Stupid Neighbors and their dog

[bgates1970]

Last week I saved one of my RIR's from the jaws of death. I had just dropped my dog off at the kennel for a couple days because of a family emergency. (Birth of my daughter) I thought I would let my ladies roam the backyard for a couple hours after dinner. They love catching crickets and grasshoppers. Anyway, I went over to my neighbors to tell him to help himself to my sweet corn because we'll be out for a couple days. I came around the corner and the other neighbors golden retriever had my RIR in it's mouth. When he saw me running toward him he dropped her and took off. Little B-tard just about got my size 11 upside the head. The neighbors saw this happening and just sat on their deck yelling for him. As a beloved dog owner myself I am more ticked at the humans than the dog. My dog is a bird dog and acts very agressively toward my chickens. I am fine with this because she's a hunting dog. Unlike most dog owners I spent about 9 months training my dog. I've actually had my dog jump through my gate and lay down in the middle of the run while the ladies walked around her. Quite impressive! If I wasn't in site though she'd be catching and bringing them to me.

So what do my neighbors do... they send their teenage son over to apologize. I was still upset and all I could say was, "that's not going to happen again... Either use the shock collar he's wearing or get a fence." He left with his tail between his legs. He knew I was ticked.

Well my RIR had what appeared to be a puncture wound to her head. Also, her crown was torn and bleeding. I cleaned it off with saline solution and applied some neosporin (all I could find). Thought of using super glue. Two days later when I checked on her I couldn't find her because she blended in with all the others. The wound had healed just leaving a little scar to the crown. My son told me that she had a big scab the day before which appeared to have fallen off.

My 5 year old son wanted me to shoot the dog but I explained to him that it's not the dogs fault. It's the owners fault. So I made a compromise with my son that we won't shoot him but we'll "buzz the tower". Basically, 12 gauge over his head.

Questions:
- Do you think I provided adequate care for my RIR? She is back to normal and shows no symptoms. Should I super glue the piece of her crown that appears to be torn at the base.
- Any advice besides shooting the dog? The reason I ask is because he was back pacing around my run this morning.

Suggestions:
- Inform your children to never approach the coop, run or chickens if something is attacking them. Because of this scenario I told my son to never approach the chickens but come looking for me. Whatever is attacking them will either get the 12 gauge or the HMR 17 which ever I grab first.

 

[justusnak]

First let me say, I am glad your hen is OK. I wouldnt worry about her comb. If its torn, and has healed thats all you can ask for. It will never reattach itself. As for the neighbors dog. Goldens are very intelligent dogs...I had one for 15 years. I say, get a paintball gun..a few shots to the behind will "train" him not to come back. Make sure you use a color thats VERY noticeable on the dog. Then tell the neighbors, when they come to complain, ( as I am sure they will) that next time, it wont be paint...but lead. Or, catch the dog...and find it a new home. One where it is LOVED, and CARED for properly. There are several Golden Retriever rescues out there.

 

[angels4]

Quote:
I like your way of thinking Deb. A paint gun sends a VERY CLEAR message. Perhaps red would be a good color to shock them to think thier dog has been injured.

 

[hensonly]

Quote:
Careful with that...you know who owns the dog, so from a legal standpoint that's stealing. Also, most rescues ask questions about where the dog came from (they'll contact the breeder to see if they'll take it back), and most don't take the dog instantly; they have to find a foster home to take it in while they look for an appropriate permanent home.

I would, however, call the local police or animal control and report the incident (better to have done it immediately, but better late than never), so there's a record of complaint. Also, take photos of the bird showing the damage (again, better to have pictures of the fresh injury), and keep a log of any time the dog is seen off its property, call animal control any time the dog is on yours. Also keep your own record of the calls and the dog's trespassing. Video the dog on your property, stalking your hens. This way the owners can't claim it isn't their dog.

And good for you, explaining to your son that the dog is not to blame. Maybe the neighbor's teenage son came over to apologize on his own because he knew his parents wouldn't, and he felt bad - if so, maybe there's hope for the next generation!

Goldens are lovely dogs, sweet and smart, but like any dog they require training and containment. Glad your hen is ok. I'll hope for a happy ending!

 

[Oblio13]

If only there were some sort of barrier device that could be placed along a property line to enclose or exclude animals.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
Yeah, hopefully the dog owner will discover fences and pay to put one up and keep his dog in.

 

[deb1]

I feel bad for the boy. Either his parents are too cowardly to own up to their mistakes and sent the boy to pay for their actions or they just don't care. In which case, the teenager was trying to at least be a man and apologize.

I like the paintball idea. It will sting the dog without causing him harm. I'd inform the family what you are going to do and why. I'd also tell them that if the paint ball gun doesn't teach their dog a lesson that you will resort to killing it.

ALthough you normally should go through the parents, it looks like you might have to deal with the son. A teenage boy isn't going to be able to pay for a fence.

I don't blame you for feeling frustrated.

 

[Peaguy]

Maybe the dog "belongs" to the teen and the parents were trying to teach him proper pet owner responsibility by making him be the one to apologize and suffer the repercussions of the attack (your anger) Perhaps you should show him the damage the dog did to your bird so e will better understand why it is important to you not to put a bird through what she has been through?

 

[deb1]

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I am guessing that legally the animal's actions falls on the parent to pay for. To avoid paying anything in court I would be with that boy, promising to the fix the situation.

But I don't get animals just for the kids.(except for a corn snake) I get pets for 'the family." So maybe my outlook is different.

 

[angels4]

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My chickens are on MY property, in a fenced in run to protect them from predators. Legally it is the dog OWNERS responsibility, to keep thier dog confined, or on a lead. Come on MY property, attack my chickens, and get shot in the butt with a paint gun. End of story!