Neighbor's dog came back for our ducks today! What to do?

[WannaBeHillBilly]

We once had a Springer Spaniel not the behavior I would ever expect from one. Sure they are bird dogs and intelligent, learn commands easily, as well as loving and sweet. I had a similar situation with dogs in my coup from the neighbors. They were only raiding the chicken feed. One ran back through the hole they had made for their ingress/egress point as soon as it saw me, the other had to be convinced to leave as it thought stand your ground applied. A good sized rock to the backside convinced it to move on smartly. Having never played baseball I was impressed I hit my target so well. I did apologize to my neighbor but explained the situation.

Things like these happen, when people keep dog-breeds as pets that have been bred in the past to show a specific behavior, like 'apport', stand or sniff out. Add a bit of carelessness to this and bad things do happen.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

It is true that Rage Syndrome was first documented in springer spaniels. (Has been documented in other breeds too, including cocker spaniels). But rage syndrome is thought to possibly be related to brain seizures, & spontaneously occurs without any known trigger. Not the case in this situation. But even if it WERE the case, the result is the same: the dog will be required to be quarrantined or tested for rabies.
It is true u might have trouble getting any response from authorities if it was "only" a dog vs duck issue. The huge deal is that you were bit. May take a short while for them to get back to you, but surely they soon will. If not, call them back, letting them know (again) that you were bit, & that the bite broke the skin.

As said, it will be reported the "official" way through the urgent care clinic and that will get things going i hope. The folks there told me that the dog needs to be quarantined either at the owner's place or at Animal Services.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

Im really sorry this has happened to you. @TJAnononymous just now gave you excellent advice. Please dont be afraid to stand up for yourself and your ducks. You and your duck ARE the victims, not the aggressive dog, and not the witch of a neighbor. (The neighbor sounds about as bad as they come.). I feel certain others will give you further input in the morn when they see you have replied. You previously mentioned you dont have a gun. Have you heard of the 3 S's? As in SSS? If not, ask to have it explained to u tomorrow. Hint: you already have the second S. If that dog Ever comes for your ducks again, i think the 3's are the perfect solution. No further confrontation required, & your ducks will be safe.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

As said, it will be reported the "official" way through the urgent care clinic and that will get things going i hope. The folks there told me that the dog needs to be quarantined either at the owner's place or at Animal Services.

Oh hillbilly.....what a mess.
You've got some rotten luck.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Im really sorry this has happened to you. @TJAnononymous just now gave you excellent advice. Please dont be afraid to stand up for yourself and your ducks. You and your duck ARE the victims, not the aggressive dog, and not the witch of a neighbor. (The neighbor sounds about as bad as they come.). I feel certain others will give you further input in the morn when they see you have replied. You previously mentioned you dont have a gun. Have you heard of the 3 S's? As in SSS? If not, ask to have it explained to u tomorrow. Hint: you already have the second S. If that dog Ever comes for your ducks again, i think the 3's are the perfect solution. No further confrontation required, & your ducks will be safe.

The only problem with the three S's is that in this scenerio, the neighbor's would probably go to the OP for the first instinct because of what all happened

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Ps to OP: yes you are right to blame the neighbor/ owner, not the dog. However, i disagree that your actions caused the situation to "spiral out of control." The dog was attacking your ducks on Your property, & you attempted to protect your ducks. Most dogs will NOT bite when cornered; they will do their best to flee, or simply cower. Whether fear-aggressive, people-aggressive, livestock-aggressive, etc etc, you DID encounter an aggressive dog. That BIT you. Your actions didnt cause it to be aggressive; it already was. Please keep the blame on the owner (& by extension the aggressive dog), & not in any way on yourself. Again, you did nothing wrong in attempting to protect your ducks. Dont get me wrong; im not confrontational by nature and am very grateful i have good (rural) neighbors. But your neighbor, like her dog, has ALSO essentially attacked you first. Thats why i adamantly say to stand your ground.

Thank you very much for the encouragement! I always try to de-escalate situations and i really don't blame the dog at all, it is the reckless behavior of his owner's. Dogs need to learn to obey and be disciplined, good dogs.

 

[Kaw]

Yesterday the neighbor's dog almost killed our beloved Nona Duck:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...and-is-breathing-heavy.1437864/post- 23813263


I spoke with the neighbor yesterday when they brought injured Nona back home and she promised me to keep her dog at home.

Obviously she was not very successful and the dog came back for our ducks. The ducks alerted me, i looked out of the window and saw the dog with another duck in its mouth and, ran out of the house yelling loudly. The dog let go of the duck and tried to flee, but could not find a way through the fence (2ft tall), panicked and turned on me. I cornered it and called the neighbor to pick it up and a loud argument started, she is accusing us to have her dog injured with a shovel (my wife had a shovel in her hand b/c she was afraid of the growling, barking and snapping dog). Neighbor is threatening us with the police and the law now and i am not sure what to do now, i like to report the incidence somewhere just in case the neighbor really tries to press charges.

I am so sorry! It‘s a stressful situation. First write in a dedicated notebook the date and times, including your call to your neighbor and sny future conversations or happenings.
Having a written record will be invaluable should you need proof or history to give to the police.
I hope it doesn‘t come to that.
Your neighbor‘s defensive reaction and accusation, without knowing anything else, makes me think she is scared too for her dog. As a hound dog owner myself I worry they will get themselves into trouble with their nose. They don‘t recognize property lines or pets. I can barely hold my male dog back, if he sees a chicken. But he doesn‘t touch my ducks bc I raised them inside with him.
Are there any other deterrents you (or you and your neighbor) can put up to block the dog from reaching your chickens?
I know our girl got lose the other dax bc the kids had the door open while they fiddled with keys. But other than the accidental release, why are her dog(s) able to get out and into your yard? If she is careless and let‘s them loose, call the non-emergency number for the police. They will have a chat with her. I would try to sit down and talk it out first. And continue to keep records in case you need them. Date, time, and description. Best wishes.

 

[Peggyjom]

This! And the dog is a "fear aggressive" dog and is actually one of the most dangerous because you can never know when and how they will react in situations. Most definitely get to a Dr to be seen and they will know what to do for your particular local laws.

Reporting this is a necessity because unfortunately many kids are not taught proper dog etiquette and a fear biter can, and will, lash out at unpredictable kids in fear.
Best case scenario these are good, but ignorant, dog owners. The dog will be up to date on all shots and they will quarantine. They will also be educated about dog laws and their responsibility as owners and get the proper help for their beloved pet. End of situation. OR, they choose to be ignorant and you've helped a dog get out of a bad situation. Either way, it's a win.
PS, I've worked at vets and attended vet tech school. I've see both types of owners. Most have the best of intentions just lack of education. The other ones are better off without a dog.

Please update with how you and your bites are doing!

I have had this happen the neighbors dog wiped out all but one of my daughter 4 h project. She is now 31 we live I. The same house with the same neighbor! Think about what your action are you take! Was I mad your damn right I was. But I also want to continue to live in my peaceful neighborhood and enjoy driving up every day! The post above about chopping the dogs head off! Personally I think is better off left out of it this is an animal lovers site I feel terrible for you! But if the dog got in so can a coyote. This is sad but is it worth world war three or DI you go speak to them on one on one and continue to be neighbors.

 

[Kaw]

I am so sorry! It‘s a stressful situation. First write in a dedicated notebook the date and times, including your call to your neighbor and sny future conversations or happenings.
Having a written record will be invaluable should you need proof or history to give to the police.
I hope it doesn‘t come to that.
Your neighbor‘s defensive reaction and accusation, without knowing anything else, makes me think she is scared too for her dog. As a hound dog owner myself I worry they will get themselves into trouble with their nose. They don‘t recognize property lines or pets. I can barely hold my male dog back, if he sees a chicken. But he doesn‘t touch my ducks bc I raised them inside with him.
Are there any other deterrents you (or you and your neighbor) can put up to block the dog from reaching your chickens?
I know our girl got lose the other dax bc the kids had the door open while they fiddled with keys. But other than the accidental release, why are her dog(s) able to get out and into your yard? If she is careless and let‘s them loose, call the non-emergency number for the police. They will have a chat with her. I would try to sit down and talk it out first. And continue to keep records in case you need them. Date, time, and description. Best wishes.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Just wanted to comment and say please go to er/urgent care right away. This is a dog you don't know, and have no proof of having a rabies shot. It's uncommon, but rabies is a quick killer and a horrible way to die. Please go get a shot right away if you haven't already. It only takes a few days to set in (5-10 days) and then there's nothing they can do to treat you if you contract rabies.

I read about rabies and you're right it is terrible, especially that you know in full consciousness that you will die when you are just feeling a bit sick. Animal Services will evaluate if the dog is vaccinated and depending of that i will be treated or not.