Dogs INSIDE my coop! Compensation?

[chickmashnoon]

Maybe since it sounds like you have the upper hand (you can possibly force her to get rid of the dogs) you could get her to take the dogs to a trainer to break them of chicken killing. Tell her you would take a lower amount for compensation (price of replacement birds) if she lets you oversee her taking them to a trainer (and paying for it herself) who can break them of chicken eating. Otherwise you will be forced to ask her for the compensation of the birds as well as loss of eggs, meat, fertilizer they would have produced, feed costs, vet bills, ect. and to turn the complaint in to the authories if it ever happens again. It is on her to keep her dogs on her property, so if she needs to install a fence, that's her problem. All this about getting into your coop . . . welll, the darn things shouldn't be on your land in the first place and they have hours and hours while you are away to figure out how to get into it. good luck. I realize you don't want to push her too far since she sounds pretty crazy, but if there is a trainer involved, they can maybe vouch for her mentality and maybe they will report her as an unfit owner, expecially if legal stuff has to follow.

 

[nthehunt]

I'm gonna back peddle a bit after thinking about. Dogs are animals it is there instinct as such to chase kill and eat smaller animals. Of course these instincts can be overcome by training them what to and not to chase, I've done it for 25 years with hunting dogs. Without training the blame falls back on the owners who obviously have no regard for the law, other people or their own pets. So do we kill dogs that only chase birds, or do we punish their owners? (lawsuit or a@# whipping) of course if the dogs are vicious then all bets are off. Electric fence around coops works wonders for most 4 legged critters.
p.s. I am in NO WAY advocating committing assault.

 

[dainerra]

all the training in the world means exactly ZILCH if the owner doesn't follow up on it for the rest of the dog's life. This owner doesn't sound like the type to be responsible in the long run.

 

[nthehunt]

all the training in the world means exactly ZILCH if the owner doesn't follow up on it for the rest of the dog's life.    This owner doesn't sound like the type to be responsible in the long run. 

I agree 100%

 

[yeshuaisiam]

Look into shooting the dog. My city (I didn't think it would) has a special provision for any domesticated dog or coyote that is attacking any livestock, pets or fowl, that the owner or somebody acting on behalf of the owner can kill the attacking animal. The attacking animal can be about to attack, attacking, or recently attacked. The law also states that the owner of the slain dog can not seek any monetary compensation for their dead animal.

I usually am not a big proponent on a lot of laws, but I really like this one. Look it up for your city.

 

[Jbrandt000]

A neighbors dog came to my place and killed four of my chickens. I caught the dog and tied it up. I called the neighbor and said I wanted $10.00 for each chicken the dog killed. He told me that he would got to the grocery store and buy me four chickens for $4.00. (A little while ago) and my chickens were not worth $10.00 apiece to him.

I said n problem, I will go out and kill his dog. His report was that it was a valuable dog worth $5,000.00, I replied that I never saw a dog worth $5,000.00. SO, either pay me or I kill your dog.

He came right over to pay me. Mad, but he paid me and I have never had a problem with his dog again.

 

[Marty1876]

I'd ask $15 a bird for mature laying animals and roosters. It takes that much to feed them to maurity, and its maybe the replacement costs. Otherwise, call a breeder, and get them to e-mail you a quote for exact replacements with adult birds and shipping. Use that for your numbers.

 

[nthehunt]

I'd ask $15 a bird for mature laying animals and roosters.  It takes that much to feed them to maurity, and its maybe the replacement costs.  Otherwise, call a breeder, and get them to e-mail you a quote for exact replacements with adult birds and shipping.  Use that for your numbers.

this sounds just about right

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Why have they been killing your chickens for 3 1/2 years? I would think after the first time, you would fix the coop so those dogs, or any other predator, couldnt get to them.

I have to agree with Halo. I would absolutely be taking steps against this dog owner BUT I would first and foremost be making my coop inaccessible to the dog/dogs for the sake of the chickens. A very easy and relatively inexpensive way to do this is to run a few strands of hot wire. Either fasten the holders to the coop/run itself or pound in a few metal T stakes around the coop and run the wires on that. Can use an electric charger if you have access to an outlet or if not, a solar charger. Either one will give plenty of hit to any dog that sticks his nose on that wire. I've never, ever had a reapeat offender who got his nose shocked twice! Very effective training tool! At least the chickens can be safe while you deal with the idiot dog owner.

I agree. Why are they still getting in to the coop after three and a half years?

As I read the OP's posts, this is the first time the dog has gotten INTO the coop. Previously it came on her land and took free-ranging birds. Not to say the land shouldn't be fenced to keep predators out, but breaking into the coop is a step further than just coming onto property where they do not belong.

OP, you need to report the animals, and especially make note in your report of the threats she has made against you.

 

[laura877]

I'd be getting myself a big wire trap, bait it with raw chicken and lots of blood and then when you trap them, take them to the animal control....maybe in the next state. (no just kidding).