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[Davaroo]

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Dont worry too much - you made your point. There is little point in lamenting how city folks dont "get it" or that some people are just sorry when it comes to their dogs. That's a given and it wont help you to utter that sort of thing.

If she does buy the property and the dog comes on yours - call the sheriff. Get a record of the situation on file. Do this a couple of times, providing the dog is only roaming, and each time stress that you have the legal right to dispatch the animal of it gives any indication that it will harm your 'livestock' or property.
If it does not give you the option - and goes straight away for your animals - then your choice is made.

You do not have the right to be belligerant or imposing, however. So simply do not be. State your case and be firm about it. Send her a letter and one to both the local law enforcement and animal control directors,as well. You don't have the obligation to be friendly; it is your choice whom you wish to fraternize with. It would be wise to keep your distance if she wishes to be 'snarky.'

I would always prefer to reach an amicable agreement first in such cases. But if no agreement can be reached, and you have involved both the area LE and her in your position, then she bears the burden of responsibility. Do what must be done to protect your animals and stead.

This comes from my friend who is a former sheriffs deputy. Each place is a little different, but not by much. Hope it helps.

 

[MoodyChicken]

You owe her no apology, but beekissed brought up a good point. Perhaps she took it more as a threat and not as a legitimate warning. I would simply explain how valuable your animals are to you and that you will do whatever it takes to protect them. She would do the same if something was hurting her animals. But if that doesn't get the point across shoot the blasted thing and that sure will!

 

[Wifezilla]

There is no good reason nor excuse for a dog not having a recall command. its plain laziness on an owners part.
Not only that, it's REALLY easy to teach with positive reinforcement.

Exactly. I really don't get people who have dogs that run off at the drop of a hat and wont come back. None of the dogs I had would ever DREAM of pulling that kind of stunt!​

 

[emvickrey]

I would not apologize either. I suppose since you are posting here you have birds...right? Huskys, especialy ones taht are not trained will kill your flock. They love to run. Your observations are correct. I owuld have came to the same conclusions. You probably saved yourself alot of greif and worse problems with her at work. I would let her cool off a bit before I tried to explain my actions though. She needs to be aware of the consequesnces that a dog like that will have and she will be the one to have to pay for the damage. Maybe she will see waht you mean and not be mad at you anymore and look elsewhere for a home or maybe obedience training and a strong kennel. So her dog doens't cause er any problems where ever she goes.

We have a St Bernard that we aquired at a late age. He wa malnourished and had no training at all. He jumps up on people and wouldn't ocme when he was called. Although he is friendly he scares people. So we keep him in a pen and only let him out when there are no other neighbors out in our area and for a short time. Long enough for him to take a run in the field. We are working on training him. Its not easy but he is slowly getting it.

People have to take responsibility for their animals or not have any.

 

[GaNewChick]

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Do your hens free range inside your fenced property?

 

[BluegrassSeramas]

Too bad there are not brochures we could pass out!

 

[citrusdreams]

Stonerowfarm, you were SO not out of line. In fact, IMOHO, you did her a favor. Someone who just can't control their dog(s), in addition to the fact that you've already spoken about predator problems, is just trouble for you both.

You were uncomfortable with what you said because it wasn't the *nicest* thing to say, and it was blunt and to the point. However, IMOHO your first priority is to your own.

Please don't apologize to her. It was something that needed to be said IMOHO. If she takes it seriously, it will avoid problems in the future (maybe) and if it doesn't, well, she's been warned, right?

 

[horsejody]

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Yes, sometimes the truth hurts, but it needs to be heard anyway. She is a grown woman, and there is no need to coddle her.

 

[horsejody]

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Yes, it could be titled "If You Are Too Stupid to Own a Dog, Please Don't Get One."

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

If you weren't using a mean/hateful tone with her I don't think you are out of line with what you said...just being honest. IMO


Now, I might have said "Look, I have alot invested in my flock and dogs are notorious for chicken chasing/killing so if you want to move in I would like to have a good neighborly relationship with you and that will mean you would have to respect the fact that I have livestock and I need it to be protected. You will have to restrain your dog from coming onto my property because I can't have my animals being killed. I am not trying to be mean or rude but I just want to make sure you are aware that dogs like to kill chickens and that I will have to protect my flock by any means necessary."

But I don't think you were out of line. Some folks just don't realize things like that until you explain it to them.

Good luck with her. If she is a reasonable person she will understand this.