German Shepherd Shot

[fc]

My wife works from home. She called me sounding like something was very wrong. She wanted a bb gun because there was a German Shepherd and a young retriever in our chicken coop. I told her to get the Glock G-33, .357 Sig, which she has never shot, ear muffs, and go out there and shoot the dogs. Two White-Faced Black Spanish juvenile chickens are dead, our Welsumer rooster has a walking problem, and is missing all his tail feathers, and is not active, and a Welsumer hen was wounded. I'm proud of my city girl. She said the German Shepherd was walking toward her. She fired three times, but thought she only shot twice. The last shot hit the dog in the neck, shooting through the choke collar (no tags on either dog). She said the dog went one foot, dropped, and breathed for a little bit. She didn't want to shoot "the cute pup", which was munching on one of my birds. She called the pound, who came and took the carcass and the little dog. The guy, plus my neighbors (we're on a heavily populated country road) said, "What in the world did you shoot him with?" She's saving the choke collar to show me. Wish I could see the bullet wound. I somewhat feel sorry for the dogs having crummy masters, but they committed a big sin being in my coop and killing my chickens. I'm impressed with her and the sub-compact Glock. The bad news too is that my wife is traumatized at killing someone's dog, and we might know the owners. She heard someone later that day calling out a name, which in all likelihood was for the dog/dogs. Sad that people don't take care of their animals. Not a tag, not a microchip.

 

[GoldenSparrow]

Oh My!

 

[dainerra]

I know how she feels. Remind her that she didn't do anything wrong. The dogs' OWNERS did wrong. The OWNER'S are the ones who killed the dog by not taking care of it.
It's like letting a toddler play in the freeway!

 

[fc]

I've told her, but it's about all she is thinking about, and it's two days later.
I should clarify- the pup is still in the land of the living; he was taken to the pound.
All that's left of the Spanish is one foot, a wing, and a head.

 

[dainerra]

I've been there.

It's very difficult to deal with. I've been known to be a confrontational kind of person, so I tend to unload my guilt onto the owner's of the dog. Not something that everyone is comfortable doing for sure!

Being "right" isn't the same as being easy!

 

[centrarchid]

I have chickens as well and lost birds in past to neighbors dogs, on more than one occasion. Many of my birds are worth a great deal in terms of dollar value and some for personal attachment reasons. When putting value on dog versus chickens lost and potential value of having good relationship with neighbors, you chosen response was not the best long-term option. You just got a little short-term release for exacting some revenge.

 

[chicmom]

Wow, you tell your wife is said "You go girl!" And she shouldn't feel one ounce of guilt because, as you said, you were protecting your chickens. But in a way, it shows she is compassionate. A good person.

It always bothers me when I have to cull a chicken for what ever reason. I feel a little sad and kind of strange after I do it. But it's necessary sometimes. After a few days, I feel better.

 

[dainerra]

Quote:
I don't think it's a matter of revenge. It's also a matter of public safety. Unknown dogs, in prey drive, can be dangerous. Esp untrained dogs that are roaming loose. Are the dog's possessive? It's pretty easy to get bitten taken something away from your own dog, let alone a strange dog.

Plus, the simple matter is, in most areas it's the law. Dog attacking livestock = dead dog.

 

[terrilhb]

I personally would not want to ever have to shoot anything. But to protect my animals if I have to I will do what needs to be done. Give her a big hug and tell her job well done. And that she did nothing wrong. It was the owners fault. I am so sorry for the loss of your birds.

to all.

 

[nurse_turtle]

Before owning chickens, I would preach to her about how terrible and horrible person she was for doing this. I would have told her to call the proper authorities and speak with the owners. Today, I agree with what she did. I don't know if I could have done it, but I do agree with her dispatch of the offender. I have come to understand how "the proper authorities" feel about chickens and as chicken owners, we will have to take their safety and worth into our own hands. I hope the trauma will pass for her and by watching her chickens every day and loving them and enjoying their silly antics, she will eventually be relieved of guilt.