Right now the neighbors dog is tied up on the porch. Normally we don't bother keeping the strays around, but this is the third dog of hers that has visited today. They have no fencing and are free to wander, most of the time they keep home. This morning there were two large dogs at the fence, (Donkey sent them home) and the third smaller one who fits under the wire and was chaing the chickens. I have no doubt it would have killed some had the donkey not cornered it. She's not answering the door, although her truck is there. Do I send the dog home with a note around its neck? Keep the dog out on the porch until she comes to get it? I've already babysat her horse for the police after it got out and was running the highway. She didn't even bother to pick it up, I had to walk over the next morning. I don't even know if she'll come get the dog. Sadly we have no animal control and no open shelters, so turning the dog in isn't an option. What would you guys do in this situation?
Your right. A note is not going to work. This woman doesn't give a rip. You could try keeping the dog until she comes for it. That may very well mean you have a new dog! If you have no animal control to help you with this then you may have to call the police, report her dogs running loose and harrassing your livestock. They will probably tell you to shoot the dog. You could possibly request that they have a conversation with her about her loose dogs, they may or may not agree to do so. Unfortunately you probably have very few options that are not lethal to the dog other then having dog proof fencing or running a hot wire around the pen to keep dogs out. I would continue to be at her door about this but honestly, I don't think you are going to make her change her ways. Perhaps a certified letter sent to her house explaining that she will be held financially responsible for any and all damage her dogs do might help. Usually hitting people in the pocketbook is the best attention getter.
Thanks, cafarmgirl, we did have the police down, they said they won't really do anything until blood has been shed, literally. I hope it doesn't comes to that. We did find a 'neighbor' who is technically in a different county. He's letting us use his driveway as a pickup point for AC. Neighbor has till tomorrow morning to get the dog I guess.
That's a tough situation with no animal control. In our town, if you are in possession of a stray for 3 days, it becomes your legal responsibility. Wonder if similar legal conditions exist for your area? If so, you could give her certified letter notice to pick up her dog, detailing the trouble it is causing and the replacement cost of your hens, and after 3 days if she doesn't respond perhaps drive it to the nearest animal shelter or to the nearest private animal rescue operation. I have been through similar situations and here you can shoot the dog but it must actually die on your property. Very sad that people don't care for their animals -- or yours. Good luck. Dog deserves better owner. And you deserve better neighbor.
I suggest make her come collect dog. Make certain to have food and water for it. Have note on colar in case neighbor collects dog without talking to you. I have yet to get a neighbor to pay for losses where I presently live but some folks better. Keep relationship cordial if dog contained from this point on. Dogs roaming a lot more this time of year. I am going to train neighbors dogs to leave chickens alone. Already in works.
cafarmgirl and centrachid have it pretty welled spelled out. Make her come get it. Then after a bit call the sheriff or AC and have it picked up. Play dumb in that you don't have a clue who's it is. Just that it's a stray chasing you chickens. If she doesn't care then your options are limited for sure. Just get the dog gone if possible.
