Dog Attack Help!

[Freeman]

My husband is deployed and we rent an apartment and the landlord's daughter and her son's dogs attacked our chickens today. They have gotten in the pasture and attacked and killed other animals in the past and are loose all the time. The problem is that we are only renters and the land belongs to their family basically. The chicken I don't think is going to make it, it is a brahma rooster named Moe and he has puncture wounds, nothing hanging out. I have no idea what to do and the last time I checked I am sure the poor thing is going to die. Do I have rights even though I am just renting if the dogs are loose around on their family's land or do I seriously just have to wait until they get in the pasture again and kill my chickens! Are you really allowed to shoot the dog? I don't think I could do it and anyway, the land belongs to their dad/grandad so technically the dogs are on their property. Help!!!!

 

[Henrietta23]

I can't answer the question about your rights but I can share what I did when we had a hen who was attacked by something. I heard her carrying one night. I scared off whatever it was, I think a fox, but she was left with some nasty bites on her backside. I used betadine which I think I mixed with water and swabbed it on the wounds. I kept her in an old dog crate in the basement until she healed so the others wouldn't pick at her. She healed beautifully. Unfortunately two years later she was killed by a fox anyway.

 

[Freeman]

I put bag balm on it because that is what the farmer told me to do and he is in a hen box now in the barn and I thought he was just in shock, but the last time I checked it barely moved. Thanks for replying.

 

[Henrietta23]

You're welcome. I hope things look better in the morning.

 

[PurpleChicken]

I doubt you have any rights other than destruction of property.

Talk nicely to your landlord and keep the hens cooped up. You may find
the landlord to be sympathetic to you and your animals.

 

[SpottedCrow]

Have you talked to the landlord?
Maybe they don't know that they're killing livestock.
I would take pics of your hurt and dead birds and call animal control.
If Moe's being very quiet, he might be in shock. He will need to be kept quiet and warm.

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

Unfortunately you seem to be in a very difficult position. Even if you can legally kill to protect your flock it may be not prudent to do so. If it were me I think I would try to talk to the dog owners and make some sort of compromise. Your only recourse may be to keep your chickens cooped or in a protected run. AS a renter of an apartment on their land it puts you at a big disadvantage.

So sorry about your animal/s hope you can save him.

 

[Freeman]

The landlord is actually the dog owners' daughter and grandson. He doesn't want the dogs in their either as they have killed some of his geese and guineas, too. I have talked to the dog owners over and over and called the animal control guy who said he would do whatever I wanted him, too, but it is tough because we are friends with the landlord (and the dog owners, too) and I don't want to start a big fight, but I love the chickens and if Moe dies (I know it is just a chicken) I will be devastated and furious. I hope that you are right that he is just in shock. He is warm enough I am sure and they are in a fenced pasture, but the dog gets in somehow when they aren't watching it (them). The dog is a jack russell, they just shouldn't own dogs and they didn't even apologize which really infuriates me even more. I wish my husband was here. UUGGGHHH. Sorry, thank you for your help, advice, and best wishes.

 

[SpottedCrow]

Animal control can take the dog away and they'll have to pay to get him out..that might help...
It's not starting a fight if you have a leash law and they're breaking it.
and it's never just a chicken...believe all of us...it's like losing a kid sometimes.

 

[dlhunicorn]

I do not know the exact terms and conditions under which you rent , (do you rent just the house or is there a special parcel of land surrounding it that is also included?) but if land is included then your landlord (and his family) has no "rights" per se while you are renting... (or do you think he has a right just to wander in your house because he owns it?>same principle applies for land) though I do understand your hesitation (they might not renew your contract if you make too much of a fuss)
Invite the son over (lock up your birds) and ask him"What would you do if I had a pit bull and he ate your little terrier for breakfast?" (you see where I am going with this...)
Hope your birdie makes it...