Neighbors dog killed a bunch of my chickens!

[iwiw60]

Thanks for posting an update. While I empathize with you in regards to your feelings on this matter, I think you may have misunderstood both myself and a few others responding to your thread. You do not have to go to court, sue, etc. You must call the police and make out a report at the very least! This way you have it documented in case of future events. Your neighbor is out of a job, broke, etc., but still has the means to feed such a large animal? Something's just not right there. "Go ahead and shoot the dog" ... this isn't coming from a dog owner who truly loves his animal.

As to your last question:
Quote: I think that is a moot point. Everyone who raises chickens has their own feelings on whether to free-range or keep their chickens in a run. Speaking only for myself, I never have nor ever will allow my flock to free-range....for the very situation that you find yourself in today. I would be devastated (as I'm sure you are also) if anything happened to the 'girls'. It's just not worth it to be of the mind-set that 'chickens need space to roam free' ..... balderdash!!

Please reconsider calling your sheriff out to at least make out a report....wishing you well....

 

[dutchbunny83]

My opinion is you are making the right decision.
What you went through is horrible.
But going the other route won't bring back your chickens.
Free Ranging always has it's risks. I get attached to my birds as well and I've lost them to a neighbors' dog, a possum, and hawks.
We just have to learn and try to protect our birds the best we can in case someone else isn't doing their job (properly securing their dog).
Personally, I'm not even a dog person, I'm a cat person, but I'm not one that would ever shoot a dog or send it to be euthanized.
I, like you, as much devastation we'd have over our own birds, still feel possibly too much compassion for the neighbor and the dog.
I wish you all the best with the birds you have left and keeping them safe. I know how hard it is.

 

[subhanalah]

If that dog is kept on a chain, you'd be doing it a favor.

 

[6of6chicks]

As much as I hollered for you to call animal control, I do understand where you are coming from. I live out in a rural area and only have two sets of neighbors. One is a very nice couple who are wonderful. The other is an elderly farmer who unfortunately has a nuisance dog. I've had to repair my fence three separate times because the dog goes under or straight through it. As aggravated as I am about the dog, and even though my other neighbors have already shot at it, I still haven't called animal control. I just feel too badly for the old man. He's really a nice man and he's all alone, and I think all he has is his dogs (other than his livestock). I feel bad for the dog, too, because he's a sweet dog that his just following his instincts.

However - my neighbor drove over the other week to chat about my new chicks, and he told me that his dog got into his coup and slaughtered his entire flock, including a rare breed. THAT changes things dramatically. He says he has the dog chained up now, but if it gets loose again I will have to call animal control. Once dogs start killing (even *just* chickens), they've escalated to a who new type of nuisance. I'm on great terms with my neighbor and I'd hate to jeopardize that, but I have to weigh that against the health and safety of my own animals. My neighbor is well aware that his dog is a problem - the ball is in his court as to how he handles it. I'm not going to feel guilty if he's the one to drop the ball and I'm the one to call animal control.

I am SO sorry this happened to you. I wouldn't want to start a neighbor war either! Ultimately I think you just have to do whatever is best for you and your animals. Please don't feel guilty about whatever that is. You didn't do ANYTHING wrong and there really is no easy answer. Do what your heart tells you to do. I sincerely wish you the best and hope that the dog doesn't cause any future problems. I agree - let your neighbor help with repairing the fence - it will help you both heal after this awful tragedy.

 

[ChickenPox]

iwiw makes a good point though. Calling and making a police report doesn't mean you have to follow through, or that anyone else need know about it. If you call and make the report, but tell the officer you don't want to file charges at this time, it stops there usually. And then there is a paper trail in case it happens again. Which hopefully it won't. Hopefully this was just an isolated case.

 

[6of6chicks]

iwiw makes a good point though. Calling and making a police report doesn't mean you have to follow through, or that anyone else need know about it. If you call and make the report, but tell the officer you don't want to file charges at this time, it stops there usually. And then there is a paper trail in case it happens again. Which hopefully it won't. Hopefully this was just an isolated case.

Sorry to keep chiming in, but this thread has been nagging at me in the back of my mind. Then I just read something someone else wrote in another thread: "I hope your decision doesn't haunt you in the future."

The thing is, this is a pit bull that has demonstrated violent behavior. What happens if the OP lets it slide, and then down the road the dog bites a child? If the OP calls and reports THIS attack, it may prevent a future attack - either against more chickens or an escalated attack against a dog or child. Like I said before - I feel really sad to say this, but I think the dog is past the point of no return. Ignoring it's behavior is gambling with someone else's animals and/or family. I understand sympathy for a down & out neighbor and hate neighbor wars too, but I would feel WAY worse if that same dog maimed a child (and I KNEW it was violent and did nothing).

Unfortunately I disagree with Chickenpox - ONLY in that I don't think the police will let it go. Laws about dog attacks are pretty strict, even against livestock, and especially since this is a pit bull. Animal Control will most likely take it and most likely euthanize it. But again, this is the OWNER'S fault - not the OP and not Animal Control. But I agree with iwiw, who said what I WANTED to say but was too wishy-washy!

 

[WellDunnFarms]

I totally agree! What if it was a child. Or the rest of your chickens. How are they doing this morning by the way? Were they more eager to go outside? How are the injured birds?

Sorry to keep chiming in, but this thread has been nagging at me in the back of my mind. Then I just read something someone else wrote in another thread: "I hope your decision doesn't haunt you in the future."

The thing is, this is a pit bull that has demonstrated violent behavior. What happens if the OP lets it slide, and then down the road the dog bites a child? If the OP calls and reports THIS attack, it may prevent a future attack - either against more chickens or an escalated attack against a dog or child. Like I said before - I feel really sad to say this, but I think the dog is past the point of no return. Ignoring it's behavior is gambling with someone else's animals and/or family. I understand sympathy for a down & out neighbor and hate neighbor wars too, but I would feel WAY worse if that same dog maimed a child (and I KNEW it was violent and did nothing).

Unfortunately I disagree with Chickenpox - ONLY in that I don't think the police will let it go. Laws about dog attacks are pretty strict, even against livestock, and especially since this is a pit bull. Animal Control will most likely take it and most likely euthanize it. But again, this is the OWNER'S fault - not the OP and not Animal Control. But I agree with iwiw, who said what I WANTED to say but was too wishy-washy!

 

[NickW1]

I though about it a lot and I am afraid I might be losing more than I would be gaining by going the legal route.....a neighbor, a dog euthanized, court costs, and what would I stand to gain?

Irrational Behavior on the part of victims and perpetrators is the reason I left Animal Control several years ago. The day I made my descion to leave I had just left court where I witnessed the victim recant everything DOCUMENTED about their neighbors Bull Mastiff trying to maul their SON!!!! I was furious with them and let them know it. Their response was almost word for word what you said above Jennifer. Two months later their Son was attacked and the dog was then put down by the owner. I’m sorry Jennifer but you will keep having this problem until the dog is gone. So many times I would bear the brunt of victim’s anger only to have them wilt in court. In most U.S. States Animal Control Officers and/or Police Officer are required to destroy ON SITE any dog caught in the act of killing and/or harassing livestock and/or poultry. If they don’t then you take them to court for not doing their job! I love dogs, in fact I have two. Sorry to be so harsh but it’s just the sad truth.
You have three choices:
1. Get rid of all your poultry.
2. Build a large Pit Bull proof coop and keep only the number of birds it can house.
3. Get rid of the dog.
That's it, make your choice and live with it.

 

[subhanalah]

http://www.unchainyourdog.org/

 

[ChickenPox]

Well obviously there is several (strong) differing opinions on this subject!

Wish my local officers took the stance that you say yours do, as I have had several instances over the years where I have filed a report on something, BEGGED for them to follow through, only to get half bootie attempts and the individuals or animals in question to go on an do what they do. But I digress.

Just because a dog follows its instincts and chases/kills some chickens does not mean it will turn baby killer. Just because Fido has been a loyal companion for years and has not ever harmed a hair on a child's head does not mean it can be trusted 100% to never turn baby killer. It's the nature of animals. They are not humans. And honestly, humans can't be trusted 100% either, sadly.

I have always taken the stance of protecting my own. I know crap happens. I know there are chicken killers out there. I know there are kidnappers and thiefs and muggers and rapists and molesters. Every single person on this planet, good or otherwise has the ability to make a poor decision.

And if people are capable of it, animals.....who obviously do not have the deductive reasoning that humans to.....will screw up too.

Plain and simple, crap happens. Does it mean that the dog in question will ever re-offened? Maybe, maybe not. But the OP is not the responsible party if it does or doesn't. The owner is.

Yes, a paper trail is great. But the OP has already stated she doesn;t want to create problems. She is the only one who can make that decision. By telling her that it WILL be followed up on by officials sure doesn't argue the case for someone making a report if they DONT want it followed up on. I have doubts that the officers would follow up on it if requested not to. Some counties in the south don't even HAVE animal control. The sherrifs department handles these things and they couldn't be bothered (I know by experience.)

OP, I still stand by your decision. You learned a very sad and valuable lesson. I'm sorry for the hurt and loss you have suffered. But you learned. And I hope and pray the neighbor did too.