Chicken Killer

[RichZ]

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]

shoot 'em



the dog, not the owners

 

[RanchMan]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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!!

 

[DaveNH]

Going to whole heartly concur here.

The old---
Shoot, Shovel and Shut up.

Dead dogs don't kill chickens.

 

[exeter_acres]

I'd have an awfully tough time killing a dog.. even if it is a pain in the [censored].

Maybe you could catch it and take it to the humane society. The end result might still be the same (a dead dog) but at least it had a little bit of a chance to find owners who's heads aren't stuck up their asses!
Now if it's a cat......

I'm still after the white one that lives back in my field /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Curtis

 

[Richard]

My Uncle tells me of a similar expereince he had once (animal treaspassing), though the dog owner happened to be nearby.

The owner told Unc, "Well, I can't help where he runs/roams"

Unc said "I can"

Seems there was never any more issues as the point got across.

 

[PitbullMidwest]

Here in (rural) Des Moines County if an animal kills your livestock you are within your rights to shoot it. If you can prove ownership, the owners are responsible to pay for any of your losses.

This dog isn't just "a pain in the [censored]", it has killed livestock before, and unless it is tied up, penned up or put down it will kill livestock again.

If this were a coyote killing your chickens would you think twice about shooting it?

 

[s1120]

Come on guys, don't blame the dog. The way the owners are, the dog more then likley is going without food. He is just trying to stay alive, just like we all would.

 

[rdln]

I have been raising pheasants to release in late july/early august just for a hobby (like I need another one) and knowing the best offense is a good defense I built a sturdy flight pen.

Nothing has gotten into it yet KOW.

But one late night while tending them I heard dogs barking before I reached the pen, as luck would have my flashlight died right that instant. Ran to the house for Mr Mossberg and his friend MAG LITE came back put a bead on one dog and backed down seeing that was the neighbors Lhaso Apsos? and realized they not going to get in and were no threat but got revenge by calling the neighbor at 2 AM to come get his dogs. His reaction was "%$&&*&* got out again?" come on buddy cant you retain 2 15 pound dogs I'm thinking.

On the other hand they have a black lab mutt that I have witnessed chasing wild pheasants and it is just a matter of time......

I wouldnt suggest the ratshot ammo, it seems just like shooting a burgular in the leg because you just want to deter him. Just asking for legal trouble IMO.

 

[dmccarty]

Rich,

Check you local law. I'm pretty sure in NC that one can shoot a dog that
is attacking live stock. I would check before I shot a dog for this but I'm
pretty sure I read this. So check you state's statutes.

Ask Animal Control what they will/can do.

My neighbor at a different property had problems with another
dip sh.. of a neighbor who raised sheep. The $%^&* sheep would
get out, heck how could the get out, they were not even fenced in,
and they would mossey over to my friends place and dine on his
shrubs. He had pictures of them feasting on his landscaping and
had caught the sheep numerous times. He had talked to the guy
in private, sent him letters, and mentioned in public at a home
owners meeting. But the sheep owner is a moron. One day my
friend was able to catch one of the sheep. Animal Control had
told him to do this if he could. They came and got the sheep.
He might have got more than one. Animal Control then contacted
the owner about the sheep. They fined him and for every day they
kept the animals they charged him for their care. After the owner
paid his bill and got his sheep two things happend. The sheep got
fenced in and they never got to my friends again.

The Number One WierdO at my property's neighborhood has dogs
she lets roam. They use their neighbor's yard as a sewer and run
over the neighborhood. One in particular chases cars. He has
scared the c..p out of me the first year I had the land since I thought
I was going to run him over. Now I just don't give a poop. I drive
like I normally do and if it catches a tire its to bad. They should know
better. They have been talked to many times but they don't seem to
care. The same dip of a women closed one of my gates a couple
Saturdays back. Don't know why she did this... I was working on the
property and she walked up and close the gate. I was working on the
tractor and saw her do it.....

Check your state laws and do what you need to do. Its partly the dogs
fault but mainly the owners but you should not have to pay for either's
actions or failure there of.....

Later...
Dan

 

[boustany]

When I was a young boy, we had a big problem with the neighbour's dog. As is usually the case in such situations, the neigbour denied all responsibility and claimed the dog never left his property, etc.
Anyhow, my dad was a serious crack shot - I saw him intentionally take the head off a running rabit at about 15 feet with a 12 guage because he didn't want to ruin the meat.
So the dog came back into our yard. And left without a tail. Dad showed unusual restraint that day. The dog never came back.
Unfortunately, I am not as good a shot as he is, but I would use the same solution: a dog's just a coyote that lives close to us, and I wouldn't lose sleep about shooting a coyote.

 

[kerr]

Let em get bout 30 ta 40 yards headstart than put #8 shot on his backside. all ya have, like ugly on my hairlipped cousin
way too much! I will admit that repeat offenders end up like ol Davenh said,S.S.S.

 

[Boondox]

Rich -- We call the police, pure and simple. To heck with animal control, destruction of my property is a civil matter and I will (and have) charged idiots for the loss of my hens. $50 is the going rate. If they protest, it goes to court where legal fees, court costs, and kennel fees for the dog in question are added to the list.

I have four dogs (number five was placed in a good home yesterday) who do not leave our property, do not harm other animals, do not chase tourists...and have little tolerance for humans who can't be bothered to train their dogs.

Pete

 

[beenthere]

Once they have this taste of blood (chicken in this case) they won't quit.
I agree with DaveNH.
Shoot the dog, but don't say a word to ANYBODY! Bury it and drop don't talk about it at all. If the neighbor with the dog is upset, they will not know who shot it, if anybody. Just that it is missing. You don't need a legal hassle.

When I was a boy, our neighbors across the street (rural) lost prize banty chickens, and we saw an Irish Setter leave the coop and chased it back into town. We talked to the lady who owned the dog (it laid panting in the dog house with chicken feathers hanging off its face) and she denied it could possibly be her dog. Two days later we dumped the dead Irish Setter in her driveway. She threatened to call the Sherriff, but nothing ever happened. And I can honestly say I do not like shooting dogs. But killer dogs may shift to children, then it would be too late.