Neighbors dog attacked my chickens again

[blitz1027]

SO MAD right now. Last year my entire flock was attacked and wiped out by a stray dog and some of the neighbors dog. We took care of the stray and talked to the neighbors. We thought it was taken care of but when I got home from work yesterday I was on my way out to where I had two new birds in quarantine I see the cage is not where it was supposed to be. I find the cage about 4 feet from where I had it and I here some commotion and see 4 of the neighbors dogs attacking my hen. I get the dogs off of her and run them off then I look for my rooster and find that they got him and tore his head clean off.

I haven't had these birds 3 weeks even and the FREAKING neighbors dogs broke into the cage to get them. I picked up the little Show girl hen and walked over to the neighbors house to show them what they did to her. I go over there and start talking to her and she's acting like IT'S MY FAULT. I told her to do something with the dogs or I would. She says she hates to get rid of the dogs because they're full blood and over there shouting that my chickens were full blood.

I have no desire to go to war with my neighbors but I am SICK of this. If I had gotten home 5 minutes earlier I might have been able to save the rooster because the dogs had just killed him.

I have to ask since I live in the country where there is no leash law is there anything I can do legally to gt them to take care of they're dogs?

 

[sourland]

Report the damage to animal control/police so that you are on record as having a problem with these dogs. The end result may be the demise of the dogs if they continue in this behavior. You are now aware of their chicken killing tendencies so it would behoove you to reinforce/protect any pens containing birds. They WILL be back.

 

[blitz1027]

Unfortunately there is no animal control where I live. I'm out in the middle the country far away from the city limits. Which is where I like it.
My concern is IF I have to do something about them would the neighbors be able to come back on me?

 

[wildbird1964]

I am so sorry. its hard when this happens..me myself and I will shoot..thry will come back. report this and let the onwer know next time a gun will be the answer , just my op..maybe then she will make sure they go nowhere near your home..lost a few myself and its heartbreaking...

 

[Appylover]

Just went through this. Yesterday to be exact. Do what you can to reinforce the safty of your birds and SSS. They will be back. Mine were this morning. Luckily I have a non chicken killing dog who is more than happy to lay around licking chicken butts and eating chicken feed. In return she lets me know there is something out there. On a note she is never left alone with the chickens. Also so sorry for your loss.

 

[speckledhen]

Quote: Me, too.

I'd really be TRIPLE sure there is no law. I bet there is one of some type.

Even where I am, where we don't even have zoning, there is a law that says a dog must be under the control of its owner if its off the owner's property. It also gives me the right to shoot it if it is even harassing my livestock or poultry. That is also a GA state law. Check your county and even your state animal control laws on the books.

If there is no law, then you have to be your law, unfortunately.

 

[Cetawin]

I am dealing with the same but I have not lost any chickens to the dogs and will not...I will kill them first. Call your local law enforcement and animal control...file a report and total up damages...cost of birds, feed, property damage and so forth...send them a letter demanding payment of the amount. If need be, sue them in small claims court. Take every measure you can legally to make HER secure HER dogs.

I am sure there is a law regarding dogs harrassing poultry, livestock, damaging property, off leash etc etc. find it and use it. If need be (I hate to admit this....but stupid dog owners ask for it) shoot the dogs, dig a hole, put dogs in, cover hole and go on about your day.

I do not want a war with my neighbor either but his dogs are NOT welcomed on my property chasing my birds if it continues, the doggies will not go back home. Fair warning was given, it is my right and after two years of asking and pleading and warning...sorry doggies die before my birds do.

 

[flgardengirl]

There should at least be a state or county law. I would try to find out because most require dogs to be kept on their own property or on a leash when off it. I would also get a video camera and record what her dogs are doing so then when you call the sherriff or whoever you have proof and it won't be a he said she said type of situation. I originally put cameras on our property just for that reason. Even if it is just a game trail camera it will show the dogs are in your yard and harassing your livestock. You will also have proof for a lawsuit if needed. If the dogs owners come on your property and get nasty with you record that as well even if its just with your cell phone or digital camera that takes video etc or even a tape recorder would help some.

 

[blitz1027]

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I am sure there is a law regarding dogs harrassing poultry, livestock, damaging property, off leash etc etc. find it and use it. If need be (I hate to admit this....but stupid dog owners ask for it) shoot the dogs, dig a hole, put dogs in, cover hole and go on about your day.

I don't have to worry about digging a hole because I live on a lake and I have seen gators. I sure they will take care of any evidence if it comes to that.
Thanks for the advice. I'm going to check with my local law enforcement to see what I need to do.

 

[SunnySkies]

http://www.natchitochesla.gov/CityDepartments/AnimalControl/tabid/340/Default.aspx I googled your home town. Call the police department there and tell them. Ask about your options, if shooting the dogs is even an option, etc. As a kid, we had over 300 hens massacred by a neighbor's dogs one day whike we were in town. My dad told the neighbor, who swore it would never happen again. We restocked and reinforced the runs, and it did a few months later anyway. Dad had put a word in the local police officer's ear, who told dad to shoot the dogs on sight the next time they were on our property and told the dogs' owner what would happen. Dad shot one dog a few weeks later. But tht was 30 years ago when gun control was different. Might not be OK now. Or if you are like me and don't own a gun or want a gun, they might have some suggestions on what to do.

So sorry I remember the day those dogs got my best birds and it's a heartbreaker of a day.