The neighbor's dogs and my chickens...

[WyoChickens]

Hi all. I have been having some issues with my neighbors dogs and my chickens. Well, I have been having problems with the dogs long before I got chickens. The dogs are what I'd call "yard decoration", as they are left out almost 24/7 and bark constantly because they have nothing to do They are a Rottweiler and a Saint Bernard. Last night the dogs tore up my fence trying to get into my yard to get my chickens. There followed an angry conversation between me and my neighbor, but in the end I ensured my chickens were far away from the fence and she fixed the fence areas that the dogs ripped up. I did tell her that if the dogs tried to get into the yard or jumped on the fence trying to get the chickens, my own dogs, or any member of my family, that I would squirt them with water. This made her very upset... she said squirting a dog with water was extremely abusive and horribly wrong. She also said it was cruel to have chickens where the dogs could see them (point granted to a degree, but the fence is privacy screened and when the dogs ripped apart the fence the chicks were locked in the coop, impossible for the dogs to see them). Opinions? Other ideas? I don't want her to call animal control and claim I am "abusing" her dogs if I use a spray bottle on them. I would never want to hurt the dogs and I've never really thought of using a water bottle as being abusive but... is it? Am I in the wrong here? Don't really know what else I can do to keep them off my fence... electric wire is out due to small children and the style of the fence (chain link covered by 6' reed privacy screen). She told me flat out that she will not make any attempt to keep them off the fence or curb their constant barking.

*Wanted to add, city code allows an unlimited number of chickens (we have 3) and the only regulation regarding them is that they cannot be allowed to run at large (ours don't and never have).

 

[Makomd]

More than likely squirting dogs with water is less abusive than what your local ordinances allow. Most (you need to check your local) local ordinance allow for lethal force if an dog is after your livestock. Your responsibility is to keep your chickens on your property, your neighbors responsibility is to keep their dog on theirs. You should not be guilted for have chickens on your property because he/she do not choose to control their animals.

 

[WyoChickens]

Thanks for the reply. Lethal force can be used in my county for dogs that go after livestock or wildlife, but I'm not so sure about city limits. Animal control is supposed to get back to me about the water squirting and some questions I had about coop location on Tuesday. I was kinda taken aback I guess about the water thing... I have squirted my own dogs occasionally when they have gotten up to mischief. I have always herd it recommended as a safe/harm-free deterrent for dogs and especially cats. Regardless, I won't continue to use water if she views it as abusive.

I hate, absolutely HATE to do it, but I think my only option is going to be making a log, taking video, and bringing my concerns about the dogs to AC. It kills me to do that... I'm a dog owner myself and I don't want to start a war with the neighbor. But if my dogs acted like hers do everyday (not just in regard to the chickens... but the constant barking, fence running, digging, and jumping in my face) I would be thoroughly embarrassed and take every measure to correct them... if she's not going to, I don't know what else to do

 

[Coralietg]

Hopefully animal control gets back to you. Squirting a dog with water is absolutely not abusive. Water won't do much to put them off coming after the chickens though. You are entitled to have anything on your property, whether it is tempting to her dogs or not.

We have had over 40 chickens killed by one neighbours dogs. She didn't care, and actually thought it was funny that I was upset over it. We called animal control, and she claimed they weren't her dogs. We fenced our property, and got a .22. So far the fence has deterred them. We are outside city limits though.

 

[nzpouter]

12 gauge or a 303 for a dog... 22 might not have the same stopping power and you don't want the animal to suffer, you want it dead.

 

[BlessedCountry6]

water is not abusive!! You and your family should be safe from their dogs!! I would use a hose not a water bottle!!! You are doing the right things by keeping a log and talking with AC.

 

[Triple Willow]

How ridiculous, spraying with water abusive. HA! Does your yard join your neighbor's yard? If it does, when they started running the fence acting like idiots I would go out there and take a 2 gallon sprayer of pure ammonia and spray down the fence line (on my side of course). See what that does for them- should be interesting. I doubt it will keep them out of your chickens but I bet it will back them off the fence line and they won't be able to smell your chickens for a while. If I was your neighbor I would put an electric fence inside MY fence so my dogs would leave you alone. But I hope to goodness to NEVER have neighbors that close!

I just had five neighborhood dogs tear into a wire dog kennel/cage and kill a chicken. I will be spraying dogs with a 20 guage as soon as I get the chance.

 

[ChaoSS]

If the dogs are simply jumping at the fence, I'd ignore it. Make sure your coop is secure in case they break through the fence. Maybe put up some electric fencing around your coop and turn it off when children are around.

If the dogs get through the fence and go after the chickens, don't use water, use a .22.

 

[RoadkillStewie]

Sounds like your neighbor has issues.... personally your neighbor should be glad you were talking water and pepper spray, or something more damaging/lethal.

Personally I think, offhand that having two dogs of that 'size' is (making an assumption here) in your average 'backyard' is cruel...and it her obligation/duty/responsibility that they stay within their own yard and not break into/through the fence to go into someone else's regardless of whatever 'temptation' there might be.