the worst predetor-man's best friend

[CMV]

I would be sick over such devastation! Take some pics of the mess. Include pics of the wounded as they may be a long time in healing if they heal at all. Contact AC and file a report with the pics included. Document every discussion you have with the neighbor including dates and times. Send any postal communiques via registered mail so you have evidence. File a claim in your local court house if said neighbor refuses to accept responsibility for his dog's wanton destruction. Keep that shotgun handy.

So sorry for your losses. What a shame.

 

[In His Service]

Quote:
I agree!

 

[woodmort]

I've lost more chickens to dogs--primarily my neighbors'--than any single predator and that includes the 15 I lost to a weasel this past spring. When dogs see chickens they see a victim.

 

[sourland]

Break out the shotgun. I'd also report this to the appropriate authorities. You are correct, this dog will eventually return. The owner may be careful for a while but will most likely return to more lax control. SSS.

 

[cgmccary]

So sorry to hear of your loss. I had two MinPins, and they ignored the chickens completely (would even go in the run with me everyday) -- not all of them are raised to be as well mannered as my two & were great at catching and killing rats & mice. As much as I love MinPins, I wouldn't tolerate it on my property again if it had killed even 1 bird.

It is a good idea to file suit in small claims (i.e. sue the b**t**d!). Nothing is better than getting a judgment and taking someone's money & time. And the suggestion by one poster that you take pictures of the carnage & the injured birds is very important -- to use in court. Take any witnesses who saw the result or saw the dog (esp. if you fail to take pictures).

I agree with lodging the complaint (with animal control) too.

 

[schmije]

I'm sorry about your loss. We had a similar problem with a neighbor's dog last year. I called animal control and asked what my rights were. I was told that I could shoot the dog, and the owner was financially responsible for any damage that the dog caused. The third time he came looking for my girls, we were ready, and he didn't go home.

Find out exactly what your rights are, and file a report with animal control, and possibly even the local police. That way there will be a record of what happened if the dog comes back, and you have to 'take care of it.'

 

[ambabya]

Definitely check your local laws. I know here if you were to shoot a dog in some areas, you could (and most likely would) be hit with an animal cruelty offense - a felony here. Certainly don't shoot it with a .22 but I'm not sure I'd like to see what a shotgun could do to a min-pin either.

I personally would try to trap it and take it to the pound... maybe one far, far away. We had a tom cat that was trying to kill our cat and legally, we couldn't kill it. We trapped him and took him out for the coyotes to enjoy.

Oh by the way we could shoot it if it was chasing our livestock but chickens are not classified as livestock here.

 

[EMAW]

12 gauge Shotgun....minimum #4 shot but I would use BB's, you should be able to take down a min-pin out to about 30-35 yards. SSS

Not sure about your state, but most states will allow you to protect your animals if they are being actively harassed or killed.

Sorry about your loss.

 

[pinkyglory123]

Update-"happy ending"?

Dog owner followed us to farm-lawn still covered in feathers-ditto for barn. We had just picked up a badly wounded New Hampshire from behind something where she had taken cover.
Dog owner wanted to "start over". Stated how sorry he was that his dog had injured our chickens, said he had already looked in to invisible fences. Begged us not to file a complaint with Animal Control. Swore we would never, ever see his dog loose again. Offered to pay for our lost chickens. He went on and on-offering to help with any heavy jobs around the farm, could his wife feed the horses over the fence, until I just wanted us all to go home. He left after giving us $100. Shook our hands. I did remind him that if I did see his dog on the farm it woud not be returning home. But I agreed I would not contact animal control. He did appear genuine and genuinely afraid to have Animal Control involved.

The ironic part of this story is...We found two dead chickens. four injured. And that evening half the flock was missing. Since it was dark I assumed we would find the other missing birds dead and scattered about when it was light enough to look .

Next morning while opening the coop the missing chickens started to appear out of the woodwork! One on top of the feed bin, one under a table, one running from the fields. Apparently spending the night where ever they took cover. Final count-we only lost two, one still missing and the four injured appear they will survive.

I honestly do believe this guy was appalled at the damage his pet did, and that he will make every effort to control his dog. I also believe he has no doubt that if the dog comes back to our place one way or another he is at risk of losing his dog. I will be stringing electric wire low along the pasture fence that backs up to his property as extra insurance. In my opinion an ugly situation ended as well as possible, cordial neighborhood relations were maintained and dog owner's wallet was bitten for $100 for what turned out to be three birds. A far cry from the thirty cents each he offered during our confrontation in his driveway! That is definitely when things took a turn for the worse.

 

[judyc]

Keep the $100 for all the stress you've endured. Out of ALL the years I've kept poultry, I've only had ONE person offer restitution.

Make sure he gets bitten in the wallet, so he'll remember to be responsible for his predator.

(all dogs are predators once they leave home--sometimes before)