neighbor's dog

[newchickmom]

Hi,
I was just wondering what anyone else would do in this situation.

We have a fenced yard with the 4 acres where the pasture coup and barn are fenced in with elec fence that is not turned on. The neighbor's big lab mix dog keeps coming over and sniffing around the coup, getting in our trash and growling and barking at me when I try to chase him off. I don't know what to do. They do not have a fenced yard and just let him have free run all the time. Where we live is out in the country, but is an area that has about 12 homes that are each on 5 acre parcels.

We just bought our place about 4 months ago and don't know all the neighbors yet. What should we do? I'm afraid he will get my chickens some day.

 

[NS2A]

First, go talk to the guy. Explain you have livestock. Not pets, not chickens, livestock.

If that doesn't work then what are the laws?

Here anything off leash is considered a varmint and you can take care of them in the same way you can varmints.

I'll bet there's still a leash law. So, call the sheriff. Fines usually get people to comply.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

Don't let him get away with growling at you. That is territorial behavior and he has claimed your property as HIS territory. You need to make it clear that it is YOUR territory. My concern is that if he's growling at you, then he may get it in his head that he can attack you. I know you don't know your neighbors yet, but it needs to become soon. Let them know that he's growling/barking at you and getting into your trash.

I'd flip the elctric fence on too. You could also get a BB gun to shoot at the dog when he comes around, he may get the point and give your place a wide berth.

Around here (I live in a rural area) that'd get a dog shot first, questions asked later.

 

[DuckLady]

Just want to remind that dog threads can get heated. Please remember to keep your cool and follow the guidelines of the forum when posting. The staff is keeping close watch on these threads.

 

[picklespickles]

i agree. growling and barking at you is a major problem. maybe before you moved in this was his territory in his free roaming ways. but not anymore. if he doesn't run right away, that is a problem dog and to more than just your chickens.

 

[speckledhen]

All livestock issues aside, a large dog who comes on your property and growls and barks/shows aggression toward you is a problem. If it "packs up" with other dogs, it will be extremely dangerous, and these freeroaming dogs often find pals to run with. We always keep a close watch and are ready to deal with packs of dogs on our property. Your safety is my primary concern here. And as Terrie said, please think of your words before you post in threads like this. Thanks.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I agree with what the others said.
Find out your leash laws. Also, use the fence if at all possible. Talk to the neighbor. Some people are truly ignorant of what their animals are doing. If all else fails, take whatever action you have to to protect yourself and your family.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Stay level headed on this. It sounds like you are already doing that anyways.

Why is the electric fence turned off? You may already have the solution.

Labs are typically a friendly dog that bark and like to kill chickens. Start out
by trying a loud noise like banging on a pot to scare him off. If this doesn't help
Walmart sells the plastic bb guns that won't hurt him but will scare him off.
A paintball gun with frozen paintballs will work too. Then there is always
pepper spray. Be careful with that. Use the least amount of force possible.

Keep peace with your neighbors. No one ever wins in these situations. Try to handle
this quietly at first. Chances are your neighbors are completely ignorant of the
situation, as most dog owners are.

 

[newchickmom]

We haven't turned on the elec fence because it goes all the way around the pasture and we don't have horses yet. Also, I don't know how much it will cost to run it 24/7. It would keep him away from the coup but not the house. We keep the drive gate open all the time.

I need to get up the nerve to go to the neighbor's to let them know what is going on. I'm afraid of their reaction though. I went to a neighbor's house , several years ago, to let her know her boys were shooting BBs at my kids. Even though I was 9 mos pregnant, she came running out the door and shoved me off her porch before I could even get a word out of my mouth.
The police then paid her a visit!

 

[gritsar]

Having that history I would suggest you contact the police again. Please call the dispatcher or number listed for the police in your phone directory, not 911; unless the dogs are there RIGHT THEN, it's not an emergency. You'd be surprised at the number of people that call 911 two days after an incident. Tell the dispatcher/officer about what's going on and tell them you are afraid to confront the neighbor again because of the history with them. Let the police officer that comes out do the talking. Most cities, towns, and yes, even counties, have leash laws or at the very least laws governing control of one's animals. Good luck.
Opps, just re-read that and saw that you meant a different neighbor. Same holds true though. You can contact your sheriff's office or other police agency.