Neighbor's Dogs Killed Entire Flock & Donkey

[RedIII]

I agree. I believe she is sorry ... but the dogs are not penned. At least they don't keep them in their pen. They have a 60 acre farm that backs up to mine ... the dogs don't differentiate between my land, theirs or the other neighbors. We're on a dirt road and there are literally packs of dogs that roam. I have refrained from shooting as they have collars... In the past we've blamed everything on coyote until now where we have video.

See this is baffling to me. Why don't they have their dogs penned, if this has been an ongoing problem? I wonder if they have lost any animals, themselves, due to the dogs. That would be a huge red flag that the dogs need to go. I'm not trying to add fuel to the fire. I'm just saying that the most sensible thing for them to do is to pen their dogs, before all else.

 

[cafarmgirl]

If these dogs are running loose and killing livestock everywhere they go they need to be picked up by animal control and destroyed.

As for your neighbor.... I would also add in the cost to repair any fencing and building damage the dogs caused. Your amount sounds more then fair to me at this point. She is a horribly irresponsible dog owner and being hit in the pocket is the only thing that wakes up some of these people. If she chooses to become unfriendly after being asked to pay for the damage caused by her own dogs....well, nothing you can do about that. Take her to court if you have to.

Sorry you have to deal with this. I'd feel the same as you, while it's good she came forward and offered to pay, money means little when you are picking up bodies and burying your animals.

 

[IddyBiddysEggs]

I think this neighbor has a big problem... Her dogs are free roaming killers... The main issue also needs to be addressed. These dogs can't roam like that since they aren't behaving. If you get more chickens and your neighbor gets a new lamb, it's just going to happen again!

I agree about being level headed about the money and they should pay for the damages. But it also needs to be addressed the problem isn't resolved till these killers aren't free roaming.

Sorry if I sound at all harsh. I just know these dogs aren't going to stop after this. They have a taste for it and know where to go now.

Is it unreasonable to ask for the dogs? I see this happening again and again ... if its not ferrel cats, its neighbor dogs. The real predators - owk, fox, coyote and coon - don't last but a couple of days here. I think I'd be doing everyone a favor. I sound cruel, don't I ...

 

[IddyBiddysEggs]

If these dogs are running loose and killing livestock everywhere they go they need to be picked up by animal control and destroyed.

As for your neighbor.... I would also add in the cost to repair any fencing and building damage the dogs caused. Your amount sounds more then fair to me at this point. She is a horribly irresponsible dog owner and being hit in the pocket is the only thing that wakes up some of these people. If she chooses to become unfriendly after being asked to pay for the damage caused by her own dogs....well, nothing you can do about that. Take her to court if you have to.

Sorry you have to deal with this. I'd feel the same as you, while it's good she came forward and offered to pay, money means little when you are picking up bodies and burying your animals.

No animal control or leash laws in the county ... this is "ride your horse to the store" country

 

[RedIII]

I don't know that I would necessarily ask for the dogs, but something does need to be done about them. If they refuse to pen the dogs or can't keep them penned, I would call animal control. It's nasty, I know. And if all else fails and you catch the dogs roaming your farm and attacking animals again, have a .22 handy.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Is it unreasonable to ask for the dogs? I see this happening again and again ... if its not ferrel cats, its neighbor dogs. The real predators - owk, fox, coyote and coon - don't last but a couple of days here. I think I'd be doing everyone a favor. I sound cruel, don't I ...

I don't think you sound cruel at all. The problem with dogs that run in packs like this and become this aggressive is that many times they become aggressive to more then just animals. They can become a danger to kids as well. I would not tolerate it for one second. These dogs either need to be penned, although it sounds like they can get through just about any fence, or they need to be turned over to animal control or put down and if your willing to do it, more power to you. It's not cruel at all. I just have zero tolerance for livestock killing dogs and even less for owners who let them run free with full knowledge of what their dogs are doing.

 

[Candy442]

Is it unreasonable to ask for the dogs? I see this happening again and again ... if its not ferrel cats, its neighbor dogs. The real predators - owk, fox, coyote and coon - don't last but a couple of days here. I think I'd be doing everyone a favor. I sound cruel, don't I ...

I agree, if the neighbor cannot keep the dogs under control they will be back. I would ask for your money and place leg traps in an area that no other livestock would have access to. Those will do some major damage and you will eventually have the dogs too.

 

[dpenning]

Those dogs are going to become a danger to more than just livestock. They need to be penned or put down, not cruel at all. When they start killing in packs it is a dangerous situation. Sorry you had to lose your flock. I hope the neighbor with the dogs realizes just how dangerous they are. It is one thing to pay for the damage but to not recognize the danger is the worse issue.

 

[IddyBiddysEggs]

I don't think you sound cruel at all. The problem with dogs that run in packs like this and become this aggressive is that many times they become aggressive to more then just animals. They can become a danger to kids as well. I would not tolerate it for one second. These dogs either need to be penned, although it sounds like they can get through just about any fence, or they need to be turned over to animal control or put down and if your willing to do it, more power to you. It's not cruel at all. I just have zero tolerance for livestock killing dogs and even less for owners who let them run free with full knowledge of what their dogs are doing.

I think the big problem here is no county animal control ... when I moved here I was chased by a boxer (popular dog here). He turned and ran after I took a swing at him with a rake. Since that time I never walk anywhere without some sort of firearm. The coyotes here will make eye contact and run in the opposite direction of a human ... domestic dogs will take your lunch from you. I don't know what to think ... this woman had tears in her eyes and called one "her puppy" ... I don't know if its ignorance or?? I've got two heifers ready to calf and I'm afraid of what might happen.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/grd/4135211384.html

Here is some Organic point of lay and laying birds on the other side of Atlanta from you. Might be worth looking into, extremely reasonable price and puts your egg sale losses to a minimum. They've Barred Rocks, Buff Orpingtons and Comets for sale. All organic and obviously thinning for winter.