Trashy dogs!

[FortCluck]

I have neighbors like yours... I've been in this exact situation. I have even called animal control, they just pay the fine and get their dogs back. I put up deer fencing because it keeps out their dogs, they see the fence and know I don't want them there. You can say I basically trained the neighbors dogs for them. They know my boundaries and respect them even if their owners don't respect my yard, their dogs do. Their dogs actually work for me, they keep out the predators when I'm not home, you can say it was a lose win situation. I don't want their dogs in my yard, but they're helping me keep the predators out.

Their dogs did kill 2 chickens 5 years ago, but now their dogs know my limits. I even say "Go home now" and they listen... Before they wouldn't even leave and would growl at me.

 

[FortCluck]

I also talked to my neighbors, they never corrected the issue so I gave up and decided to work with their dogs.

 

[Howard E]

Sorry for your loss. Judging from the number of "dog" threads BYC experiences over the course of a year.....every year.......you are not the first, nor will you be the last. It is a common problem......and again, sorry you had to experience it.

When these issues arise, my solution is to always to look within. I'm not going to rely on anyone.....dog owner or authorities....to help me resolve it. I'm going to deal with it myself.

So my solution to this particular problem was outlined in this thread. It was created for everyone on BYC to take advantage of, but especially folks like you:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/dogs-and-electric-fences.1210854/

The fence system I have created has already dealt with numerous dogs, including a pit female that came at me snarling and growling, and left with her tail tucked between her legs and has never been back. Nor have any of the others that have tested it. Both the ones I know about, and those I don't. The fence deals with the dogs......so I never have to. Not them......nor their owners.

I have never lost a single bird to a predator and the system I rely on has two facets. First is a sturdy coop that protects the birds from all threats during the night. Nothing and nobody gets in.......ever.

Second is a super hot electric fence that establishes a perimeter that contains the birds within and keeps the would be predators out. This is going to protect them during the day when they are out and about, but also cuts down the threat that a predator will get anywhere near the coop at night to even try to find a way in.

It really is that simple.

 

[theautumnalfox]

I'm sorry for your loss. It's incredibly frustrating to be on the losing end of someone else's carelessness.

 

[cmom]

I see predators on my game cameras most every night but none mess with the coops and pens. When I first put the wire up a few did test it and I could tell by the sounds something did, mostly coyotes and fox, but now I think they are taught when young by their parents not to mess with the wire. If I do hear something it's mostly in the spring and early summer when the pups and kits start roaming. Last nights visitors.

A coyote

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I am just so tired of all the "oh well" attitude I get from everyone else. I get told all the time "what kind of Christian are you"?
.....

Sounds like... a frustrated one! Being a Christian does not require one to be a victim. Put up that electric fencing and relax, and enjoy your remaining chickens, knowing they are safe. Then you can forget about your neighbor and his dogs and begin to forget this chapter in your experience, and maybe even someday forgive.

 

[50-45-1]

i once had trouble with a fellow who would bring his golden retriever to work with him as the station mascot. (Radio towers and station next door.)
his dog would come over and chase my chickens and pony. i called and asked to talk to the owner of the golden dog and when i explained to him what his dog was doing, he got mad at me and tried to justify letting his dog loose, "its the country and his dog needed to run twice a day".... well i argued the fact that maybe i should find out where he lives, bring my Rottweiler over to his neighborhood and Let him run loose on him and his neighbors. he got mad at me and exclaimed that "i must just hate dogs". my reply was "No i Love dogs, its irresponsible dog owners that i cant stand". later the problem came to a head when his dog came back and i fired a warning shot in his dogs general direction and it ran off in the woods. it apparently was so scarred by the shot it was missing 2 days. the fellow accused me of shooting and doing away with his dog. the dog eventually returned and the guy never turned his dog loose on me again.

now your neighbor who is gone all day and lets his dogs roam may not care about them.
i would fortify the coop and run.
put up cameras. the pictures are proof.
call animal control each and every time those dogs trespass.
arm myself with at minimum with a paint ball gun.
i would not kill his dogs, but i'm not in your shoes.
good luck to you!

 

[rwoodstockn]

I have a neighbor who has three dogs. I grew up liking dogs until I got chickens. I have one dog that belongs to my baby girl that stays in my yard and she is well behaved in a contained area. The neighbors dogs however are allowed to roam at will and impregnate whoever they see fit. This past week they decided to have a little fun with my two best chickens and see if they could sling them around like rag dolls by their necks. The chickens had no choice but to play along. Unfortunately my wife and I were not there when this all happened. I could have condoned it if the dogs were hungry and needed a meal, but they left the chickens in the neighbors yard with the necks snapped. I ended up burying my poor hens and hating the neighbors dog. I guess when I rebuild the coop I will make it a Fort Knox of a coop, although as large as these pit bulls are, it may not make any difference in the long run. My neighbor is obviously blissfully unaware that he harbors such trashy animals on his property. My favorite Australorp and Red Sex Link RIP..

In the Virginia county where we used to live, the county code stated that dogs harassing livestock could be put down by the person who owns the livestock. If an animal control officer witnesses a dog harassing livestock the officer will seize or kill the dog. (I edited this after finding the code has been updated. "Seize" is added to the paragraph.)
I fired on a neighbor's dog once and a county deputy did put down his neighbor's dog after multiple instances of catching the dog in the coop.
Check your local code and don't be shy about putting the dogs down if the statute supports you. Be prepared for reaction from the dog's owner.

 

[glassdragonfly]

So sorry for your loss!Bad dog owners make me so mad! I want to get a paint gun and send some dogs home with all the colors of the rainbow! Then maybe the owners will realize their dogs are getting into trouble! If nothing else they would make one big mess in their house!

 

[rwoodstockn]

Fat chance of that, he has a yard full of cars to work on that he never seems to finish and what time he is not there, he spends it on the road doing finish carpentry. I rarely see him unless it is with a beer in his hand. I have known him for the 20 years we have lived beside him and have even given him a couple dozen eggs. I bear him no ill will but his dogs on the other hand will unfortunately get what is coming to them. If they show up in my yard again and I in any way feel threatened, they will not be leaving my yard under their own power again...

I fired on a neighbor's dogs once, but I warned her first. I clearly told her, " if her dogs came around again I'd shoot them. Don't complain cause you've been warned. " The dogs had already killed one bird, my son's 4H project.

Have the same conversation with your neighbor.