How to Deal with a Neighbor

[ChrisS]

This morning my neighbor's dogs got loose and terrorized my chickens. Fortunately they were secure enough that the dogs couldn't get to my birds. My problem comes where the owner of the dogs has no disregard for what his pets do. I've called the pound on him before, and I've asked him to keep the dogs put up and he doesn't seem to care. And the biggest concern is I'm going to let my chickens out to free range and his dogs will get one or more of them. How would you guys deal with a neighbor like this? Thanks for any help!

 

[hallerlake]

Keep calling the pound, and find out what measures you are allowed to take against animals on your property. I've heard of people using paint ball guns on dogs in their yard. It stings without harming the dog, and let's the owner know that you could do worse. I'd go for blood red paint. Scare the owner.

 

[Shawnee_b]

You can't deal with a neighbor like that. I have been there, too many times. Eventually the HS will get sick of you calling and you'll be the "bad guy". Have them deliver the statute and message to the owner so it is on record.

NC Statute Chapter 67. Dogs. Article 1. Owner's Liability.

§ 67-1. Liability for injury to livestock or fowls

If any dog, not being at the time on the premises of the owner or person having charge thereof, shall kill or injure any livestock or fowls, the owner or person having such dog in charge shall be liable for damages sustained by the injury, killing, or maiming of any livestock, and costs of suit.


§ 67-3. Sheep-killing dogs to be killed

If any person owning or having any dog that kills sheep or other domestic animals, or that kills a human being, upon satisfactory evidence of the same being made before any judge of the district court in the county, and the owner duly notified thereof, shall refuse to kill it, and shall permit such dog to go at liberty, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor, and the dog may be killed by anyone if found going at large.

 

[vclark321]

I would do many different things. I know calling animal control becomes a royal pain. I call on my neighbors dogs barking all day, non=stop and I am tired of calling. Check your city ordinence for 'potentially dangerous' dogs. There are laws about dogs on your property and hurting livestock. Here if 2 different households complain, the person with a barking dogs has violated the code. I wrote a letter to the city and animal control stating I was tired of complaining, but they were in the wrong. The paint ball gun is a great and I have heard of many people using it on dogs on their property. I will even round up the dogs while on my property and take them to the local animal shelter as strays in the neighborhood. If they are trying to attack your chickens you should be able to call the police.

I would do this only when you have exhausted all efforts with your neighbor. I would always try to work things out before turning to more severe methods. You need to do what you need to do. Good luck. I found my cities ordinences on line. Good luck.

 

[calista]

Are his dogs friendly enough to approach when they're loose and on your property? Use this with no witnesses and his roaming pooches take the problem back to HIM:

http://www.harmondeerscents.com/products.aspx?cat=30

Two smelly dogs might convince him keeping them penned up is a better idea than having them run into a "skunk again."

 

[jimmythechicken]

i heard someone on here before say they caught the dog an painted a bullseye on the side of him an then let him go home.this will get there attention that you only have one more option to shot the bullseye!

 

[yinepu]

S.S.S.? (the neighbor.. not the dogs).....

ok ok... so it's frowned upon in polite society.... but it was my first thought!
(and in the past I sooo wish I could have done it)!

 

[cafarmgirl]

I would definitely keep the chickens penned until you can deal with the dogs. Or fence in an area for them with electric poultry fencing. Even that may not keep out a deteremined dog.

Can you catch these dogs? Can they be handled? If so I'd take them to the pound myself and turn them in as strays. A few counties over is even better. I know that my husband would SSS in the case of dogs harrassing livestock, especially if it is an ongoing problem and the owner won't do anything about it. But I don't know if that's an option for you.

As somebody else mentioned, there is no dealing with a crummy neighbor like that. If it's not these dogs it'll be the next ones he/they get. I'd be putting in some time securing my pens to prevent losses.

 

[jimmythechicken]

Quote:
my dads friend raised deer an peacocks they were always pened up.his neighbor used to walk his lab an when he got to there house he would take it of the leash an let it chase the deer an peacocks an scare the s--t out of them.so my dads friend asked him to stop the guy shrugged it off.next day same thing so he goes out an says if you do it again you dog wont reach the fence.next day guy walks up takes the dog of the leash laughing dog runs an bang he blew the head off the dog with a 30-06.the guy starts screaming an crying calls the cops cops come give the guy a ticket an told him to get his dog off there lawn.lol

 

[RHRanch]

Most counties have some sort of limit on the number of times an animals owners can be cited for being loose. After 3 times where I live, the dog is taken from the owners or they are fined or something like that. Call animal control and find out about it, if you can. Then I would call on the dogs every time I saw them out or for any infraction. Problem solved.