Neighbours left a thinly veiled threat to our chickens

[JSkelce]

This is only my third post and second about my strange, often friendly but also very passive-aggressive neighbours. So a few months ago I posted about a problem whereby my neighbours believed their dog had contracted salmonella standing in our chicken poop and licking it off his paws. I was never shown any evidence of this, just told 'that's what the vet told us'. To be fair to them, the chickens were escaping every now and then but since the incident, the problem has been rectified and the chickens haven't escaped since. For a great number of reasons, we do not believe the dog contracted salmonella from our four perfectly happy, clean and well-housed chickens, if it did ever contract it at all.
They are a very odd family, a bit bitter and resentful (upsetting other neighbours, falling out with people in the village etc) and have a very much love dogs but hate all other animals kind of thing going on. They pretend to have no problem with the chickens but rather protest too much about this. So on Sunday they left the front of a Paxo Chicken Stuffing box under a brick on our footpath leading up from our front door. They had actually taken the time to cut it out and then left it under a brick, right in the middle of our path so we couldn't miss it. They haven't sent any text message, or knocked on our door about any problem, just left this. I don't think the dog is sick again as we saw them out walking it the very same day.
My husband is a very calm man but is extremely angry about this. I am just more worried about the safety of my chickens as I see this as a threat to them, as do our other neighbours who also keep chickens. What do you think I should do to address this? Also, does anyone know the law on someone killing your chickens in the UK? If they harm them, I want them punished. I do not like confrontation or taking the law into my own hands. I have set up CCTV next to my coop so I will catch them if they try anything, but it will be too late for my chickens by then and I love them dearly.

 

[Ruby Rogue]

I'm so glad you took the initiative to set up cameras. They sound like freaks. I'd put a camera near the footpath too.

 

[JSkelce]

Thank you. The camera covers it all, the coop and the path so we would see them if they tried to scatter anything in the area that they roam in.

 

[Ruby Rogue]

Do you happen to have a rooster? Why are they so hateful towards your chickens?

 

[IamRainey]

Have you considered sending the neighbors a note informing them that you've set up the camera for your safety and theirs? I doubt it would make them any happier or more sociable but it could inhibit them from approaching your yard and coop.

I'm not sure how your local government works but, surely, there's an office where you could inquire under what conditions you are allowed to have chickens. Then you could mention you're asking because you have reason to think they're in danger from your neighbor. Ask for some clarification and I'm sure what they'd respond is that your chickens are your personal property and are protected from theft or vandalism the same as any other property with the attendant consequences to anyone who violates the applicable laws and mores.

You didn't ask, but even perfectly "clean" and well tended chickens can still be vectors of salmonella. If your neighbors are concerned about their dog picking it up from your chickens they should ensure that their dog remains on their property and you should ensure that your chickens remain on yours.

Finally, have you considered offering them some WASHED eggs? I'd inform them that you've washed the eggs and invite them to do it again to relieve any concerns they may have. Never discount the power of some kindness to tip the balance. (But don't want any more salmonella issues between you and them!)

 

[JSkelce]

Do you happen to have a rooster? Why are they so hateful towards your chickens?

Only a very small bantam that occasionally squeaks quite quietly so they don’t even know he is a rooster. He’s quieter than the hens!

 

[ShannonR]

Maybe it's time to hunt around on the net for recipes that include dog meat, print them out and stuff it in their mailbox.

 

[JSkelce]

Have you considered sending the neighbors a note informing them that you've set up the camera for your safety and theirs? I doubt it would make them any happier or more sociable but it could inhibit them from approaching your yard and coop.

I'm not sure how your local government works but, surely, there's an office where you could inquire under what conditions you are allowed to have chickens. Then you could mention you're asking because you have reason to think they're in danger from your neighbor. Ask for some clarification and I'm sure what they'd respond is that your chickens are your personal property and are protected from theft or vandalism the same as any other property with the attendant consequences to anyone who violates the applicable laws and mores.

You didn't ask, but even perfectly "clean" and well tended chickens can still be vectors of salmonella. If your neighbors are concerned about their dog picking it up from your chickens they should ensure that their dog remains on their property and you should ensure that your chickens remain on yours.

Finally, have you considered offering them some WASHED eggs? I'd inform them that you've washed the eggs and invite them to do it again to relieve any concerns they may have. Never discount the power of some kindness to tip the balance. (But don't want any more salmonella issues between you and them!)

Thank you that’s good advice. I did think about giving them some eggs a while ago but I think they would accept them tbh. I also think they would take it with the wrong intention. I might just put a sign up saying that there is CCTV on the property as that is actually the law anyway. The chickens are always only on our property now but they refuse to put their dog on a lead. This has caused problems with our other neighbours as it wees and poops on their lawn and kills their plants. Unfortunately they are just very stubborn and difficult people. Think I’ll just stick with the sign and keep our heads down!

 

[Ruby Rogue]

Sad that it had to come to this. Keep your heads up!

 

[aart]

Just be quiet and review your CCTV daily.
Record any incidents in a diary, in case you need it later.
Just like on the internet, don't feed the trolls.