Three enormous dogs

[beccawprice]

I found out who the owner is from a neighbor--apparently these dogs have a reputation in the neighborhood (we just moved in a few months ago). She's a member of my church congregation, which is just a bit awkward, but whatever.

Animal control told her to contact me, and she did.

I told her about the damage and the aggression, she's coming over this morning to assess the damage to the coop, and I think she'll be willing to pay without any problems.

I told her $150 for the damage to my chicken coop. All the roofing panels need to be replaced, the hardware cloth is torn all over the place, and it needs to be put back together. I know the amount is high just for materials, but do you think it's fair for the sheer amount of hassle??

 

[ChicknJ]

Yes I think it is fair. Hardware cloth and building materials are not cheap. Good luck, I am headed for coop repairs myself today.

 

[CMV]

I think she's getting off easy. You should not only charge for materials, but time as well. Your time is valuable, too.

 

[annanicole18]

i think that amount is fair. the higher it is the more likely in most cases she is to keep her dogs locked up to avoid shelling out more money. if you think it is fair for all the time you have invested in the building of the coop before and the constant fear and hassle of keeping a closer eye on your chicks because of her not one but three oversized dogs attacking your pen it is well worth every penny

 

[Boyd]

not to mention the aggression her dogs showed. I would also let her know that AC or the Cops will be called if this happens again, as her dogs shouldn't be allowed to just roam all around...

If she is snarky........ you could offer to give them lead poisoning next time they try to attack you.

 

[horsejody]

What steps is she taking to prevent future mishaps. The dogs are aggressive. $150 isn't much of a deterrent to some people. She needs a more secure fence. Next time, the dogs may follow through on the threatening behaviour and attack you or another human. God forbid, maybe a child.

 

[CityChook]

I agree with Horsejody - I don't think $150 is enough. Better fortify that coop for all it's worth...

Now that the dogs know there are chickens in your yard, the next time they are running free they will be back. Guaranteed.

 

[sparkles2307]

There are some people who live about 7 miles from us that had 2 ST bernards. They kept them tied ALL the time, so if those dogs got lose, they were GONE. THey killed calves TEN (10) miles from their home, killed our neighbor's calves, and came snooping in our yard one day while we were at work. Only know this because BIL was there splitting wood and saw them, chased them off. They did so much damage around here... I heard a rumor that one got shot last hunting season "by mistake" when there were out roaming again... No idea who, but there is only one dog there now and he doesnt seem to be causing any more trouble.
Sorry you had to go thru that, how scary for you and your birds!

 

[beccawprice]

Met with her this morning. She called a police officer to be here also--not sure why, so that was a little weird. She kind of had the attitude that this isn't a big deal at all.

She inspected the coop, and went off to buy roofing panels and some hardware, but she's not going to pay extra for time/hassle. She did offer to do the repairs herself, but I don't want her around here at all.

Let's just say that her personality reminds me quite a bit of her dogs. Aggressive. Rude. Pushy.

And I'm so not those things, there was no way I could insist on more money or anything. When I mentioned just how terrifying her attacking dog was, she just kind of shrugged and said that she's a handful.

Whatever.

 

[Im4dabirds]

Quote:
All the more reason you should be ready and able to protect yourself and your chickens. She's obviously not going to change a thing about how she keeps the dogs.