Neighbor's Dog Jumped his invisable fence......

[Morning Dove]

....and probably ate one of my chickens. We never found her, but we have a bird missing and a pile of feathers. So, does anyone have any suggestions? My leghorns are small enough they can jump my chain link fence. Now I don't have any proof that the neighbor's pit bull got my hen but he's been on my property before. At what point should I call the police or Animal Control? What should I be documenting?

Dove

 

[ScoobyRoo]

Sorry your chicken is missing. No evidence (not sure if a few feathers count), no proof. Just keep a look out until you actually see a dog go after one of your chickens. Right now I don't think there is anything you can do. Sorry.

 

[SOchick]

Call Animal Control if the dog is still loose, and take pictures to document. You may not be able to prove that it was this dog, but if it happens again, and this dog is documented by them as being loose in the past, it may help. Sorry for your loss.

 

[spartacus_63]

A lot depends on where you live. If you live in an incorporated town then there are probably ordinances that cover unrestrained animals. If you live in an unincorporated area, then there probably aren't. If the later, you will practically have to catch the dog in the act.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Tala]

And in some cities they can get a hefty fine for an unrestrained bully type.

Not in mine, but where my parents live they have local BSL. I call it BS, but if he's frequently running wild you might use it to your advantage.

 

[chickerdoodle]

Invisible fences are not very good for keeping certain dogs in--especially those with high prey drive. The other problem is once they get out they have little interest in getting zapped

by going back in their yard. If they get a reward (such as a fresh chicken dinner) they are very likely to repeat the process. Sorry--definitely let your neighbor know he got out as they obviuosly tried to keep him on their property.

 

[deb1]

The neighbors are trying to keep the dog on their property. They might be receptive to hearing your complaint. You can't prove the dog took your chicken and there is a possibility that he didn't. The most that you can do at this point is tell the neighbors that you suspect their dog was the culprit. If they are responsible then they will take more precautions to keep their dog in their yard.

After observing the GSD across the street, escape his yard and then be unable to return home, I would never have an invisiable fence with certain breeds of dogs. I am also grateful for my own regular old fence that keeps other dogs out and my dogs inside my yard.

 

[cointoss]

Hmm, whenever I've seen a dog kill a chicken, there is blood, not just feathers. Also, they haven't usually eaten the whole chicken, in my experience they are most likely to leave the body behind after playing with it. Hopefully your chicken is just totally spooked and hiding or wandering around somewhere -- whenever mine get a big surprise or fright they drop a whole bunch of feathers (it's a distraction/defensive technique.) Pits aren't really bird or hunting dogs, so unless it was specifically trained to go after little animals in a previous "home" then it is not really in its makeup to just go after a chicken... Not like my mom's big poodles, who will do anything they can to get one of my chickens! And even they aren't usually fast enough. So keep some hope.

As far as the fence goes, if their dog jumps the fence repeatedly, they probably need a stronger collar, like a training collar, or the collar that the dog has on is not on tight enough (ie: its not making contact.) The owners may not realize an adjustement can or should be made. It's a learning process -- we've had invisble fencing with an ever changing pack of up to 10 dogs at a time over the last 15 years, and every dog is different. Few dogs will repeatedly jump the fence if the collar is really working right. That type of fencing is a big investment, and continues to cost money forever, so the owners clearly are making a real effort at keeping the dog in, and I'm sure would be receptive to any reasonable concerns or suggestions.

Good luck.

 

[Morning Dove]

Thanks for the responses! I will suggest to the neighbor that they increase the level on the dog's collar.

Dove

 

[Olive Hill]

So just to get this straight -- the neighbor's dog is inside an invisible boundary and your chickens are inside a chain link fence. So you think the dog got out of their invisible fence (not all that uncommon so I'm with you there) jumped a chainlink fence to get in with your chickens -- stole ONE chicken and jumped the fence to get back out? During day or night?

Feathers and nothing more left behind doesn't sound much like a dog attack to me, especially a dog attack in which the dog had to jump a chainlink fence to get back out.

I wouldn't be so quick to blame the neighbor's dog, especially since it seems there is a bit of ill-will harboring against the dog already. JMO, but if a neighbor came to me with this -- fairly outlandish -- claim I'd smile politely and then laugh it off when they left. I'd save the requests on the neighbors when you have at least a good likelihood that it was their dog. I just wouldn't be keen on setting the precedent with a complaint such as this one that really has very little bearing.

You might consider a wildlife cam to help catch the predator in action next time, that'd give you a much better leg to stand on.

ETA: If you are going to complain to the neighbors about the level of their dog's containment I'd also be sure you're ready to back up the containment of your animals as well. Since by your own account yours can jump their enclosure, too.