Devastated.... Must re-home my babies.

[DuckDuckVT]

Where in MA are you?

 

[3bird]

@3bird Know anyone who might help?

We're up in Maine, but I can ask around if a more local option is not forthcoming. So sad. :-(

 

[Pyxis]

So you mean to tell me that you have to get rid of your ducks cause your neighbors can’t keep their dog under control? Honey I would fight that one. That’s a bunch of BS. If worse comes to worse, a bunch of use I’m sure can ban together and find a home were they all can go. @Pyxis how about you? Do you have room?

Yes, I've got room if need be (I'm in VT), but I agree, you really should try to fight this. It's their dog; their animals are their problem, not yours.

What if you had a small dog in your backyard instead of ducks, and their dog ket trying to dig under their fence to kill it? Would they tell you to get rid of YOUR dog? I don't think so.

 

[Dharmachick]

Can we get this on Facebook, and all go over and share and like? What about those petition web pages. These are your pets! The dog is their pet behaving badly in their yard! Is there anything their dog does that you could counter complain about? I would die if someone tried to make me get rid of my chickens! I live across the country, but I would share and sign petitions.

 

[lena_]

I'm sorry that you have to go through all of this. I've had awful neighbors before, it sucks.

Would you be willing to take it to court? I mean, how far would you be willing to go for your ducks? I've known someone who actually moved house to keep her chickens. It may seem crazy to some, but you grow a bond with the little ones, parting is hard.

Your neighbours just seem like problem neighbours. No matter what, they'll have a complaint; 'Your grass is too long', 'your tree is too tall', 'the racoons coming into your backyard are dirty','Your house is the wrong colour', people like these just don't know when to quit, and complain about things that are completely out of your power.

Judging by what you've written about the dog I'm assuming it's some kind of toy breed. Those are notorious for their bad behavior. It's not your fault that these people have not taken the right steps to help their dog behave properly, and you shouldn't have to pay for their ignorance.

I think you should fight to keep your ducks. It's ridiculous that people like your neighbours can get away with stunts like this.
If you can't fight it,then I truly hope you can find a wonderful, loving home for them. But I feel that if the problem is not resolved, these neighbours are just going to keep walking all over you, so to speak.

Best of luck.

 

[DobieLover]

It sounds as if the Town is making up reasons for you to get rid of your ducks. They really can't do that. They have to have a specific ordinance or law to site that you are breaking and they are enforcing. Have they provided the specific ordinance? It does not sound like one exists.
I would do both: I would continue to fight them AND I would look for a better place to live while at the same time avoided the nasty neighbor as much as possible.
I too live near neighbors like this. They will NEVER stop finding something to complain about. They seem to thrive on making trouble for those around them. Unfortunately, I think they will be a constant source of grief for you.

 

[lena_]

It sounds as if the Town is making up reasons for you to get rid of your ducks. They really can't do that. They have to have a specific ordinance or law to site that you are breaking and they are enforcing. Have they provided the specific ordinance? It does not sound like one exists.
I would do both: I would continue to fight them AND I would look for a better place to live while at the same time avoided the nasty neighbor as much as possible.
I too live near neighbors like this. They will NEVER stop finding something to complain about. They seem to thrive on making trouble for those around them. Unfortunately, I think they will be a constant source of grief for you.

 

[New2Chicks97]

I hate neighbors that cause drama bad neighbors can make it miserable to live in an otherwise great house & neighborhood.

Personally, I would push the issue with the city and point out that the complaint is not about noise, smell or other nuisance issue but their dog digging. Likely their dogs would dig whether or not you have ducks. The presence of raccoons and coyotes if already established have nothing to do with your ducks either. Make your case and see where it goes.

If push comes to shove and you really want to keep your ducks......find a temporary home and move to a location in your town that it won’t be an issue. Life is too short to spend it next to miserable neighbors who are obviously out to make life miserable for others.

 

[townchicks]

I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this, and it seems so wrong that you are the one to suffer for your neighbors' unwillingness to control their dog. However, as hard as it is, finding a new home for your ducks, may be better in the long run. Since your neighbors are not controlling their dog, there is a real risk, if you keep your ducks, that he may dig under the fence and attack them. Then all the "legal rights" in the world will not matter, your babies will be dead. To protect them is your first priority. Do they have a secure, dog proof run in your yard, or do you let them loose in the yard? You can not change your neighbors behavior, unfortunately, so you may need to make a hard choice, for your babies. You say that the ducks are only 6 weeks old, and this has been going on for a couple of weeks already. You have up to 20 years with your ducks, if you are able to keep them, are you up for a constant battle? Because with neighbors like those, it sounds like they will come up with excuse after excuse to complain about the ducks, the dog BS is just the opening salvo. That's how people like that win. It sucks, but it's reality. If you can protect your ducks,( also against the raccoons and other predators that are there) within your yard, then it may be worth it. Only you can decide.

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

Where in MA are you located? And I can not believe this, it is ridiculous that they are doing this to you! You and your birds have done NOTHING wrong, it gets me so angry