Why always the favorite?

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

Well it finally happened to me. The neighbor's dog tore into my bantam coop and killed my beloved OEGB rooster, Monty, who was the most beautiful boy I owned and my absolute favorite of his girls, Ellie Mae the OEGB hen. Luckily I caught the dog in the act and ran him off before he could kill any of the other 4 girls. He killed Monty first because Monty rushed out to protect the girls and then he got Ellie. I am so sad. The neighbor is a relative and while she was apologetic and offered to replace the birds, I can't replace such special pets. What bothers me is that the dog is aggressive to other small animals too and while they have promised to keep him put up, I worry that they will get lax again. The last time I caught him attacking my cat, they promised to keep him contained and it lasted <1 month. I'm just really sad about my favorite chickens. The bantams are just so cute and they were so friendly...

I know they wouldn't have intended for this to happen, but that doesn't change the fact that my most adorable birds are now deceased.

Ellie Mae and Monty, RIP

And yes, I know that chicken wire isn't sufficient, but I close them in the coop at night, and I don't believe that so far as neighbor's pets go, I should have to "Fort Knox" my coop as the neighbors' pets shouldn't be there at all.

 

[CMV]

So sorry to hear about Monty. He died doing exactly what he would have wanted to be doing- protecting his girls from danger.

I think I might ask the relatives to re-home the dog. If this is the second time the dog has attacked your animals then it is obvious that they have no control over the animal and it is a menace. I would also take them up on the offer to pay for a replacement bird. I know you are in no mood at the moment to even think about replacing Monty, but people frequently respond to a hit in the wallet where they may not respond as well without one. It may be a little more incentive for them to either re-home the dog, contain him securely, or get some training for the animal to prevent future attacks.

Again, I am sorry.

ETA- I just saw the pics. They were lovely. Sorry about Ellie, too.

 

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

Thank you, CMV for your kindness. Unfortunately, I am in no position to ask them to rehome the dog. Long story short, my own dog killed one of their chickens when it escaped their pen, but my dog has since been under containment and that was almost a year ago. To be honest, they own many dogs and I think one of their own animals killed it but my girl got the blame and I took it to save a fight. I replaced their bird and all has been okay since except that this particular dog of theirs had a high propensity to run around my coop upsetting my birds. Trouble was brewing but I have to add another wrinkle that will explain my situation: the dog owner is my sister and she is also my landlord. My dog was an issue for them on occassion when she was a puppy (she is now 2) but, other than the chicken she was blamed for, has never injured or killed an animal of theirs and now we go with her to supervise if she goes out. Also, I work with my sister and she admitted that getting rid of the dog was not an option. Like I said, my dog has caused them some problems with tearing a screen once and chewing a cord twice, but all that was a good long while ago, and I can replace their property that she damaged, they can't replace my pets and it be the same. I guess in this situation it is a give and take on blame but I would have much preferred this dog to have torn a screen or chewed a cord.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That is so sad and much worse when it's in the family.

 

[BooBear]

It may be worth the peace to fort knox the coop. Wrap the bottom half with hardware cloth and bury a 2 ft skirt under atleast 2 to 4 inches of dirt. Allow grass and vegetation to grow over the burried skirt. This throws dogs and digging predators off when they try to did in. By using the hardware cloth versus the chicken wire it keeps the dogs from tearing into the coop. This extra protection is worth the cost for peace of mind and peace between you and your sister while you are renting from her.

 

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

Thank you all for your kind words! You are probably right, BooBear, I guess principles aside, we will have to "Fort Knox" the coop. I know my sister loves me and wouldn't hurt me for the world, but this seems to be an issue of her obtaining a dog and getting attached and refusing to see the damage it is causing to my pets or my feelings. I love dogs and cats, but I just can't understand this particular dog. He seems to be the most "unloyal" dog I have ever seen, he won't come when called, he attacks anything small that runs away (except for kids....yet) and basically just seems to be a completely useless animal. He skulks around my yard and runs when he sees me; at least runs around one side of my house and then I find him peeking around the other to see if I have gone in so he can resume harassing my birds.

 

[Mattemma]

So sorry for your loss and the complications of it being a relatives dog! I would agree that the ft.knox is a good first option to keep the peace;though I must admit my first thought was SSS,SSS,AND SSS AGAIN.

I am going to work on my run in the spring.It will give you peace of mind to know you built a good coop/run that can withstand the dog,but no place is 100% so you will still have to deal with removing the dogs.

Can you fence your entire yard? We did that and overall it has worked good,but one time a dog I trapped in my yard actually climbed over the chainlink.I did not see it climb,but I could not find any huge holes in the fence and he was gone.I also had a groundhog chew through the chainlink.

Animals are persistant.People are blind and toelrant to many things.I would remind the relatives that you have contained your dog,but theirs has attacked multiple times.Just remind without demands as you tighten things up around your home.

If I was able to catch that dog I would give it a one way ride to a neighboring pound.Yea sis will get more dogs but atleast this one would be gone.

 

[Judy]

Sounds like the dog is bored and needs a lot more exercise and attention. And, obviously, some training.

 

[terrilhb]

I am so sorry for your loss. A few months ago a dog broke into my coop and killed 12 of my chickens. 1 was my favorite Goldie. It was a stray. It got away as my dogs chased him. Would have thought he learned but no came back that night for more. Sad to say but he will not be killing anyone elses chickens. Hated to have to do it, but he would not stay away. He did not even eat 1 just killed them. I don't like killing animals but they can not kill my babies either. So sorry again for you loss