I guess I deserve an "I told you so"

[mamabahre]

DH was at work. The chickens were out free ranging in the yard and I went to go buy for chicken feed ironically enough. DH's mom was home so I asked her to keep an eye on the birds while I was out for at most 1/2 an hour...

Well lo and behold the neighbor's dog came into the yard and attacked the birds. This is the SAME neighbor who I spoke to YESTERDAY about how our chickens are out free ranging every day and asked her just to keep an eye on her dog and she agreed whole heartedly and said she'd feel terrible if her dog got any of our chickens. Well the dog did. MIL says she looks out the window because she hears shouting and there is the neighbor's son with the dog's leash chasing the dog back into their yard. Then the dog circles back and tries to come back into our yard and does but MIL is able to intercept her and stops her getting back at the chickens.

She only got 1 of them. Our little SLW the smallest one and my favorite of course, Liz Taylor. I checked the body over thoroughly and saw the tell tale puncture marks. It looks like the dog cornered Liz in their run and Liz had nowhere to escape to. The rest of the girls were missing but DH came home and we are able to find them way WAY up on the hill hiding in the brambles. They are alright although obviously freaked out.

As soon as I came come and DH came home the neighbors PEELED out of their driveway. I went over there right away but knew they were all gone...How freaking convenient. I took some very detailed pictures of the pile of feathers and then Liz's body with the wounds shown so I could have them as "evidence"...The neighbor's mother who owns the house and was in charge of the dog is a total cheapskate and we are afraid she will try to say it wasn't her dog even though DH's mom was a witness and saw everything but the actual killing. We are going to go back there as soon as they come back (they have to come back at some point) and discuss what happened and ask that we expect compensation (20 dollars) for our lost bird. Depending on how things go and if I keep my cool it will either be resolved easily or will end with me informing them the next time their dog comes onto our property I am going to kill it with a shovel if it threatens my chickens. The problem is our dog has gotten into their yard a few times so they can always throw that back in our face...No damage to their property though and they don't have chickens.

I just want to say that this is my fault. I should have locked them up but I just talked to the dog's owner (the daughter of the woman who owns the house, the mother just watches dog a lot during the day for the daugher) and was really clear about my concerns. Then today this happens as soon as I leave the house. MIL was keeping an eye on them but she was in and out and doing other stuff to. This is so my fault...
Now I really understand the feeling of being willing to shoot a dog or a cat or anything that kills your birds. These weren't "pets" to us, they are livestock but I still loved them and if I had been there with a gun I would have blown that dog's head off in a heartbeat. It is better the neighbor's took off right away because it has given me some time to stop seeing red. I swear though if that dog gets back in the yard I will swing a shovel at it. We can't shoot because of neighbor proximity but I'll do what I have to...

So we are going over to talk to them later this afternoon, DH is very concerned they will try to deny it was their dog, I find it hard to believe based on the MIL actually seeing 99% of the incident but DH knows these people better than I do...How do I start the conversation? What do I say? I expect compensation but apparently this woman is a tightwad. I don't want to ruin our relationship with them but I am not going to just let it go away for them.

I just so understand the willingness to do what you have to protect the flock. I really wish we could shoot because the first time the dog came back it would be dead. It's a nice dog, I like it alright but I am not messing around.

 

[bobbi-j]

Is there any way for you to put fencing up between you and your neighbors? That way you can prevent that dog or any others from getting into your yard. Or at least slow them down.

 

[silkiechicken]

Honestly... I would talk with them first in a non confrontational manner just to see what they say. You have to live next to these people and an enemy for a neighbor over a pet that both parties knew would be an issue since it seems there are no fences to breech?

 

[carrlr]

So sorry for your loss. I understand your anger. Don't be too hard on yourself, it only takes a minute and you can't be everywhere at once. Hopefully they take responsibility for what happened and comply with your request to keep their dog secured and out of your yard. Good thing your MIL was a witness, so they can't deny.

 

[mamabahre]

Quote:
yeah, I'm actually glad they took off right away so I could CALM DOWN..If I had just gone over there I would have lost it..Now I can sit and think about how just asking them what happened, empathizing that I totally understand dog's get loose (because I do) and just explain how I feel it would be appropriate to be compensated for the bird... No rage..

As far as a fence, we can't afford a lot but I was thinking if we ran 2 hot wires down the property split it would keep their dog deterred and our dog as well..The dog's used to play together which means they both have felt entitled to the yards BUT they never leave their dog untied, she is vicious with other dogs.. I do believe this was truly a quick mistake. I am thanful the rest of the girls escaped..

I hate myself right now

 

[schellie69]

I would put a good strong fence. If this happened once it can happen again. Either that or keep the chickens in the run full time. I would talk to the owner of the dog first, I am sure that she is the one responsible since it is her dog. Does the daughter live with the mother or just the Mother dog sits for the daughter. If the dog lives there full time. I would make sure to put a solid fence and maybe use a hot wire. Good luck and sorry about your hen.

 

[gertiie]

Quote:
Ditto ! I am sorry for your loss

 

[JoePa]

Well here's some advice - first off your dog has been in their yard so you are not standing on firm ground complaining about their dog getting in your yard - second it isn't worth getting your relationship with this neigbor all messed up over one chicken - people have to get along and sometimes it means taking things without getting mad at each other = I would go over and tell them that their dog killed a chicken and they should have some concern for your feelings - I wouldn't ask for some compensation this time - now if their dog keeps coming over you might just want to put some antifreeze out in the yard for the dog - that way when it dies they really wont know what happened or who did it = just make sure your dog doesn't ever - ever go into their yard again - that's why I am glad that I live in the country where my nearest neighbor in way down the road -

 

[silkiechicken]

Don't hate yourself. Accidents happen.

Since it is the first time and one bird... not the whole flock... I would take it as lesson learned, especially since both your and your neighbors dogs used to play together and "share" your yards. For just one bird, I would not ask for monetary compensation, just sympathy, and money if they offer. I would not push it this first time especially since it seems you are on talking terms with your neighbors.


ETA: I agree with JoePa. $20 isn't worth a potential lifetime of bad feelings. Having a neighbor who even says HI to you and are nice enough let you know if a fire started by your house, one of your birds is out, or where they last saw a pet of yours or let you know there is something suspicious going on in the area is priceless...

 

[Casey3043]

I think it's against the law to poison dogs, not to mention cruel and inhumane. Putting out anti freeze could backfire if your own dog were to get it. There must be a better way. I like your idea of hot wires to keep their dog out.