dogs killed chickens

[Fairyprncss5678]

I just lost 2 girls less than a week ago same way. Our entire property is fenced. They dug in at the gate. Animal control is who you want to call if you can find out whose dogs did it. I know whose dogs got mine. I am heartbroken and angry. The sheriff went and told them what happened and that's its against the law in TX to let your pets wander about off your property. I didn't press charges ( I should have - no apology, no offer to attempt to replace my hens. They can't be replaced but the offer should have been there). I hope the dogs never come back and you don't have to worry about it but keep an eye out for if they do.

 

[Areolyn]

If my neighbor's dog did that...a nice pellet to the butt would do it. Unfortunately in the small town of Texas I live in, I can't shoot anything larger than a bb gun. Even a pellet gun(I sneak all our hunting equipment) is out of question. I wish you luck, and hope you can find a way to get ahold of the owner so they can take responsibility and pay for what their dog did.

And kudos for taking action instead of not doing anything about it, I know too many people in town that have dead animals like cats and don't do nothing because their nimrod friends own the killing dogs. The problem with neighbors who let their animals run loose and something happens is its you're a fault almost always and they are such little angels(sarcasm here).

 

[CrazyTalk]

Get a dog yourself. Raise it with the chickens and see what happens when the other dogs attack your hens.

An enormous vet bill?

If the dogs come back, shoot them - but you really need to get some fences up, or you're going to have this problem over and over and over.

If they're going under the gate, fix that.

 

[JJSS89]

An enormous vet bill?

If the dogs come back, shoot them - but you really need to get some fences up, or you're going to have this problem over and over and over.

If they're going under the gate, fix that.

Yep, it's their fault for letting the dog run wild but get a good perimeter fence and it will help in the future. In the meantime shoot the dog if it comes back.

I wouldn't pass up a body shot either...sorry to all you "head shot or nothing" types. What if you hit its jaw and it runs off to die infected and starving?

 

[CrazyTalk]

I wouldn't pass up a body shot either...sorry to all you "head shot or nothing" types. What if you hit its jaw and it runs off to die infected and starving?

In most states, if you wound the animal, you open yourself up to animal cruelty charges, or liability for veterinary care. If you kill it, there's no such issue.

Many state laws specify large calibers to make this outcome less likely - in many states shooting a dog that's harassing livestock with a .22 is animal cruelty. Check your local laws.

I don't think there's a problem with a body shot, but you need to be shooting to kill.

 

[JJSS89]

In most states, if you wound the animal, you open yourself up to animal cruelty charges, or liability for veterinary care. If you kill it, there's no such issue.

Many state laws specify large calibers to make this outcome less likely - in many states shooting a dog that's harassing livestock with a .22 is animal cruelty. Check your local laws.

I don't think there's a problem with a body shot, but you need to be shooting to kill.

I absolutely am talking about shooting to kill, I am just saying that you don't need to be Bob Lee Swagger to do it. The main point is that head shots are marginal if you don't hit the right spot which is not much bigger than a grapefruit. The chest cavity is just as lethal and much bigger.

Knowing your state's laws is definitely important. In my state, the owner is 100% at fault for any damages incurred to the dog or to property when the dog is "at large".

 

[WYNot]

Luckily Ohio is the opposite. The code here specifically says if you wound an animal trying to protect yourself or your lifestock, you can NOT be held liable or charged with cruelty.

"... If, in attempting to kill such a dog, a person wounds it, the person is not liable to prosecution under the penal laws that punish cruelty to animals. ..."

If you are using a .22 I can see headshot being preferred. If you are using a centerfire rifle, body shot can be just as effective and is a much easier shot.

In most states, if you wound the animal, you open yourself up to animal cruelty charges, or liability for veterinary care. If you kill it, there's no such issue. 

Many state laws specify large calibers to make this outcome less likely - in many states shooting a dog that's harassing livestock with a .22 is animal cruelty. Check your local laws.

I don't think there's a problem with a body shot, but you need to be shooting to kill. 

 

[maxsgoldens]

An enormous vet bill?

If the dogs come back, shoot them - but you really need to get some fences up, or you're going to have this problem over and over and over.

If they're going under the gate, fix that.

Not if you get the right dog. Never paid a vets bill for our dog,and only had one chicken killed by stray dogs

 

[blucoondawg]

Yep, it's their fault for letting the dog run wild but get a good perimeter fence and it will help in the future.  In the meantime shoot the dog if it comes back. 

I wouldn't pass up a body shot either...sorry to all you "head shot or nothing" types.  What if you hit its jaw and it runs off to die infected and starving? 

if you can't hit a dog in the head at relatively close range like you would have if a dog was attacking, you have no business shooting. You shoot a large dog on the body with a 22 it may very well end up running off who knows where before dying if it dies. Last thing I'd want is some neighbor to find it still living and take it to the very and call the cops etc.

 

[JJSS89]

if you can't hit a dog in the head at relatively close range like you would have if a dog was attacking, you have no business shooting. You shoot a large dog on the body with a 22 it may very well end up running off who knows where before dying if it dies. Last thing I'd want is some neighbor to find it still living and take it to the very and call the cops etc.

I could out shoot you any day of the week

and I don't use a .22 to ward off intruders. I could care less if they call the cops, I'm following the law in my state.