I read every post in this thread, and then sat here for a moment completely dumbfounded. I cannot believe that this guy had the audacity to bring his dogs back AGAIN! I thought I read that your husband had already called them and had explicitly told them to NOT bring the dogs again. Are these tree trimmers stupid? I agree with those that said your landlord violated your lease by being there and KNOWING the dogs were there, and not making the guy leave with them! So it's funny that his little mutt was running around chasing your birds? I'd be just as livid as you are. That is uncalled for! I think you need to discuss the terms of your lease with your landlord again, and remind him that he cannot allow such irresponsible contractors to conduct work on the property. I can just imagine the lawsuits if one of your mastiffs had gone after one of those contractors, but you aren't supposed to be mad that his dog stressed out, or possibly mated, your animals? Insane!!! I am furious FOR you! I understand your anger, I think you are in the right completely. Sometimes you aren't able to take the time off work to stand there staring at a contractor working on your place. In today's economy who really can afford the loss in pay? I rent too, but my landlord is a cheap idiot. I was not happy when we had a plumbing issue last year and the plumber arrived with his son in tow. The kid was about 10 or 11, so he wasn't a little tyke running all over, but I have dogs, and two are pretty big. The lab mix is a jumper and could knock ME to the floor if my balance isn't right, and the other dog HATES men, and the moment a man even steps foot on the property, she has to be locked up. Both dogs were locked up because I knew he was coming, but what if I'd have left the lab out and she jumped his kid? I'd be getting sued! And let's not even talk about my little dogs. There are literally only 2 people that I can allow into my house that they WON'T go after and nip! So they are automatically locked up the moment I see a car pull up out front, but my kids slip up sometimes and they let a dog out. What if my psycho rescued, man hating Pomeranian bit the kid? And she would too, she's nuts. I agreed to take her because she would have been put to sleep if I hadn't. There are no men in my house, so it was a good place for her to live out her last years, but she is a monster. I keep her on a tight leash only because I see her as a potential lawsuit. If she's tied outside (we have no fencing) when someone shows up, I politely ask them to keep their distance until I get her inside and locked in the bedroom. I had a customer come to pick up some birds a few weeks ago, and she showed up with her Border Collie. I had no idea she was bringing the dog, she had never asked, never even told me she had a dog, and the first thing I did the moment I saw the dog hop out of the truck was I spun around to make sure none of my dogs were tied out. Only the lab mix would have been good to the Collie. My little dogs would have been barking and/or snapping at her. And my Sheepdog/Chow mix, the man hater, well, she hates strange dogs too and can't even be trusted around my chickens, and she would have killed that little Collie. I just wish people would think. If you are driving to someone else's property, no matter the reason, you need to show them respect! You don't bring your animals, or if you do, you keep them in your car! However, if you are going to a place for work, YOU DO NOT BRING YOUR PETS!!! I also say don't bring your kids! If I am going to someone else's house or property, I don't bring my animals, or if it's a sudden trip and I have a dog with me, you can bet your butt that dog stays in the car. I often travel in the spring and summer with my chihuahuas since they love to be in the car, but I don't bring them to people's houses or farms. I wouldn't want to have to replace their property if my dog damaged something. It's just common sense. I definitely think you should get your dog checked and send them the bill. Not only that, charge them for the cost of the eggs you have lost, and any damage done to your birds. Make it clear to them that you are NOT playing games, you are dead serious, and when you say you don't want their dogs there, YOU DON'T WANT THEIR DOGS THERE! And hopefully, God willing, they figure out that bringing their animals onto someone else's property is wrong. We can all hope. Be on them, watch them, make sure they don't try it again tomorrow. Good luck.
Oh, and Border Kelpie, PLEASE tell me you counter sued for the emotional and physical damages of losing your dog to that irresponsible contractor! There is no way I would have let that guy get away with that!
