Kids, our newest predator

[littleduckfl]

Please call the police or the humane society and get it on record. You will feel so bad if they move up to hurting children smaller than themselves. Read any biography of a serial killer and you will find out they start by torturing animals. If you don't have the money for a lawyer, take them to small claims court. The burden of proof is only 51% in civil court. It's sounds like if the mother can't be bothered to watch her kids, she would be really inconvenienced by going to court.

If you are worried about losing your chickens, check the BYC boards about chicken ordinances and see if you live in a right to farm state (I think that is what is called). I have found the police really don't care about zoning regulations.

I thank you for posting your story because it reminds me to make the coup predator proof for 4 and 2 legged predators.

Sorry for loss.

 

[JMPE]

Pictures, or even better video. Call the police now and get a report filed. Work on getting pictures and video (even if you have to make a show of leaving and risk your other birds) and take this thing all the way (short of the aforementioned land mines and the like).

 

[Chickenaddict]

Oh man that is just SICK!!!!!! I would be LIVID If something like that happened to me. I grew up in a time where spankings were a regular thing and no parents were frowned upon for it. I don't agree with child abuse but a good old fashioned spankin isn't always such a bad thing IMO, I am sure others would beg to differ and thats fine. I would definately call the cops even if you aren't legal. Those kids mom needs a good spankin too!

A little OT here but a few years ago I had some punk kids vandilizing our vehicles in the middle of the night. Breaking into them and ripping the inside of the cars apart. We called the cops and they told us they don't do a darn thing unless it has happened to several people. I decided to take matters into my own hands. I made a big sign for the windshield of my car saying "smile your on candid camera and have 2 seconds to run like hell before I shoot"! Never again did those kids break into our cars. Perhaps a sign like that on your coop would deter them from doing any more damage?

I am deeply sorry for the loss of your little duckling and hope this issue gets resolved for you very soon

 

[ParadiseFoundFarm]

Sorry for your losses

Do EVERYTHING "arch_cpj" suggested except 15-19 of course AND call CPS. It's amazing how diligent they can be. My Greek born neice & nefew visited and went out for a walk before anyone got up the first day and got lost for 2 hours. They spoke no english. We , 7 adults, called the cops (who said they didn't have them and even assisted in the search) were frantically

running around looking for them - they were safely with the police at another station who called ina Spanish speaking cop to communicate them.

CPS was called as we were "bad guardians". They visited us every day for a week, then every 3-5 days for 2 months. YES! CPS can do alot. THAT will have that neighbor of yours looking after her kids in a hurry!

 

[Tinkspirit70]

First of all, I am so sorry for the loss of your baby duck and any torture and harm that probably happened to the others as well. You have to do something to protect your property and animals, they rely on you for not only food and shelter but protection too. These boys WILL be back, especially now that the mother took their side and condoned their behavior, You cant be there 100% of the time so you need to do what the others have said and cover all bases first the animal control, then file a report with the police ( even if they dont do anything, get a report filed) and then definatley call social services so that these boys can get help, or they will graduate to bigger things...or god forbid another child.. I couldnt live with that. Invest in a wild life camera if you can and post the no trespass signs, or better yet when the cops come, file a NO tresspassing warrant agianst the boys and the mother that way they are informed by the police and cant say they didnt see the sign or that they cant read or some other bogus excuse. Be prepared to go all the way. Gosh this whole thing is so disturbing on so many levels, just breaks my heart picturing it all going down...PLEASE do this, I wouldnt worry as much about whether or not you can have the chickens or not because if these boys continue you wont have them anyway, they will pick them off one by one. Please keep us posted on what happens..until then your in my thoughts and prayers, love Tink

 

[Siler]

I'm afraid I'm short on time and can't read through all the posts, but I must say you need to call the police and file a report. Kids who abuse animals are much more likely to continue the behavior into adulthood. They graduate from harming animals to harming humans and even murder. Besides that their behavior is criminal trespassing along with property damage and animal abuse. You should probably get a fence put up and an electric fence might be a good idea as well. I would also mention that these parents owe you for damages. Get a video surveillance camera or game camera installed for proof and take them to court. This would not be tolerated on our property of 50 acres. We own guns, know how to use them, and neighbors are well away of this.

 

[Siler]

Quote:
I love that!

 

[shesaredroan]

If these boys have so little respect for your rights (trespassing/ taking the life of your little duck).........they are probably misbehaving in other ways too!! It very well may be that they have caused trouble at school or been involved in vandalizing your neighborhood or town. The police and CPS may already be aware of these boys being 'children at risk'.
In a true sense, you will be doing these wayward kids a favor, (along with the rest of society) by alerting authorities who can investigate the boys.
If the boys have no parental guidance, no one to set guidelines, well..........as my Grandpa use to say "they're just running AMUCK!!"
Yours may be the first report on these boys (or family) ,........it may be the 10th, but it will help to record their activities.

I realize all of this talk will not bring back your precious ducky, but I guess it helps us process the ugly deed. We are with you, your lose is our loss too.

 

[sticksoup]

Have you thought about writing the boys a letter- letting them know how much you loved the animal, maybe pictures, how it made you feel, how would they feel if someone did this to them? Of course there is the possibility that this will fall on deaf ears- but maybe their cruelty will resonate when they realize their antics is hurting their neighbors. That stupid Mother taught them a horrible lesson- but she was probably 'protecting her young' and didn't want to admit that she raised heartless jerks.
It's a thought~ sometimes calling the police escalates the hate and now the boys would feel 'justified' in any more violence they spew in your direction.

Note- A rumor got back to me that my next door neighbor will shoot anyone on her property. It has always kept us careful not to go into her yawn unannounced. A similiar rumor passed around may work for you.

 

[sticksoup]

I reread your original post and noticed the Mother wasn't present when you talked to the boys. Obviously they went crying home with some lie about 'just petting the baby duck' when it fell over dead or some nonsence.
I know an aggressive stand (calling police, etc.) is the general response the Forum would take- and it make sme so sad for the poor duck (I'd die if it happened to mine- and probably rip the hair out of the offender- to which I'm not exaggerating). But I think the parents should be given another chance to see what their kids have really done.
I bet if that Mother really knew she wouldn't have acted so stupid. Who wants their kids to be sociopaths?