Neighbors 3 Dogs Killed my Chickens

[bizzylizard]

Let me start out by saying, my chickens are my babies. I treat them like my dogs... I even actually have pictures of my favorites on my checks. Today I came home from work to my husband trying to keep me calm while he explained what he had just witnessed happen to my chickens. 3 dogs ran in our yard, and tore them to pieces. We buried 6 today and I've searched everywhere for the others with no luck. It's a nightmare, the baby that had hatched now has no mom, but did survive and my Marilyn, my 4 year old Rooster fought so hard to protect his flock... he didn't make it. He made it far enough to hide after my husband chased off the dogs but we found him in the tall grass, no feathers left... They didn't deserve what happened to them and I'm heartbroken.

Had anyone else experienced a loss like this due to a dog owners negligence? I want to take them to court, I want them to suffer! I tracked one dog down, he had a collar but no tag. The others had nothing! I'm so angry, if I can find out who they belong to do I have any options to make them pay for what happened? I don't mean paying for my pets but fines for their dogs being loose or for this pain that they've caused to myself and my son who lost his pets who he loved and said goodmorning and goodnight to every night... Any thoughts would be appreciated. I know people on this site know the kind of bond people can have with chickens. Others might just laugh or think this is ridiculous.

 

[yooper coop]

Here in mich. The fine is almost three hundred bucks for a loose dog. I would call the authorities and try to track down the dog owners. That's horrible.

 

[iwiw60]

Well, I certainly don't think it's ridiculous....there is another active thread here at BYC where a pit
bull killed almost an entire flock of some gal. There have been pro-dog and anti-dog replies...as for myself?

If you find out who they are shoot them...I wouldn't hesitate. I realize you are going through some terrible grief right now but you do need to take pictures of the devastation, lots of pictures. Call your Sheriff and make a report! This way you have it on record at least for now. The owner(s) of these dogs need to compensate you for your losses, although I'm sure that's the furthest thing from your mind right now.

So very very sorry for your losses...keep us updated!

 

[steny03]

Take lots of pics of your dead birds if it's not too late.

research the livestock laws in your area. Find out if you can protect your livestock. In Nevada all the dog had to do is worry my live stock and I can put it down. Plus the dog owner is charged with a misdemeanor and fined.

Shoot, kill, or detain the dogs next time they are in your backyard if your location allows you to protect your livestock and call the police afterwards.

We had a pit/bull dog mix get in our backyard a week ago. Luckily for the dog he didn't hurt anything, but he was chasing my birds and my boyfriend was ready to shoot it. We found the owners and informed them off c what happened and that next time we would kill it. Haven't seen the dog out since.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Since the dogs are gone from your property, your next best step is to contact law enforcement and get a report filed so that things are on record. While they are there, find out what the legalities regarding livestock protection are for your locale......or acquaint your self with SSS (Shoot, Shovel, Shut-up). The difficulty will come in PROVING the dogs in question did the crime, especially since you are not sure who's dogs they are which makes it more likely that by the time you find the dogs the evidence of what they have done will no longer be on them. Do you by chance have any sort of surveillance equipment running on your property? I know those are becoming quite common, so if you do have one you may be able to use anything captured on that as evidence if/when it comes to that.

 

[waynem1983]

You know the thing I both love and hate about the usa is the ability to sue anyone for anything. Filing a civil law suit for pain and suffering as well as the losses through small claims is relativley simple. As long as you know who the dogs belong to.

As for in the future, the uk has very specific rules on domestic animals bothering livestock, its about the only time we are allowed to shoot animls to kill. The usa is far more liberal, treat them as vermin, protect what is yours and do not feel guilty about it.

 

[chickienuggers]

I love the SSS thing!!!! Shoot, shovel, shut up..... perfect answer for a tough situation. The other thing you could do is catch the dogs and turn them over to the humane society....removing their collars first. The owners aren't responsible enough to own pets anyway.... It's the owner's fault but proving neglect and proving the dogs did this without video of them doing it is tough. I am so sorry for your loss..... it is not crazy to be attached to your chickens. You raise them from babies and feed and care for them. They become part of your family. I carry pics of my chickens every where... and show them off to everyone. They probably call me the "crazy chicken lady" at work. We also were raising pheasants and last week a bear got every single one of them..... we were devastated... it is so hard to lose your animals....bad bear!!!!!! SSS.....

 

[TheSassyChick]

So sad to hear of your loss, I totally understand. My neighbor and I got chicks early this spring and have really enjoyed raising them together. Yesterday another neighbor's dogs ran into her yard and killed 2 of her 4 very friendly silkie babies right in front of her and her children. We were all heartbroken. I could hear them all wailing in grief for hours. The remaining 2 chicks slept on top of each other and are now terrified of all dogs. So sad that people let their dogs run loose without considering the consequences.

 

[lularat]

So sorry for your loss. (Hugs) I do understand your grief and the love who had for your chickens. As the others have said, please do get law enforcement involved. The owners do need to be held accountable.

 

[6of6chicks]

So, so very sorry for your loss!

1. Document EVERYTHING. Write down a full description of the dogs while it is fresh in your mind. Take pictures of everything - property damage as well as your poor babies.

2. File a police report to start the paper trail. You NEED this on record so that if you ever DO find the owner you will be able to press charges. Unfortunately if you don't document, then legally it didn't happen. If you do find the owner then they are responsible for damages (property damages, replacement cost of the chickens, and any lost revenue). Pain & suffering damages are unlikely. I looked into it when my vet killed my dog and found that courts rarely award pain & suffering for animals.

3. You said that you tracked the dogs down? Do you still have them? If so, call animal control. Maybe you will get really lucky and the dogs will be chipped. Also be aware that animal control will euthanize the dogs. It is HIGHLY unlikely they will try to rehome dogs that have killed livestock. Some people aren't okay with that, others are. Do what feels right to you.

4. If you don't still have the dogs, then animal control may or may not help you with setting traps - just depends on your local animal control and how people-friendly they are. If they won't help, set traps yourself or contact an animal removal specialist. If you still have chickens left (wasn't sure from your post?) then the dogs will be back. Trapping or shooting are the only ways to get rid of them. If shoot the dogs the law IS on your side, especially if you have pictures of this massacre.

It isn't ridiculous at all to be angry and upset. I'd be devastated too!!