Coyotes, Bobcats, Beagles and more... Ugh.

[CarolinaGirl]

My flock and herd of goats are far from safe, I'm figuring out.

After talking to a neighbor down the road then witnessing some of these beasts myself, I'm more than a little concerned.

My biggest, most immediate concern is the *#$*# beagles! Someone highly irresponsible is letting their 11 beagles out to run rampant. Obviously, these are half-way trained hunting dogs. Once, fine. Twice, okay, I was annoyed... But now, it's once in the morning and once in the evening... They run through and torment my cats, upset my 13 year old Aussie mix, Rascal, to the point of jumping his fence (which he has never done) and today, they took off after my favorite free-range roo... I put him up at night but this was 4 pm! I resorted to throwing rocks, chasing them and screaming until they finally let off. My poor roo was panting and exhausted. I called the owner... a week ago. As you can see, that helped nothing.

Then there are the other threats. My friend who owns 3 commercial chicken houses has witnessed coyotes (a large pack!), bobcats, foxes and even a bear in his pasture which is just a hop, skip and jump to my animals. I already know we have possums, raccoons and skunks as I've seen those as well.

My grandfather next door seems to see no immediate threat... But we're starting to lose barn cats left and right which I'm not okay with. If they're getting cats, whatever it may be, I feel like they'll move on up closer to the house and have a chicken or chevron feast.

This really worries me tremendously but other than the electric, which apparently, animals CAN get through, the beagles had no problem, what else can I do to protect them? The beagles, by the way, just dug down and under the electric line... and my neighbor said the coyotes apparently jump his electric fence?

I'd love to get a Pyrenees but no one local will have a litter until next year

then I'd have to wait until he/she matured anyway.

Any ideas or should I just brace myself, go against my previous stand point and get myself some shooting lessons?

 

[d.k]

* Call animal control about the beagles, wildlife about the bear, trap the racoons, wolf urine may deter the coyotes, possibly the bobcat and foxes as well. The rest, ???, I'm out of ideas! Ya'll need a ZOO in the area!!!

 

[d.k]

* Call animal control about the beagles, wildlife about the bear, trap the racoons, wolf urine may deter the coyotes, possibly the bobcat as well. The rest, ???, I'm out of ideas! Ya'll need a ZOO in the area!!! (I need a d.p. DELETE button!)

 

[mandomama]

I agree about animal control. How about some rock salt in a shot gun for the Beagles. Just stand watch and pop them a couple of times. Won't kill them. But will sting. Then tell the owners if they come on you property you'll start using buck shot. Do it in writing. Certified Letter. That should protect you legally.

 

[southernsibe]

I'd recommend checking your local laws about the free roaming dogs first. Where I am in Va they can be free roaming for only part of the year if they are hunting dogs. Otherwise they are non compliant. Also in my county it is within my rights to shoot anything that is on my property and posing a threat to my livestock. I'd write the letter to the neighbors, siting and maybe coping the law to them as well. I agree to mail it certified. Calling animal control may do the trick, if nothing else they may be able to tell you the law. Although, sometimes animal control seems to think dogs are not a problem.

Rachel

 

[LynneP]

If you can solve the dog problem (I'd be furious too) you'll still have a major predator group in the area. I'd love to free-range but we have so many predators that it's impossible. Sadly, I'm guessing that your days of free-ranging are coming to a close. I'm so sorry, but there it is.

 

[panner123]

Well I have over 15 miles of electric fence around my property. Some is electrice fence inside or electric fence. What that doesn't stop, my two friends (Smith & wesson ) will.
As for the wild predators the fish & game dept. here will send out a ranger to pick up any dead bear, bobcat, coyotes or mountian lion. This check for illness. The smaller ones coon, possum and the like, we are suppose to bury. They get very few calls as most of the animals become dinner. For the dogs, the owner will get one call as a waring, the next call he gets is to come pick up his dead dog. Here in Ca. we have the right to protect are livestock
and human lives. We must be able to prove the danger. We can't shoot something just because it is there.

 

[tomstephens]

I'm not sure where in the Carolinas you are. But I live just outside Charlotte and very close to a lot of suburban neighborhoods and off a main road and I've had attacks from fox, bobcat, and a raccoon. A farmer just around the corner swore he saw a cougar. I've trapped several possum. And I hear coyotes howling most nights. I had to move my whole coop. When I had it around 200ft ft from my house I was losing chickens left and right. I lost 6 (including my roo) in about 2 weeks (most of the attacks were in day light). So I moved it close to my house, around 40-50ft away now and I haven't had a problem since -- at least not yet. I only hope they don't start to get comfortable getting closer to the house. But my shotgun sits by the door ready, just in case.

We also keep them from completely free ranging now too. I let them out in the evening to range a bit usually.

 

[SterlingAcres]

I agree to the certified letter to the dog owners. If you didn't want to kill them, there's always a paintball gun or a pellet gun. I'd call the game commission about the bear and try to trap the rest of the animals yourself.

Good luck.