I am not sure about the legality of shooting the dogs. I don't own a gun, and as I live in the city limits, I think there are laws against that, but I am not completely sure. However, if they do come through the fence again, animal control should take the dogs away at that point. Third times a charm!
As far as putting the wire on the bottom of the coop, I am more concerned about the dogs busting through the sides and possible reinforcement there. I think the flared wire should keep the dogs from digging into the coop, but maybe I am wrong here? Has anyone had dogs dig past buried wire into their coop?
you always always always have the right to defend your property. Yes there are laws in most towns that say no shooting inside the city limits. There are probably laws that also say these disrespectful people are supposed to keep their dogs chained or fenced or inside, but at the least under control at all times. What may be pets in their yards, have become predators in your yard.
I do know a lot of people are squeamish when it comes to talking about killing someones pets, but they don't have a problem with YOURS being killed....We had a neighbor who would just turn his dogs out several times a day. I had issues with the dogs coming to my yard, doing their business, messing up my yard, killing my shrubbery, growling barking and baring their teeth at me, my wife and grand daughter. I talked to the neighbor several times about it, as did others in the subdivision. This guy was just a total jerk, he'd had animal control called several times. The last straw was it coming in the yard with me out there, approaching me with teeth bare and growling. Owner standing in his yard watching, and I called out to him to come get his dog, keep it out of my yard or I'd shoot it. He said it would be the last thing I ever did, and laughed when I pulled the phone and called 911. They sent a police officer, and animal control....animal control ticketed him for the dogs, and he and the police officer said that now that there was a vicious dog report filed (my phone call included vicious dog growling and bared teeth) that I could shoot the dog on sight in my yard. Then the police officer turned and asked if I wanted to press charges for his threatening me....I told him at that time I didn't, but would like to hold that open and on record that if he ever did it again I would do what I had to do. Another neighbor told me later that his fine on the tickets he got was $250 PER TICKET. We never saw his dogs out without being on a leash after that. I guess that $750 taught him.....
I've told all that just to verify, you have the right to protect your property. If you can't/won't shoot the dog, be firm with animal control that you want something done to protect your property! pet in the neighbors yard, predator in yours
in answer to your other question, they'll stop digging when they hit the wire because it will hurt. Maybe they'll break a nail and it will hurt them bad enough they'll just quit coming around.
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