Trapped a Neighbor's Dog on My Deck....Got an Earful

[DaniLovesChickens]

Wow! Neighbors can really suck!

Dog owners that behave in the manner discussed by many of you are exactly why so many people don't like dogs. I know that it is part of the reason that I am a cat person and not a dog person. We had people's dogs in our yard and nobody ever did anything about it. I can't stand that attitude of "i can't help it"!

I don't completely hate dogs, don't get me wrong! We actually had a black lab a few years ago (before chickens).

We used to let our chickens free range. One day last fall, I heard a chicken scream. I ran out the back door and jumped down the steps with a scream like a banshee. [that's saying something for me, I have a chronic neuro disease that affects walking]. I got down on my knees and there was a good sized beagle. I saw my RIR bolt out from under the deck. I sat on the dog and held its head to ground. At that moment I was so angry I could have broken its neck.

It didn't fight me at all. It didn't have a collar and I still have no idea where it came from.

It attacked 3 of our hens. It did not try to kill them, it tried to eat them while they were still alive. Obviously the dog was starving. I feel bad for the dog (now) but the former owner is scum. Take it to the pound and pay the small amound of money for them to take him. Two of the hens were old, the RIR blind in one eye. I thought the BR was going to die from a heart attack when I found her. our completely blind chicken escaped!

The law here says I could kill him for attacking the hens (although not if he had attacked my cats or our dog if we had still had him). Animal control is barely open here. They're a joke. The lady said I should keep my chickens locked up. "I don't think that's legal to just have them in you yard like that". ugghhh
Anyway, that is my story of dog attack.

I hope that things can be resolved peacefully, but actually be resolved! I do think that our chickens are valuable. Not money, but by the joy they bring to our lives. I keep a loaded gun in the cabinet, two in fact, although for us our prob has been hawks. My chickens are a part of my family and I will protect them as such. Period.

 

[speckledhen]

wpalmisano, I'm not sure why you think there was any argument. I understood what you were saying, even if I don't quite agree with a couple points. If you had been a member longer, you'd realize that I am a pretty rational person and a true dog lover, though I have zero tolerance for people who let dogs roam or escape continually. I have a large dog, a pointer/retriever mix, have had them most of my life. She never gets out of her fence, which is a fence within the perimeter fence. She is frightened of chickens around here, but if she was loose and saw one running, I would not be surprised if she chased it. The neighbor says his dog only chases squirrels. I beg to differ--the dog hasn't been offered a flock of free range chickens to play with, so he had no idea what his dog will do.

I agree with you that the owner is at fault, of course. In the end, in a livestock defense situation, I'm not sure it really matters why he's up here. I agree that if the dog disappears, we will be suspected, even if we have nothing to do with it. I don't put out poison of any kind around here and wouldn't dream of poisoning a dog on purpose, no matter what. I believe that is cruel. If he was friendly, I would have spray painted a target on his side and escorted him out of the fence and let him go, sending his owner a very clear message, yet another warning that the dog needed to be contained, but he is not friendly-he was at my door, barking at me, tail tucked in a fear stance. No way would I even attempt to approach a dog in that mode.

This county has a bad loose dog problem. Guy in my town has had packs of roaming dogs kill calves, complained that animal control would not respond in an appropriate manner. Finally, he shot and killed a few of them. Naturally, the county commission was being criticized and put on the spot about what they were going to do about the issue. The head of the commission at the time said, "If you have a stray problem, shoot them!" Seemed to be the official county stance. Not long after that, we were outside and I heard a gunshot and a yelp. Two days later I was walking my dog on leash down the trails through my woods. She stopped, smelled the air, growled and pulled me all the way up the mountain toward home. DH went to investigate, crossed the power line easement road and up into another person's woods, and found a dog shot dead and being picked over by animals. Someone took the commissioner at his word, it seemed.

Hot heads abound in dog situations, which is the reason I said the sheriff sloughed it off--they hear people spouting off angrily about the dog vs livestock situations all the time here. I like the idea about the letter. In the meantime, as we always do, we'll keep the driveway gate closed unless we need to open it for expected visitors or deliveries.

 

[noodleroo]

Cyn: I like the idea of the letter, too but don't make it inflamatory. The reason I say this is that elected officials (I am one) get inflamatory letters really often and they aren't taken seriously; makes the writer seem like they're just trying to get the sheriff, in this case, in 'trouble'.

I would word it more like "Dear Sheriff, I'm __________ and I live at ___________. On ______date I had ___________happen and I said________and he said_____________. I called the sheriff's office and spoke to _______________ but have had no action on this matter to this date. I am concerned for my safety and the safety of my animals. Please tell me what my options are for help from the sheriff's office at this point. Sincerely,_____________"

CC this to your county judge and all commissioners and the county and/or district attorney. That should just about do it. Do not send a copy to your neighbor. All that does is rile them up again and let them know that so far, what they've done isn't so bad, and, no one is willing to do anything to help YOU.

Good luck. Sorry you're still dealing with this.

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

Noodle I agree. Never make it sound like you are pointing fingers and trying to 'start something' - this will get you no where. Calm, cool, collected, and concerned is the way to go when you want action with county, city, or LE officials.

Example If I wrote one would be:

"To whom it may concern, I'm Jessica P. and I am a resident of ---- Mcghees Mill rd, and on August 15th I was confronted by ----- whom is my neighbor ----- son, at ---- Mcghees Mill rd. -------------( < explain what happened then the threat.) "I feel that my rights and safety for myself, my family, and my property has been compromised and I am at a loss as what to do since I was informed by an officer via a phone call to the Sheriff's Department that I should not file a report and thus far no action has been taken. I however feel this is a mistake and do not want to wait for anything to happen that would constitute action. I do not want to feel unsecure and unsafe in my own home, and this situation has left me feeling this way. Is there anyway I can receive advise on my legal actions and rights into this matter? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated and I look forward to hearing back from you. Sincerely Jessica P. "

 

[Cetawin]

Quote:
Buffalo ears...there are bad dogs. But most of the time it is the owner as you stated. The key point is that you do not let yours roam. This dog she is referring to, roams constantly! All over the place, down the road yada yada. The stupid dog even runs through the invisible fence, gets shocked, yelps and keeps on going. Just because a person owns a dog does not make them a responsible adult. It is the obligation of the dog owner to keep the dog on its own property. It is not the obligation of the neighborhood to watch your dog for you.

Quote:
No sadly I did not see your flock mentioned in that post either.

So I will mention them.

wpalmisano I have met her flock, played with most of them, fed all of them treats, watched the interaction between them and speckledhen and her husband...they are pets. They are not just feathered things that lay eggs pr crow. They have every right to be protected by whatever force necessary while they are minding their own business on their property. Had I been there, I would have shot the dog for them. To further enlighten you as it is clear you did not read all of the posts. She has her property perimeter fenced to keep the chickens in and dogs outs.

She has given other warnings about the dog being on her property, I only give one and then I shoot the dog. I do not like it but I will not have someone's dog coming on my property and harrassing or killing my pets. If you let your dog roam you should expect the dog to be killed sooner or later, that is being an irresponsible owner.


A short lesson in pets....they are NOT all dogs. Let me demonstrate

Pet: Kaniwksa

Pet: Kittsipimi

Some of speckledhen's Pets

This one os speckledhen's is not mine but I was holding him and I would kill the dog if I saw it anywhere near his pen.

My point is that a Dog is not the ONLY pet on this planet nor is it any more important than any of the ones posted above. Bottom line...if you love your dog then keep it at home where it is safe. But please do not tell folks here that they must try other alternatives repeatedly until the dog finally kills one of their chickens, which is essence is what you are doing.

 

[Cetawin]

Quote:
Exactly...one warning at that is all they get. And no one better show up armed here threatening my family, my property or my pets. That will put a bullseye on them.

 

[FourPawz]

I've been following this thread and am absolutely disgusted by the attitudes of some on this board. A bit on my background. As you see by my avatar, I have dogs. I have been active in dog sports and clubs since I was a kid (and I ain't no kid now). I am active in promoting responsible dog laws in my state.

I absolutely, beyond a shadow of a doubt, support and will defend Speckledhen's right to defend her flock from some irresponsible, aggressive neighbors' dog. Dog owners like this are the reason we're seeing a wave of laws that threaten the right of people to own the animal of their choice. Also, the inaction of this county's law enforcement agency makes my blood boil. They are directly responsible for that wave of over-reaching legislation.

Cetawin, you are SO right on target when you say that other animals can be pets. My chickens and guineas are my PETS. I have a constitutional right to be safe from attack on my person and my property and my neighbor has NO RIGHT WHATSOEVER to negligently allow his fool dog to attack my animals on my property.

Sorry for the rant, but I absolutely detest those who think their animals have some sort of right to roam about, destroying the beloved pets of others.

Quote:
Buffalo ears...there are bad dogs. But most of the time it is the owner as you stated.
Quote:
No sadly I did not see your flock mentioned in that post either.

So I will mention them.

wpalmisano I have met her flock, played with most of them, fed all of them treats, watched the interaction between them and speckledhen and her husband...they are pets. They are not just feathered things that lay eggs pr crow. They have every right to be protected by whatever force necessary while they are minding their own business on their property. Had I been there, I would have shot the dog for them. To further enlighten you as it is clear you did not read all of the posts. She has her property perimeter fenced to keep the chickens in and dogs outs.

She has given other warnings about the dog being on her property, I only give one and then I shoot the dog. I do not like it but I will not have someone's dog coming on my property and harrassing or killing my pets. If you let your dog roam you should expect the dog to be killed sooner or later, that is being an irresponsible owner.


A short lesson in pets....they are NOT all dogs. Let me demonstrate

Pet: Kaniwksa

http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/10842/1172021416056791004S425x425Q85.jpg


Pet: Kittsipimi

http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/45411/1161786441056791004S425x425Q85.jpg


Some of speckledhen's Pets

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/CetaWin/Georgia Trip 6-2010/HPIM7195.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/CetaWin/Georgia Trip 6-2010/HPIM7196.jpg


This one os speckledhen's is not mine but I was holding him and I would kill the dog if I saw it anywhere near his pen.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/CetaWin/Georgia Trip 6-2010/348_dcp_5491.jpg


My point is that a Dog is not the ONLY pet on this planet nor is it any more important than any of the ones posted above. Bottom line...if you love your dog then keep it at home where it is safe. But please do not tell folks here that they must try other alternatives repeatedly until the dog finally kills one of their chickens, which is essence is what you are doing.

 

[usschicago1]

Quote:

 

[speckledhen]

I realize that there are differing attitudes about how to handle a situation like this. Everyone has to deal with it according to his own conscience. I want to handle it in such a way as to prevent deaths in my flock from a roaming predator such as this dog, not to close the barn door after the horse is out, so to speak. The way I read my ordinances for the county, I do not have to wait until the dog has actually killed birds to take action. It states my rights in plain English, as well as his responsibility.

I believe many people think that because they are in a rural/agricultural setting that there are no leash laws, but there almost always is something about the care of animals and handling of nuisance animals. Sadly, we are now on edge. Every ruckus has us running outside to be sure all is well.

My DH said the sheriff said they don't deal with anything to do with animals, to call 911 for animal control. They said that a threat is not criminal. I beg to differ with the LEO's. Their answer was that if we felt threatened, to swear out a warrant for the son and now, since the father has made the same threat, seems we could do both. DH has decided what he will do in the event this escalates and guess I'll have to go with that for now.

Someone once said *I believe it was Spotted Crow from BYC* that a dog on the owner's property is a pet. A dog on someone else's property is a predator.

 

[EweSheep]

Make no mistake about that either!

I had TWO dogs that repeatly roamed at free will up and down the street despite of trying to find the owners.

One day, both dogs (a chow and a pit) came upon my chicken coop, tore the hardware wire door off, attacked and killed most of my prized Silkies and Faverolles. When I approached one of the dogs, he growled at me and I made a hasty retreat to the house (that would be a terrible mistake), to my hubby. He took after them, found the owner of the dogs, the owner asked him why he was in his yard, he told the owner that YOUR dogs killed my wife's chickens! He sputtered and said, no my dogs would never do such a thing! He told the owner, next time the dogs are out, he will SSS even it is in the city but I have that right to protect my birds!

He has been reported by the AC, wrote up and we never did see those dogs again, it was six years ago. Last year, we asked a cop if we can legally shoot the dog and he said IF ONLY they are in the act of killing your chickens, yes, you have every right to kill the dog and you must report or call 911 that shots has been sounded and it was for killing the dogs. They will come out and make a report, ID the dog (if any ID on its collar) or microchipped, and be on their merry way. Yes I must take at least ONE loss of the bird before I or hubby can dispatch it. I know it sucks, one life too many but it will give me the proof that the dog killed my chickens.

However we can not shoot noisely to purposefully scare the dog out of the yard. Yes bottle rockets, guns no. However I would rather report every and each dog I catch if it is the first time and let the AC deal with lost dogs.

We did have one black pit bull dog, such a very sweet dog, shivering in the winter, sleeping on a blacket outside of neighbor's driveway....we decided right then and there to take him to the animal shelter. He hopped in the van like he is going to go for a wonderful ride and wanted to be part of the family but alas, we can not have any pits (insurance reasons) and animal shelter gladly took him in, no microchipped and looks like someone's pet. Unfortunately, he may have been put down because no one claimed him or because pits are so hard to adopt out.