Murder in my yard again

[amarook]

This afternoon the neighbor's pit bull got loose, again. Last time he broke into my coop and killed 9 birds!

Everyone was out free ranging in the yard today, so most were able to escape.

But he got my Black Runner duck Cinder, and my black Japanese bantam Roo.

I'm so upset about the duck in particular, cause we totally consider them pets. My one remaining duck, Ling ling, is so lost. She's walking around the yard calling for cinder.

My BF says we can't really blame the neighbors because we don't have a fence around the yard. But I still think it's the owner's responsibility to keep their dog in their own dam yard. I could see if my birds went into the neighbor's yard. But they are good birdies and stay close to home.

Suggestions?

 

[sandy sea]

I would try to keep them in their run or build a cheap fenced in area using chain link, What about a chicken tractor. Sorry about the duck and rooster.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

They should keep their dog in THEIR own yard...your chickens are in your yard so it is their fault totally. SO sorry to hear of your lose!

 

[Whispering Winds]

So sorry about your losses. I think you are going to have to be the one to make the fence . . .people simply do not care anymore about getting along with neighbors or anything . . .its becoming rampant, and for those of us who want to have this stuff, we are going to have to be the ones to anty up and do the work to keep the trespassers out. Once that dog tasted your first batch of chickens, he became a chicken killer. Doesn't matter what breed or size either, they get the taste and that is usally it.

 

[jjthink]

I am very sad to hear what happened to your poor birds

Please take photos, no matter how grizzly, and plan to prepare a bill for the dog owners. Having consequences for irresponsibility is likely the only way the collective consciousness will ever change on the subject of dogs running at large. Read the many posts here on BYC about how to go about that. Read horsejody's posts - she's been through it all and has excellent advice.

Dogs are predators and should remain in the control of their human guardians at all times. You should be able to use your own yard (though right now I would not as that dog WILL be back). Irresponsible people letting their dogs run loose is literally an epidemic - I am on red alert and stressed out every time I let my birds out of the run into the rest of my yard for a little change in scenery and to get a little sun (run is very shady at this time of year) - it's exhausting constantly being on the lookout and even though I was standing right next to my birds as they were sunning just outside the run in May an irresponsible person's dog came barreling into the yard and injured me and one of my birds. This is a dog I've rescued before (he is often nearly getting killed by cars). Its people will have to pay for the damages they caused - it may be the only language they will understand.

There was a time when I absorbed the many costs of nursing a bird back to health after an attack (thankfully I haven't lost one but the convalescent time, energy and costs have been high) - bearing the costs myself teaches the irresponsible person nothing and I have vowed to no longer do that as it does not do right by the attacked bird or birds. Even if the person is contrite they must pay because through their learning other people they encounter and share their experience with will also learn and hopefully think twice before letting their dog run loose.
JJ

 

[citrusdreams]

Quote:
You absolutely can and should blame your neighbor because it's your property and you should be able to manage your chickens the way you want to on your own property. It is absolutely their responsibility to keep their dogs within their own property and not on yours. It doesn't matter if you have a fence or not. It doesn't matter if they have a fence or not. If your animals (including your chickens), leave your property, the liability is YOURS and you should build a fence or whatever it takes to keep your animals on your own property. The same holds true for your neighbors.

Wanna know what my sherif told me when I told him my neighbor's dogs were on my property chasing my free ranging chickens? He said animal control doesn't service our area and next time I see them on my property to shoot them.

I would check your ordinances for both the dogs, and what you can do about it. For example, most places have leash laws. My state has a statewide animal containment law. I would call animal control the next time that dog set foot on my property. If animal control doesn't service your area, find out what your rights are so that you can service your own area. If you live in a rural place, *most* people have the right to shoot the dogs on sight. I would exercise that right if I were you, or they will keep coming back. Be sure to KNOW your rights. You can look them up online or call your sheriff or animal control. Try to get the ordinances in writing.

If you find it best to free range your chickens, then you should do so, on your own property. Also, folks here will tell you: even if your chickens were cooped or penned up, a dog can still rip through fencing, dig underneath, or pull apart wood to get to them. Not only that, rushing the fence that contains your birds (within your own property) will cause your birds to flale around which can snap their neck, break wings and cause other injuries.

Your neighbor not only owes you an apology, with a promise to never let it happen again, but also the cost of the chickens you lost. And I highly suggest you nip it in the bud quick, before they decide to take away more of your rights. I think it's almost unforgivable that they have subjected you to their dog this way.

 

[Boyd]

I don't have a fenced in area for my dogs.... instead They have a lunge line... or basically a 50' 1/2" braided steel cable that you attach between two stationary objects (trees, house etc) and then hook another line to that and they can run back and forth..... My boxer/pit has close to a 70' circle he can cover and plenty of running room.

It doesn't take a fence to make a good neighbor always... just ask them to tie off their dog.

 

[JenEric Farms]

What have the neighbors said? Have you told them what happened?

 

[amarook]

Quote:
I have the same set up for our 3 dogs.

They tie out their dogs, but they always have some excuse for them getting loose. Today the mom of the guy who owns the dogs tied them out, and she clipped the line on the wrong ring of the choke chain.

Then last friday the other dog got out cause he pulled his collar off his head.

The initial time the dog "got away" when he was being brought in.

I even gave them martingale collars which are impossible to slip.

 

[cgmccary]

First time my neighbors Pitbull broke loose, broke into the run and killed 3 birds. The others flew out & escaped. I gave the neighbors one warning. The next time the Pitbull broke loose, at midnight, I had the birds closed up pretty good, but he was trying to get in, the chickens woke me up. I put some rat shot from my .22 in the dog's a**, & I have not had anymore Pitbull problems. A pricey vet bill is the answer or SSS.