New Neighbors = pit bull = dead chickens

[rosawoodsii]

I'm so sorry about the chickens, but ANY breed of dog could have done this. I hate hearing the stories about "pit bulls", because they are no more apt to attack than any other breed. I've known some sweet and gentle bull terriers and Staffordshires, and I've seen some very bad ones--in fact, a neighbor lost her life to a pack that wasn't restrained.

The fact is, that when dogs roam with other dogs, even one other, they have a pack mentality. ALL dogs should be confined to their own property!

Quick story: A few years ago a new neighbor moved in. She had two dogs, Irish Setters. The neighbor across the street, Dawn, did preservation breeding of Davenport Arabian horses. The new neighbor gushed about how wonderful that her dogs would be able to run free now that they were "in the country". Dawn politely informed her that the first time the dogs chased her foals, she would shoot them, because she's had dogs run them into fences before. The dogs were not seen outside after that until the new fence, ordered that day, was up.

Another neighbor, also a horse breeder, doesn't even warn dog owners. He just shoots dogs that come on his property. Frankly, I can't blame him. If a dog comes onto my property and harasses my livestock, they might not see the light of day again. And yes, I've always had dogs--and I always have them fenced.

 

[Pupsnpullets]

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Yes, Rosa, you are correct here but what is not been taken into account is just how powerful most pit bulls are! That goes for most of the 'bully' breeds. A pack of jack russells would be equally as motivated to raid the chicken coop as a pack of pits, however the pits can get the job done literally in seconds whereas a jack pack would take a little longer to break through - and they're much less likely to maul you when you try to protect you chickens.

 

[emvickrey]

I agree, it's not only Pit Bulls that will do this. It just happen that it was on this occasion. When we first moved into our neighborhood. There where several dogs that would roam free. We lost half our flock and put out lots of angry threats. Now the only ones that are roaming are the ones that won't bother them. We aren't the only ones that have chickens. The man down the road has turkeys and other birds along with donkeys and goats. I am almost certain he started shooting the dogs. The ones that where killing our flocks are gone. We didn't shoot any ourselves. We just chased them away with a BB gun. I would hate it if somebody shot our dogs. So instead we notified the owners. We have 3 nearby dogs that the owners have put on chaines andwe didn't even have to ask them. Now that is responsible owners.

The dogs that where killing ours where black Labs and a couple of strays of mixed breed.

 

[horsejody]

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Are you saying that if a person shot your free roaming dog to protect their pets or livestock without talking to you first you would act in an unGodly an unsensible way against them, but you expect them to have been Godly and sensible to you?

 

[lovemychix]

Good luck and

for your son. I know it is hard.

 

[Boyd]

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Hunting, no.
Grabbing, killing, fighting. The histroy of the pitt.

With so many wonderful breeds out there, I have never understood the want of this one, of course unless you had a need for one of the previously mentioned attributes.

I know this has gone way off topic, but 60Acres, check your facts. Here is an exerpt from wikipedia which details how the breed was devoloped and why.....

During the mid-1800s, immigration to the United States from Ireland and England brought an influx of these dogs to America, mainly to Boston, where they were bred to be larger and stockier, working as farm dogs in the West as much as fighting dogs in the cities. The resulting breed, also called the American Pit Bull Terrier, became known as an "all-American" dog.

Pit Bull-type dogs became popular as family pets for citizens who were not involved in dog-fighting or farming. In the early 1900s they began to appear in films, one of the more famous examples being Pete the Pup from the Our Gang shorts (later known as The Little Rascals).

You can find the whole article here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_bull

Now, lets get this topic back on track?! Please? If you guys want to bash the breed, PM the responsible owners of those dogs that have posted here, otherwise quit spouting untrue propaganda.

 

[emvickrey]

No! No! They didn't shoot my dogs. They shot somebody elses. My dogs don't bother chickens. Thank goodness. The neghbor down the road did. When the dogs killed our chickens we talked to the owners. Although they did nothing but apologize then the same dogs went and killed the other mans flock and he killed the dogs. See the owners where aware their dogs where kiling the chickens becuse they're yard was full of feathers and chicken carcasses. They just really didn't care.

 

[horsejody]

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Are there any updates? Did the neighbors make restitution? Are they putting up a better fence? Be very careful with that dog. If it comes back and your son tries to intervene to save his pets, it could be tragic.

I love dogs, but I hate bad owners. They put others in the position of having to decide whose pet gets to live. Personally, if I have to decide to save my chicken(s) and shoot the dog or give the dog another chance, bye bye doggie.

 

[vicki2x2]

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I think this is a great idea! Anyone know what state they are in? I would be happy to donate, especially if they were close.

edited because I just seen they are in Oregon. I would be happy to donate hatching eggs, those would be easy to ship. OP, let me know if you are interested in some and what breeds!!

 

[Boyd]

In which case, if they didn't care who's livestock they killed, they didn't care enough to keep them. Sounds like they probably didn't care if those dogs were shot. Poor owners can lead to loss. Both of my dogs, a Jack Russel and A Pit are both kept confined as they should be. They have large runs, and in those runs they have a lunge line that neither dog has a chance of breaking. If any of my dogs were to get loose and hurt somebody, or kill someone's livestock, I would as a responsible pet owner, replace their birds, or put down the dog.

That's the choice people have to make up front as a RESPONSIBLE pet owner. I'm sorry you guys have lost chickens, I figure at some point we all have or will due to this.