Dog killed a duck, I asked for $50....

[cjeanean]

So three neighborhood dogs showed up today, and while 2 ring-led one of them got into my duck pen and ate a hen. I shot the darn thing in the side of the face with a pellet gun (he's lucky I was freakin out and didn't pump it up all the way) and he walked off. Found the owner's house, left my number with the other people living there, and now I'm waiting for a call later today. Now the question:

How should I calculate my loss? She was a new hen, I hatched her last July so this would have been her first laying year. I already figured the cost of feed, but what about the eggs? I saw a thread about calculating the loss of chickens, but I haven't found one on ducks. Is there such a thread (I'm assuming there is because so many other people have dealt with the same thing and maybe I'm just search-impaired)? I can tell you that this hen's mother gave me an egg EVERY SINGLE DAY for both seasons that she's layed, so I don't know if that makes a difference. She was a beautiful Khaki Campbell/Pekin. Thanks!

Oh, and this is only the first time this has happened, so I want to give the owners a chance to pay for the loss. If they won't then I'm gonna involve law enforcement, but I want to know if I should call the sheriff now or wait until after I talk to the guy. Would it help me to have a report even if I don't require the court system to get compensation?

I just finished reading a few threads along these same lines and I've noticed that there is a massive debate that ensues as threads like these age, so I'm gonna say right now that I will not be changing my mind about how I'm dealing with the situation, and that I'm not gonna lay in wait in a guille suit for the dog to come back, nor am I gonna SSS unless it's completely necessary. Thanks, everyone, and please be civil!

Christina

 

[Ms.FuzzyButts]

I have no experience in this personally. But from everything I have read from here, is that "Yes" you should get a report made. That way there is documentation that this is a problem should anything further arise. Maybe someone with firsthand experience will come chime in so *** BUMP ***

 

[cjeanean]

The guy is supposed to be calling me within the hour, so I'm hoping I can figure out how much to tell him it's gonna cost to replace her soon. I know I can't just buy one sexed duckling for cheap, I'm gonna have to order more than one and the feed store doesn't sell them sexed. I think the best route to go would be Ideal because they have the $25 minimum instead of the bird min, but I don't know. I know I almost wish the darn dog had killed one of the drakes. She was my prettiest duck, other than the Pekin...

 

[elizaj57]

Sorry about your duck. It would probably be the cost of replacing the duck with a like-aged one (check craigslist).

 

[SteveH]

Quote:
I would assume MO has laws allowing you to protect your property , but also laws against maiming any animals . By shooting without intent to kill I'm afraid you may have put yourself in a poor position to collect damages on the duck . I see you have a signature indicating your faith and beliefs , you can find instructions in The Word on dealing with neighbors to settle disputes if you so choose .

 

[cjeanean]

Well, I went and talked to the guy. I asked him for $50, which should cover the cost of buying a hen and raising it to laying age. I didn't think the situation warranted calculating $5/doz for duck eggs, which is what I sold my eggs for last summer (for eating, not hatching). I am pretty sure that's fair (I think). I estimated this based on how much my ducks ate as ducklings divided by the number of ducks I have, then how much they started eating after they went outside divided again by how many ducks I have, plus the cost of the duckling. Now, the problem I face is trying to find a hen. The feed store doesn't sell sexed ducklings and I can't afford to raise more than I already have, so ordering some, even from a hatchery with a lower minimum order, isn't an option.

The guy was kind of aggressive at first, he was like, I want to know who shot my dog, and when I told him it was me I don't think he believed it. The dog is fine, but he got a little upset saying that hurting his dog wasn't worth my duck. He told us that the dog was worth 3k and that I had no right to shoot it. I told him that what the dog did was illegal, and he mentioned the fact that there are no leash laws in our neighborhood. I said again that it was illegal, simply because it was my property and the bird that was killed is considered livestock. I explained that I wasn't trying to kill his dog, which is true. I don't think I had anything in mind other than keeping the other ducks safe. He told my husband and I to take him to court, and that he just wouldn't show up and we could sue him but he doesn't have anything for us to sue him for. I was like, seriously, you really want to go that route? My husband didn't want to argue or anything, he was like, fine, dude, that's how it's gotta be, then the guy seemed to loosen up a bit and actually talk to us without being all defensive. (For the record I wouldn't sue over a duck, I would just accept the fact that I tried and hope that I never see his dog ever again.)

I am a dog lover, I can absolutely understand where he's coming from, but at the same time I think he should also see where I'm coming from. I explained that the duck eggs are a source of income for us, and I told him how much I charge per dozen for the eggs. I also told him that I was expecting about 5-7 eggs a week (based on what I was getting last year) and that I wasn't trying to be unfair. I just really wanted to work it out with him, and I wasn't gonna be extreme about it. All I want is enough to raise another hen to replace the one his dog killed.

I tried to be firm but gentle, if that makes sense. I didn't get all agitated but I did stand my ground. He agreed to the $50, but he said he didn't know when he'd have it. I told him I understood that, and he gave me his number so we could work it out. I hope this wasn't a mistake, I wasn't trying to start a bunch of crap with neighbors we've never met over a duck and a dog. I'm not very confrontational of a person unless I really feel the situation warrants it, so I'm a little unsure at this point about what will happen next. I just really hope the guy is for real about understanding where I'm coming from.

Do you all think that I was fair? Does the amount I asked for seems right? Thanks!

BTW: I told the sheriff that I did shoot the dog and that the dog walked off, and they didn't say anything. The dog wasn't maimed or otherwise seriously hurt. He's got a bit missing from his nose, which explains why he acted so surprised and willing to leave....

 

[nzpouter]

him being a dog lover should learn to keep his dog in his own property.... if it was caught in mine, he'll be 3k short...

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

cjeanean, Lets see, he's telling you that you have no right to shoot his dog, but at the same time it's ok for his dog to kill one of your animals. Some folks logic...LOL.

I find it kind of strange that he claims to have a 3k dog, but doesn't have 50 bucks to pay for damages caused by it. I kinda think He's actually trying to blow you off and not reimburse you. Next time drop the dog if you state/local laws allow, as most do.

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

Quote:

 

[tnchickenut]

first off, wow... what a shot?! right on the nose!

Secondly, no I don't think you are asking too much. I have ducks - Khaki Campbells and Pekin - Khaki/pekin mix would lay alot of eggs. You have to factor in what you paid for the duck... what you put into it... and what you would have got out of it income wise. $50 seems fair... he should just pay it.

And another thing. If my dog was worth 3K... I'd have him in the house. I have two boxers who are indoor with a dog run attached to the house. I paid $450 for them each, and that's not even the point. I live in the country and understand if I let them run, and they go near livestock, they might not make it home and I might get stuck with a bill for whatever they got into. Why do other people not get that?

I talked to a county cop here (mcminn county, tn) about just this... he told me that, yes, they would have to pay and, yes, you can kill the dog or do whatever it takes to save your animals on your property. I know it is different everywhere, but probrably not on this one. I'd say you are completely in the clear and going to court would only prolong the enevidable... and run up a bill. He should pay.