I'm going to court.... what should I ask for damages?

[zazouse]

why the continuance? when that happen to my daughter in a dog case they tried to have it throwen out of court case it took 2 years to get back to court and the statue of limitations ran out, she fought that and it took another 2 years to get back to court, by that time her dog had been poisoned and wasn't even an issue anymore.

 

[countrygirl57]

I have the same problem. I was losing hens, but couldn't figure out where they were going. My neighbours huskey has the run of our cominuity.He is a pest to everyone, into garbage etc.
One day during dinner my husband caught site of the tail going around our house. Seconds later, he had my favourite brown hen, Juanita, & was running towards the woods.
I called the police, they visited the owners. I'm the one at fault, in husky's owner's eyes. This has always been a problem with this family, & noone challenges them. I had to make the second call.
I lost 5 hens & my hubbie didn't want to press charges. I salute you for being brave. I will not back down if I see him on the loose again.
Good Luck

 

[fernwoodj9]

Not sure about your state, in NY you file a claim with your local tax assessor and the state pays 15 dollars each damaged bird. You have to go to small claims court to obtain the rest of the damages. Have no idea if you can recoup vet bills...hopefully the police report will help there. Most importantly you should check your local leash laws and see if you can strengthen them so you wont have to deal with this again. If the dogs are in violation of your leash laws the judge may be able to issue an order for the owners to keep the dogs confined or face penalty. In NY we have strong leash laws and may freely defend all livestock with deadly force. GOOD LUCK.

 

[Triplell]

So sorry for your loss. The one thing we all must remember is if these are pets the court may not award as much as you want. If you consider them as livestock then that should be a different story as you use them as income. Take many pictures of your enclosure and the one hen that mas it. Then break all expences down (cost of chick-the different feed from chick to laying hen- then the perspective income that you have lost) as this is all due to the dogs owners negligence. Walk into the court with all your facts(ducks in a row) and get the police reports, vet bills itemized. This will increase your chances of getting your compisation back. Also find out how you can pertect your livestock with in the city limits. We live out in the country and have had to go through all this with our neighbors and we won. Their dogs had killed my rabbits that we sold for replacements and meat. We ended shooting the dog as it came back one week later and we were with in our tight to pertect our property. Check all this out.

 

[Feanor]

In the State of Mississippi (and many others I'm sure) you can legally kill any dog or cat that is killing or attempting to kill your poultry. I know a lot of BYCers would say its not the dog's fault, its only following its instincts, etc. but if the issue comes down to an irresponsible dog owner allowing his animal to roam onto other people's property and kill their pets, then you have to make a choice. To many of us our chickens are our pets, and as long as they are on my property, I would use lethal force to defend them against a roaming predator. If the dog in question continues to be a nuisance, check your state and local laws to see if you have the right to defend your property. With court and all it may take ages to recuperate your losses, but in the meantime you have to think about how to prevent another massacre.

 

[KristinLLB]

People who let their dogs roam really get my blood boiling.

I am a huge dog lover, and I founded a rescue group several years ago and have saved thousands of dogs from irresponsible jerks like this. Unfortunately, it is most often the dog that pays the price for their owners' stupidity and reckless disregard for their neighbors, their neighbors' pets/property, and ultimately the dogs themselves. Not to mention all the unplanned litters of mixed breed dogs that have nowhere to go.

Maybe you could contact a local rescue group and see if you can line up a place for these dogs to go, because I'll bet those dogs end up turned loose on the road, abandoned at animal control (where owner surrenders are the first to be put down), or just shut out of the house to wreak more havoc.

Long shot, I know...rescue groups are almost always chock full.

 

[Mskayladog]

I called animal control yesterday about two beagles, who were circling my run yesterday. He came this morning and went up the road to try to spot the dogs. And if he can't he is going to drop off some traps so I can trap them.
In the meantime I have spent $$$ reinforcing the run. Hubby is not happy I am not happy and I have permission to shot the dogs from animal control and never thought I would say this but I will shoot them and bury them if I see them again and they are not in the trap. Stupid chickens were all standing along the fence saying hi dog w are chickens not running to the coop are sceaming are anything.

 

[3 Golden Girls]

Wish you the best and hope this owner is more responsible with his dogs. September seems like a long time to have to wait.....
I really feel bad for all of you that have lost dogs to irresponsible dog owners. My chickens free range my backyard and it has an 8' fence around it, but I still worry about dogs finding a way in. I worried about cats too when my hens were smaller ... now I'm not sure if cats are still a predator.

 

[goosehead]

I'm sorry for everything you are going thru. For another broody chicken you should get some Cochin's.

 

[Feanor]

Any update on your situation? We're all wanting to find out if it went well for you