Neighbor's dogs are at it again:(

[tls_ranch]

This morning I caught our neighbor's female lab on our property. She's gotten out before and attacked my chickens, but I was lucky and none died. Well, when I took the dog back to their kennel there were several of the neighbor's own chickens were dead in a pile and at least 4 others injured. The neighbors weren't home, apparently the husband is in the hospital with heart problems. I called them as I was taking the dog back and offered to look around for survivors and found 3 dead, 4 injured and 3 healthy but running loose and I couldn't catch them ( there were 12 chickens total over there). I put the 3 of the four injured (the fourth was under a building) in the coop and gathered the dead. The dogs were again locked up, but I couldn't see how they got out of the kennel.

Now comes the really sad part

About 1 hour later the dog was out again and back snooping around my chicken pen. When I took her back she had killed the 3 loose chickens I had seen.

I now saw that part of the chainlink on one of the gate's was pushed out. The only thing I saw was some hay bale twine so I "tied" the fence back together and hoped for the best, because I had to get back to my kids.

Update....just a few minutes ago another neighbor came driving up ( I've never met him) and he thought the dogs were mine. He said he saw both the male lab and female now running up the main road.

I guess I'll have to stay home all day and watch out for my chickens and see if I can catch the dogs if they come back. I'm not taking my two little kids out in the car chasing those fool dogs all over the country side.

 

[Caat]

Sounds like some bad pet keeping to me. I have 2 Alaskan Malamutes and yes, at times they escape from their kennel (usually when I try to go in to feed them) but we always ensure that the kennel is secure when we leave. it would be very maddening to come home to dead chickens because neighborhood dogs killed them. I have a similar problem where I live only, here the owners LET their dogs run loose. Good thing I don't have my chickens yet. The coop will be built on a cement slab and the fencing will go underground. I know this is harsh but the other thing you could do is call animal control...

good luck

 

[Bi0s]

hmmm hate to say it but they will be back after your chickens from the looks of it i warn the neighbors once is all after that you have to take the next step to keep your chickens safe wish the best of luck to you

 

[tfb4me]

buy a rifle.......Or call the pound to come get them...This disrespect for your property and lifestyle has got to stop...

 

[bobbi-j]

Considering the fact that the owner is in the hospital with heart problems, I think you were being a good neighbor to bring the dog home the first (and second time) and try to repair the kennel. This is not disrespect to your lifestyle and property. It's a couple of people going through a hard time right now and compassion is called for. I for one appreciate your efforts. There isn't enough kindness, compassion or goodwill in the world anymore. I don't blame you for not dragging your kids around the neighborhood looking for the dogs, and there's not much you can do if someone else shoots them or puts them in the pound. You're doing your part to help these people in a difficult time.

 

[mediazeal]

OH man, this is really hard.
Of course they are totally in the wrong but I wonder if some of it is due to the health circumstances they are undergoing.
Just a sad situation all around
so glad YOUR chickens are ok, really sad about theirs
hope it can resolve with out more death
good luck!

 

[ddcoyne]

I think I'd have to start shooting the dogs. I'd start with a paintball or beebee gun. I'd think that the pain of those might keep them away. I wouldn't want to have to kill a dog for doing something that comes natural, but I also don't want a dog coming onto my property and killing my chickens when I've invested time, care & money into them. You have to protect your own!

 

[tls_ranch]

Maybe they'll get hit and killed out running

The neighbors really have tried to keep the dogs locked up, but just chain link is just not going to work anymore. The wife was really concerned and worried about MY chickens even though more than half of her 12 are dead or dying. I'm just ranting about the whole issue in general

The husband is currently being rushed into heart surgery and shooting the dogs at this point is not a good idea. They have told me to shoot the dogs if they were after my chickens, but right now I don't want to add any stress to the poor man.

 

[carolinagirl58]

Normally I'd agree with just shooting them or calling the pound but with the circumstances, I think I'd go to the store and buy a dog chain. Chain the dog up at the neighbor's and let them pay for the dead birds and the chain when they get back. Make sure you leave the dog a bucket of water as well.

 

[tls_ranch]

If the dogs come back I'll tie them up or keep them in my garage until the wife gets back from the hospital. This just sucks. Many of those poor birds were beautiful easter eggers and the nest boxes had some very pretty green and blue eggs in them