I have a neighbor that has been told repeatedly, by at least three other neighbors, to keep his viscous dog tied up. He has ignored all. Today the dog attacked my best laying hen. (I think she'll be ok.) I've had enough! Animal control won't do anything, because they are so overworked, only one office for two counties. DH is borrowing a gun. Ordinarily I wouldn't agree to this, but this is the last straw! The dog has tried to attack people who were on their own property!
When it's dangerous to people as well as stock, a bullet is your best option. With dogs that are just untrained & uncontrolled & doing what bored dogs do when exposed to prey, I *might* have on occassion driven them to a pound a few hours away & said I found them as a stray on the hwy near that town. Dog stands a chance of being adopted & those types of owners don't usually microchip. If they do find the dog, they have to pay a fee & drive to get them. Using your own name when you drop off is not recommended.
I am having the same problem with an aggressive pit bull that keeps getting loose a few houses down from me! this dog growls and shows his pretty white teeth when anyone looks at it! My yard is fenced, but if it manages to get in my yard, he's gonna get shot, not only do I have lots of birds, but I have 3 kids that are always outside when not in school!! Don't take chances, take care of the problem.... Best of luck!!
Make sure you look up the laws for this before your husband shoots the dog. You don't want to end up arrested or worse be sued by the dog owners. These are things that have happened.
x2 However,I think all States/Territories/Protectorates allow one to retire any pred (domestic or wild) that is attacking a human. If the authorities HAVE to be called it is best to do it immediately and report a vicious dog (snapping/rushing humans- who were attempting to protect their poultry/children/disabled adults - not `just' attacking poultry) on one's property that had to be put down We've had good luck just letting everyone know that we keep poison bait out in woods for fox/coyote "gee, wouldn't want anything bad happening to that fine dog of yours...". There is really nothing they can say (check local regs on baiting for nuisance wildlife).. I always remain somewhat cheerful and exceedingly polite - particularly when inquiring after the dog owner's opinion on whether a loose dog represents nothing more than road kill waiting to happen. Also, therapy/meds for PTSD following a dog attack can be very expensive to dog owner. Best strategy is to never give the dog owner an opportunity to conclude `they were just chickens' rather, keep them focused on observing `I'm being pretty stupid about dealing with the humans who happen to own the poultry'....
SSS: Shoot, Shovel, Shut Up Read those wise words many times here. I don't deal with animals that get into my yard, my chicken enclosure and harm my animals.
Crickett, aren't you in GA? You can shoot that dog if it even harasses your birds, doesnt have to kill any. That is state law in GA. Our Fannin County laws echo state law, but state law covers all areas, even those with no specific dog laws. Here is the link to Fannin Co Animal Control Ordinances, which are the same as GA State Law. http://fannincountyga.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Ordinance-AnimalControl.pdf
Crickett... just remember the immortal words of South Park....."It was coming right for me". Don't miss.... Good luck. .
Yup. Good strategy. The fact is that most dogs you don't know tend to offer at least the semblance of a growl or at least a lowered head and threatening look if you come at them angrily. So, there ya go. And NEVER grab the collar of a dog attacking your chickens, no matter what some folks like to tell you. That is just dumb, dumb, dumb because even a normally friendly dog can break his own normal temperament when in the throes of a slaughter if you grab at it. It's not your job to get bitten even if it is your job to protect your flock.
Amen! When a dog is on a killing spree, it's not going to stop and think, "Oh, a human is grabbing my collar. I must not bite the human." and stop what it's doing. If you're not in danger of harming other people, shoot the dog. What makes me nervous about everyone wanting to shoot, shoot, shoot is the people who aren't familiar or practiced with firearms not thinking about what's on the other side of their target, or the possibilities of ricochet. So please - be safe!
