New neighbors dog killed 3 of our flock

[islandgirl82]

It would be irresponsible to drop off a dog at a shelter or with animal control knowing it's a threat to livestock and not report it only to have it become someone else's problem.

 

[jennyf]

No reason not to note it had killed poultry if you pick it up and turn it in. Majority of dogs WILL kill poultry.

 

[angelsun]

Quote: Quote: First, so very, very sorry for the loss of your birds. You didn't mention which state that you are living in. However; I would suggest contacting your local dog warden (Can be found by doing an online search with your county of residence) and having the incident put on the books. It is important to have that incident on permanent legal record as situations can quickly degrade.

Laws vary from state to state. However; since you have lost livestock *more than likely* you would be given the option to either:

1. issue your neighbor a warning

OR

2. press charges and have them fined.

If you choose to press charges; they have the right to contest it. In that case, you may have to go to court and provide documentation (photos, video footage, etc.).

The neighbors would be liable for the cost of replacing the birds.

Dogs are considered to be property. The advice in this thread to confiscate the neighbor's dog is VERY BAD advice. This is theft which can land the offender in a heap of trouble. Please do NOT go that route.

To the best of my knowledge, filing a report would not impact other free roaming dogs in the area. I believe that the report pertains ONLY to the offending dog. Leash Laws also vary from area to area, from state to state. There again, to the best of my knowledge they would only impact dogs involved in a specific incident OR if a dog warden would confiscate a dog running loose.

Again, condolences and wishing you all the best for a positive resolution.


Kelly

 

[Suz13]

Thank you everyone for your helpful advice and support. I anxiously await the possible return of the dog this weekend. I will update if anything happens.

 

[bobbi-j]

Thank you everyone for your helpful advice and support.  I anxiously await the possible return of the dog this weekend. I will update if anything happens.

Can you keep the chickens locked in their run when the dog is there? It may have to be a temporary solution until you can get a fence up to keep the dog out of your yard.

 

[speckledhen]

For the ones who say you should not start a bad relationship with your neighbors, I say THEY ALREADY DID THAT TO YOU! They "fired the first shot", not you.

Yes, report it. Print out the ordinance and give it to them in black and white if you want to warn them before you do it. And tell them you want monetary compensation for the loss of your birds, as is your right.

The one who lets the dog roam is the bad neighbor, not the chicken owner, let's get this straight once and for all! See my signature line:

A dog on its owner's property is a pet. A dog on someone else's property is a predator. Plain and simple.

 

[JoshFig]

It is your neighbors responsibility to keep his dog off your property and not hurting your livestock - you absolutely DO NOT have to keep them in the run to protect them - just on your property.

As stated above - he should compensate you to replace the full grown birds that were killed or injured and you should shoot the dog if he comes back. I would give him a heads up that the dog WILL be shot if it comes back on your property - that will provide good motivation to keep his dog in check. Also much better for relations with your neighbors to give clear boundaries up front.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

For the ones who say you should not start a bad relationship with your neighbors, I say THEY ALREADY DID THAT TO YOU! They "fired the first shot", not you.

Yes, report it. Print out the ordinance and give it to them in black and white if you want to warn them before you do it. And tell them you want monetary compensation for the loss of your birds, as is your right.

The one who lets the dog roam is the bad neighbor, not the chicken owner, let's get this straight once and for all! See my signature line:

A dog on its owner's property is a pet. A dog on someone else's property is a predator. Plain and simple.

I noticed your signature line a long time ago. Even contemplated it as I have 3 dogs. Makes total sense to me!

I think printing the ordinance and giving to them is a great idea!

First, so very, very sorry for the loss of your birds. You didn't mention which state that you are living in. However; I would suggest contacting your local dog warden (Can be found by doing an online search with your county of residence) and having the incident put on the books. It is important to have that incident on permanent legal record as situations can quickly degrade.

Laws vary from state to state. However; since you have lost livestock *more than likely* you would be given the option to either:

1. issue your neighbor a warning

OR

2. press charges and have them fined.

If you choose to press charges; they have the right to contest it. In that case, you may have to go to court and provide documentation (photos, video footage, etc.).

The neighbors would be liable for the cost of replacing the birds.

Dogs are considered to be property. The advice in this thread to confiscate the neighbor's dog is VERY BAD advice. This is theft which can land the offender in a heap of trouble. Please do NOT go that route.

To the best of my knowledge, filing a report would not impact other free roaming dogs in the area. I believe that the report pertains ONLY to the offending dog. Leash Laws also vary from area to area, from state to state. There again, to the best of my knowledge they would only impact dogs involved in a specific incident OR if a dog warden would confiscate a dog running loose.

Again, condolences and wishing you all the best for a positive resolution.


Kelly

I disagree!

Animal control will pick up all loose dogs for 1. For 2... theft.... Please! 3, when it comes to protecting your livestock, family, and property... do whatever it takes except following them off your property! That's what it says in California. The dog was trespassing. It does state here that we cannot detain a dog though. No jurisdiction is going to charge you for detainment or theft of an animal that just killed your livestock. At that point animal control, not the owners, can come pick up the dog or in MOST locations you can dispense of the predator in any manor you chose EXCEPT relocation.

And NO WAY is it the OPs' responsibility to put up a fence that may or may not keep the bad neighbors predator dog out! Why is it that those of us who abide by the law are always having to pay for and abide by more laws made for criminals who don't care about them? Laws are made for law abiding citizens. I say stop the nonsense and make people be accountable for their actions!!!

I think even though a few days have passed you should contact animal control and report the incident as you were trying to decide what to do. And I do agree that documentation including photos is a good idea. When we see a dog loose and call, they come right away if we say the animal might be injured. But if it's just loose they take their time usually. So if you do see the dog coming, call right away to see if they will come out and prepare yourself to defend your livestock until they show up.

Note... I AM a dog owner and have 3 from the shelter. My dogs are all big and sleep with us and are a part of our family. I know how people feel about their dogs. So I am not all like "ya, let's kill Fido". But what if said predator has rabies and you get bit trying to get them off you livestock? And what other kind of disease is the predator spreading on your property? For me, I care enough to contain my dogs to my property for their own safety!

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

I agree with what other people have said on here as well. I wouldn't report them, but if the dog is going after your animals on your property and killing them then you have the right to shoot it. They need to be more responsible, and I would warn them that you will shoot it if it comes on your land again.

 

[speckledhen]

I noticed your signature line a long time ago. Even contemplated it as I have 3 dogs. Makes total sense to me!

I think printing the ordinance and giving to them is a great idea!
I disagree!

Animal control will pick up all loose dogs for 1. For 2... theft.... Please! 3, when it comes to protecting your livestock, family, and property... do whatever it takes except following them off your property! That's what it says in California. The dog was trespassing. It does state here that we cannot detain a dog though. No jurisdiction is going to charge you for detainment or theft of an animal that just killed your livestock. At that point animal control, not the owners, can come pick up the dog or in MOST locations you can dispense of the predator in any manor you chose EXCEPT relocation.

And NO WAY is it the OPs' responsibility to put up a fence that may or may not keep the bad neighbors predator dog out! Why is it that those of us who abide by the law are always having to pay for and abide by more laws made for criminals who don't care about them? Laws are made for law abiding citizens. I say stop the nonsense and make people be accountable for their actions!!!

I think even though a few days have passed you should contact animal control and report the incident as you were trying to decide what to do. And I do agree that documentation including photos is a good idea. When we see a dog loose and call, they come right away if we say the animal might be injured. But if it's just loose they take their time usually. So if you do see the dog coming, call right away to see if they will come out and prepare yourself to defend your livestock until they show up.

Note... I AM a dog owner and have 3 from the shelter. My dogs are all big and sleep with us and are a part of our family. I know how people feel about their dogs. So I am not all like "ya, let's kill Fido". But what if said predator has rabies and you get bit trying to get them off you livestock? And what other kind of disease is the predator spreading on your property? For me, I care enough to contain my dogs to my property for their own safety!

I absolutely love dogs, had them as a child and as an adult and they were ALWAYS kept on the property by fencing. Every house we bought, we put up a fence if there was not one there. It is what a responsible dog owner does. BUT, that said, I have zero problem giving a "spot euthanization" to a dog attacking my flock. Even after we put up a perimeter fence on 2 of our acres surrounding the house, plus pens attached to each coop, we've had dogs literally climb the fence or come down the drive when we had to have the gate open for a delivery. No matter what we did or did not do, my birds are on their property, minding their own business and a roaming dog is illegally trespassing due to an owner who can't figure out how to corral a 50 lb canine. The law is on my side.

Almost every locale other than perhaps inside city limits in places, gives the livestock owner the right to shoot a dog harassing or killing their poultry or livestock. No matter what, NEVER, EVER try to grab the collar (if there is one) on a dog in the middle of slaughtering your birds! You do not need to be bitten and even usually friendly dogs will snap when in a frenzy. BE SAFE while you try to keep your birds safe. Me, I keep a Little League baseball bat hanging next to my back door to grab as I run outside if I need it. Firearms are great, but sometimes it's not as safe to shoot and I'm not proficient as my husband with a firearm. Do I have a problem shooting a dog? Not if it's in the defense of my chickens or myself or other family members. Nope.