Should I warn neighbor that dog might get shot?

[Folly's place]

Back to trained police dog behavior; I also don't think trying to corral and leash one would be a good idea. Any dog with bite training won't likely take it well...
Mary

 

[BarnyardChaos]

It's not the responsibility of the livestock owner to keep others dogs off their property. If a dog gets at his livestock, why should he spend money to keep it from happening again and again, when it's 100% the owner of the dogs responsibly.

I don't think the argument is about responsibility, it's about prevention and damage control. If the dogs' owner refuses to be responsible, then the livestock owner has a choice to make: take responsibility for ensuring the safety of his own livestock by whatever legal means, or allow them to die. He can't expect to save his animals by doing nothing or complaining that it's the neighbor's fault.

 

[mowin]

I agree with you, and I dont mean long term. But I do think there is a level of responsibility when you know there is a predator around, and you leave your animals out.
You can't *always* put 100% of the responsibility on the dogs owner, if they dont know it is happening or have a chance to prevent it.

In this situation, the owner seems to carry most of the fault for not keeping their dogs secure or noticing the behaviour throughout the day.
But I do think not putting the birds in and talking to the dogs owner was a fault on the poultry owner's part. This could have been resolved if the dog's owner were reasonable.

Ultimately, what's better at the end of the day, having lost so many lives? To kill one more life, or to stop it there and figure out a solution so that no one else has to lose anymore animals?

If I come home, or walk outside to a dog activity killing my livestock, my thought isn't going to be I need to talk to the owner of the dog. It's going to be what's the fastest way to stop the attack. Depending on where I am in the house or shop, there's a rifle handy.
If fido is interested in the livestock, but not actively attacking, and I didn't know the dog, I wouldn't be sweet talking to it trying to get it to come to me. I have no clue if this dog would turn on me, and I wouldn't take that chance. I'd be scarring the crap out of it to get it off my property.

 

[mowin]

for ensuring the safety of his own livestock by whatever legal means.

And there's the answer. Legal means....

 

[Silexian]

I usually try to give the dog owner the chance to contain their animal. Gates don’t get properly latched, electronics fail, etc. I don’t want to look into teary eyes without giving someone the chance to rectify the situation. If the dogs look to be strays or the owners refuse keep them up. I eliminate the problem. Yes it is sad that the dog pays the ultimate price for an unresponsible person. My animals should not also have to pay that cost for them also. It is my responsibility to protect them.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

It is my responsibility to protect them.

ABSOLUTELY.

 

[mowin]

No, but it will get infected and cause agonizing pain to the dog. Not a good idea.

 

[DebbieMarler]

No, but it will get infected and cause agonizing pain to the dog. Not a good idea.

Yes, we had one of our own dogs treated that way. He didn't go back. We are way out in the country though and nobody has their dogs control. Everyone's dogs roam around. Our dog didn't bother our hens but did chase the neighbors.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

A little harsh, sometimes accidents happen, or people have too much confidence in their animals behaviour around neighbours and their animals. If its a one off, its possible the dog escaped the yard or something. If the dog is not posing an active threat, it deserves better than getting shot on the spot, and the law will often agree.

Ive had 2 dogs killing my birds animal control seen them and when they tried getting them they where aggressive....those owners paid for the loss of my birds. Also had another dog kill all my birds owner got rid of dog. Ive also see a husky terrorizing my birds, scared it off few second later owner goes chasing said dog....i havent seen that one since they prolly got rid of it to. All three where different occasions and owners. Once had a boxer in my yard but was before I even had chickens. People need to train their dogs better... And also pen them

 

[Geena]

This shoot or don't shoot the dog discussion is pretty pointless. There is no true right or wrong and much depends on the circumstances. At the end of the day we are all going to follow our own instincts and values and whatever we are most comfortable with doing. What it really boils down to is everyone should contain their own animals, dogs and chickens alike, safely and securely on their own property so that they don't become a nuisance to others or a victim themselves. Animals don't need to free range or run loose unfenced to live a happy life, when people allow them to do so, they are just gambling with their lives.