Neighbors Dog Killed Chickens

[NYchicken18]

Hi everyone. I recently got 10 hens and 1 rooster. They have been free range for the past week and have been doing fine. Today my husband and I both went to work and when we came home all chickens were missing but 3 hens. They were in their pen today. The only evidence of something happening is mud and dog hair on the coop with pen wire pushed over. The neighbor told my husband this past weekend that his dog kills chickens. I did not find any bodies or anything, just dog hair on my coop. What do you think happened? Oh and it 100% belonged to neighbors dog as it matches her fur.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Dog could have taken them home to kill them, or neighbor could have cleaned up the scene. Best to keep your birds in a secure run, perhaps surrounded by an electric fence. Sorry.

 

[centrarchid]

Show a picture of coop as upgrade time. Evidence not sufficient to get neighbor for actions of dog. Must see it or have recordings as dog could easily have been attempting to get at real perp. Dog owner has obligation of containing his / her dog, but you have obligation of protecting your birds against all comers that extends well beyond that dog.

 

[Unobtanium]

My neighbors have dogs. They free-range and I've encountered them on my land before. Very friendly. Personally, I value my neighbors and friendly dogs above chickens. I do everything and have done everything I can to make my chickens "dogproof" that I know of, within reason. I'm not going to harm my neighbor's dog, nor am I going to have words with excellent neighbors about a few chickens. In my case, the onus lies solely upon myself. Just my .02

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I believe most dogs would kill a chicken - especially if unsupervised. It is in their genes - prey drive. Chickens are easy prey.
What type of set up do you have?
I recently installed an electric wire around the run. It will deter any dog.

 

[RWise]

1 Call your local law enforcement
2 file charges
3 Make them pay for all the damages
4 Make them be responsible with there vicious dog(cat)!

Maybe put them on Judge Judy!

I myself shoot them (then call the sheriff), and have told the owners IF they get more and they come over and kill my livestock I will sue them.
And it is not just chicken, a pack of dogs came in and killed a fully grown full sized goat, my brother and I took out that pack.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Unobtanium]

1 Call your local law enforcement
2 file charges
3 Make them pay for all the damages
4 Make them be responsible with there vicious dog(cat)!

Maybe put them on Judge Judy!

I myself shoot them (then call the sheriff), and have told the owners IF they get more and they come over and kill my livestock I will sue them.
And it is not just chicken, a pack of dogs came in and killed a fully grown full sized goat, my brother and I took out that pack.

Sorry for your loss.

Depending on the situation, weigh the cost of making an enemy over a chicken or half dozen. Just because it's your right, and you can, doesn't mean that it's going to come out in your favor in the wash. In the case of a vicious pack, I understand, but OP is talking about a few chickens and 1 dog which the neighbor told him about. Weight it carefully, bullets don't return down the bore backwards.

 

[RWise]

Yes well I have sorry neighbors, this is all they can understand. They have told me they will keep these bad animals so I cannot have animals, (yes I am about to take them to court) the law is on my side as it would be for the OP.
One more thing, it is not my right, but my obligation to protect my livestock! It is their obligation to keep their animals home.

 

[Howard E]

Show a picture of coop as upgrade time. Evidence not sufficient to get neighbor for actions of dog. Must see it or have recordings as dog could easily have been attempting to get at real perp. Dog owner has obligation of containing his / her dog, but you have obligation of protecting your birds against all comers that extends well beyond that dog.

This...^^^^^......X2.

You don't need to shoot any dogs.........

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/dogs-and-electric-fences.1210854/

I've personally witnessed about 5 dogs getting zapped by this fence. NONE of them twice. And that is just the ones I know about. Real number may be 2X to 3X that......and all of them potential death threats to the birds. Yet no birds have been killed. Just saying.

 

[Duckstail]

Unless you got video proof or you saw the dog attack your chicken you're wasting your time and more importantly you getting yourself worked up for nothing! that's not how the law works! Hearsay does not go far in court..

I believe most dogs would kill a chicken - especially if unsupervised. It is in their genes - prey drive. Chickens are easy prey.
What type of set up do you have?
I recently installed an electric wire around the run. It will deter any dog.

My pitbull, my neighbor's boxers dont eat our chickens, or ducks.