Permission to shoot neighbor's dogs

[jajhale]

I think it is apparent that we are all animal lovers. Our chickens depend upon us to provide and protect them, and seeing injured or killed chickens is extremely painful.

A secure run may be on of the better options to keep them safe... But oh how they love getting to roam around during the day, on their very own private property! I think that those of us who have grown up in the country have a clear understanding of property line respect (which includes the neighbors dogs coming over to dig through trash, steal food, chase livestock, and play with chickens).... And those new to the country have grown to love the feathered additions to the family. This is not to say we are not friendly country neighbors, but livestock (and even $3.00 chickens) are an investment and a part of our family.

After losing one too many Hens, and useless attempts to pepper the neighbors dogs, we ended up having to shoot a couple of them. It was sad, we cried a little, but we will protect our animals... My reaction to a rougue dog would be much worse if the victem was my weanie dog. That being said, I remind myself constantly that the same is expected of my dogs, and I am confident that I would react with respect if our big dogs happened to be on someone elses property.

Having compassion for animals does not mean they can run wild and do what they please. If you can not stomach actually killing a dog, there is also the option of delivering them to the nearest animal shelter... True, the end result will propably be similar, and may even weigh heavier on your sould, but in the end your property will be protected.

I understand your fear of neighbor retaliation, but it's very possible that he'll get mad, and then get over it.

Best of Luck!

 

[GasMenagerie]

I had a neighbor inform me that his dogs run free and he would never change that. "they keep the deer from eating my plants" *sigh*

First time neighbor's dog harassed my chickens I was caught unaware with nothing but a manure fork, but I took off screaming after the dog until I got it cornered in the pasture where I whacked it (chicken was long-gone and long-forgotten at this point) and proceeded to chase it, screaming and flailing the fork, all the way off my property and a few good yards extra. That dog didn't come back and thank doG I had no further problems.

I did make it clear to my neighbor after that that I would have zero problem shooting his dog next time. He pitched a fit and I said, it's your choice to not keep your dogs in and it's my right to defend my livestock. I'm so glad I never had to do it, though. It's the humans' fault - dogs just have instincts and it's up to the owner to train and contain the animal.

Of course, there are still coyotes and random other dogs on occasion, so I did finally put a good fence all around the property to keep out the canine predators and that's worked well.

Now if I could just get rid of the raccoons...

 

[Chickenfan4life]

You are the Flock Protector! Your chickens depend on you for their safety!

If you have a shotgun, or a rifle, then get it out the next time those dogs show up, and use it! Then, if you find the dogs owners, bring them their dead dogs, and let that be a lesson to them!

We had a flock of chickens. One day, our lousy neighbor let his dog roam loose. The next time we went out to the coop, we saw dead chickens... everywhere! Wings, limbs, feathers, heads, gore! Some were still alive, mutilated so badly that we had to put them down. We lost the entire flock that day. Believe me, the guilt will stay with you. It was our fault: the dog had been over before, and we didn't... "Take care" of it then. The loss of our flock was the consequence of our lack of responsibility.

Please, please, please, don't make the same mistake I did! I wish you peace with your decision.

 

[hungry]

Post #4 is very disturbing. Seems roaming dogs are allowed in PA and you are not allowed to do a thing about them.

In fairness, if you research those cases they probably aren't really relevant.


The second person tied the dog to a tree before she shot it. The fact that she could get it tied up kinda detracts from her saying it was an immediate threat to her or her property. Knowing the animal was tied up makes it look a lot more like revenge for what the dog had already done.

The first fell victim to the "First Story Told" problem. Very frequently the first person to report an incident frames the way police look at it forever. That's why criminals often immediately call the police and report they were attacked when someone defends themselves...they know that by getting their version in first, they can shape how police will interpret all the facts of the case. In this case, the first people to report an issue were the family looking for their dog. That set the police down a mental path of "looking for a pet killer". From there, police encountered more people with missing or wounded dogs. Soon they were in full chase with their minds already made up. It didn't help him that they found small animal skulls/skeletons on his property.... but they wouldn't have been looking if they didn't have that scenario in their minds, and they might not have interpreted them negatively anyway. If the guy had done what the original poster did and called the police first, "homeowner defending livestock" would've been the first story told and that would've set the whole issue in a different light from day one. Instead of chasing down a mystery pet killer, they would've been explaining how free-ranging pets are dangerous and residents are within their rights to shoot such animals.

 

[jdywntr]

After reading the links that the OP posted about owners going to court or getting jail time for shooting a dog, I think it's even more important that we find out what the laws are where we live. In many places, a dog needs to be in the act of "harassing" or killing livestock for deadly force to be used. Here, a dog can enter my property and I can shoot it because it is here.

I do think that the guy that shot the huskies was completely justified. Of course it depends on the laws but what are we supposed to do, sit back and wait for the dog to kill out birds before taking action. The second woman made a poor choice in tying the dog up. I can completely understand her frustration that the dog killed one of her rabbits but inappropriate action was taken. I still don't think she deserves jail time.

I know that many say that it is our responsibility to securely fence our animals and I agree but my chickens shouldn't have to live within their run because others can't or won't control their animals. I got into an arguement with a friend of my husband's when I said I was going to shoot the dog. His answer, "dog's will be dog's". He asked me how I would feel if someone shot one of my dogs if it got out. My reply "I would be sad but I should have controlled my dog". It would be my fault, not theirs.

 

[DelcoChix]

What a difficult spot you have been put in due to someone else's lack of respect and responsibility. I am among those who despise the thought of having to dispatch anything that's a threat to my chickens, especially a dog, as a fellow dog lover, but it sounds like you have a decision to make. I'm just wondering, rather than take the "SSS" approach over the dog/s that "might" be a threat (and most likely will be), IF the dogs are friendly and approachable would you be up to a dog-napping? Why not make them disappear, but not permanently? Like, re-home them to someone much more conscientious? Or to the humane society, or dog pound? Make them go away but not with the guilt of having killed them 'in case' they were possibly dangerous to your chickens..or kids?
If these dogs showed any signs of aggression to you or anyone else nearby, then totally disregard the first paragraph--that's a gamechanger. Any dog that is aggressive to people needs to be dealt with, whether by calling the sheriff to dispatch it or taking care of it yourself...but if the dog is simply exploring and being a curious dog, then I'd try to entice him and re-home him.
That's just me...I know shooting them and burying them would be the quick end but you will always feel a little bad if they were really nice dogs with terrible owners...either way, best of luck with your decision--you are the one in your shoes who is best suited to solve this particular problem....

 

[MontanaDolphin]

I thank everyone for their thoughts and opinions on this issue! I haven't seen the dogs since the Animal Control officer went to speak with the owners...but it's only been a week. Since my chickens will not be going outside for another month or so, I have time to decide what to do if the dogs show back up. Of course, if they show up while hubby is home, they're dead. I will keep y'all updated on what happens!

 

[thaiturkey]

We have a big problem with soi (street) dogs here. They probably have owners but aren't fed adequately and roam day and night. in packs We have lost over two years 50 turkeys and chickens to dogs that managed to break through a hedge. The last straw was when two dogs were munching on our chickens ion our land in front of us.

Neither of us are inclined to kill, especially my wife who lives by her Buddhist code. She was enraged by this latest event and we put poisoned chicken necks just inside our boundary where they got in. The next morning, at least two dogs were said to be dead. The neighbours who owned one of the dogs had laughed at our loss but then turned to indirect verbal abuse of my wife. They didn't have the guts to even confront us directly.

About the same time, a lady in the next village was attacked in her bed one night. We then decided to get a hand gun. It would be OK for self-defence in the home but a dog on the land, once it spotted us, would make off and make a shot difficult. Now, I'm deciding whether to get either a shotgun or .22 rifle. The former would be better for a good hit but chickens might get hit too. The latter needs an accurate shot at an escaping target.

I've changed my attitude and now won't hesitate to shoot either an intruder or a predator. If a property owner is similarly inclined and is allowed by law to use a gun for these purposes, I'd say go for it. It's either you and your chickens or them.

 

[shelbydog]

I know that many say that it is our responsibility to securely fence our animals

It should apply for the other side as well. Why should dogs be excluded from being securely fenced in on their owner's property.

 

[shelbydog]

 Like, re-home them to someone much more conscientious?  

My former neighbor had 2 dogs that spent 95% of the day at our house. They started destroying flower beds and harassed our outdoor cats to the point they ran off into the woods. This went on for weeks and I gave neighbor multiple notifications on what his dogs were doing and that he needed to either fence in a yard for them or keep them in his house. I finally rehomed his dogs as it was obvious he didn't care for them other then his plans to breed them. His dogs were at their new home with a fenced yard for 3 weeks before he asked if I seen them. 3 weeks! Our cats finally came back skin and bones.

My attitude about roaming dogs is different now. New neighbor has the stupidest husky on earth that is obsessed with our horses. I'm confused how men can afford a log cabin on 20+ acres but can't fathom the idea to fence in a yard section or take one of the existing horse or cattle pipe pens and put wire fencing on it to contain their dogs for the 12-14 hours they are gone every day.