Chicken Killer

RichZ · May 6, 2002

Yesterday morning I caught a neighbors dog in the act of killing one of my chickens. We've lost six chickens in the past several months, and I suspected the culprit was a dog, and now I caught him in the act. Of course, he ran away when I saw him.

My wife called the police who put her in touch with the local animal conrol officer, who will stop by during the week. It took most of the day, but we discovered who owned the dog (we live in dairy farm country, and neighbors are not that close). We also found out that this dog (and others owned by the family) has killed chickens on other farms. We went to the owners house last night. They are one of the few non-farmers in the area. We told them that we caught their dog in the act, and that we weren't going to give them a hard time, but we did not want the dog on our property again. They shocked me by saying, "We'll try." We were amazed! I told them that I had called the animal control officer, who would start an investigation (of course, I really have no idea what he'll do.). I also told them that we know that their dogs have have killed chickens on other farms. I told them that I love dogs, and would never hurt them, but my neighbors told me, that they would shot any of these dogs on sight. I told them I have three dogs that I keep on a leash, inside or in a fenced in area to run. They NEVER leave our property. I also told them that the animal control officer would take a dim view of their attitude. (They also did not appear to be very sorry.)

We keep the chickens for the eggs which we sell. One chicken had become a pet to my wife, the chicken had deformed feet, and we didn't expect her to live. She thrived despite her handicap, and my wife named her Gimpy. Gimpy was the one I saw being killed. Needless to say, my wife (and me) is very upset!

What would you guys do in this situation?

rdln · May 6, 2002

shoot 'em

the dog, not the owners

RanchMan · May 6, 2002

I've always taken a dim view of trespassers - regardless of how many legs they have!

Sounds to me like if your neighbors won't take care of the problem, it will be left to you. I won't suggest what you SHOULD do, but it seems your options are:

1) legal action of some type (perhaps a lawsuit for "specific performance" maybe?),
2) securing your chickens so that the dog CAN'T get to them, or
3) address the issue with a permanent solution as your neighbors have stated they would.

Of course, all of these have pitfalls (i.e. cost, relationships, legal woes) etc. Regardless of whichever path is chosen, it seems like a bad situation and your neighbors are pretty much jerks. Unfortunate..../w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

rf33 · May 6, 2002

Actually, I think that alot more good would come from shooting the owners than the dog... The dog is just doing what comes natural to it, and it is the owners who are at fault. Unfortunately, in rural America, there is often not much you can legally do about such occurrances. Perhaps by getting enough of the neighbors involved, you can guilt these people into keeping thier dog on a tight leash. The other option would be to buy your neighbor who says he will shoot it some extra bullets.

jimmoore · May 6, 2002

I would shoot the sorry so and so. I caught the folks next doors dog in my chickens and I shot the sucker dead. They filed a warrant on me for discharging a firearm inside the city limits and I had to pay a $75.00 fine. I could have counter filed one on them for violation of the leash law, but I just payed the fine. They could have filed for cruelty to animals, so I thought the less you stir it the less it stinks. The dog was an old $hiteater that they had gotten from the pound and they never kept it up. It was well worth the $75.00 to be rid of it.

HILLBILLYMAN · May 6, 2002

I have been advised, under similar circumstances, to use
"Rat Shot" ammunition when I have the problem again. It is my understanding that the ammunition produces a spray of very small lead pellets, and causes stinging and small wounds as opposed to death. I could see how a couple of encounters with "Rat Shot" might cause a dog to think twice about coming around, and I intend to purchase and try it very soon. I consider it a humane deterrent.

HILLBILLYMAN

HalseyGreen · May 6, 2002

Here in Louisa County, Virginia (rural agricultural community),if you catch a dog or any animal harming your animals, you are permitted to shoot them. If you have livestock killed by stray (unidentified owners) pets, you can file a claim with the county and in most cases, the County will pay you something for your loss. My wife has had a few free range chickens that didn't last long. We know the neighbor's dog got one, but don't know about the others. The dog disappeared shortly after, so we didn't make an incident out of it. I don't think she really wanted to take care of the chickens anyway. I'd say the dog is fair game, and if you take it out, just bury it and do the neighbor a good deed.

butzkeg · May 6, 2002

Maybe you could find a way to bait the dog into the road or your driveway and run it over with your car/truck. Pets get hit by vehicles all the time...purely accidental.

RichZ · May 6, 2002

Actually, I'm with rf33. I'm not mad at the dog, he's doing what comes naturally, as Ron said, it's the owners who are at fault. I'd rather shoot them, but I think I might get in some sort of trouble.

Actually, a few months ago, the dog jumped in our creek and couldn't get out. I had to wade in after him and pull him out, boy was that water cold! And he repays me by killing my chickens. That's loyalty for you!!