Not that we would do this but as a last resort....

[Dar]

TAKE PICTURES AND LOTS OF THEM!!!!!!! enable the date stamp on your camera so it creates a photo log of the amount of times these dogs have been on your land.

IF you decide to SSS and they come back after you for damages cause we all know how gossip spreads like wild fire and lets face it, it has been mentioned on a public forum. You have proof that these dogs roam at large

IF you decide to pain ball them again this can be considered animal cruelty because those suckers hurt! and all it takes is for one shot to go a stray and you hit the dog in the head and cause neurological damage you could be on the hook for charges and damages to this so called pet owner cause these types of people can play the victim in court really well.


What I would do honestly.... make sure your coop is secure.. only free range when there is someone out... your kids if they are young should not be left alone in the yard anyway thats a non issue... and make sure you report IN WRITING to animal control with pictures. Make sure each complaint is filled with facts you can back up in court. Make sure you leave out personal remarks and emotion. Stick to the law and point out the violations. Keep copies of all the pics and the complaints you make and you may have a claim for a higher court if the municipal level goes nowhere.

KNOW YOUR BY-LAWS!

 

[HoglundH]

Quote:
I guess you should get rid of your chickens and hide inside....

...it must be your fault.

 

[crossgirl]

The civil method, of course ,is to have neighbors who have some concept of responsiblity and neighborliness and not entitlement. I also have the one neighbor who refuses to contain their dog while everyone else makes every effort. I explained that I had the right to shoot their dog if it came back after my chickens, as do the other people in the area with cattle and goats. People who let their dogs roam do not value their animals life, nor the life or wellbeing of another's animals, never mind quality of life of neighbors having to deal with other dog's crap in their yard. I wish I'd thought of paintballs before I went and invested money I don't have (thank you Visa) in running fence around my property. It won't stop anything determined to get in but it showed I was making a good effort to protect my chickens. It absolutely burns me up that I had to do it. Paintballing the dog would have been so much more satisfying! I hope you are able to find a solution you can be content with. Good luck!!

 

[crazy texas chicken]

We live out in the county, we had same problem, I talked to our Sheriff's Dept and was told to protect my family and livestock! I started with pellet gun. Did not work. Moved to paint ball gun, no luck. I had to go to last result of higher powered gun, livestock can be replaced, if you have children running around, thats a whole different story!

 

[rhs7111]

Crossgirl, I absolutely agree with you regarding responsibility, please don't misunderstand my message. However, I blame the owner, not the animal, for negligence. Dogs absolutely shouldn't be allowed to run free and harm other animals. YES, this situation is the fault of the dog owner; I honestly thought I made that point very clear. But I do not think shooting the dog is the answer. While allowing one's dog to wreak havoc upon the neighbors isn't at all civil, I don't think the response needs to be uncivil, either. I think the fact that you took the steps to fence in your property will be very helpful to you should your situation escalate (badly), and if you need to take legal action. You were smart to do that! It's ridiculous that the "victim" of irresponsible pet owners needs to bear the burden of cost to protect their own pets/livestock. Grrr!

 

[rhs7111]

Quote:
I guess you should get rid of your chickens and hide inside....

...it must be your fault.

You really need to reread my post with some special attention given to my fourth full sentence, the one that begins with "OF COURSE this is not your fault...", or perhaps you should work on your reading comprehension skills.

 

[rhs7111]

Quote:
EXCELLENT advice, and well said, Dar!

 

[MandyH]

Quote:
I haven't read through all the posts but using a bb gun is considered animal cruelty in my state and you can be fined or arrested. My state also allows any animal to be shot that is harrassing livestock and we don't have a problem with dogs anymore.

 

[GiddyMoon]

I am in AZ, I was just told that if I feel my livestock is threatened, I can shoot, and I can even follow them off my property and shoot.

 

[kemclaughlin]

I don't really think you are putting chickens ahead of your kids. The dogs are not attacking your kids, and it's reasonable to assume the won't. It is just as reasonable to assume they are more likely to go after and kill chickens. Protecting chickens from death is way different than protecting your kids from rowdy, excited dogs. I certainly would not criticize over this. It sounds like you are agonizing over this because you are a responsible animal lover and don't want to have to take drastic measures to control this situation. Sometimes other people point out things we ourselves have not yet thought of. I feel really bad for you having to be in this situation. If it is something you ever do, you might want to pray about it and seek guidance on a good solution to this problem.

Quote:
Thank you, and thank you everyone. I didnt want anyone to think I put our chickens first. We are animal lovers...my daughter saves every mouse, mole, frog, bird, etc. she can. She has a grave yard with headstones and names for all the ones that didnt make it. We wanted to give the dogs and owners a chance before we did anything major. The dogs are out of hand. I talked to another person on our street that have sheep and the dogs are harassing them too so between the two of us we can get something done!