STOPPING DEPREDATION BY DOGS USING LETHAL MEANS

[nzpouter]

I am not trying to get a psychological leg up on them.  I want them to think I am just trying control my losses without causing undo discord.

it's way pass that stage for you and your neighbour I'm afraid...

 

[dainerra]

the only way to 100% be able to keep peace with a neighbor who lets their dog roam is to let the dog kill your chickens anytime it wants. There are people who will take offense at the very suggestion that their precious widdle puppy would do such a thing.

That's why I let the cops handle it. I call and make a complaint, ask for a report of the damages. If I know what house the dog came from, the officer goes over and lets them know that it is legal to shoot the dog and advise them to keep it contained. We have several farms/people with livestock in the area so there is no way to know who called (except when they live across the street and see the cops). On the other hand, people tend to take it more seriously when there is a police car in their driveway. If I see the dog again, then I have done what I can to inform the owners. I don't need to worry about photos or evidence or anything like that.

 

[centrarchid]

the only way to 100% be able to keep peace with a neighbor who lets their dog roam is to let the dog kill your chickens anytime it wants. There are people who will take offense at the very suggestion that their precious widdle puppy would do such a thing.

That's why I let the cops handle it. I call and make a complaint, ask for a report of the damages. If I know what house the dog came from, the officer goes over and lets them know that it is legal to shoot the dog and advise them to keep it contained. We have several farms/people with livestock in the area so there is no way to know who called (except when they live across the street and see the cops). On the other hand, people tend to take it more seriously when there is a police car in their driveway. If I see the dog again, then I have done what I can to inform the owners. I don't need to worry about photos or evidence or anything like that.

Photographs needed in the event kill not clean. Law states livestock owner has right to kill offending dog in act of harassing livestock. Law inforcement was contacted some time ago and they suggested quitely shooting dog with intent to kill and not being confrontational with dog owner before or after event. I am not front line in this but do see muliple parties dealing with same dog issue.

 

[chickortreat]

Here is my advice. Sounds like you live on a chunk of land no? Do you own a shovel? Sounds to me like a situation where your neighbors dogs wandered off an never came back. Either way I would as a friend to all have you ask a moderator to delete this thread. Police/lawyers can dig this thread up and use it against you in court. Its one thing to shoot on site to defend your property, its another thing to a judge when they can prove you had "re-meditated malicious intent." I wish you the best of luck!

Why delete this and act like it's a crime to protect what's yours? I seriously doubt a lawyer's gonna peruse the pages of BackYardChickens to find legal ammo to prosecute someone for defending their flock against a neighbor's chicken-killing dog. There are plenty of ways to deal with this problem aside from a ringing gunshot. An arrow will do just fine. Quiet and humane.

 

[centrarchid]

Why delete this and act like it's a crime to protect what's yours? I seriously doubt a lawyer's gonna peruse the pages of BackYardChickens to find legal ammo to prosecute someone for defending their flock against a neighbor's chicken-killing dog. There are plenty of ways to deal with this problem aside from a ringing gunshot. An arrow will do just fine. Quiet and humane.

I think the SSS (shoot-shovel-shutup) system does not work as well as intended. You must be deceptive and it promotes distrust. Going to other extreme might be more effective. Our community like many others, likes to talk about local goings on (gossip) that often takes on a political nature. When it comes to the livestock killing by dogs it can often become a he said, she said type of deal that falls in favor of whomever has the biggest mouth. What could be done is take clipped images from film recordings of dogs in action and post them down at coffee shop where owner frequents. Then lable indicating dogs owner. That could promote pressure by others the owner encounters to stop dogs from pillaging. Stop of pillaging is goal, not temination of dogs. In my hands the dogs could be broke of habit. Owner could step up effort to train, confine or dispatch dogs himself. Dispatch need not mean terminate but could include relocate.

 

[DobermanGuy]

Why delete this and act like it's a crime to protect what's yours? I seriously doubt a lawyer's gonna peruse the pages of BackYardChickens to find legal ammo to prosecute someone for defending their flock against a neighbor's chicken-killing dog. There are plenty of ways to deal with this problem aside from a ringing gunshot. An arrow will do just fine. Quiet and humane.

Unless you are not such a great shot with said arrow and the dog runs off...

 

[centrarchid]

Unless you are not such a great shot with said arrow and the dog runs off...

No arrows will be used.

 

[dainerra]

Photographs needed in the event kill not clean. Law states livestock owner has right to kill offending dog in act of harassing livestock. Law inforcement was contacted some time ago and they suggested quitely shooting dog with intent to kill and not being confrontational with dog owner before or after event. I am not front line in this but do see muliple parties dealing with same dog issue.

but that is the purpose of having a police report, just in case the kill isn't clean. For that matter, just in case it is. Either way, the owner of the dog can make a complaint that you harmed his dog. Taking photos of damage after the fact and filing a police report is an acceptable way of doing this. Otherwise, you are going to find that while you are taking photos of the dog around your chicken pen the dog gets away and you have nothing to show for the effort but more dead chickens.
Evidence over-time is just as good as photographic evidence of the dog in the act and doesn't put more livestock in danger.

 

[centrarchid]

but that is the purpose of having a police report, just in case the kill isn't clean. For that matter, just in case it is. Either way, the owner of the dog can make a complaint that you harmed his dog. Taking photos of damage after the fact and filing a police report is an acceptable way of doing this. Otherwise, you are going to find that while you are taking photos of the dog around your chicken pen the dog gets away and you have nothing to show for the effort but more dead chickens.
Evidence over-time is just as good as photographic evidence of the dog in the act and doesn't put more livestock in danger.

Camera is automatic as in not requiring operator once activated. Thus will not interfere with interaction with dogs. This a capable camera on tripod like wildlife biologist might employ.


It is better to risk another bird when able to at least interfere with dog than take no risk with single bird and risk many more when I am not present. This difference is consistent with our dog training philosophies where I can realize dogs that can be trusted without oversight while you do not.

 

[chickortreat]

No arrows will be used.

Speak for yourself.