Stray dog kills 6 hens out of 9!!

[chickenchickenbulkbulk]

We get a lot strays and dropped off dogs all the time in our hollow. We had problems with this one for about a month. He chased our chickens and I would yell at him and he would run off for a couple of days. He was like a fox or coyote. Sneaky and he would stay out of our sight. He tore a hole in my mom-n-laws chicken coop wire night before last and killed 6 of 9 hens. I wish people around here..if they no longer want the responsibility of their animal they would take it to the dog shelter instead of letting it be our problem. We have taken in about 4 strays. One of which killed one of my turkeys. We still kept him until we found another home for him. I know it is nature for a animals to kill to eat and it is not a dogs fault that his owner selfishly dropped him off. But how fair is it to us that they keep doing this? The dog that did this..after he killed the hens we tried to catch him to take him to the pound..he tried to bite, etc. our son..so we had no choice but to put the dog down. This was our only resort..not the choice we wanted but the choice we made. We have a lot of little children in our hollow..we did not feel safe allowing the dog to go. If the owner had been responsible..we wouldn't of had to make this choice and my mom-n-law would still have her hens and this dog could still be here!! We neuter/spay everything we have ever owned. Why can't other people?un DJ

 

[horsejody]

Sorry for your loss. I hate irresponsible owners. It's too bad we can't find them and have them spayed/neutered or euthanized.

 

[AngieChick]

I'm sorry you lost your girls. It's totally ridiculous in this day and age that people think it's okay to dump an animal. They know better, they are just being selfish. It sounds like you handled it the only way it could be dealt with without putting your family's safety at risk. Aggressive dogs can be extremely dangerous. You should not have been put in the situation to have to make the decision to put it down in the first place.

 

[chickenchickenbulkbulk]

Quote:
Thanks AngieChick!

People don't realize how a decision like that lays heavy on ones mind. DJ

 

[joebryant]

You did right eliminating any stray dog that would bite neighborhood children. I suggest your mom-in-law's putting farm fencing over her chicken wire; it's doubtful that a dog could get through that.

 

[gumpsgirl]

So sorry. :aww

 

[greyhorsewoman]

I so sympathize with you. We have the same thing on occasion here with stray/dropped off cats. One year a pregnant female cat was dropped off and killed/ate 30 of our newborn chicks (they were freeranging in our barnyard with their mamas) before we could catch her.

Once a neighbor abandoned his house after a fire, but left the dogs behind. Shortly thereafter, they came by and harrassed our goat herd, tearing apart a mother & kid (both eventually died). The dog warden was great. Tracked down and caught both dogs. They were a pair of under a year old hound mixes, cute fellows. So sad, for both the dogs & our goats.

Years ago, I worked in a dental office in NC. One of the dental assistants had a dog that had had a litter of pups, she couldn't get rid of the last couple. I told her on numerous occasions, DO NOT dump them. Just tell me and I'll come get them and take them to the shelter. One day she came in and sheepishly looked at me. She and her husband had taken them up into the mountain and 'let them loose.' She 'just couldn't bear to take them shelter, they'd kill them.' Even after all my preaching, she was still sure they had 'a better chance of finding a home.'

Unfortunately, there will always be people who 'just don't get it.' Be vigilant, but don't beat yourself up too much when it happens. If you have constant problems, perhaps your local shelter would consider setting up some live traps.

 

[Pumpkinpup]

I am so sorry you were forced to make this unpleasant decision. I hate that most people it seems do not give a fig about trying to be a responsible pet owner and carelessly allow their animals to run free and pester the rest of us. My dogs have NEVER been allowed to leave my yard and I would appreciate it if my neighbors would do the same. I ahve one neighbor who has a min-pin. He is the most abnoxious little demon ever. He comes over and dances around my coops on hi hind legs yapping his little head off and trying to figure out a way into my chickens. I have repeatedly asked the owners to come and get him as he will not allow you anywhere near him. I am at a loss as to what to do about him because I fear one day I will come home from the grocery store to find him in one of the coops with a slew of dead birds!

Do not feel bad at yourself for having done what you had no other choice in. A dangerous dog can not simply be left to run around and hurt other animals and small children.

 

[claud]

I never understood the dumping thing. There are shelters to take them to - especially puppies will be likely to find a home.
The poor dog - probably just trying to survive. You had no choice though especially since it was aggressive.
We are fortunate that we don't see stray dogs around here much. One day I walked outside to my car and almost ran into a GIANT Rottweiler and rottweiler pup. I like big dogs but I was a bit unnerved by his size(bigger than other rottweilers I've known) and I didn't know this dog. Turned out he was friendly and a neighbor's dog who apologetically came and retrieved him and pup.
Sorry you had to take responsibilty for someone else's irresponsibility.

 

[chickenchickenbulkbulk]

Quote:
I had a similar situation at my other home in Oak Hill..I called the dog catcher and she came and took my neighbors dogs. They where fined and had to kennel their dogs. Their dogs would come in a pack of 3, they attacked my rott that was tied up and poor Lexus(Rott) didn't have a chance!! Some times neighbors don't leave you with a choice. I was never bothered with the neighbors dogs again. You have to do what you have to do to protect your own! In a rational manner. Tell the owner that you will call dog control next time the minpin is in your yard. Then do it!! I did and it stopped my problem and I didn't feel bad about it. DJ