Neighbors dogs in coop. UPDATE! 2nd time. 911/charges/court today

[xyresicchick]

okay. i live in the city. and theres a leash law here. if a dog is running around freely, you call animal control or the police. and they come and either FINE the owner, or haul away the dog. simple as that. if a dog bites anything other than food, the dog is expected to be put down, period.

i don't see why it shouldn't be that way everywhere...

to chickfillhay: when your dane got out, WAS it in his garden?

 

[chickfillhay]

No. The reason he SAID she was in HIS yard was because he probably heard me calling for her. This happened @ 6pm.
When she didn't turn back I took off after her in my car. And I did not purposely let her out in the morning to run loose in the neighborhood as my neighbor allows his dogs to do. As for the owner knowing she got out. I was calling her name to come home. He is within earshot and she did not run over to his house. I picked her up out front by the road on the opposit end of the house. Where another neighbor (160 acres) lives. They like her. Irregardless. An accident is quite different than on purpose.
The difference is my dog did not do any damage to anything living. She did not brutally kill and hurt his garden or eat it alive. And if watching out for his garden was an issue, He too would not allow his dogs to run free for fear of them hurting his poor garden. Sorry getting a bit sarcastic.

That was unintentional. I am a bit emotional about this one and tend to get a little defensive. Peace and love ya'll.

 

[humm-n-cluck ranch]

Quote:

I have 2 Rescued Danes myself and they have only gotten out and ran once, we have a ton of space obviously out in the sticks here but I could hear Sam yelp and come tearing home the second he tried to visit the neighbors horses and hit the electric fence lol~! I am super appreciative to the neighbors for that learning tool as they have never tried to get out since!

Side note on shooting dogs, there was a group of dogs in the main part of town (I am about 10 miles out) that although being owned were attacking ppls sheep and goats. They actually attacked and killed one of my friends angora goats! Our local sherrif's dept told my friend (a sheep and specialty goat breeder) that the next time they came in the yard to shoot but to make sure she killed whatever she shot because if it lived she could be liable for vet bills! I cant even imagine being liable for vet bills for an animal that was attacking your livestock

 

[madornato]

I live on 36 acres in the middle of the woods with very few neighbors around. However, we have, strangely, had a stray dog to come up. How would I find out the law on whether or not I could legally shoot or otherwise hurt a dog that was going after my chickens? I would not harm a dog unless it was trying to hurt me, my kids, my chickens, or my cat. My chickens do not free range because of the red-tailed hawks in my area that LOVE chickens, but a dog could break into my coop and run just as in the case of the person who started this thread. I live in Georgia. I do have a gun and can shoot, but I don't want to go to jail for killing someone's dog. I know what my neighbor's dogs look like, and they are never over here. By the way, we do have a leash law. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
Sorry to hear about your losses and the stress from having such a rotten person for a neighbor.

I read most of your statements on this thread (although my children won't allow me the opportunity to read ALL of the entries). I didn't see where the police took your formal complaint, did they? If not, you defiintely need to press them that you want to make a formal complaint. They have an obligation to take it. I saw that you contacted them and they brushed you off back to animal control. Lazy. If they balk at the request, ask to speak with the Police Chief. If that fails, contact me back and I have more suggestions. They have a responsibility to protect the community from dangerous animals. It's best to put your concerns in writing (by email or certified letter whenever possible).

Second, don't be afraid of the court system. I am a lawyer who worked inside the judicial department in my state for 5 years. I worked hand-in-hand with judges every day. They're people just like you and I and I'm here to tell you: they hate bullies just as much as the rest of us and they'll be able to peg this jerk for what he is within 2 minutes! You are squarely in the RIGHT here and your bully neighbor is all wet. You will feel vindicated after the process is finished. Don't settle for less than ALL of your losses (and throw in a claim for any electric fence, etc. you erected to keep his dogs OUT! Can't hurt, ya never know!) Have you researched the laws in your town as to roaming dogs who attack? Contact the clerk in small claims, they are generally very helpful and willing to steer you in the right direction.

Best of luck and keep us posted!

 

[xyresicchick]

Quote:
i would just call animal control or aspca and have them come and catch the dog. you never know anything about the dog, it could be violent, rabid, anything.... do not approach the dog if you dont know whose it is.... just call animal control or the police and ask for them to call animal control for you if you don't have the number. a dog in the pound is better than a dog who gets bit by a racoon or skunk or another rabies vector species and dies a slow agonizing death.

that is what i would do...



to chickfillhay: that guy, in my opinion is an [insert name for JUVENILE DONKEY here]!

and no worries about getting stressed out and sarcastic... i'm on your side. i completely agree that a dog escaping past a kid on accident to barrel around stupidly is something completely different from a guy letting his dogs outintentionally every day so they can wreak havoc on whatever they feel like... including your chicken coop.

*hugs* he is completely at fault and trying to make himself feel better for his being an arrogant... donkey baby...

 

[chickfillhay]

WOW! Great statements everyone! I appreciate your support. I must admit that I did get the brush off from the police. So my husband and I went there in person to file a report. They made us wait about 30 min or so for the officers to arrive. When I told them what went on she still looked a bit annoyed at the idea of having to file paper. She told us ( I guess it was meant to discourage us) BUt she told us she could only file a civil complaint. We gave her all the paperwork from animal control and filed a report anyway. All correspondence to my neighbor have been by certified letter. And thanks to you and backyardchickens. Every step taken and every word of the incident has been recorded on this site. All as it happened and all as it was fresh in my mind. THANKS TO YOU!!!

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

Watched the first half of the Wizard of Oz last night.

Have new appreciation of Toto's adversary.

 

[rancher hicks]

I do hope you kept copies of all the paperwork. I believe the postal site w/ the delivery date can be printed also. You can always toss it if you don't need it, but you can't always get it if you don't have it. Sorry if that makes it look like I think your not smart, cuz the fact that your persueing this says' otherwise. I just watch to many Judge Judy.

I hope you kick his butt. (scratch that last part),

 

[chickfillhay]

JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom wrote:
Going to court.Watched the first half of the Wizard of Oz last night.

Have new appreciation of Toto's adversary.

I needed that!

YEAH! Dorothy's dream.
You just reminded me of a dream I had about this. Ready?...,
This was occupying my mind so much that I had a dream I went over to his property in the middle of the night to watch him put his dogs out. As I was peering into the window, he was calling his dogs in while dressed in an old (scrooge) nightgown and cap holding a candle. Suddenly I was in the house trying desperately to hide as he turned from the door yawning I saw him approach me. I couldn't find a place to hide and that's when I woke up. Remember this was a DREAM...
I did keep a paper trail and pictures. Hunny has to file with a fee of $175. Yuck! Thanks for the reminder my Judge Judy watcher!.. I like the court shows on tv too! Thanks!​