I really need your honest advice!

[PineappleMama]

Whoops, sorry missed the part about them not normally roaming... I mean I got the not going to the road but not the other. Agree with the others though, this was a fluke. They already care about their dogs wandering, and you let them know about your baby... so they're aware of what happened and for their dogs' sake will keep them in. Not that that's going to comfort your poor goose at all, but I'd give them a second chance.

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

well, the neighbor's house sitter called me back, and feels bad about the goose. I was nice, didn't threaten the dogs, but did ask her to try to figure out if it was just the 2 hounds who were out (which is what I heard) or if the crazy, killer, visiting lab was out too... the hounds are interested in the birds, but have never been aggressive. when the visiting lab came up on a leash to test the killer instinct, it was clear right away that it would eat the birds if given the slightest chance.... so i just want the truth. the killer lab is leaving in 2 weeks, never to return (they run a dog rescue), but those hounds are there to stay. so if it was the hounds, we might have trouble later down the road. I did say, that depending on the severity of the goose wound, I might need help treating him... since it's just me up here, and my gander is evil and strong.

 

[jjthink]

Don't know how they'd figure out which dog (short of DNA testing!) so I think you're going to have to assume worst case scenario - that it was one or more of the ones not leaving soon. And if that's the case, they will almost certainly do everything in their power to high tail it back to your birds the first second there's a crack in the armour (I know this from experience with neighbor's dogs). You really have a problem here.

Your bird could be developing infection and need antibiotic......don't know if you've been able to check closely yet.....

JJ

 

[Baymule]

It is your job to provide your birds a safe place to roam. If not your neighbor's dogs, then next time it could be strays, or someone else's dogs, coyotes...... and the list goes on. You can't really blame dogs for doing what dogs do if you have not secured your birds. It is not worth a neighborhood war. Now if their dogs broke into your coop or run and killed your birds, then that might be different. Free range birds are a yummy buffet for predators and exciting playthings for loose dogs. If dogs can easily access your property, like going under a barb wire fence, then it is not secure. You didn't say if the parameter of your land is fenced or what kind of fence. Nobody likes to loose birds. I truly hope your bird fully recovers.

 

[Ed62]

I agree with Baymule. Good neighbors can make a place a joy to live in. Neighbors who don't get along will never enjoy the home to it's fullest, if at all. Everyone has to make an effort to be a good neighbor. Sometimes it's hard to do, but it's worth the effort.

Ed

 

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

Please don't take offense, but if you let your dog "go visit and play" with their dogs on a daily basis, how can you request that they make sure their dogs are strictly contained? If you want them to contain their dogs you need to start with your dog. You can play it up that you won't let your dog loose anymore because he/she may have been in on the bird chasing because of pack mentality and you want to discourage that. If they don't get the hint, you could still keep your dog up and the next time their dogs get loose, whether or not they actually chase the birds, claim that they did chase them(a fib I know) so that they will feel obligated to put their dogs up.

 

[jjthink]

I believe it is the responsibility of a dog owner to ensure that their dog does no harm outside of the dog's yard. Our birds should be able to use our own yards without being mauled by neighbor's dogs. I find it immensely frustrating that my birds can't stretch and roam a bit outside of their run ON MY PROPERTY without great risk, thanks to irresponsible people letting their dogs roam (other preds are largely nighttime preds and my birds are locked up tight at night) . I pay about $1,000/month in property taxes (no typo there) for my humble little place and yet my pets can't fully enjoy it. Ticks me off.

JJ

 

[FiveHens]

I would definitely not threaten to shoot their dog. Be serious, emphasize that you care for your birds, tell them your birds are expensive and they might have to pay for damages if one of them gets killed, and let them take care of their dogs themselves. Being on good terms with your neighbors is important.

They sound nice enough, letting you know that their dogs got out before you had to find out yourself. If this is a repeating problem, I would recommend offering to pay them to improve their fencing, get electric fencing, etc. If this doesn't go over, I you might just have to fence yourself or your chickens.

Good luck!

 

[zazouse]

Ya know my silly geese try to boss my dogs around and sometimes my dogs pen them down, so perhaps the dog was just defending itself sence it did not kill the goose when it surely could have.

I am not saying it is ok for your neighbors dog to be down at your place but mabe they meant no harm ,sence thay are use to playing with you dog.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

They do dog rescue? Well, this time it's the visiting lab, next time it'll be the visiting St. Bernard . . .
The only sure way for you to protect your flock is to keep them safe in a fenced area.

It sounds like you have some nice neighbors. I'd do what I could on my side to keep it that way.