Close Call, letter I sent to dog owners -UPDATE -Ellie just attacked

[horsejody]

Forget animal control. Call the police or the Sheriff's dept. Dogs doing damage is a criminal offense in most jurisdictions. Tell the officer that you want to file a report and press criminal charges. Dogs at large is an animal control issue. Dogs doing damage is a criminal offense (in most places). Give it a try. Personally, I'm done being tolerant of the stupidity of others. If people can't handle following the laws, I'll let the law handle them. And if I can, I'll shoot dogs that trespass on my property. Unfortunately, you can't patroll 24/7 with a gun in hand.

 

[bwebb7]

God Bless You!
I'm so sorry for Ellie and you and BJ!
I'll say a prayer that she is not in too much pain and comes thru OK
That photo is some damning evedence you have there. I hope you can see this thru.
I'm sorry for all this trouble!

 

[SpottedCrow]

Crud...I just feel for Ellie...dagnabit!

Why are the dogs at the vet?

 

[pips&peeps]

I really think you need to find out for sure if you can dispatch a dog in your neighborhood. A shotgun will work and you won't have to worry about a stray bullet in tight quarters.

I live in a county "no shooting zone", but if a dog or coyote is harassing, worrying, or destroying my livestock I do have the right to shoot it to protect my property.

 

[SpottedCrow]

More hugs and prayers from me, Judy.

 

[chilling in muscadine]

I feel so bad for you and your birds. Its reminding me of my Sadie and her attack and it was my stupid dog doing the attack.

I know what your going through right now. The fence is sounding like a good idea, also are you saying you can not shot the dogs there? I wouldn't think there would be a law against a pellet gun and a good sting might stop your problem. Don't know what else to say. Hang in there. Prayers

 

[birdlover]

Judy,
How is Ellie doing now? Man, I hope you get those irresponsible people to pay up and lock up. I know you'll make sure justice is served for Ellie and BJ's sake. Praying she makes it through the night and recovers quickly and completely. We're all pulling for her!

Ellen

 

[jjthink]

Thank you for caring - there aren't the words to properly express how much you help.

More later - I am anxiously awaiting 9 a.m. when the vet said to call to see if Ellie is okay. BJ's up and looking around for her,very somber. Gave him some of his favorite fruits to buy some time.

The people whose dogs ripped Ellie open called last night to apologize (they had retrieved their dogs from the local vet, where animal control "stores" them until the owners can be reached) . As we all know, an apology unfortunately does not turn back the clock. The dogs have been loose before and I have told her how important it is that they not be. She said they were only loose once before and I said my neighbor sees them loose at least twice a month because they come to bark at his dog, a dog that he carefully keeps under control. I told her that if they get loose again they will now make a bee line straight for my place and that this cannot happen. I hope she comprehends.

She will be getting the bills, along with grizzly photos of poor Ellie, a photo of her dog on my deck (the one in this post), a photo of a huge pile of Ellie's feathers where the dog had her cornered and was ripping at her. And also a note about what this now means in terms of pain for Ellie, weeks of medication schedules, careful tending, probably in home care (I have already set the bathroom up as an infirmary) that will deprive the birds of freedom and joy. Not to mention that I need to be focuing on gettinga new job and how that has been derailed for the moment. My sweet older cat was attacked by something 2 nights ago and I was supposed to be tending to him medically yesterday - he got punted in favor of Ellie's more dire status and so today I must tend also to Teddy, who will not eat this morning.

My birds have their small run but unfortunately fencing the rest of the yard is not possible - long story having to do with property flooding issues. While safe in their run, when I'm home I let the birds out a bit to be able to stretch and eat grass and explore because they get bored out of their ever loving minds when confined. The birds stay very close to their run entrance. I thought I had all the neighbors educated and trained about keeping their dogs away.

So last week 2 dogs terrorize my birds and bite me and this week 2 other dogs practically eviscerate Ellie. Angry doesn't begin to describe how fed up I am with irresponsible dog owners, on behalf of every sad story I read on BYC as well as the ones I've personally witnessed.

Thank you for pulling for Ellie and for being mad right along with me.
JJ

 

[ml]

I am so sorry you are going thur this. your poor birds.

ml

 

[Harley's girl]

I am so sorry for what you are going through!

You will be in my prayers along with Ellie. Gosh, this is so awful! I sure hope that everything works out for you. Good luck and take care.