Quote:
Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that.
What a way to wake up this morning. Well, what I would do is try to locate the owner. You said that the dog ran off into the woods. Do you have neighbors that live in the direction where the dog ran? If so, I would go over there and see if you can find out who the dog belongs to. I'm sure the dog will come back being as though he knows that you have chickens. Did the dog get into your chicken coop, etc? How did it get in?
If you are not able to find the owner, I would try catching him. Are you able to get a trap from animal control or do you have a trap of your own? Try to lure the dog back with food, etc inside of the trap. Make sure that your birds are secure doing this time - especially at night. The dog WILL come back. Hopefully, you can catch him. Please take a a pic of your poor bird. Keep a camera ready (by your exit) and be ready to take a pic of the dog on your property. You never know when you will need that evidence.
I would try that first and see what happens. You may be lucky enough to catch that darn predator. I'm not sure that I could kill a dog either. However, being as though you all have a no kill shelter, even if the dog is turned over to animal welfare, he will most likely be bonded out of "jail", returned to his owners and continue his killing spree. It's hard to say what to do as far as dispatching him.
This is what a pack of hot dogs will catch:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_loose_dog_1.jpg
1st time on my property:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_dog_in_chicken_yard.jpg
LAST TIME on my property:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6612_loose_dog_2.jpg
I have the same problem with dogs on my property. When that happens, I go to the owner's house to let them know their pet/dog is on my property (1st Warning). If it happens again, I walk to the owner's house AGAIN, and let them know that their pet/dog is on my property (2nd Warning) AGAIN. When it happens yet AGAIN, (3rd time) I call my friend down the road who is the Animal Control Director and ask her to bring a cage for me to catch the "Predator" who is trying to kill my chickens. When the Predator/Pet/Dog comes bag yet AGAIN (4th time), they get a free ride to Animal Control.
I have pics of 3 other dogs that I could post but you get the idea. In addition to the pics that I take, I have actual footage (video)of the predators running around my yard. I do this in the event, I have to go to court. I will have PROOF (to include dates and times) that this PREDATOR was a threat to my chickens. So anyone who lives in a few miles of me pretty much knows that unless you don't want to see Rover, Spikey, Sparky, Fluffy, Molly, Jake or Duke EVER AGAIN, you better tie the predator UP. He/She WILL be history, so don't expect your pet back home for dinner and a treat. I"m just saying........
Keep us posted on the outcome. I hope that he doesn't come back again.
Nice. I couldn't provide as good of an example as you did. Some folks just don't love their dogs enough to keep them contained. I would like to see the other pictures of Fido in jail.
