Dangers in your own backyard (updated with graphic photo pg 6)

[insiderart]

Ugh. Poor Sara!! Many hugs to her again today!

 

[quail newbie]

Quote:
LOL.. did I mention that the night after Sara's incident, that my 18-yr-old son backed into my car with his very large truck and smashed the whole front-end in?? It has not been a good week at all.

Concerning this question and comment:

But throwing a PET away that your daughter obviously loves because he did what you can not argue was instinct in this case? Leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Sara loves the chickens more than she loves the pup. However, we are considering keeping the puppy, though he will have to be chained until I can build him a pen. Maybe you, hunterjumper999, would like to give me some pointers on how to train this dog not to kill my chickens. I have worked with him from the first day we got him. Apparently I have not done a very good job. At the rate of 2 chickens a day, I'll soon be out of the chicken business. He didn't just kill the chickens.. he was eating them. I assume that since he's had a good taste of chicken.. he'll want more.​

I think that if an animal is not the right fit for your family and your needs it is wonderful to find them a new home where they will be happy and no longer be a risk to themselves or anyone else. If the puppy ran next door and ate a few chickens there is a good chance that person would go with the sss rule. It is the most responsible thing you can do and I think you are doing what's right for sara. If you raise poultry for a living and the dog is going to prey on your birds by removing the dog she will learn the same lesson I am teaching my son. People before pets, I love my animals dearly but if I have to chose i will always chose my human family first. Take care of that little girl

 

[wanda047]

Spanky would never just be "tossed away". We love him too much for that. He's a great puppy and loves the children. However, he also LOVES my chickens. LOL If we decide to re-home Spanky, it will have to be a loving home.

We have another dog indoors. She is a minature pomeranian and we've had her for 12 years. I've also discussed with the children that we might find another indoor dog (maybe a yorkie or another pom). This would better fit our lifestyle and the children would still have their pet dogs.

As for training Spanky properly, I agree that it would take work and supervision. The "time" it would take is something I just don't have right now. Besides having a daughter laid up who requires much of my attention now days, I also have 4 other children in the house. I'm also self-employed (work out of my home on this dang puter!) and spend one day at the radio station. I don't have the time it requires to properly train this puppy, nor do I have the desire to lose any more chickens.

I will add that I have never lost a chicken to a predator (besides Spanky). Bo was excellent at keeping the coons and possums away. I had hoped that Spanky would take over where Bo left off, but now that he's had a taste of chicken... I can't trust him.

On a final note, Sara had the drain tube removed from her leg today. Everything seems to be healing well and no sign of infection. Yeah!

 

[saddina]

Wish I lived closer so I could take over some cassoroles and tend to the little ones with you. (maybe an Italian thing, no matter what, good or bad we bring food). Hmm let me know if you need some ideas for keeping the other ones busy so you can do all that you need to do. (maybe a good idea to declare a few "movie days" have a few DVD's and popcorn so mama can get some things done).

 

[redhen]

Dont let anyone try to make you feel guilty if you re-home your pup that killed the chickens. I've had to re-home dogs before. I say,(and i'm always right

) as long as you find them a good home you ARE being responsible for them. Its not like your just gonna drop the pup off on dead end road somewhere..

Good luck and follow your gut on all things..

 

[citrusdreams]

I'm so sorry for what happened to your daughter. I'm praying for her, you and your family. You must be just sick over the whole thing. I know I would be horrified and devestated if my dog did that to someone, let alone a family member or a child. You need to do what's best for you and your human family before your animal family. Whatever decision you make, it'll be the right one for you.

I hope your daughter has a speedy recovery, both emotionally and physically.

 

[Chicken_Lover4567]

Poor Sara! She was just trying to help the younger dog with his foot. I really hope you she gets better and that the pain stops! Praying for you.

 

[MysticScorpio82]

OMG! I am at a loss for words. I feel so much empathy for your daughter and family right now. I think I would have killed the dog myself if I had one maul my daughter like that. I am an over protective mother bear sometimes....

I am sorry for such a horrible week you and your family are going through. I agree with redhen, don't let ANYONE make you feel guilty or bad for deciding to rehome a puppy. He obviously is not a good fit with chickens, since you have been training him to no avail. and he would do better in a home with out them.

I pray for fast healining for your daughter!

 

[wanda047]

Well, after much thought, I decided to try something. Instead of rehoming Spanky, the little chicken killer, we're going to start keeping him in the house. When we first got Spanky, we kept him in the house, but after he chewed up a few of our things... including my favorite purse

I tossed him outside with Bo. He is very excited to be back in the house and is really soaking up the air conditioning. In fact, tonight he's under the couch and refuses to come out. He's scared we'll throw him outside in the storm!

The chickens all enjoyed the day outside in the yard without being chased, tail feathers pulled, or eaten by the little monster. Spanky is only allowed outside with supervision while the chickens are free ranging. This seems to be working for everyone so far. He's a little older now, so maybe he'll be a little more behaved in the house. So far... so good. And in the meantime I'll continue working with him around the chickens when he is outside. Who knows, maybe he'll eventually be a grand chicken dog!

As for Sara Kate, she is holding her own. She is refusing to put any weight on her leg, which her doctor is encouraging her to do. It has been nearly a week, but she refuses to use the leg at all, instead using crutches or crawling about on the floor. Her doctor is afraid that she may eventually need some physical therapy. We know it hurts, but she has to start trying to use it. She won't even straighten it out. She's just scared, I think. The stitches and staples will come out next Thursday, so we'll see how she does between now and then.

Here's a photo of Spanky... don't let that sweet little face (the dog) fool you... he's a little demon.

Also, Sara's worse wound as it looks today. The drain tube was removed yesterday. This is the calf of her leg. Note the bruising. I did not post a photo of the wound initially, because it looked so bad, with all the swelling and drain tube. Hopefully this isn't too bad for most viewers.

 

[Cetawin]

*deep breath* I just read all 6 pages of this thread and first let me say.... killing the cooperhead is the absolute best thing to do in your yard...they are venomous and aggressive. So well done.

As for the Boxer..while the boxer was thought the puppy was being hurt by Sara, the boxer had no way of knowing that it was not Sara hurting him. So, his lunging was to be expected. Her shoving him away and etc would only confuse him and send signals to him that his warnings of "stop hurting the puppy" were being unheeded so he lunged again only to be shoved back and scoled...he did was every instinct told him to do...defend the puppy. Sadly, this is a horrible case of two wrongs not making a right and an unfortunate accident.

I agree that Bo could not longer be trusted as a family member...however, putting him down may not be the right option either. Dogs who attack in situations like this will not necessarily attack again in the future...Bo seems to be a one dog in the family sort and should be in a home where he is the only dog.

I am so sorry Sara has been hurt and is suffering some emotional upset. And to lose two chickens on top of that, I think emotionally she has had enough. Ask her if she wants the puppy to go to a new home better suited for him...if so, send him. Him not beign raised in the house and suddenly being forced there may create an entire set of new issues...is another upset to the family worth the risk?

I am glad Sara will be going to counseling because she has been through a trmemndous ordeal. Tell her my family and I send out wishes for a speedy recovery, fast healing of body, spirit and mind and big hugs.