OMGOMGOMGOMG>>>>>> UPDATE!:

[nzpouter]

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the dog was not shot for being out on other people's property.... it was shot because it's killing other people's pets.... Let's all be clear on that point..

 

[nzpouter]

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..... and by the time you're back form trying to do what you deemed to be the right thing, you might have lost all your flock...

I'm sorry, I can't live with the thought I could have done more to save MY animals but didn't...

 

[redhen]

Quote:
the dog was not shot for being out on other people's property.... it was shot because it's killing other people's pets.... Let's all be clear on that point..

I can read just fine, Thanks for checking though. Again..i say..its noones fault. its just sad on BOTH sides is all.

 

[lickskillet]

I DO take some of the blame, as I was the one that suggested to DD that the chickens would probably like to be out and dry their feet for awile. I do have guilt there. As I know there are predators out there. That's where the shoulda, coulda, woulda comes in, in my mind. Now my thinking is that if you don't think it can happen it probably will at some point, so take as many risks away as possible. Actually I thought we had, this was only their 3rd time out of the run in a year.

 

[redhen]

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No! its not your fault! In NO way! please dont think it is. your birds were in your yard...

 

[ZepChick]

lickskillet, do you have a dog? Our dog alerts us whenever somehting comes around and he doesn't try to hurt the chickies (he wasn't out the day we had our incident). Just a thought....

 

[Im4Eggcellence]

Wow, what a horrible, horrible day you've had! I am sorry for your loss of chickens, but thank goodness your daughter wasn't injured. I think you had every right and reason to dispatch the dog. I hope the trama of this event will quickly fade.

I think everyone involved needs to let a little time go by now before taking any other actions. I'm sure the other family is greiving and in shock as well, and it would be wise not to judge them exclusively on thier initial reaction - stress can really affect behavior.

As far as demanding compensation.... that's a tough one. I think you're absolutely entitled, but I would weight carefully the pros and cons. I don't know what value your laws place on chickens, but I bet it's not much - being that you can get dressed out birds at the market for $5. You may get nothing for sentimental attachment. In that case, heaping more injury and insult (from their perspective) on to them after they lost their dog, could create an enemy for life... I'm not sure a small amount of money would be worth that. Might be better to show them some compassion by forgoing the demand for compensation. It's a hard call... I'd sleep on it for a bit.

Good luck - the sun will shine again...

 

[KinderKorner]

Oh no lick-skillet it was in no way your fault. Your chickens were on your land.

And to all those people out there that are angry at me because I am saying I can see both sides. Need to get over it.

I am in no way saying that she shouldn't of shot the dog. I'm not saying she was wrong. I am just stating. That both sides are equally as sad.

And yes you may not believe it. But probably a lot more than half of the population believe dogs are more important that chickens. Not saying I believe that they are, but I'm the only person I know (not on the internet) that even cares about my flock more than just 'chickens'. Mine are pets with names, I love them a lot, and I cry everytime one dies.

I'm not in any way cold hearted or uncaring about her flock. It's really a tragic thing to happen.

But I'm sure the dog owner is sad too. So don't be angry at them. I would be rude too if someone shot my dog. And I would be rude if someones dog ate my chickens.

But sheesh guys. I know you all are chicken lovers. But dog lovers would completly side with the dog owners. It's just a matter of opinion. And neither of them got any less damage than the other.

And for everyones information.

I am still a teen too. So I do understand how upset the daughter was. And yes. I've had my fair share of chicken muderers. I lost my entire brahma flock one day. So I know what she is going through. I'm just stating my opinion. And everyone has a different one, so people need to calm down.

 

[lickskillet]

Same here. yes we have a dog, 1yr old. He was inside with us as well. And he knows no strangers, man or beast. He's too sweet and small to have helped in any way, actually I'm glad he was inside! His name is Ollie and again he is my DD's dog. She loves animals, it's in her nature, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Every pic posted on this forum by me, she has taken. She collects eggs, takes the feed down to the shed, she does everything for them, unless they are sick and she needs help. We help her with everything she can't do herself, like build the coop. The pic I post tomorrow of HER coop will have a sign saying Grace's Chicken Coop, my sister hand painted for her this past Christmas. If it weren't for her, we probably wouldn't know what awesome creatures they are. It's hard with chickens as they have a high atrition rate. She has lost some, she knows this. Seh recently lost one to being eggbound (avian necropsy). But what happened tonight, none of us was prepared for...

 

[ZepChick]

Well, you know our dog doesn't know any strangers either, but at least he barks at other dogs

Or would sniff them to death and distract them. My 14 yo DD loves animals as well. Our chickens are her babies, and she would do anything for them. When they are sick she takes care of them, and has even dressed them up in little chicken outfits (like some barbie clothes, she has outgrown her barbies, sniff) and posed them for pics. Oh! my daughter just told me she msg'd you. See! They are very alike, too bad we don't live closer to you. BTW, Happy Mother's Day mama!