OMGOMGOMGOMG>>>>>> UPDATE!:

[Judy]

You should absolutely require compensation. Sooo glad you called the sheriff. You could start with a modest bill, cost of chicks and feed and such, certified mail.... but I would follow through if not paid.

They obviously do not feel that they are responsible for keeping their dog under control. It was not their pet in your chicken yard, it was a predator, period. Also, it teaches your daughter an important lesson in responsibility.

Scratch one patient.... oh well....

You and your husband did what was necessary, horrifying as it may feel, and I commend you. Really not much different from putting a suffering animal out of its misery; part of the deal.

Go hug your daughter some more. And hubby too.

 

[Blackbird]

Wow.. I'm so sorry to hear about that, yes I'd take picture of everything JUST in case.

I notice from your picture you probably have goats too? The dog could have attacked any goats you might have, if you wanted to look at it that way, so you can use that too, as well as your daughter as a potential victim.

Sorry for your loss

 

[GaNewChick]

Sorry for the loss of your chickens and the dog. Remember that things were said at the height of emotion running on both sides. I would give it a day or two for everyone's emotions to get in check before I asked them for compensation. You know them, so you might be able to recoup your money without having to take them to court.....

Neighbor's for 17 years...makes it hard on everyone. They might have heard the gunshots and were fearing the worst. It sounds like the dog didn't break lose often if they were out driving and looking for it. *speculating here, since I don't know them*.

Again, I would let things cool down a bit. Everyone is upset right now. Hope things work out.

 

[Sillystunt]

Not for nothing that dog could have attacked your daughter.(mine has scars from a pitbull attack).

I would have shot that dog with out even thinking twice!! That owner has a responsiblty to keep his dog on a leash and secured properly!!!!!!!!

SCREW them, take them to court and ask for $$$ to replace(not that they can in the ways of attachment)the chickens! That's alot of chickens 17 x 10 bucks a bird....i am saying!!!! Maybe even more

I am soooo sorry your little girl had to witness that! God emotional distress........Sending huggs your way

and to add....A shepard that comes and attacks and kills 17 chickens is vicious!!My dog Link is shepard/rotti mix and when the chickens try to eat his food he puts his paw on them and pins them, they freeze. Then he eats his food and goes over and licks them...NICE DOGGIE,SHEPARD U SHOT....MEAN DOGGIE

 

[lickskillet]

Let me give more info. We the last three days because of all the rain have been letting the chickens out for 2 hours before lock up. They were not in the run other than running back in there for safty from them dog! We have chain link fence with chicken wire at the bottom, and chicken wire above on top the run because of hawks. It's not the runs inadequacy it our own for thinking they could free range on our property 2 acres surrounded by creek on three sides and road in front for 2 hours. Which we dont do but have had rain for the past 8 days out of 11 and thought they would like to get out of the mud for awhile! I feel to blame for suggesting it to DD in the first place! We were not 5 seconds behind daughter RUNNING!! They will NEVER be let out again! I will take pics of the coops and run tomorrow so you can see what I'm talking about. And the creek surrounding our property lines. Still! My chickens didn't go looking for trouble! My husband put the dead ones in a bag and put them in the back of the lawnmower cart so DD can't see them. I'll take pictures of the dead ones tomorrow for record then we'll bury them.

No we don't have goats anymore thank goodness, as we probably would have lost them or some of them too!!!

 

[chickenguysmom]

I find it funny that some dog owners don't respect that folks who own chickens love them just as much as any other pet. We have neighbors that have two large dogs that have attacked and took chunks out of the backs of 3 chickens one of them 2x. It took us telling them that they are pets to us for them to finally put a padlock on their back gate, the whole source of the problem. Their kids would go in and out the gate and not latch it properly. It stays locked now and the neighbors are still a bit chilly towards us. But if I had to choose between the neighbors and my chickens............... sure won't miss those neighbors.

 

[lurky]

I'm so glad your daughter was not hurt by the dog. Its so tough for a child to have to go through such a horrible situation. I think its sad when people shoot a dog they could easily control, but a German Shepherd could really hurt you if you got in its way. You and your family did the right thing for sure. Its sad that you had to make a decision like that and i hope the owners learn a lesson about responsibility. Sorry for your loss

 

[mediazeal]

This is so sad.
So sorry for you all.

 

[GaNewChick]

For the most part, I think most people who own dogs have experienced a time when their dog got loose. It does happen and doesn't make them irresponsible pet owners. The OP has not stated if this dog gets out all the time or if this was just one of those times it slipped out.

You did what needed to be done at the time, and the majority labeling everyone who has a dog loose as irresponsible, is well....judgemental ~ IMO, when we don't have ALL the facts.

I'm going to buy a baby monitor so I can hear out there. Is your pen close enough where you could hear any commotion when it starts?

Again, sorry for your loss....

 

[citrusdreams]

Gosh, what a terrible tragedy for both families.

Your daugher and the rest of your family must be devestated. I am horrified to think that your brave little girl could have been mauled. You should not have to worry about *how* you keep your own animals on your own property. Dog owners do not have the right to rely on *you* to lock up your animals to protect them against *their* traspassing animals. You should be able to free range your chickens (or any other animal) on your own property. They have no defense whatsoever and no judge would side with them if you asked for compensation.

But I think that other family is probably devestated by the loss of their pet too, and were probably reacting in their horror of losing their beloved. I wonder if that was the first time he got out since you didn't mention he was a chronic problem. Maybe they'll apologize...ok, maybe I live in La-La-Land, but one can hope that after they calm down they will see how unfortunate this whole situation was and how terribly wrong they are to blame you. It's so painful losing a pet (for everyone), as you well know. But unfortunately, they need to own this.

I'm a dog lover too. I have six huge dogs. I would be unconsolable to learn that my dog got out and mauraded over at a neighbor's place. But it's my responsiblity to keep them in. If my dog was shot on another person's property, I would be terribly grieved. I would be angry if they shot any of them out of pure spite (because my dogs are all out with my livestock and are accostomed to them) but there would be nothing I could do about it. Tresspassing dogs often get shot. I've had to keep a loaded gun out for a neighbor's dogs who daily come to pick off my chickens one by one myself. We all do what we have to do.

As to their comment about chickens being replaceable: unfortunately, a lot of people think like that. But the *value* of one animal over another animal is not what this is about. It's about one's rights over another's. Their rights end where yours begin, and you have the right to protect yourself, your family and your property. They need to keep their dogs within the confines of their own property and stop causing havoc on yours.

About asking for compensation, that's up to you. I haven't asked for compensation when I've lost chickens even if offered, because in these people's minds, if they compensate you for the loss, then they're excused from the event and it'll happen again. At least with my neighbors. But you're well in your right to ask, and if it goes to court, you will get it.

Good luck and I hope everyone starts healing and finding their common sense (in the case of your neighbors). My prayers are with both families.