DOGS

[3 NH reds]

First off I can see why you are up set, you don't want to loose any birds. People who just open a door and let dogs run are total jerks to everyone around and even the dogs.I would not go and kill it even if you are within legal rights to do so. You could be in trouble with the neighbors in ways you don't want to think of. What if this is a one time event and the dog got loose by accident. But now on to retribution. If you were staying there I would say electric fence as a cheap and effective way to drive them off. Air soft guns pack a good punch that would hurt them enough they would not come back and you could use the ones with paint to mark the offender if they return. I would save this for last however because the sting of a pellet should drive them off and I can't say what the laws are and you might get in trouble for one with paint on it from the SPCA or just neighbors doing little things you could not prove, you are renting so outsiders do not need a war.

 

[jdywntr]

Well, just went out to have a look around and it brought it's friend back this time. Unfortunately, they weren't on our property when I saw them though I did call them to try to get them to come over.
They were standing at the fence line looking toward the coop. It's about 100 yards from the coop but still. Neighbor's cattle have now moved over to our property line so I don't think the dogs will be back today.

I am FUMING mad right now.

 

[blucoondawg]

I wouldn't bother talking to the neighbor, call the sheriff and report the killing of your birds, keep track of each time you see the dogs at large and write it down for a record, call each time the dogs are on your property and report it, if they come after the birds again kill them. You are within your right to do so and your complaints to the sheriff will be evidence that this is an ongoing problem and will be evidence in your favor, especially since they will send a deputy out to investigate and they will see the dog running at large. I have a neighbor who is a complete a-hole and he has been told if his dogs come over again I will kill them, so far they haven't been back.

 

[SussexChicks]

I'd say to capture the dog and take it to an animal shelter

 

[jdywntr]

The dog's (there are 2) aren't friendly enough for me to get ahold of to take them anywhere. This has been an ongoing problem with these dogs. They killed my chickens two times, killed sheep and possible a calving cow.

I called the sheriff's office, a deputy is on their way out to write a report. I'd rather just shoot them but being a law abiding person, I don't know that I'd be able to get a shot off on our property before the dogs took off.

 

[cntrywmnkw]

File a complaint with Sheriff Dept & Animal Control each & every time they come on your property & let the authorities know who the dog's owner is & they can get a nice fine & confiscation of their dog(s), plus they will be notified that they are responsible for any & all damages their animal does. KILL them if they go after your chickens again. I have absolutely NO tolerance for people who have no respect for anyone else by themselves & if "Fido" doesn't come home, Oh Well.

 

[bj taylor]

what a frustrating thing. i sure get the impulse to kill them & i think you should given the opportunity. like a previous poster said. if it's on it's own property,it's a pet. when it's on yours it's a predator. great pyr are notorious for roaming. they're bent to travel alot. i don't think you have a resolution until the dogs are gone.

 

[wamflock]

You can talk to your neighbors until you are blue in the face....once a dog starts killing chickens they don't stop.....Only way you know your chickens would be safe from that particular dog is to take it on a long walk and only one of you come back...hate to say it, but I lost 7 of my nine hens, told the neighbors and didn't do one bit of good....now we are planning a new way to let them free range, but keep them safe....this time if the dogs come back, they won't be going home! I love dogs and 4 of my own, but I do not let them run all over the place...people think if they live in the country then their dogs can go where ever they want. I say if you love your animals you train them and do what ever it takes to keep them safe and not let them go onto other properties to destroy other livestock...
Ok I'm done ranting now.....

 

[jdywntr]

Well, apparently my county doesn't have much tolerance for people with dogs at large either. I filed a complaint with the sheriff's deputy. I had the option of having a warrant sworn on the owner. He would have been arrested for having his dog's at large. I chose not to do that, this time. I have up to 1 year to change my mind. He will get an official warning. Next time, I will have a warrant issued.

So, hopefully the owner follows through this time. I discussed every legal option that I have available with the deputy. I can shoot them if they are on our property, regardless of what they are doing. I cannot do anything off property other than file a report.

So, I feel a little better. I'm going to keep the birds locked up for at least today. I did neglect to ask what would happen if nobody was home. I don't know if they will leave a letter or go back or what. So, I may leave them locked up for another few days, just in case. Hopefully the owner understands that even though I reported him, I did not go as far as I could have.

I did apologize to the deputy as I think there are many more important things that they can be doing than dealing with chickens and dogs. He was very nice about it though.

 

[SussexChicks]

You can try putting cayenne pepper flakes around your chicken coop as dogs don't like the smell of certain spices