Help My dogs got out and killed my neighbors chickens....

[Finnie]

I would think it depends on your circumstances. In the city or suburbs I agree, build a fence your dogs can't get out of. If you farm 160 acres, it would be beyond reasonable to suggest someone put up a dog proof fence around the property. In some circumstances, dogs are used to keep non desirable animals at bay and have free run of the place. Yeah, they are going to wonder on occasion and yeah, when they go somewhere they shouldn't they could (and should in some circumstances) get killed. The point though, is that all situations do not fall under one set of rules or responsibilities. Sometimes bad things just happen.

As to accepting responsibility, it looks to me like the OP is doing that. I see no need to point out something that is already known.

Well said.

It is not common in America that we put fences around our front doors. Expecting that is unreasonable.

 

[centrarchid]

With keepers of free-range chickens, the burden is on the chicken keeper to exclude dogs.

 

[Titanpaul726]

With keepers of free-range chickens, the burden is on the chicken keeper to exclude dogs.

That's my opinion as well. I've been really racking my brain trying to figure out a way I could free range mine without spending 5 grand in fencing. My final solution is to only let them out of the run when I'm there to keep an eye on them. Sometimes you just can't do everything you would like to do.

 

[Michael Apple]

I would think it depends on your circumstances. In the city or suburbs I agree, build a fence your dogs can't get out of. If you farm 160 acres, it would be beyond reasonable to suggest someone put up a dog proof fence around the property.

If you own dogs and are not aware of where they are at all times, then you probably shouldn't own them.

In some circumstances, dogs are used to keep non desirable animals at bay and have free run of the place.

That "place" being fenced property. I grew up with a flock of sheep, geese, ducks, chickens, and dogs on 10 acres. Adequate fencing was an essential.

Yeah, they are going to wonder on occasion and yeah, when they go somewhere they shouldn't they could (and should in some circumstances) get killed. The point though, is that all situations do not fall under one set of rules or responsibilities. Sometimes bad things just happen.

The point is accepting responsibility, and not blaming others for one's irresponsibility. The "Bad thing" in this case is due to lack of responsibility. It should not have happened, but did, so the solution is to prevent it from happening again by taking responsible action and securing points of entry.

As to accepting responsibility, it looks to me like the OP is doing that. I see no need to point out something that is already known.

The need to point out the importance of responsible ownership of animals is not realized by some, as evidenced by your post. The redundancy of posts where dogs kill chickens, neighbor or owner shoots dog, would be seen less on this forum, and preferably never, if the people involved in those situations had bucked up and been responsible instead of whining to escape responsibility. I can imagine the reaction would be quite different here if some child were mauled by someone's dog, or the idiots who allow their dogs off leash in public, then wonder why their dog gets injured in a fight by approaching an owner with a leashed dog. It all comes down to responsibility in every situation. Those who cannot be responsible should not claim adulthood, or expect to be treated as adults.

 

[JaceAgain]

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I don't know about where you live, but I "free range" mine on an acre fence with welded wire and tposts, its cheap for a fence, about $400. They can jump over it, but they never do. Keeps out dogs, and gives them plenty of space to flock, win win

 

[JaceAgain]

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You sir are not only rude, but incorrect. Many people out here own hundreds of acres and their big farm dogs roam freely, its common practice. Sometimes, poop happens. Sometimes, there is no fault, its just plain and simple, bad luck. It was not the owners irresponsibility that someone decided not to provide protection for their chickens. Its a risk of free ranging. Getting to know your neighbors would be a great preventative to the "dog eat chicken" scenario, but I don't see anyone suggesting that.

 

[WYNot]

Uhm... No it isn't. Keeper of chickens is responsible for keeping their animals on their property. Nothing more nothing less, legally speaking. They are under no legal obligation to take steps to keep other people's dogs out. That legal responsibility falls on the dog owner. Keeper of dog(s) is responsible to keep their animals on their property.

Morally and as a prudent keeper of chickens I'll take steps to protect them but I am under no legal obligation to do so.

With keepers of free-range chickens, the burden is on the chicken keeper to exclude dogs.

 

[JaceAgain]

Uhm... No it isn't. Keeper of chickens is responsible for keeping their animals on their property. Nothing more nothing less, legally speaking. They are under no legal obligation to take steps to keep other people's dogs out. That legal responsibility falls on the dog owner. Keeper of dog(s) is responsible to keep their animals on their property.

Morally and as a prudent keeper of chickens I'll take steps to protect them but I am under no legal obligation to do so.
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Can you source that law? I'm suspecting it is a local and not federally mandated.

 

[speckledhen]

Quote:
You sir are not only rude, but incorrect. Many people out here own hundreds of acres and their big farm dogs roam freely, its common practice. Sometimes, poop happens. Sometimes, there is no fault, its just plain and simple, bad luck. It was not the owners irresponsibility that someone decided not to provide protection for their chickens. Its a risk of free ranging. Getting to know your neighbors would be a great preventative to the "dog eat chicken" scenario, but I don't see anyone suggesting that.
If big farm dogs roam OFF the owner's property, it's not a chicken owner's fault if the dog kills their chickens. How is it always put on the chicken owner? NO dog, farm dog or city dog, should ever be allowed to roam willy-nilly, no matter what the acreage. If you cannot fence the dog, don't have the dog. If you own hundreds of acres, then you probably ought to take the responsibility for everything that goes with that, including a perimeter fence.

My local ordinances echo the state ordinances. Dogs harassing livestock can be shot. Dogs off the owner's property MUST be under the control of said owner every second. That never allows for free roaming dogs, even farm dogs, of which there are plenty in this county. I do free range, though I did perimeter fence 2 of our 5 acres in order to try to keep my birds on my own property. Within that fencing, each coop has an attached pen for when we are not home or dont want the birds out free.

The livestock fencing usually stops dogs from just running across and grabbing chickens along the way. I haven't lost to predators so far in the going on 9 years we've had our own flocks on this property, however, roaming dogs have come here and climbed over the fence, pulling the fencing down. Others came down the driveway when the gate had to opened for an expected delivery. They will not be allowed to kill or even harass my birds, not even if I know who the owner is (though I rarely do). I have plenty of places to bury things here.

"Common practice" doesn't mean it's the right thing to do. And I have no desire to get to know my neighbors, usually amounts to more trouble than not knowing them, in my experience. If someone thinks their dog must roam free, just knowing who they are doesn't change their minds about it. The neighbor I know best, though that isn't saying much around here, had multiple warnings about his dog. He put up a chain link fence. The dog still runs when he's home from his trucking job. He knows we will take it out if it comes back up here, but he still doesn't contain the dog. Read the story here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/385404/trapped-a-neighbors-dog-on-my-deck-got-an-earful

 

[Titanpaul726]

I don't know about where you live, but I "free range" mine on an acre fence with welded wire and tposts, its cheap for a fence, about $400. They can jump over it, but they never do. Keeps out dogs, and gives them plenty of space to flock, win win

I think that's what I will have to do. They have a pretty good sized run, maybe 60'X40' but I would like to let them have access to a bigger area. I guess I will just have to accept the idea that I may lose 1 or 2 every now and then.