(Long Post) "Neighbor" dog killed 2 pullets **TRICKY SITUATION**

[Bethany101]

Here is the view from our kitchen. This is an East facing window. The other home is to the West, on the other side of my house, about an acre away, barely even visible behind all of the foliage. The chickens stay withing the area between the chain link pen and my house that you see here, and this was actually the first time I left them completely alone. Any other time, either myself or my boyfriend are awake and keeping an eye on them. We work opposite schedules (I work graveyard, 6pm to 6am) so if I am sleeping while the chickens are out, he is able to watch them.

I felt comfortable leaving them alone for **an hour** because the Tenants recently got chickens of their own, about 2 weeks ago, and we were told the dog would be "kept under lock and key", and we would not have to worry about him coming over. Because they were also concerned for their own chickens' lives.
"The test determined that it was a lie." --Maury Povich.

This is probably a good time to mention that the man even offered to shoot the dog himself (not the first time he has done so), because he didn't want the dog living with him in the first place. But his daughter decided to not find her own place to live, and he loves his daughter. We declined the offer, because I would much rather find a non-lethal solution. But, like I said, I will do what is necessary and within the law to protect what is mine. Someone at work suggested I get rid of my chickens. HA! Not in a million years.

 

[My2butterflies]

I hate to kill someone’s pet, but I’d honestly shoot the dog if it’s not catchable.
l would give them a fair warning that I am dead serious. It attacks my chickens again and it’s gone.
Otherwise I’d set up some food in a garage or building with a door to lure it in when it comes on the property again. Shut it in and call someone to remove the dog.

I know shooting it sounds harsh to most because it’s just a dog being a dog. But a dog that kills them once will be back.
I have 3 dogs myself. If any of them wondered to my neighbors and killed their animals I’d fully expect to never see them again. Owners are the ones who should be keeping close watch over their dogs. If they don’t or can’t then unfortunately it’s the dog that will pay the price.

 

[5ChicksInTheCity]

Let me start by saying that I agree the neighbors are responsible to keep their dog contained... however it is also your responsibility to keep your chickens safe.
That might sound harsh but I cant even imagine killing a dog because it was acting like a dog. There are a whole bunch of other animals that would love to make a snack of your chickens if left out in the open. I could see if the dog tore through a predator proof run to kill your chickens but it didn't.

I'm sorry for the loss and hope you find some resolve that punishes the human neighbors not the four legged one.

 

[Bethany101]

I hate to kill someone’s pet, but I’d honestly shoot the dog if it’s not catchable.
l would give them a fair warning that I am dead serious. It attacks my chickens again and it’s gone.
Otherwise I’d set up some food in a garage or building with a door to lure it in when it comes on the property again. Shut it in and call someone to remove the dog.

I know shooting it sounds harsh to most because it’s just a dog being a dog. But a dog that kills them once will be back.
I have 3 dogs myself. If any of them wondered to my neighbors and killed their animals I’d fully expect to never see them again. Owners are the ones who should be keeping close watch over their dogs. If they don’t or can’t then unfortunately it’s the dog that will pay the price.

I actually had the same thought while talking to a co-worker about this. I could put the chickens somewhere else and let the dog go sniffing around the pen, which would be left ajar. Once I see him, sneak up and lock him in. Call police. Done. Only problem would be knowing when he comes by. It could definitely work though, would just need some patience and enough free time to sit and watch all day.

 

[Bethany101]

Let me start by saying that I agree the neighbors are responsible to keep their dog contained... however it is also your responsibility to keep your chickens safe.
That might sound harsh but I cant even imagine killing a dog because it was acting like a dog. There are a whole bunch of other animals that would love to make a snack of your chickens if left out in the open. I could see if the dog tore through a predator proof run to kill your chickens but it didn't.

I'm sorry for the loss and hope you find some resolve that punishes the human neighbors not the four legged one.

The owner refuses to take responsibility for the dog. Constant remarks like "No, Victor is a good boy. He just wants to play, he's a good dog, you're just confused. He knows not to (Insert thing she is actively watching him do)" -- In reference to her telling me to control my "vicious" dog while she watched hers hers try to rip my dog's throat out. She just stood there, telling me that MY dog, attached to a leash and pinned on the ground, was attacking hers and that he should be put down. The only reason her dog let go was not because she grabbed him. She stood 20 feet back, scared to approach. Her dog only got off of mine because I repeatedly kicked him in the face until he backed off. The dog owner's own father offered to murder the dog for us on several occasions. We refused.

P.S. Just for reference, her dog is twice the size of mine.

 

[5ChicksInTheCity]

The owner refuses to take responsibility for the dog. Constant remarks like "No, Victor is a good boy. He just wants to play, he's a good dog, you're just confused. He knows not to (Insert thing she is actively watching him do)" -- In reference to her telling me to control my "vicious" dog while she watched hers hers try to rip my dog's throat out. She just stood there, telling me that MY dog, attached to a leash and pinned on the ground, was attacking hers and that he should be put down. The only reason her dog let go was not because she grabbed him. She stood 20 feet back, scared to approach. Her dog only got off of mine because I repeatedly kicked him in the face until he backed off. The dog owner's own father offered to murder the dog for us on several occasions. We refused.

P.S. Just for reference, her dog is twice the size of mine.

Ugh this really does sound like the worst situation. I still stick by my feelings that it is the humans fault and would hate to hear about any dog being killed even if isnt well behaved. If it was me I would put up a fence to protect my dogs and flock and hope the neighbors dog just goes elsewhere.
Hope you find a fast peaceful solution. Good luck!

 

[NatJ]

This is probably a good time to mention that the man even offered to shoot the dog himself (not the first time he has done so), because he didn't want the dog living with him in the first place.

Take him up on that offer. Or ask if he will take the dog to animal control and surrender it there. You aren't strong enough to handle the dog, but he might be.

It looks clear that the dog must GO. The only questions are where it goes, and how it gets there (rehome, animal control, shooting).

I agree that the dog is being a dog--but chickens are "being chickens" and still get killed (by the dog, or by people who want to eat them.) I see no reason why a dog should get special treatment. To me, an animal is an animal. They all need proper care, and they can all be killed if/when needed. Of course any animal should be killed in a humane way--but if a properly placed bullet is acceptable for a deer, then it's acceptable for a dog (in my personal opinion.)

 

[Bethany101]

Ugh this really does sound like the worst situation. I still stick by my feelings that it is the humans fault and would hate to hear about any dog being killed even if isnt well behaved. If it was me I would put up a fence to protect my dogs and flock and hope the neighbors dog just goes elsewhere.
Hope you find a fast peaceful solution. Good luck!

Thanks. And I am totally with you, I'm really doing everything I can to avoid harm coming to the dog, because I understand that it is not his fault he lives with such irresponsible people. I'm hoping my bait and catch idea works. If it were up to me these people would have been kicked out 2.5 years ago, the first time they failed to comply with the "Your dog is not permitted to wander the property" rule given to them.

 

[centrarchid]

Sorry, this is long. It requires some background.

BACKGROUND:
I live in Washington State, in an unincorporated rural area 10 miles outside of Vancouver. I live with my boyfriend on a 9 acre property with 2 homes on it. The property is owned by my boyfriend's grandparents. They live in California, so we are the acting responsible party(s). The other house is being rented to a family of 3 - an older guy, his middle aged daughter, her teenage son. They also have a cat (which has approached me, and attacked **completely unprovoked** multiple times while sitting on my front steps re-potting, which I have video of) and a large black lab that looks to weigh around 100lb, possibly more. Very large dog. He does not wear a collar. They allow him to roam the entire property, unchecked, for HOURS AT A TIME!!! EVEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!!! I even have several neighbors' accounts of him leaving the 9 acre property to explore theirs, which he must cross a creek to do. I have nearly run him over coming up the driveway because he likes to charge head-on at our vehicles. Terrifying when I get home from work at 2AM and suddenly see demon eyes rapidly coming toward me. Their dog has attacked mine, while both were being walked (as we were both reaching the driveway) because the woman was walking their dog with no leash, because he doesn't have a collar. I called animal control, they did nothing. We have made it abundantly clear that the dog is not to be roaming the property. He is not to leave their yard without a human, or leash attached to him. Failure to comply for 3 years now. Grandparents won't take action because they don't want to go through finding new tenants.

SITUATION:
This occurred yesterday, on 04/30/20.
I have 15 chickens. 8 cornish cross (4ish weeks, just went into the tractor yesterday). 7 laying pullets, about 3 months old. I keep them in a 6x8 chain link covered by a tarp, in front of our house. This is only temporary while we struggle to catch the animal(s?) living under the actual chicken coop, in a 20x40 area. I let them out to free range at least a few hours per day as often as possible because the chain link is kind of cramped. Yesterday, we went to the store. We were gone for about 1 hour. Upon turning up our driveway, the Tenants' dog came charging and bellowing, straight at our vehicle, from OUR yard, then continued on to his own yard, which is about an acre away from ours. I already knew what happened. I jumped out of the car and ran over to the area the dog came from. 30ft long trail of black feathers, ending suddenly in a pile. Another trail of grey and brown feathers leading the other direction, ending in another pile in front of the garage. I don't see any chickens. After 10 minutes of frantic searching, I find 5 chickens hiding behind a wheel-barrow leaning on the back side of the house. Can't find the other 2. I tried calling animal control probably 20 times and my call was never answered. I called all police departments in my city (3 of them) multiple times and my calls were never answered. I ended up filing on the animal control website. I don't expect them to do anything. Boyfriend calls Tenant, no answer, he leaves a long message. Grandma was informed, and she was VERY ANGRY. She said she will tell the Tenants to get rid of the dog. We clean up the mess and drive an hour to get more chickens (one way).

Today, 05/01/20
Boyfriend goes over to collect rent. Brings it up with Tenant, who insists it was a coyote. Boyfriend refuses. Tenant offers money to boyfriend. Boyfriend refuses and says "It's not about the money, it's about the dog." Tenant was informed that if the dog is seen back in our yard, he will not be returning home. The woman throws a fit (she has some kind of emotional disorder, Bipolar? no idea.) saying "he would never do that, he's a sweet dog, blah blah blah" same bullsh*t she spouted while she watched her dog try to rip the throat out of mine. Grandma never contacted them. Washington State law allows me to kill the dog under these circumstances if he is seen again near my livestock. I would prefer not to do that, but I will do what needs to be done. Any advice? Really unsure what to do here, as I have no authority to evict these people or their dog. I very much appreciate any and all who took the time to read, and especially if you have any solutions. Thank you.

Where were dead chickens found?

 

[NatJ]

Where were dead chickens found?

I think on OP's part of the property. They were free-ranging at the time (stated in post #8 of the thread.)