I am beside myself today. I am on bed rest due to a high risk pregnancy. But this afternoon I heard a ruckus outside and looked out to discover 2 dogs mauling our chickens. I ran out and somehow managed to snatch both of them (separately) and trap them in our garage. I wasn't about to just let them leave, even if that meant me getting bit up.
So I do a head count and only 7 of our 34 chickens are present, many are just gone and there are many bodies all over the ground blood and feathers everywhere. Of the 5 bodies I found, 4 were still alive. But barely. I suspect they won't make it through the night, but couldn't bring myself to kill them. I got them situated in some warm nest boxes and that's the best I could do. After about 3 hours hours outside 24 chickens were now accounted for (that includes the 1 dead and 4 maimed). Then by the time my husband got home he went out and all 34 have been accounted for. Some of the healthy ones may have injuries I wasn't able to see and with them being stranded in the snow after being so stressed I wouldn't be surprised if a handful of them are dead tomorrow, too.
So anyways, I called 9-1-1 who connected me to the dog warden. She came out and took the dogs and we filled out a report. She said this dog owner is a repeat offender and she doesn't think he'll be paying us for our loss (at that time it was 14 chickens missing and/or dead/maimed). But they do a thing where they waive fees/citations if the dog owners pay for the damages incurred. At this point, more then anything I'm just shaken up. And sore. I've been forced to keep my feet up for weeks, so 3 hours in the briars and -10 degrees has been hell on me.
Here's my dilemma; next time.... *** do I do next time? Will there be a next time now that these dogs (which are starved and have been removed from their home prior due to malnutrition and neglect) have tasted blood at my home? We have firearms. I'm trained to 300 yds and in with a rifle and 50 yds and in with a pistol (19mm), moving and still targets. So chances are, if I shoot these dogs, I won't miss. And I never aim at something I don't intend to kill. But what happens to me after I shoot this guys dogs? Does anyone know what I can/can't do in Ohio? I've been looking online and I plan to ask the warden when I speak to her next, but what are MY rights?
I see a comment above about how someone let a dog go and later it attacked them and their dog. What if I was checking the mail with my 2 year old and my dog? I hope I don't regret letting these dogs 'go'... The other thing is they were sort of friendly to me after the initial drag to the garage by the scruffs. After that, I knew I couldn't kill them. But were I armed when I caught them with my hens in their mouths? I think I'm rambling here, I'm sorry. It's been a bad day. Can someone point me in the general direction of where I can find info about protecting domestic foul on my own property in Ohio?
Also does anyone have experience with chickens who've had their backs ripped off? Muscle is exposed. On several of them. Can I treat this? Or do we need to put them out of their misery? What about a dislocated leg? ****...
Thanks in advance.
