Dog Caught My Hen

[dewey]

I hope your hen recovers.

I'm so sorry.

 

[bordergurl]

I have two hunting dogs. When I first started keeping fowl, I trained my dogs to "leave it". It took time but they are rock solid at ignoring the home flock- ducks and chickens (turkeys, pheasants, quail in the past), but any wild birds they chase off the property. If strange chickens wander over, my dogs kill them as they consider them "wild". My neighbour's GSP couldn't resist this years flock and persistently retrieved them and took them to her home (soft mouth, no damage). The owner and I worked with her on "leave it" and she now ignores the flock too. Last week I was gifted a frizzle silkie. The GSP picked up the new scent immediately and jumped into the coop, so we had a reminder "leave it" lesson. I like having the dogs around as they scare away predators- hawks, coons, coyotes. I don't mind the neighbours dogs coming over, as long as they play by my rules!

 

[theFox]

Quote:
Those folks would be the last I'd call. I already know what Maine law says and that is all I need. If the mutts owner can't keep the mutt to home it had better not come here. I just wish I could do something about the owner, like have them personally put the dog down. There are at least two states that require that.

 

[chickbird]

thanks to all the replies, we don't have animal control, we are a very rural town, the police can.t even control the thieves, we had a break end right up the street, we do have an electric fence that we turn on at night, if this dog comes back i will have to have a resolution to this problem immediately, we have two dogs ourselves , but our dogs love the chickens. thanks again

 

[Laurieks]

since the neighbor called you, I'd let the vet bill (or quote some of the vet bills you've seen posted?) be the deterrent. If that doesn't work then SSS if that's what it takes...
Good luck & hope the hen heals up ok

 

[mrsengeseth]

Quote:
Those folks would be the last I'd call. I already know what Maine law says and that is all I need. If the mutts owner can't keep the mutt to home it had better not come here. I just wish I could do something about the owner, like have them personally put the dog down. There are at least two states that require that.

um, ok. Well, alls well then if the OP happens to be in Maine. I didn't know that they were. I wasn't the only one to suggest it. It sounds as if the OP might live in a city/town, not all cities/towns allow for people to take care of the problem themselves, they sometimes concider that "taking the law into their own hands" which can sometimes backfire on the bird owner. Which is why I suggested talking to an authority on the matter for their region.

Since animal control isn't an option, I think I would agree with Laurieks. Good luck.