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

[Abraeri]

Definitely think you should be able to keep your ducks. Unbelievable that you have to get rid of your ducks for the fault of THEIR dogs.

Where in Georgia will you be coming to? I have a flock of 13 free range ducks and live in metro-Atlanta.

 

[WeTheWeys]

Damn, I live in NY and wish we could take them for you. They're precious. I think you should keep fighting - so long as you're challenging it and no final decision has been made, they can't make you get rid of them. Appeal, appeal, appeal... as far as you can/have to.

I would find a home they could potentially go to if you for some reason were to lose, but honestly if you pushed the issue - and things are as you describe them and as I'm reading here - you couldn't lose. All it would take is a dog trainer to testify that dogs dig if they're going to dig regardless and a wildlife official to verify that coyotes/raccoons/etc have always existed in the area - if a judge even let a stupid case get so far without telling them to shove it

thank you! omg you all have been so supportive thank you so much. I was giving up home of winning this stupid fight but now i think i just might be able to!
I actually am not too far from NY and would totally drive there... My husband is from Jersey (although not currently there... yay military life... ) and I have some family out on Long Island so I come to NY quite a bit.

 

[WeTheWeys]

I am a dog trainer by profession. If the dog is digging it is going to keep digging until the people train it to either stop or dig in a place they appoint. If it is a rat terrier it is not even likely after the ducks but a mole, vole, or some other member of the rodent family that is either living in their garden or around it. Terriers were meant to go after rats and rodents it is hardwired in their dna. Just like herding anything that moves is in a border collie or Australian Shepherd.

I have a dog, and he is completely fine! He used to dig and get into their yard so we put up this whole fence situation. I am not concerned about my ducks' safety since they have a fenced in, predator *resistant* area (working on making it wayyyyyy more predator proof), and as of right now theyre still little so i dont leave them out alone, and at night theyre indoors with me. Temporary solution.... but definitely can't last. Town has laws against fowl and poultry and rodents indoors...don't even get me started on the trouble my tiny little hamster caused years ago....

 

[WeTheWeys]

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

north shore area!

 

[WeTheWeys]

Definitely think you should be able to keep your ducks. Unbelievable that you have to get rid of your ducks for the fault of THEIR dogs.

Where in Georgia will you be coming to? I have a flock of 13 free range ducks and live in metro-Atlanta.

I am coming to Atlanta and then may travel out from there but definitely my main stop is Atlanta.... this is so dumb but I assume metro-atlanta is near atlanta...? or in it? idk anything im stupid sometimes

 

[WeTheWeys]

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

Maine isn't far at all!!!! I would go there too

 

[WeTheWeys]

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.

literally happened so we just put up a fence thing underground so my pup couldnt dig through anymore!!!! so stupid! VT is not too far at all!!!



Just gonna say this for everyone asking! I live in northern MA, but I just meant I can't drive to like California or something ridiculously far away. I would drive to ME, NH, VT, CT, RI, NY, NJ, PA, DE, and potentially elsewhere!

 

[Abraeri]

I am coming to Atlanta and then may travel out from there but definitely my main stop is Atlanta.... this is so dumb but I assume metro-atlanta is near atlanta...? or in it? idk anything im stupid sometimes

Yes metro Atlanta is just outside Atlanta. We are 45 minutes away from downtown Atlanta.

 

[Noellereagan]

I’m with Fishmtfarm, I would fight that decision. You don’t control nor are responsible for you neighbor’s dog anymore than they are your ducks. And getting rid of the ducks probably won’t make the dog stop digging, if a dog likes to dig they dig.
If the officials in whatever office don’t listen ask if they are going to ban people from sidewalks or kids from neighboring backyards cause that makes dogs dig, bark and jump too, or cats or rabbits or the mailman.

Truly your neighbor’s clam would never hold up in court so the city really can’t justify making you get rid of the ducks.

If your ducks were doing something that would be different as the ducks are your responsibility and that’s what the fowl restrictions apply too.

Totally agree. Do you have money for a lawyer to get involved. If it were me and I had the money I would sure hire one to do my bidding so they know you mean business. I don’t understand how their lack of control over their own dog equals your negligence.

 

[WeTheWeys]

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.

I agree, it may be better in the long run. A lot has changed with my husband's job in the past month, and it looks like we will have to be moving at the beginning of 2020 anyways.... Unfortunately, I cannot take them on post. But that still isn't until like one and a half years from now!!!! However, come winter, I probably should relocate my ducks since apparently I am not going to be living here permanently anymore I originally planned to install a weather and predator proof barn out back but if I am moving soon, I don't want to create more trouble for myself. Unfortunately, in my town, a barn or farm-land DECREASES property value....?!?! WTF! I would kill for a barn!
I can't stand the thought of letting my babies go, but I even more can't stand the thought of anything bad happening to them. If I give them to my cousin like I mentioned before, I'm afraid they will use them for meat

I don't know what to do! I want to keep fighting, but if I need to relocate them (or just not live with my husband...) in about a year and a half, is it worth all the legal drama? I just love these little babes.