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OK, I'm assuming you are referring to my post. Thank you for your sympathy.
Those of us that think the dogs should be put down don't take it lightly. Most of us have dogs and love them dearly. The dogs in question have not only killed chickens. In the the past they have gotten loose and killed or injured other dogs. A pomeranian was ripped apart in his own yard and killed by them. A Lhasa Apso suffered bite wounds and bruising from them in his own yard. A mixed breed was seriously wounded and nearly died when attacked by them in his own yard. Yes, the original problem is the people that own the dog. But keep in mind that these dogs are a problem now too. It shouldn't matter what type of pet is killed. If a dog is savage and goes on brutal killing sprees, it has to be stopped. You may not think that a chicken shouldn't take precedence over a dog, but why should these dogs take precedence over my chickens?
Also, we should use our sensibilities and not confuse the issue. Nobody was complaining about noise. The chickens were on my property and the dogs were off theirs. The only wandering involved was the dogs'.
Chickens are not only domesticated dinner. They are also domesticated pets. If you don't belief that, go to a poultry show. If they were strictly dinner, we wouldn't have some of the beautiful ornamental birds we have. Dogs do have hunting instincts, but when the domesticated hunter is out of control, something has to be done. Since we can't remove the owners, we only have the option of removing the dog. Also, when the domesticated hunter is indulging his nature to kill, and a small child panics and tries to save a beloved pet from from the beast, is it OK for the hunter to also indulge in his instinct to guard his prey and attack the child? I guarantee that will eventually happen if these dogs aren't stopped. I thank God that my neighbor's grandson wasn't in the yard or in the coop petting and feeding the birds when this happened. When he visits his grandpa on weekends, he comes to see the birds. I keep a stash of corn in a place he can get to so he can throw them treats. That child could have been in the middle of this if it happened on a Saturday instead of a Thursday. Think about it. This is a tragedy waiting to happen. The lives of those dogs do not take precedence over the rights of people and other pets to live safely.
Go ahead and be angry. That's your right. We all have freedom of speech and the right to our own opinions. But please don't think that others don't have a right to be angry that their chickens are slaughtered. BTW the way I'm glad that you mention that our chickens are precious, because they are just as precious as any other pet. My chickens are obviously more precious to me than marauding dogs are to their irresonsible owners. If those owners actually valued and loved their pets, they would be managed and kept on their own property.
Yes, stuff happens. Sometimes difficult decisions have to made. Sometimes dangerous animals have to be put down. Sometimes bad owners have to be prosecuted. So take a deep breath and realize that sometimes we have to do what we have to do. It's just unfortunate that some owners of domesticated hunters don't take responsibility, and they force others to have to make hard decisions and take action. And it is only common sense to realise that the lives of these dogs are not more valuable than what they have taken or are capable of taking in the future. If your dog is precious to you, keep it in your own yard. Problem solved.
Thank you for your gracious post. I am truly sad for you. I thought I made it clear that I do not condone marauding dogs. I do not. Putting them down is often the only answer. I have put down dogs in my lifetime. Wild animals are another matter. In this age of endangered and protected species we really have to balance the scales. What is more important? A chicken although loved and cherished can be easily replaced. A predator, say a peregrine falcon, is almost priceless and cannot be replaced at almost any price.
Tacky..What about a bear that is coming into your yard and killing your chickens. or dogs..? i'm just curious as to what you would suggest people to do?
i personally think there is a differance..if a dog is coming in the yard..there is really no reason to kill it..call the local authorities..make the owner pay..and sue the crap outta him...MAKE him be responsible for his dogs!!!!..or he will get the dogs taken away...where they will be re-homed or put down humanely..
but a wild animal..who can you call? who will come pick up a huge bear....or a racoon or fox, or like for my problem, coyotes?...i understand what you are saying though....i aslo feel bad for the wild animals!..they have no land..they are starving!..or they would NOT get so close to us...it breaks my heart....but, again, what can people do about wild animals?...
