UPDATE--Police on the Way. Neighbor's Dog Killed Chicken #5. Advice?

[Preservation Acres]

Any advice would be much appreciated.

I have all the details, and we found the dead bird in the neighbor's yard.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Did the dog get into the run or was the chicken free-ranging? Did the dog come onto your property or did the chicken go to the dog's house?
What's your relationship with your neighbor?

 

[chicks4kids]

I wish you luck with the police....and the neighbor...with this being chicken #5, I can imagine that this is NOT going to go well....Good luck and let us know what happens

 

[TurkeyMountainChickens]

A lot depends on where the chicken was and where the dog was. If your chicken strayed into their yard, well, it's your fault for letting your animals get loose.

However, if their dog can onto YOUR property and killed a chicken, then they are at fault for being negligent with their animal. They are legally responsible. You can sue, etc., but that may not be fun since you have to live next to these people. I would insist that they pay for the chicken (nothing hurts unless they feel it in their wallet!) and keep their dog in their OWN yard!

The police can back you up on this. If the dog is a repeat offender, you can have it taken away from them. I always try to give people a chance, but you simply CAN'T have an animal marching into your yard to kill chickens!

 

[SAORSA]

I had a neighbor's dog problem many years ago. After sending a note home on the dogs collar, ( which resulted in the owner coming to my house and telling me it was OK if I shot his dog, I was shocked and speechless as well ), and finally having animal control going to his house and giving him a talk ... TWICE, I had animal control pick up the dog on my property and notify the owner that they had the dog. I called every day and finally the guy picked up his dog. I was just hanging up the phone with animal control when I heard my chickens going nuts outside. Yes, that's right, the dog was back. Again I had animal control pick up the dog and again the owner picked it up. The total fines for the owner were over $100, ( allot of money back then ). The owner kept the dog at home after that. Now the bad news. Two weeks later, ( after an autopsy ), I find one of my horses dead from poisoning. Was it worth it ?

I was very young then. Now, with hind site, what I should have done was build a better coop.

My advice to you, with my deepest understanding is .... BUILD A BETTER COOP

 

[NoelTate]

I am having a fence put up and not building a new coop until it is finished for this very reason. The police told me my only option was small claims court to recoup my losses. I didn't bother since that would not bring my pets back to life, but I certainly harassed the owners about their dogs and how much money they cost me for quite a while. I also told them I had poison and traps out, and that if their dogs returned, I would shoot them even if that is illegal.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

I would ask the police in front of the owner about the legality of shooting the dog if it is caught back in my yard. 5 times is 4 too many. People should keep their dogs up!

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Quote:
NC State Law allows the disposal of dogs that are after livestock (including poultry). Look up the law in your area and show it to the dog's owner.

I agree with the above posters - it depends on whether the chicken wondered onto the dog's territory or if the dog wandered onto yours. I think it will be a lot of she-said he-said, but it's worth a shot (no pun intended).

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Depending on where the OP lives, shooting may not be legal AT ALL. Regardless of whether the shot is aimed at the predator or not. For instance, if in a city/town, chances of legally shooting a firearm are pretty slim.

As has already been stated, the specific circumstances make a huge amount of difference. As do local laws and ordinances.

 

[Preservation Acres]

OK, I think my letter sums things up...here we go...

The chickens are kept in my coop. The dog climbs the coop fence and breaks in from the top.



May 11, 2010


(Inside address)

To whom it may concern:

Again, your dogs killed one of my chickens. We have now lost six chickens to your dogs. We found our chicken dead in your neighbor's yard.

We contacted the Murfreesboro Police Department and were informed of our rights. An officer attempted to speak with you today, but although you were home, you refused to answer the door.

We have dated photographs and are documenting all information. Our neighbors are doing the same. Your neighbor informed us, after you refused to answer the door for us as well, that it is common knowledge that your dogs have been killing animals in the neighborhood. You will be summoned to court by us as soon as we have the the additional documentation we need. We will be requesting compensation for lost livestock as well as all applicable fines and penalties for not adhering to local and state leash laws. Our neighbors will be doing the same.

I was informed by the Murfreesboro Police Department that as an owner of livestock, I am within my rights to kill your dogs if they enter my property. Beginning immediately, I will be placing poison on site. My first priority is to kill your dogs. If I am unsuccessful, you will be summoned to court.

Our neighbors are documenting the issues they have had with your dogs as well. All information, including this certified letter, will be presented in court.

Respectfully,




(return address)

cc: Murfreesboro Police Department
Rutherford County Animal Control

Edited to remove addresses. Please don't post those