Need advice on a neighborly matter

[Carly Avgeris]

Hi all,
so my problem is that we live in the suburbs and have a fenced in yard with a coop and run for our chickens. They free range in the early evening. My neighbor who we are friends withhas two pit bulls. Yesterday after ccleaning the coop, I started to feel sick and went to laydown for a min. I hear sscreaming and yelling. One of the pits jumped the fence and got in my yard and killed our best egg layer, my boys' favorite chicken. Thank god they weren't here when it happened. Nieghbor came over beat the **** out of his dog and cleaned up the mess and chicken. He was truly sorry and we are not mad at him, but my worry is his dogs.
They jump his fence at least once a week, they have bit my husband and have tried to bite me as well. We are worried that they will now come back and kill the rest of our girls. We only have four now. Or worse yet our young boys.
How would you all handle this? These are bad dogs. We don't want to offend our nieghbor in any way because we like him and have to live next to him. Something has to change though.
P.s. sorry the the typo's on this, I am writing from my phone and it's so hard to see.


Thanks

 

[123RedBeard]

You need to talk "nicely" with this neighbor, but tell him that you are scared of his dogs, and that you can't have them jumping your fence and and killing your chickens, or your children, or yourself!

Ask him if he is ready to be accountable if his dog(s) attack you? Does he have really good insurance? A big bank account?

Tell him that you hope to remain good neighbors, but that he will need to insure no dogs come from his yard into yours, and that this is the only warning, you can not risk your chickens or family dying!

Who's fence is it?

What is the fence made out of?

How high is it?

Would he be willing to go half way on the cost and installation of adding a electric hot wire to the top?

Would he be willing to get rid of these dogs?

 

[boskelli1571]

Wow! The fact that the dogs have bitten your husband and regularly jump the fence, gives cause for great concern. Not just for your chickens but your kids.
An electrified fence around your hens will probably deter the dogs from them - but then what?
You might have a neighborly talk with him. These are a few ideas to throw out there w/o having the dogs destroyed....muzzles might help, chain them up when they aren't supervised, raise the height of the fence. He needs to realize these dogs are dangerous. If he can't/won't act on your suggestions you need to call animal control and report your concerns, also report any bites/animal deaths caused by the dogs. Tell your neighbor that you really don't want to get the authorities involved, but you will if he doesn't keep them more secure. It's in the best interest of your kids welfare.

 

[enola]

the dog already bit your husband once? And he has tried to bite you?
And you haven't called animal control ?

 

[Carly Avgeris]

We didn't report previous bites because they bit my husband on the shoes so it didn't break through to his skin. And for me, I punch the dog in the face when he tried to bite me. We are just trying to keep things civil. Also, we are not supposed to have chickens in county, but asked our nieghbors before getting them and all were fine. So I can't really report what happened with the chicken.
Our yard is fenced in up until it touched his part. we share his fence side as we did not put the fence on his.
I just want to do the right thing. It's a tough situation. He's a great nieghbor other than these dogs.

 

[enola]

A great neighbor keeps his dogs on his side of the fence.

Unless he is willing to put up a fence that will contain the dogs, you are going to be responsible for putting a dog proof fence to protect your family.

 

[1cock2hens]

I would tell the neighbor that this had to be the last time , I would express my concerns. and tell them what actions you are going to have to take next time it happens.. personally I would tell the neighbor I am going to have my husband shoot the dog if I catch it red handed again .. or if it bit any of us or any of our animals..



this time it was a dog, next time it could be any predator.. I would say it's your responsibility to protect those birds/ and your family

 

[Carly Avgeris]

I agree with you, my own father said he's about to come shoot the dogs.
As for protection, I thought having a fence would keep other dogs out. My chickens have a coop and fenced in run, they just happened to be free ranging in the yard when it happened. I usually don't leave them in the yard unless I'm right there, but felt faint and went in for a few.
Looks like we may need to have add fencing that taller on his Side. Man.

 

[enola]

I feel for you, this is an ugly situation any way we look at it.

 

[Toddrick]

Build a privacy fence. Kills two birds with one stone! Hides your birds, keeps dogs out. Case closed.

Or move. I prefer living in the country where there are no ordinances or bylaws to deal with.