Dog Attack

[#1California Chick]

Quote:
SSS (Shoot (or otherwise dispose), Shovel and Shut Up).

Cindy

 

[Cetawin]

Quote:
Yeah okay...hopefully when she digs that hole she will jump in first and cover herself up.

Maybe that will save another dog from her stupidity as an owner.



Mishi I am sorry for your loss and especially for your neice. I am very attached to my girls as is my daughter. it is hard to lose one much less all of them like that.

Thankfully, here it is not illegal to shoot them. I have one right now wandering around my run...I have chased it home three times and spoken to the owner three times, called animal control and the sheriff's dept. .... there will not be a next visit with him. I will not lose one of my girls to a dog owned by an idiot.

SSS

 

[Kung Foo Chicken]

Since you are in Canada and can't shoot I would become very good at a pro type slingshot and get a large pack of marbles.

I've had the same types of problems with my neighbors and looked up state law and let him see the ordinance that dogs on the run are fair game if they are destroying property, pets, and even appearing aggressive.

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Quote:
I use this method and I'm a pretty good shot with it as well

I've already broken a commercial slingshot...pretty poor material, and am looking to make an old fashioned one like we had as kids.

 

[horsejody]

I'm sorry you lost your birds. I'm glad the dogs were taken out of the picture so they won't kill again. Make sure you pursue the neighbor for damages. Good luck to you.

 

[byrandom]

What about an air rifle?

I know that if it was me, I'd be

 

[wyliefarms]

If you lived closer I would get some layers right now! So sorry for your loss.

Sarah

 

[sandypaws]

TRAP.. if the pound says you cant shoot the dogs then they need to supply a TRAP to catch them.... DEMAND a trap from them,, they wont let you use it unless you DEMAND.. and once the dog is trapped TAKE A PICTURE of dog in trap in case the owner trys to set it free...
if the dog is trapped you MUST (by law) supply it shade and water untill the pound gets there to pick it up..

to all.... i know it is a hard thing to do knowing your birds are getting attacked and killed.. you want to run out there and rescuse the birds and kick the heads in of the dogs.. BUT you need to STOP and grab a CAMERA!!!!! everytime... everytime single time!!!!... have one ready by the back door or something... because a picture is PROOF what dogs did the killing and NO owner can dispute a picture of THEIR dogs in your coop...

so sorry for your loss.. if a lesson was learned then they did not die in vain... the next group will be better protected......

 

[Kung Foo Chicken]

In our area it is backwards. Only animal control can use traps for domesticated animals. It is illegal to trap someone's pet on purpose which falls somewhere in line of stealing property and you can be arrested for this. The only thing though is that Animal Control will not come out to the county unless called for an Aggressive dog (towards humans).

 

[mishi]

Thanks all for your heartfelt support and encouragement. I really appreciate it.

Some follow up:

- SSS was an option and would probably have occurred on the day that I caught those murdering mutts inside the run - if they hadn't managed to escape. However, upon reflection, the dogs were just doing what they do instinctively and they paid for that instinct with their life. But, IMO, it's always the owner that should bear responsibility. To that end, I'm taking the neighbor to small claims court (he's had papers served today). I have an itemized list of carefully documented costs prepared. BTW, the bill has gone up to $4215 (more vet costs because of injuries).

- Taking pictures of the dogs outside the coop & run for legal documentation is fine, especially as digital cameras are pretty cheap these days. I'm afraid though that once they're inside the run and tearing up one's chickens, emotions take over and all thought of calmly standing by taking pictures vanishes.

- Slingshots are cost effective and probably quite painful to the offending animal (a lesson not soon forgotten). However, a "tweaked" paintball gun has a little more range and accuracy (just bought one for about $70) and it turns out that with the help of a syringe one can fill the balls with all sorts of really noxious and smelly substances for the dogs to take home for their owner's enjoyment. All perfectly legal and safe...

Mishi