Dog killed 3 of my girls

[real_redhead]

My friend with a dog is saying the same thing about the note and that I am overreacting. I know I am I am just still mad!!

 

[galanie]

I don't think you're overreacting at all. But I do think the note sounds sincere. And that you are still really angry.

 

[Ole rooster]

Yep, the note is to me the utmost act of kindness. Those are considerate folks. But still you gotta look after your chickens. I personally think the vet bill should be on you. Nobody in their right mind is going to pay that kind of money to save a chicken unless it happens to be a special pet. I would cut these folks some slack and see it they keep bozo home.

 

[LeezyBeezy]

I am sure that the owner does feel badly. I mean, no one wants to see animals killed as a result of our own animals, right? I know you are upset and hurting, but what happened is done. I would still submit the vet bill to her, to cover that cost too. That's fair. And if she hasn't been warned about the right to shoot the dog, I would see if you can print and copy it, and give it to her. Then she is fairly warned. Then she takes the risk of not putting the collar on the dog. My dog will run through an electric fence, but she is not bird killer, and she co-exists with our flock nicely. Lucky us, I guess.

Your hen probably needs a buddy to settle down with. Maybe you can pick up some healthy chicks or pullets to join her. You'll always miss your hens- I still miss my first few who were taken by a fox- but my new ones (now a year old) are happily clucking outside, eating ticks!

Best of luck, and I hope your heart feels better soon!

 

[real_redhead]

I am calming down, althought it will take me a while to get over this. If it was a wild animal that got my girls I would still have been very upset (we did loose one when they were young to a opossum and I then made sure that wouldn't happen again) but a wild animal doesn't have an owner who is responsible for that animal. We did go to TSC yesterday and get 3 girls (tetra tint, Red and a banty - because the kids had been wanting one!). I am hoping to find a young pullet to go ahead and put with my one left in the coop. I would like to get a few EE's, a Barred Rock, and a few other breeds. Hard to find these at TSC. Searching Craiglist but not having much luck! My dear husband has been working hard on desiging a new coop/run that hopefully won't cost a fortune (he doesn't have time to build it but hopefully the guy who remodeled our bathroom can do it!) For the man who didn;t care about the chickens he has been a tremedous help!

 

[Silkie hen]

two black lab dogs killed

19 hens

2 roosters

16 chicks
5 weeks old

I shot the dogs

 

[real_redhead]

I am so sorry!

 

[joan1708]

Also, please consider that a 4 ft fence will not protect your chickens from another dog whether or not the gate is locked. The dogs don't have to see the chickens they can smell them. If you had a female dog in heat, would you consider her safe behind a 4 foot fence, I doubt it. I wouldn't feel safe even with a 6 foot fence. I think chickens are as attractive to untrained dogs as a female dog in heat is to an "intact" male dog. Please, please consider an electric wire or stronger coop for your chickens. There are too many stray dogs and it is too devastating to lose your chickens like that.

 

[cafarmgirl]

The hot wire is an excellent idea, very effective. Helps keep other predators off the coop as well. I am very sorry this happened to you, you are not over reacting!

Just check and double check that bit about being able to shoot a dog if you are in the city limits. I know they said you could "kill" the dog but make sure to check that carefully, got to cover your backside so you don't get yourself in trouble if this happens again and you do shoot the dog. As was mentioned it's usually illegal to discharge a firearm within city limits. Very dangerous. That bullet is going to go somewhere if you miss!

 

[CitySilkies88]

I am so sorry for your loss! I would be livid if one of my neighbors dogs killed my chickens. I also live in the city and own three dogs myself. But my dogs are always tied up when outside and always supervised.

That being said....Accidents do happen. Though it sounds like from your post that these people allowed their dog to roam loose on purpose. Which is most definately NOT okay. I had a neighbor (recently evicted) but before they moved they had a Pit/boxer mix puppy that they allowed to run loose. It made me so angry. She never harassed my chickens but I worried for the puppies safety. They also kept her leash/tie out on the porch, but never liked to use it! I am so glad they are GONE.

The note you recieved does sound genuine. Now if you see that dog without it's Electric Fence Collar (by the way many dogs will run over the barrier, especially if there is something they really want on the other side. Doesent matter if the collar is on or not) CALL THE POLICE. They will (hopefully) start to be more responsible when they have to pay fees for not obeying leash lays ect.

If this happened to my chickens I don't think I would have it in me to kill the dog. But I am not a farmer and my chickens are not my livelihood. I do think that if a dog gets out ONCE and you shoot it on the spot that's a bit excessive.

Because like I said accidents do happen. Even though my dogs are always tied up and supervised, dogs can be unpredictable. I have had dogs in the past who have accidently got loose. It just happens, even the most responsible dog owner who takes every precaution and trains their dogs well will have atleast one moment when that dog does not listen to recall. There is also situations like family emergencies when the owners are not home and the dogsitter/neighbor accidently lets the dog loose and cannot regain control. In the city I do not believe a life for a life (or lives) is any kind of justice