I HAVE TO RANT!!!!! SORRY!!!!

[jkcove08]

I am sooooo mad that I can just spit sware, and shoot some one right now!!! I want to cry, scream and throw something but have decided to put it here instead. We were in the middle of a blizzard this morning when my daughter asked of I had let one of our dogs out. I said "NO" and knew instantly that the neighbors dogs were here again. This is I think the 3rd or 4th time since the first of the year that they have been here. They came last summer and when my kids went out to heard the chickens in the came running wanting to play. The old retriever killed one of my hens. We caught the dogs and called thier owners and they came, got the dogs and payed for the hen. They said that they would try to keep them home. That was a laugh. I have seen them several times running up the highway and other places without even coming here. So here they are again, I ran out and found them by my wind break. I caught them yet again and trudged through 2 foot high snow drifts to get them in my dog kennel. I went in and called thier owners yet again. That was before noon today. Well about 3:30 I was looking out and realized that a couple of my geese were gone. These are big fat geese that can only fly if scared and have a good wind, they had both. I bundled up and out I went again. I looked everywhere and finally found one about a 1/8 of a mile out in the middle of the field that is round our property. I walked all the way out in 1 to 2 foot of snow to heard him all the way back. Man am I out of shape!!! I at least got him back to the house, I still have to go out and try to catch him and get him back into his pen. My property is totally fenced in except for the front along the road. Then to top it off one of my hen turkeys broke a toe nail trying to get away from them and bleed everywhere. I though she was dying until I caught her and realized it was just a nail. Why cant people keep their animals home??? I know, I know, They just dont care.... This family is real nice otherwise. The husband is on the fire department and my hubby family had known them for ever but I cant take much more. I told my hubby he has to call them tonight and tell them that this has to stop, or I will start with the BB gun and get larger from there. It is not the dogs faults, they are bird dogs and the younger one was not fixed, heck, I dont know if he is still intacted now. He wanders looking for the girls and the old dog follows for the heck of it. They need to be tied but this family just doesnt get it. Thanks for listening, I feel a little better, other then I still dont know where one of the ganders are..... A little hard creamer ishelping to.. JEnn

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Sorry to hear about all that and that one goose is still on the loose. I hope you find it soon.

I think you have warned your neighbors sufficiently. I think it is fair to tell them that you are planning to get a gun. Some people only listen when you threaten them. It is frustrating, I know, but hopefully you won't have to actually shoot the dogs.

Isn't there a fence between you and the dogs? I would think it would be the responsibility of the dog owners to keep the dogs restrained . . . .

 

[Maggie3]

I know how you feel a stray dog somehow got a hold of my Cuckoo Maran Roo today and killed him. Broke my heart he was my favorite guy too.

 

[jkcove08]

Thanks guys, Drake, the owners are about a 1/4 mile away! That is why it is so frustrating.. I am going out again to try and find the lost goose and catch the other and get him over the fence. Thanks Jenn

 

[pepperluvsmee]

AW!! I am SO sorry to hear this. But again as I have posted before. I have NO tolerance for feral dogs. When they are running loose, they are feral. You have a right to protect your animals any way you can. I would either load them up and take them to the pound where the neighbors will have to pay a fee to get thier dogs back or shoot them. Sounds harsh, but I have been in your shoes.
Please, rant on. Let it out. It is SO frustrating to deal with such ingnorant, irresponsible people like your neighbors. Right now I am trying to get 2 goats from my neighbors because of neglect. They have starved many an animal to death including chickens, a pony, cats, sheep and now these goats. The SPCA does nothing and when I make suggestions they ignore it, so I am going to try and talk them into giving us the goats and we wil find good homes for them.
Thier dog has been down here on several occassions trying to eat my birds. I do own a gun and they know it as I practice shooting it quite often so they hear it and I am good enough to hit what I am aiming at.
You have to do what you need to do. Those dogs WILL be back. Good luck.
-Theresa

 

[jjthink]

Jenn,
You have the right audience here for rants on this topic. I am soooo sorry to hear yet another story like this. And I am worried about the goose not yet found. I hope fervently that you find the poor thing, especially given the weather you describe. Keep us posted.

The people who let these dogs loose definitely need to hear about what happened. And they should hear how you are trudging through snow to try to find your birds that were spooked, or worse. This is not what you should have to be doing with your time. And worse, your birds should not have this trauma.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!! Countless irresponsible people with dogs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JJ

 

[SpottedCrow]

A loose dog is no better than any other predator...
SSS

 

[pacanis]

Quote:
Ditto.
I might opt to go the paintball gun route first (I always wanted one anyway

), but this has gone on long enough. I think you need to start charging a LOT more to replace your pets/livestock and maaaaaybe they will get the idea, but if not....

 

[arwmommy]

Our neighbors Jack Russell Terrier dug under the fence a couple of weeks ago. We heard the chickens screaming and went out there.... he dropped the hen he had (feathers EVERYWHERE) and tried to get back under the fence. DH caught him, neighbor heard it all and comes over, and I am in tears holding the bloody chicken (still alive). He starts apologizing, and I just hold my hand up, go inside to wrap her up in a towel, and then leave for the vets.

Fortunantly, he only ripped out a ton of feathers (blood was from that), she had an injection of antibiotics and a week on antibiotics. Neighbor got a $89 vet bill, which he happily paid. The dog has gotten under our fence before, but has never got a chicken. He knows it will be expensive from now on! He said he is pouring a concrete trench on our fencelines so that the dog can't get under the fence.

There have to be consequences. Take any animal his dogs injure to the vet and give him the bill. If they are in the yard but don't do any damage, call the pound. Have your attorney (or do it yourself) send him certified letters saying that you will have to build a fence and charge him for it if he cannot keep his animals in (see if this is legal in your state first! You will have to give several documented warnings and can take him to small claims court to collect). Make it cost money and they will change their tune.

Good Luck.

 

[jjthink]

Leanna is right. Seems to be the only way many people will learn, if they learn at all.
Leanna, I'm glad your hen will be alright.....how terrifying for her. Been through it and it's a heartwrenching moment to see them attacked and bloodied, not yet knowing if we got to them in time. And then if they're lucky enough to not have mortal wounds, they're in our arms, knowing they are finally safe.
JJ