Neighbor's Dog killed silkie - what do I do?

[chickbliss]

It's been a bad night.

Came home to discover that a dog had killed my sweet silkie, Helen. I found the place where it came in from the neighbor's yard. It had moved part of the fence aside from their side and got under the wire.

My chickens free-range in my yard, we have a perimeter fence all around, but the dog got in anyway.

I want to document this somehow, so that the neighbors will take this seriously and do what they need to do to keep their dog in the yard. I know that chicken-killing dogs are likely to return. I've taken pictures, and plan to take more tomorrow, of the hole under the fence.

Do I call the sheriff? I've heard they can't do much. Animal control? I want to start a paper trail just in case the dog comes back.


Any advice? (She was a really sweet girl, too, and I'm so sad)

Bliss

 

[GarlicEater]

Small claims court comes to mind.

 

[ScissorChick]

I'm so sorry. I know how it feels to loose one.

 

[rebel-rousing-at-night]

I hate that so much for you.

 

[Mattemma]

You could report it to AC and the sherrif. You could ask the neighbor for compensation. They might deny it was their dog. It could create a NFH situation if you complain.

You would be within your rights to kill the dog when it returns.

 

[edgroger]

My condolences chickbliss

I hate it when your own neighbors can't even keep their darn dog in check. This call for some serious justice

 

[jjthink]

Heartbreaking about Helen

I have to get ready for work or would write more but do this please, if you can. Use the search feature (above) to look up some of the dog threads here on BYC. There are sadly bazillions of them but you will get some really helpful info. You can search by topic or author. For authors you might look up horsejody or me (jjthink) and there are many others but names are escaping me at this sec.

And yes, you can call whoever has responsibilities in this area where you live (if you have an animal control person call them - if not, call police/sheriff to have a ticket issued to the dog's people....

JJ

 

[schellie69]

I would also talk to your neighbor see how they react. They might be very sorry and work to fix the problem. If they don't or act like it is no big deal then I would call animal control and make a report. I would also find out what your rights are in your area if you could shot the dog if it comes back. So sorry for your loss.

 

[boxcarbill16]

sorry to hear of your loss chickbliss. Had a like problem a while ago. Found where the dog had enterd the yard and put elec. wire around the hole where he is sure to touch it. Borrowd a fence charger from a friend and electrofy just around the hole. You can bet the dog will be back . But just once, and he won't come through then. Charge is harmless to the dog, just a hard jolt . Love dogs, but they must be controlled. Would contact the owner and make him aware . He should compensate you and make sure his dog stayed in his yard. This won't help in your loss but will save your chickens in the future.

 

[annep]

I had my neighbor pay for the ones her dogs got. I swear they waited until I was gone, then attacked...She did pay for them too..