My neighbors dogs

[Coyote machine]

I have dog problems all the time, I live in a urban part of the county with the only 15 acres in th area that is zoned for ag and completely fenced with field fence and electric on the inside of the field fence (goats like to climb), so, I have goats, chickens, horse or two and have lost a few goats and chickens to neighborhood dogs. Laws are not enforced by the country dogcatcher so I called Sheriff several times but unless they witness the attack, they say they can do nothing. I asked about video and still say that will not be able to use it. The deputy chief visited the last time and told me if I ever feel in danger of my life to take whatever action I needed to stop the threat on my property, then dig a hole and bury the threat. But, I like dogs and none have been aggressive to me to date, so I purchased 2 guardian dogs instead. Here is where the fun really starts, neighbors lab digs under the fence and the they call me to tell me my dogs are attacking their dog, by the time I get to the field, the dog was dead about 100 feet inside the fence. Long story made short, they sued and won, my farm insurance paid out without going to court, told me it is cheaper to pay these type of claims than fight them and I almost lost my dogs due a vicious dog law that applies to my dogs but not the neighbors in this case. To me this is reflection of the sorry state of the society we live in. No responsibility or accountability nowadays it seems.

That is sick! I can't believe this is what it comes down to when others won't and don't take any responsibility for their animals. It should be considered abuse of the animal if people let them roam off their property. No leash law? Sue the person who is fenced and keeps their dogs on their property? And win? SICK?! And who pays for these settlements by the insurance companies, instead of them finding the irresponsible wingnutz accountable who are the actual lawbreakers! You and I, of course. The ones who have to protect ourselves from frivolous lawsuits brought on by deadbeats...... ARGG!

 

[95XL883]

Just a quick update. It’s mostly positive, except the dogs are stilling running free.

Due to rain, we didn't get to our ground until late yesterday afternoon. The neighbor’s dogs were out and just looked at us as we drove by. Nothing unusual there. We went to the woods on the south part of our ground and did our routine chores and then headed to the field for some weeding. (We have been making good progress eradicating the Johnson grass and are getting what remains.) We started off about 400 yards away from the dogs. I could see the boxer/pitt in the front yard. He could see me. Historically, he would start barking at me and usually lead a charge a couple of hundred yards into the field. This time he just sat there watching. I worked my way into the field and got to between 250 and 300 yards away. That distance has always provoked barking and a charge into the field. Their response? Nada, nothing, not a peep. I kept an eye on them but they stayed quiet and on their ground.

The sun was setting, I worked my way back to the truck and we left.

Then an unusual thing happened. For the first time that I can remember, they chased my truck. Even more unusual the boxer/pitt did not lead, although he charged wildly and quickly passed his companions. For a couple of seconds it looked like the boxer/pitt would get in front of the truck. Now I won't swerve to run over them but I won't swerve to avoid them either. If they are vicious enough and dumb enough to get in front of a moving vehicle, so be it.

All in all, a good day but the rule still stands. Any of those dogs not fleeing my property at the sight of me and mine will be put down immediately. I will tolerate packs or vicious animals on my ground.

Thanks again for the suggestions and support.

 

[95XL883]

Recently had a similar situation at my place. Repeated requests to the neighbor were ignored. Finally called the county dog catcher, who first warned, then ticketed, the neighbor. At that point they put up a fence (though it's one of those portable electric fences) and the chasing and lunging stopped. But the dog's still there behind the fence, still barking with hackles up. Like you, I can't do anything unless it attacks me or my livestock (which I don't have). But given the next chance to SSS, I will. And I'll feel bad for the dog, but the real problem is the owners. They know or respect no limits unless they're forced to back down through confrontation. Heck of a way to live, but it's either that or move, which I'm not going to do.

That said, if the county hadn't intervened, my next step was to have my attorney write a firmly worded letter threatening a law suit. And if that didn't work they'd be in court. That usually makes enough of an impression to get people to change their ways. It also puts law enforcement on notice that there's a problem, so that next time they know who to blame. That's hard on neighbor relations, but being laid up from a dog bite is a lot harder.

Good luck with your situation, but unfortunately the only way I see it ending is by putting down the dog.

RNG, thanks for the support. Sorry you have a similar situation. I'm glad there is some type of leash law and animal control that has helped some. I'm afraid you are right that the real solution to my problem will be putting at least the boxer/pitt down. You are also right that the real problem is the owner. He is too lazy to control his animals and openly states he is going to let them run. If it isn't me, there are several others in the area that will finally stop the vicious dog.

I hope your situation stays resolved. Maybe they will fatten the dogs up enough that they won't chase any more. :laughing:

 

[95XL883]

I have dog problems all the time, I live in a urban part of the county with the only 15 acres in th area that is zoned for ag and completely fenced with field fence and electric on the inside of the field fence (goats like to climb), so, I have goats, chickens, horse or two and have lost a few goats and chickens to neighborhood dogs. Laws are not enforced by the country dogcatcher so I called Sheriff several times but unless they witness the attack, they say they can do nothing. I asked about video and still say that will not be able to use it. The deputy chief visited the last time and told me if I ever feel in danger of my life to take whatever action I needed to stop the threat on my property, then dig a hole and bury the threat. But, I like dogs and none have been aggressive to me to date, so I purchased 2 guardian dogs instead. Here is where the fun really starts, neighbors lab digs under the fence and the they call me to tell me my dogs are attacking their dog, by the time I get to the field, the dog was dead about 100 feet inside the fence. Long story made short, they sued and won, my farm insurance paid out without going to court, told me it is cheaper to pay these type of claims than fight them and I almost lost my dogs due a vicious dog law that applies to my dogs but not the neighbors in this case. To me this is reflection of the sorry state of the society we live in. No responsibility or accountability nowadays it seems.

KT, that is just ridiculous! Your contained animals on your ground aren't allowed to protect your livestock??!! CM is right. That is just disgusting. It sounds like the enforcement is political since you are the only rural tract in an otherwise urban (suburban?) area. The pols may be pandering to a larger population and may want you out for tax reasons. And your insurer paying because it is cheaper to settle? I'd be tempted to set the game cameras to video and get pics of any neighbor dog on your ground. Hopefully there is a leash law there and maybe a letter from an attorney to the pols and dog owners might level the playing field for you. It sucks to be in that situation. Good luck.

 

[KubotaToy]

KT, that is just ridiculous! Your contained animals on your ground aren't allowed to protect your livestock??!! CM is right. That is just disgusting. It sounds like the enforcement is political since you are the only rural tract in an otherwise urban (suburban?) area. The pols may be pandering to a larger population and may want you out for tax reasons. And your insurer paying because it is cheaper to settle? I'd be tempted to set the game cameras to video and get pics of any neighbor dog on your ground. Hopefully there is a leash law there and maybe a letter from an attorney to the pols and dog owners might level the playing field for you. It sucks to be in that situation. Good luck.

Well, most of what has happened is done and over, but I still pay for it, my insurance has almost doubled in the past two years and my secondary liability carrier dropped me for having large dogs with a history of aggression according to the notice. BTW- I fixed the majority of my dog problem, I have found the vicious dog law to be my friend now.

Hope your dog problem works out, it is hard to change animal behavior.

 

[Barry 1]

KT-what kind of guard dogs do you have?

 

[RedNeckGeek]

KubotaToy, did you consult an attorney before you agreed to the insurance company's settlement? Likely you'd have been made aware of the secondary consequences, and could have negotiated protections with regards to your rates. But the consequences related to your secondary insurance are even more impactful, since they are based on the false assertion that you have "aggressive" dogs that will now follow you to other insurance providers.

 

[KubotaToy]

KT-what kind of guard dogs do you have?

Mixed breed Anatolian/Pyrenees, suppose to be a better overall dog, not sure. They are not pets, I bought them already trained, they just tolerate my wife and I around the goats and they hate anything or anybody within 10 feet of the fence. The good, they are smart and work as a team, if they feel threatened they herd the goats to the barn and stand at the gate. The bad, they bark all the time (had a few visits from the Sheriff on nuisance calls).

 

[KubotaToy]

KubotaToy, did you consult an attorney before you agreed to the insurance company's settlement? Likely you'd have been made aware of the secondary consequences, and could have negotiated protections with regards to your rates. But the consequences related to your secondary insurance are even more impactful, since they are based on the false assertion that you have "aggressive" dogs that will now follow you to other insurance providers.

I did consult an attorney and the insurance company did not include me in the settlement. Does not matter about the truthfulness of a claim, if it is paid out, it is on your record. I could fill thread or two on this topic but that will need to wait for another day.


95XL883, sorry for hijacking you thread but I thought it would be good to past along something I would never expect to happen in my lifetime.

 

[Deere Dude]

Then an unusual thing happened. For the first time that I can remember, they chased my truck. Even more unusual the boxer/pitt did not lead, although he charged wildly and quickly passed his companions. For a couple of seconds it looked like the boxer/pitt would get in front of the truck. Now I won't swerve to run over them but I won't swerve to avoid them either. If they are vicious enough and dumb enough to get in front of a moving vehicle, so be it.

Thanks again for the suggestions and support.

A German Shepherd use to charge my car from the ditch while I was going to and also coming back from work. It was a game to him but at 65 MPH he couldn't do anything unless I was on a motorcycle. Finally my friend was driving and when the dog charged the car I swung to door open and snowplowed him into the ditch. Not a clue what became of him but the highway was safer after that.