OMGOMGOMGOMG>>>>>> UPDATE!:

[GaNewChick]

Quote:
And we all know what the old saying is ~ don't feed the troll.

 

[horselover58]

well....I hate to see any animal shot. However, there are too many irresponsible owners. It is the owners responsibility to keep their dog under control and out of anyones yard, even if he wont eat chickens. I know how you must feel. I had a massacre in my backyard last year, only a raccoon did it. The next time he came back, my husband was waiting and he caught him in the pen. I heard a lot of Angry Screeching (from the raccoon. I couldnt see what was going on back there because it was too dark. But when my husband got back, he told me that he caught the raccoon inside and he grabbed a stick to scare him off and that raccoon tried to attack him and take his stick away. Tehe!

That is a true story by the way. Hope it made you laugh and cheered you up just a little. But keep an eye on your other chickens as best you can. Some people can be very vindictive.

 

[Mrs. Glassman]

I just saw this thread, and I love animals, and try to do what is right. But if it had been my chickens, or rabbits this dog had been attacking, I would have shot it dead TWICE.

Not only do I have the right to put down any animal attacking mine, on my property, once a dog gets the taste of blood, if allowed to leave unharmed, they always come back.

I own dogs, and I keep them behind a fence. If they were to get out and harm someone else's animals, I would surely miss them...but I'd know that it had to be done. I'd even OFFER to compensate the other party.

I would not even tolerate them killing my other animals, which was a case we had several months ago. (I didn't kill my own dog, but after it attacked & killed another dog, I found it another home that day----the new owner knew the situation too)

You guys were in the right on all accounts. You acted as any normal animal owner would. I'm so sorry that you had to go through what you did.

 

[KinderKorner]

I know you guys don't agree but I'm with car-uh.

If an animal is attacking my own, my last thought on earth would be to kill it. Maybe it's my gentle soul for animals. But I would of roped it, dragged it away, chases it off, tackled it, done practicly anything but shoot it.

I know you lost some of your beloved chickens. And you had every right to kill it. But I'm just saying. I would of never done that myself. And I don't hold it against the neighbor to be angry. They lost just as much as you did. Maybe even more because in most cases dogs are more loved than chickens.

Although the dog I have now I would say my chickens are more important. But my old dog was my very most best friend I've ever had the pleasure to have, and was loved beyond replacing. When he was hit I cried for months. He was way more than a dog to me. I still mourn him, and he shall never be replaced. It was a once in a lifetime kind of gift.

I feel sadness for you, very much so. I know how bad it pains me to have my pets die. But I look at both sides, and I am equally sad for the dogs owner.

 

[lickskillet]

We are most definatly going to be extra cautious. Those coons can be be very mean and bold! Hence the Fort Knox run and coop! One lost hen and her newly hatched chicks 2 years ago, required it! Thanks hl58

<----- smile!

 

[redhen]

To be very honest with you..i think its very sad on both ends. I would be heartbroken and angry if someone shot my dog if it got out once. Now..if it had gotten out several times..thats another thing. AND its VERY sad for your daughter....its also heartbreaking to loose your chickens that way also! It really is a no win situation...i feed bad for everyone involved.

 

[highcountrychickens]

Quote:
Wow...you are off your rocker... Of course you would be devastated... Dog could have just as easily been run over by a car. You going to blame the owner of the car because your dog was out running in the road. I don't think so.

Great Post!

I'm soulsick to read what you have gone through. Your DD is a CHAMP, and her bravery is honorable... though I know that does little to salve the heartbreak.

There are no wouldas or couldas ... what happened happened as a matter of terrible course, and at that moment, there was no other choice - for the safety of your child, and for the protection of your property. There are reasons why laws exist protecting the rights of people to protect their livestock... those laws weren't borne on the back of experiences with sweet fluffy under the control of their owner. The brand spanking new BYC Member who used the words 'murdering your dog' has no awareness of these sorts of laws and rights, and only proves themselves the sort of dog owner who believes the world should exist around their dog... the sort that causes this horrible kind of tragedy, so please don't heed anything they have to say about it.

Also. It is your right to be able to let your chickens out on your property without being harassed or endangered, just as it is your right to have peace of mind to send your daughter out to tuck them in at night. I hope you are able to find a time when you can enjoy this sort of peace again... your actions were right, just and proper - no wouldas no couldas... every law written about these sorts of things will be behind you.

If you are worried about any kind of backlash or retribution, I would recommend a long conversation with your Sheriff's department. Once things calm down over the next few days, perhaps they would be willing to visit and talk with the family, possibly showing them the photos, possibly outlining the danger presented to your daughter by a dog that, while maybe beloved, was in a killing frenzy... they may begin to see the situation a bit more clearly and properly. I would NOT recommend doing this yourself, let an agent or law enforcement do it on your behalf in the interest of long term rectification.

As for compensation. That's something that belongs to you. I have heard of damages awarded as high as $700 per chicken, but that was in a case of advanced negligence. It proves how well the law is on you side.

Give your daughter a big hug, tell her they're not suffering, and try to sleep. Tomorrow will be sad, but the next day will be a little better.

Sure sending kindhearted hugs from Wyoming.

 

[nerfy]

I'm so sorry for your loss, and relieved your daughter did not get hurt.
You did what you had to do.
I love my dog like I would a child, but if he did something like that, I would expect him to get shot, and take full responsibility for your loss.

 

[KinderKorner]

^ Exactly what Redhen said! I'm with her. It's sad on both parts.

 

[MikasGirl]

lickskillet, I PMed you. I am so sorry for the loss.