OMGOMGOMGOMG>>>>>> UPDATE!:

[Pumpkinpup]

lickskillet, I am just so very sorry to hear all of this. I can't understand why some people think that there should be no consequence for inappropriate actions.
I understand full well the love a person feels for a pet but I also understand full well how very dangerous a situation of the type you had on the day of the attak can be. I think your husband did the only thing he could under the circumstances. He protected his family and his property from a very real threat. He was within i=his rights to do so.
I also can understand how hurt the other family involved was and is at the loss of a dear pet. But

that loss was the direct result of actions they took or failed to take ,as it were, and they should not be blaming you and your family for being forced to have to resort to killing the dog in the first place! The blame should be laid upon their doorstep, not yours!
If they had kept their pet at home where he belonged, then the dog would not have had to be destroyed for doing what a dog does by nature. They all have the inborn ability to hunt and kill. Our modern day canines just do it for the fun of it since they are fed at home but the outcome is the same. Dead livestock!
I have German Shorthaired Pointers. These are very highly hunt driven dogs and they can and will kill things. I have them contained or on a leash at all times because I understand this and respect other peoples property and rights. I don't want other peoples dogs running wild on my property and killing my chickens, therefore, by the same rule, I do not allow my dogs to run loose on theirs. It's just that simple. Be responsible for your pet. They are animals and can not reason out "Hey, if I kill those birds, I might get shot!"
A huge

for you my friend! I pray that all turns out well. I'm here if you need a shoulder. I'm so sorry about the birds and all of this mess.

 

[lickskillet]

Thanks chickensioux! I still can't believe it myself. I go around shaking my head, and telling the DD's to just ignore them. But at the same time acting as sounding board for them. We are not showing them that we are angry or saying bad things about neighbors in return. To them anyway, now on this forum is another story! Thanks for letting me vent on BYC, it does help BTW!

 

[lickskillet]

Thanks Pumpkinpup. We understand the neighbors sadness and shock at the loss of the dog, but not the harrassment now. If roles were reversed we would be sad too, but not hostile! We have had dogs over the years here, but have never let them roam loose. We would be too afraid they might get hit by a car. It's just crazy around here right now. I want to go back to the way it was before all of this happened!

I even feel sorry for the dog, but we didn't know who's dog it was, it all happened so fast, but even knowing who's dog it was, my daughter was in the middle and had to react not knowing what the dog might do! Thank you for your shoulder and ear!LOl It's raining here, so hoping the sons will stay inside and we won't hear from them today.

 

[GaNewChick]

horsejody[/quote :


I guess you should invite them over, apologized for for not letting their dog kill all of the chickens, offer to pay them restitution and sit around the campfire singing koom-bay-yah. Yeah, that will work. NOT!!!!

Your DD learned a lesson. The lesson that bad things can happen to good people. Now she will learn to either stand up for what is right or how to be a doormat. I'm glad you are teaching her that she shouldn't be a doormat. Now the dog's family needs a learning experience. Having them take financial responsibility for their negligence will teach them to be more responsible in the future. The dog getting loose may have been an accident, but there was still negligence. Think of it like a car accident. Nobody wanted it to happen, but somebody is still responsible.

Hang in there. You have done nothing wrong. Irresponsible dog owners put you you in a difficult position. You had to choose between the safety of your daughter and her pets and the safety of a mean dog that should not have been out. Your neighbors are idiots.

That is where we differ...if it were me, I would call them and attempt to talk it out. I would make them aware of what their sons are doing. I would make them aware that legal action will follow if it doesn't stop. I would document the day and time of the call and then proceed from there.

I know it seems that I am trying to side with the parents but ~ do the the kids have to drive by your house to get in and out. Can they go either right or left to get out. Are they intentionally driving by your house to a dead end and then coming back. With a 5 acre separation ~ could the the parents hear what is being said. The parents may not know what they are doing. Did the neighbor who witnessed the drive by tell the dog owner or just you. We don't know all the facts, and sometimes questions need to be asked before making judgements.​

 

[ruthie]

You have the right to ask for compensation. Some people take responsibility for their pets actions, some people have to be "hit where it hurts" and that may just be money. I have 6 dogs, I live on a dead end road a lot of animals get dumped out here.( I am working on housetraining etc so some of them can be rehomed) All of them are kept in kennels when they are outside. However if any of them get out and damage my neighbors livestock I am responsible for any loss that occurs. Again I am so sorry for what your family is going through. Just remember you have done nothing wrong and do what your heart tells you.

 

[lickskillet]

Yes, anyone who lives past us has to pass us on their way out. We live on the main road in or out. I don't know if OTHER neighbor has contacted the sons parents. We have looked in the phone book for #, it's not listed, ours is not as well. I'm surley not going to their house. Maybe CA can act as mediator, but we don't want face to face confrontation, unless maybe law was with us. Still waiting for CA to call and see what he thinks.

 

[lickskillet]

We WERE going to let things slide with compensation. We are not heartless, but like HJ said we are not going to be doormats either.
but we will take it a step at a time and make sure the parents know what's going on.

 

[GaNewChick]

Quote:
Thanks for clarifying. I can't blame you for not wanting a face to face, again, thats where we differ (and not saying you are wrong or saying that you are a doormat). I would try and catch them outside or knock on their door. People can hide behind words, but it shows the character of people when questioned face to face. I would then document my conversation to the parents and sons (if they are there) about their sons behaviour, if it continued then I would send them and the boys a certified return receipt letter from me, and if it didn't stop, I would go through the proper channels through the courts. But thats just me, that is how I would handle it.

These kids might back down when confronted. They are just trying to intimidate you using punkish tactics.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
They aren't kids. They're adults. Just because they choose to not act like adults it doesn't mean they shouldn't have adult consequences. I hate bullies.

 

[kinnip]

Quote:
Thanks for clarifying. I can't blame you for not wanting a face to face, again, thats where we differ (and not saying you are wrong or saying that you are a doormat). I would try and catch them outside or knock on their door. People can hide behind words, but it shows the character of people when questioned face to face. I would then document my conversation to the parents and sons (if they are there) about their sons behaviour, if it continued then I would send them and the boys a certified return receipt letter from me, and if it didn't stop, I would go through the proper channels through the courts. But thats just me, that is how I would handle it.

These kids might back down when confronted. They are just trying to intimidate you using punkish tactics.

These people are clearly intimidating to the OP. She shouldn't put herself in a position that feels unsafe. If use of an intermediary can create a comfort zone that's acceptable, then she should use that tool.