Neighbors Dogs killing chickens

[flakey chick]

Pepper spray before buckshot? The issue with either is you have to be there when the dog is. They make halt pepper spray for canine control. Once the dog is sprayed with it, they learn to avoid the situation. It is a good alternative for those who do not want a lethal solution.

ETA: I would keep them cooped up except for an hour or two per day when I could be out with them.

 

[Miltonchix]

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SUE YOU?!!

He doesn't have leg to stand on! In fact you can shoot HIS dog and sue HIM for damages. I'd sue for the cost of the bullet I shot his dog with too!

 

[John8404]

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I'm confused. Why would adding up the cost of all the eggs they would produce in their lifetime (including decline as they age?) be accurate? Wouldn't you instead add up the eggs lost until you get another bird to the point they were upon death? Then that hen takes over where the other left off?

I'm with the others that say ask for payment, and go after them if they refuse, and call animal control/sheriff... if that dog had bitten your child, cat, dog, etc they'd do something so why not your other pet? But, I'm a stickler for honesty... my gut wouldn't let me inflate the costs one jot. Cover the cost of a new bird, either a laying hen straight cost, a pullet +feed/etc to laying, or a chick +feed/etc to laying... plus the cost of eggs lost from date of death until your egg production is back to where it was before the attack... but other than that I probably couldn't ask for more.

Also, I'd see if they couldn't help with the fence... for their dog's protection (Trespassers Will Be Shot ring a bell?)... in manhours if not in money.... really the least they can do.

Edit... part of the reason I'd take that path is because I hadn't bothered to put up a fence any more than the neighbor had. I hadn't bothered to keep my animals from roaming any more than they had. So, the blame for animals going back and forth belongs to both... good fences good neighbors... *shrug* Also, if the ... estimate (for lack of a better word) is honest, then I'd be more likely to pay it without a grudge. If I knew it was inflated, "Oh Whiplash!" I'd be less happy about it, might still pay it, might not, but I certainly wouldn't think my neighbors were honest trustworthy folks any more... and since I want to stay where I'm at ... better to have open communication and good relations... Just my two cents, feel free to ignore completely.

Well, opinions do vary. I am not trying to inflate the cost of anything. I'm saying if it wasnt for the neighbors dog the hen would still be alive. Having been to many other contries, this is a common practice if you are responsible for the death of someones livestock. I seen this first hand. I am not a lawyer and people may do as they wish. I take measures that are more than reasonable to contain my pets/livestock, swimming pool party noise etc as to not infringe on somebody elses pursuit of happiness, and demand that in return (or at least invite me to your party

). I agree on being a good neighbor but when my neighbor does not do that in return my energy will be redirected.

You asked " Why would adding up the cost of all the eggs they would produce in their lifetime (including decline as they age?) be accurate? Wouldn't you instead add up the eggs lost until you get another bird to the point they were upon death? Then that hen takes over where the other left off?" I dont know if it would be accurate, but I think we are talking about the same thing here.

 

[TNRIRRoo]

S.S.S. but your methods may vary.

 

[fancbrd4me02]

In court you may ask for what you have lost in costs for the value of the animal and income the animal would have brought in (withing reason). If there are vet bills, those may be added to a case. The judge will consider the evidence and decide if your montary request is reasonable and if you are entitled. If the judge sides with you you may get everything or some of what you asked for. If someone damages your property (livestock counts) they are liable to replace it/pay for damages. If they let the dog wander, they are responsible for what it does even if the neighbors have no fence around the property. Why? Because they own the dog and they chose to allow it to wander. If you shoot the dog they will get more dogs, and it seems that they keep only troublesome agressive ones. I would sue to make them reconsider the issue of letting the dogs wander.

 

[fordmommy]

Yesterday at 10:30am I had 17 chickens and 1 guinea. Yesterday at 11am I had 10 dead. People who just can't control their animals should NOT be aloud to own any.

I truely feel your pain!!!!

 

[NYREDS]

It seems you have 2 choices. Let the chickens free range and take the chance of losing more or build a run that will be safe from predators.

There you go. Dogs are preditors, chickens are prey. It's that simple. If you want your chickens to be safe contain them. Even if your neighbor were to contain his dogs there are still pleanty of other preditors that can get at your unfenced chickens.​

 

[fordmommy]

P.s. I should say, mine were in their coop and run. This dog forced his way in.

 

[Lady Catrina]

First flock we had, about 13 years ago, were getting slaughtered by dogs. The last round, they were completely slaughtered. Those dogs were still in the barn, and we crated them up and took them to the pound. The sheriff (we too are outside city limits, Johnson cnty, about 15 miles from Burleson) said SSS. They didn't even take a report the first time they were called out, a month before the slaughterfest, when I followed a dog up the street with one of my birds in it's mouth. The people at that home said "not my dog".

I would strongly suggest: 1. Lock down for your birds. 2. Shoot - to injure, if you want, aim for the hindquarters - a nice sting might make the dog think twice. Air rifle (CTD has good prices) or BB. Maybe not, but it's worth a try. It is working for us, so far, when dogs come down from the hill through the creek onto our land now. We use a 22 long rifle with Aquilla rounds - no gunpowder, so you can't hear them fire. We don't hit them, just the foliage behind them, and they tuck tail and run. 3. Go to TSC and get live traps, and take them to the pound. 4. Shoot to Kill. Shovel it under. Shut up about it, or say "gosh, gee, it was so aggressive, and we DO have rabies in the area" (no, really - we do - no lie).

My heart breaks for your loss. I too, if you took it to court (good luck, there) would ask for the loss of all the eggs never to be laid. Take an average of your laying record, and use that as evidence of financial loss.

 

[whiterooster]

I have had the same problem with neighbors on both sides of me. I have ten acres and my birds are in cages. There dogs had enough time to dig under the fence and attack and kill my chickens and pheasants. I warned the neighbors they better not come back or they will be shot. In Michigan the law says dogs must be on leashes or remain on the owners property.Plus if dogs are killing your livestock you have the right to protect them. My neighbors did not listen so i ended up killing 4dogs, 1 to the vet, and 3 to doggy jail, which costs about $100 each to get them out plus a fine for letting them run. It's really more fun to let animal control take care of them because it cost the owners money. When you get into peoples pockets it seems to get their attention more.When i do have to kill a dog i call the cops and animal control to let them know what hapened. If people would train their dogs properly we would have these problems. I have friends that train dogs and their dogs will not do this. I have another friend that trains Beagles and they do not do this because they are trained to hunt rabbits only, any thing else he will shoot his own dogs and believe me he has done it. You can't get $1,200 out of a Beagle if they run after anything else than a rabbit. So, the best thing to do is check with your state laws first then proceed with the matter. Randy, from Randys Roosters Inc.