Since you were kind enough to "allow" her to keep her dog this time, and you know it will happen again, I would call animal control, advise them of what happend so they are aware, and be ready. Next time, hang onto the dog, call them out, and that way the owners will at the VERY least have to pay to get the dog out of the hoosgow.

You ALSO have the right to defend your livestock, which will be part of your food supply for your family. If you have a gun or some other projectile weapon, you can always solve the problem on your own. It will be difficult, but you are actually doing a service to the community by getting an uncontrolled animal off the street. If a kid gets in the way, there is no telling what could happen.

Good luck!

 

[horsejody]

$20 per bird may or may not be enough. It depends on their breeds, their quality, age vaccinations, etc. Look for similar birds locally. If you can't find them, contact breeders and go on eggbid.com for quotes. If they aren't available locally, then don't forget to add in the cost of shipping. Also add up the value of lost eggs for the time it will take it you to relace them. Add in the cost of coop repairs (materials and labor). You can put a value on them. Send them the cost in writing. You might be surprsed and find out that once the neighbor finds out that it's not a $15 fix, he may or may not pay up. Also, file a report with the sheriff, police or animal control. That way when it happens again, there will be a record of the first offense. Remember, it almost always happens again. People are stupid, and you can't cure stupid. The dog will be back. Shoot it if you have too. The safety of the neighbor's pet does not take precident over the safety of yours. Warn the idiot woman that the next time the dog is in your yard the baby might be woke up by the sound of gunfire.

 

[SilverStar]

Quote:
I agree. You should get compensation for your lost birds as well as damage to your coop. I am so, so sorry this happend to you and your Birds. It must be just awful to have to go through something like this. If i was the dog owner, i would be mortifed and terribly embarrased. I would compensate ASAP!!!! Good luck

 

[Big C]

I would take no less than $50 per bird.

Also, the dog will likely be back...

I have a shotgun at hand just for any predator. No second chances.

 

[Cetawin]

I am so so sorry.

You need to fix a price...maybe $20 - $25 each because of their ages and add the amount to repair the run and wiring. 1" chicken wire, 6' x 50' runs about $70 here...make him pay for it...and next time the dog leaves his yard...catch it, call the pound and let them go pay to get it out.

 

[sangel4you]

Quote:

ROFL great line!!!!

I agree you need compensation for all of your dead AND injured birds, as well as for the desrutction to the coop and run and if I were you I'd upgrade the wire since you know that hound will be back. I say this as a dog owner...there is NO excuse for letting your dog run free if you can't control them and cant see them. Maybe when he pays you, you should suggest he get an electric fence and collar for his dog! I would also inform animal control of the incident so as everyone else said they are aware when it happens again and you are calling them with a dog in one hand and a gun in the other and on your way over to your neighbors house!