Dead Duck~What to do about a neighbor dog? (Homesteading)

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I awoke this morning to a dead Peking duck. Apparently in the night the neighbor dog or dogs came down and killed it. It was dead from a broken neck. I was so upset. I have talked to the neighbor's repeatedly about their dogs, they have four. One is in my yard constantly (6 times last night that i caught him). They are not eating these animals they are killing for fun. Does anyone have any advise? I know that there is very little i can do, but i have been trying to form a relationship with them and it is hard under these circumstances. I am angry and had to vent!

-- Shau Marie (shau@centurytel.net), January 26, 2001

Answers

Our neighbors dog used to come over and ended up killing several baby chicks and a couple older ones in a matter of weeks. They kept apologizing but that didn't help my dead birds any. It took quite a while before they got a strong enough chain to keep him tied up. Problem is, the neighbor to the south of me has a lab that still comes up during the summer. We go out, throw stones at it, etc. but it still returns. I've even driven the dumb thing home myself! All they do is say they're sorry. They have a kennel for him but don't always put him in it. I guess, if it continues to get worse, I'd have to end up calling someone and complain. Up here in Wisconsin, even though we live in the country, there still is a leash law. I'll watch to see what other answers you get. Once they start killing, it becomes a game to these dogs and they will keep coming back!

-- Pat (MikulPtrc@aol.com), January 26, 2001.

Do you have a leash law in your county? We cannot allow our dogs to run free. Our neighbor raises exotic ducks, geese, and other poultry, and his yard draws a LOT of dogs whose owners DON'T obey the law. Our neighbor warns the owners once, then shoots 'em when he catches the dogs trying to catch his poultry. He tacks the ears up in the barn on one of the walls, and throws the body in the dumpster. When an dog owner comes and asks if he has seen their dog, he shows them the collection and invites them to see if any of the collection matches their dog. The sheriff gets calls from angry neighbors, but he shakes his head and tells the owners they shoulda kept better control over their dog! If you have ever watched a lamb die from dog injuries (they cry like babies...), or lost a pedigreed buck goat, or a favorite cat or hen to a dog, you can understand his actions.

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), January 26, 2001.

We are in rural Wisconsin and we have always had a tolerence for an occasional visiting dog. I have dogs and they have a huge kennel and can exercise in our presents. If they head down the driveway we are there to call them back. They tie the dogs or kennel them for a bit and then they are back. We shoot up in the air to scare them, maybe i am aiming to high.

-- Shau Marie (shau@centurytel.net), January 26, 2001.

Two possibilities: 1) S S S 2) Catch the dog, put it in a crate and transport to the dog pound IN ANOTHER COUNTY ! Preferably about 100 miles away. If they care enough to find the dog, they make take better care of it. If not, someone else will or it will be put down. (Which, imho is better than being run down by a truck or attacked by another animal.) M.

-- Monica (zpepenovia@excite.com), January 26, 2001.

oh...that is an awful mess! I mean the dog thing. We had trouble with dogs all of the time until we got our border collie. He is a male and scares the others off. We've had a chicken's neck broken by a rott. and another one by a weird looking hairy short critter! We haven't lost a one since he was grown! He even stands guard by the coop if he hears a funny noise! We didn't do anything to train him he just does that. He has never bothered them except to herd them back into their pen. Hmmmmm....in all honesty....don't tell the neighbors, but my husband shot the hairy short critter! The rott got away. Do you have a bb gun that would hurt a little but not be as noticeable if you know what I mean? We are always getting strays out here. David usually just gives them the ole cranial bolus!(that is what he calls it) Sorry! Your neighbor wouldn't appreciate that and it would make matters worse. Wanna borrow Skipper?

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), January 26, 2001.


Two things come to mind after asking the neighbors to control their dog. 1) use a wristrocket slingshot and acorns or bottle rockets to scare the dogs 2) a high frequency generator and speaker to turn on when the dogs come near your fowl.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), January 26, 2001.

My rule is if the dog is acting suspicious around my animals or is running in a pack if I know who the owner is I notify them once. Of course this depends on the neighbor. I had a neighbor once that I quit notifying and just shot their dogs on site. The second sighting involves me ducking into the house and grabbing a 12 gauge or a 30- 06. I make sure I have a good clear safe shot that will kill instantly when I shoot. I don't want the dog to suffer. I have lost at least 50 chickens, possibly 3 geese(never could prove that one), and had numerous other animals injured by dogs. One instance that stands out in my mind is when I came out to milk one morning and there were 5 dogs on my small jersey cow....one had her tail, one on each ear, one had her nose and the other grabbed wherever he would fit in. She was down on her knees...had they gotten her all the way down they would have killed her. I must admit I went a bit off the deep end when I saw this. I used to keep a snub nose .38 in my car...so here I go down to the neighbors (the local bootlegger) with my gown flapping and the gun loaded. I told him if I could I was gonna clear out the 10 or so dogs he had(I was pretty much successful too) and I was really darned tempted to clear him out too! Must have been quite a sight actually....lol. Just remember....once a dog has killed a chicken, duck, etc. he will continue to do so. I have never seen a dog that once they have killed that stopped. Even if the neighbors keep him up part of the time....first thing he will do when he gets out is come over and check out your critters.

I grew up on a cattle ranch and when I was little I couldn't understand why Papa shot any dog he found near his cows. As I got older I saw several baby calves that were torn up really bad or were killed. Then I understood. Ever seen a cow walking around that has a stub of a tail? More than likely that is because a dog got a hold of them.

-- Amanda in Mo (aseley@townsqr.com), January 26, 2001.


Just thought I'd throw in, that if a cow is on fescue don't think that the tail came off by a dog. It may have been the endophyte or whatever they call it in the fescue. You probably don't have that problem where you're from.

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), January 27, 2001.

We've done two things. Put electric fence around our property. This keeps our dogs in and other dogs out. Also, I have found that shooting a cap gun chases dogs away. If these two suggestions don't work, I like the former idea of shooting the dogs and hanging the ears. Hadn't heard that one before.

Also, sometimes it doesn't pay to try to be friends with neighbors who only think of themselves and have no respect for the property of others.

-- Mary in East TN (barnwood@preferred.com), January 27, 2001.


Schau marie- Aim lower. Another point to remember is that the owner of an animal is responisble for monetary damages when it becomes a livestock killer. It was only one Peking duck, you say. I think it was a purebred Peking duck from royal show lines which was going to be used in an extensive breeding program this spring which will now have to be replaced. I'm sure somewhere there's a poultry sight with expensive ducks for sale. If they don't care about their dog, they probably will care about their wallet.

-- ray s (mmoetc@yahoo.com), January 27, 2001.


If you've talked to the neighbor and it hasn't helped call the sheriffs dept to see what your options are -legally. I have a friend who has had to resort to shooting the neighbors dogs, which is very upsetting to both parties. But, in our county you can trap the dogs and have the animal control pick them up or drop them off at the sheriffs dept. The owners will be notified, ( if able to identity owner), to pick them up and there are fines to be paid. That usually helps. If the owners are unavailable the dog goes to the shelter if there is room or the dog is put down. Anyone that lets their dog stray off their own property is asking for trouble. Of course we all know that. It isn't safe for the dog or for others.

-- cindy palmer (jandcpalmer@sierratel.com), January 27, 2001.

MY neighbors big dog used to chase my horses, I finally caught him,put a chain a round his neck and cliped the other end to my HOT electric fence. After a couple minutes of that,I sent him home. That smart dog never came back to my place. Now my place is fenced with HY TENSILE WITH THE BOTTOM LINE HOT. My dog stays in and all others stay out.

-- jay vance (jay.l.vance@worldnet.att.net), January 27, 2001.

Oh I am glad someone brought this up! I mentioned in an earlier posting about how many chickens I have lost to neighbor dogs. In one really ugly situation my neighbors had 2 chows (I really hate chows) that considered my place their territory. I couldn't go up to the barn without a shotgun. They knew what a gun was and so they kept their distance. My problem was I could never get a shot at them that wasn't aimed towards the road and I just wasn't going to endanger lives. Anyhow I talked to the neighbors numerous times.......they called the sheriff on me a couple of times(for walking around with my shotgun)....and I called the sheriff on them. There was no leash law where I was. They flat refused to restrain the dogs or even discipline them. Anyhow one morning I came out to a scene of carnage in the chicken pen. My chicken pen had old cattle panels with chicken wire over it so it was pretty sturdy. They found a place where a rod was busted on the cattle panel and broke into my coop. They killed at least 40 chickens. I called the sheriff and told him I was loading my gun and they had best get there quick! When the sheriff got there I showed him proof it was the neighbors dogs....they had left some hair on the pen when they busted through (there were also dead chickens all over the neighbors yard where they had dragged them over). I went over to the neighbors with the sheriff and told him each one of those chickens cost $15 a piece. Now I think the sheriff knew better but these folks didn't. The sheriff informed them that they would have to reimburse me. I told him that if the dogs were gone tomorrow never to return that I wouldn't sue them. It was amazing how quickly they got rid of the dogs! Sometimes hitting someone in the wallet is very effective. I would absolutely up the price of what something was worth and if necessary and file in small claims court. I bet it will motivate them to control their dog. Of course shooting them is less trouble....except for burying the body (of the dog..not the owner..however I've been tempted a time or two :o).

-- Amanda in Mo (aseley@townsqr.com), January 27, 2001.

Shoot, Shovel, and Shut-up.

-- Artie Ann Karns (rokarns@arkansas.net), January 27, 2001.

Although I might have found the idea of shooting someone elses dog upsetting a ways back, now I can firmly say shoot the damn dog and get rid of the body. This after being bitten in 4 places by a dog. If you or yours are being threatened by some dog thats running loose you have the right to defend yourself. Especially if it's on your property. Don't forget once the dog has had a taste of something he likes he will be back for more as you have noticed. When I called the state troopers about the dog that bit me he told me you can shoot the dog if it looks menacing in any way to you or your animals. Heck up in NY here you can shoot someones dog if it's chasing a deer no matter whose property it's on!

-- Evelyn B. in NY (peontoo@yahoo.com), January 27, 2001.


Apparently in the night the neighbor dog or dogs came down and killed it. Sorry about the duck, I don't think you can justify here that it was in deed your neighbors dog. Sounds like your having problems with the dogs however, call the warden and let them handle it. If you told your neighbor and they ignored your warning then that's what i would do. However don't condem the dogs unless you witneses them killing your duck, there are to many other ways your duck could have died.

Real country folk here, I quess they would't mine if their livestock infringes my right of way, just shoot,shovel,and shut up? What idiots.

-- hillbilly (internethillbilly@hotmail.com), January 27, 2001.


Hillbilly you are right. I can not prove that it was the neighbor dog(s). I thank you for your comments. I have caught them dragging my goose around by therir wings, holding a goat by the throat. chasing my horses, killing chickens, ripping up my flower beds and tearing clothes off the line. I chased the same dog out of the yard 6 times and awoke to a dead duck. We have lost animals to wildlife before. weasel type animals leave marks, fox and hawks carry them off. No marks outside of a broken neck covered in slobber. I love dogs and do no more want to shoot them then the next fellow, but i have had enough. I have tried to be fair and settle this without government intervention. I may have to live by these people for the rest of my life.

-- Shau Marie (shau@centurytel.net), January 27, 2001.

I forgot to say one thing, i feel this forum should be for expressing our opinions like adult's, not name calling!

-- Shau Marie (shau@centurytel.net), January 28, 2001.

Shau,If you can take the heat of making an enemy, shoot the dog.It may seem extreem but some times it is the only way to end the depridation.I don't think any one here advocates the indescriminate killing of peoples pets but we have had the experience of live stock and cherished pets killed by dogs.The animal is doing the killing on your property.It's not like your stock is running stray and getting on the neighbors property.Shoot,shovel,shut up is effective and good advice.Don't kill the dog and the problem will eventually resolve itself.You will run out of live stock for it to kill.As for hillbilly he/she must not have much in common with thier name sake.Rural people tend to understand when their dog has been shot for livestock killing.As the dogs owner we may not like it,but the livestock owner is well within his right to do it.We grow stock for us to eat or raise money to do the same not for somebodys cur.Hillbilly when was the last time a stray duck,cow,goat,horse,chicken ran loose and killed any of your stock?There is a big difference between stray hoof stock and stray domestic preditors.Damn straight I shoot live stock killers.Two legged and four legged.Guess that makes me an idiot too.Oh boo hoo the shame of it all....................

-- (gsmith@tricountyi.net), January 28, 2001.

Find the code in your county which allows for the killing of dogs when they are killing livestock,copy it and send it to the owner. Once you have done that they have been givin fair warning. SSS from then on.

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), January 28, 2001.

What about a shotgun shooting rock salt?

It seems most predators are looking for easy prey. Chickens are easy and fun. But a butt-load of rock salt might make chickens seem not worth it.

-- Paul Wheaton (paul@javaranch.com), January 28, 2001.


I sure wish you lived around me, then if my dog was found shot I would condem whom I suspected, the neighbor who came to my house and complained. Then I'd probably retaliate and shoot one of your horses, or your cow,or goat. You wouldn't have many friends in this neighbor hood if you started shooting. And believe me, good neighbors know everything that goes on. SO YOU GROW UP AND SET AN EXAMPLE!Think of the repocussions your actions might have. It's understanable to be upset, and I would be too. However this is not the grown up way to handle this.

Yea, you might be a bitch (not calling you one) to your neighbor, but you told them about the problem and it continues. All your other neighbors will respect you for handling it in a MATURE way. Go out and kill his dogs and if all the other neighbors catch wind and they will, you'll be marked. They will start doing little things, like throwing beer cans in your yard to dead animals. You'll surely regret your actions, right or wrong.

We have a neighbor around here that shot a couple of dogs, and I don't know the whole story, but most neighbors will not talk to him, (I do however, though I don't support his actions) I know some are waiting for his longhorns to break the fence, I can imagine why.

Do what you want too. I'd call the dog warden, or sheriff.

Oh, I'm about as Rural as you can get. GROW UP!

-- hillbilly (internethillbilly@hotmail.com), January 28, 2001.


Shau Marie, You are resonsible for protecting your livestock. The manner in which you do that will vary with the situation. We live only one mile from city limits and often would get "dumps" and city dogs that would pack. The sheriff said to shoot when they are on our property, then present a bill for damage to the owner (if found). A close neighbor knew his dog could cause problems if it got loose. He gave me some 22 shotshell and asked me to pepper his dog with it if the dog even came near our place. Some people try to be good neighbors and some don't. Guess it is just a fact of life.

-- Nancy Bakke-McGonigle Mn. Sunset (dmcgonig@smig.net), January 28, 2001.

Ok, we want this discussion to calm down and not turn into a zoo like some other threads have. A person asks a question and then someone starts calling names, then someone calls names back. I see where this is going, so let's please get back on track. Hillybilly i have not shot any dogs. I am taking replies from other homesteaders and just deciding what is right for me. I take all advise equally.

I heard the neighbor dog in the field and i calmly went out and let my dog Brutus out. He is mid sized and solid muscle, A mixed breed with a scary growl and strong jaws. I never let him run for fear that he will be shot. Well he tore after the dog and i heard growling and a big yelp. He scurried home. I called Brutus and he came right home, job well done. I have not heard from the neighbors, but it has been 9 hrs. and i haven't seen any of there dogs either. I don't think it is a solution, but it doesn't hurt to try.

-- Shau Marie (shau@centurytel.net), January 28, 2001.


Shau Marie,

I know someone else suggested this but I will say again. Is it possible to put electric fencing around your place? Just one strand low is all that is needed to keep out predators (and keep in most livestock)

One of my neighbor's dogs got shocked climbing into my goat's pen and hasn't tried again although they come to the barn that isn't electrified. My neighbor thinks it's okay for her dogs to come by my house and thinks it's funny that they chase my chickens, saying they can't catch them anyway. I call her when I see her dogs but I don't always see them, just missing chicken food (licked clean) and footprints. (When they see me, they run because they know a crazy lady will chase them with a broom.) She just says she's sorry and she tries to keep an eye on them. I don't want problems with this one neighbor especially if one of my animals should ever get out.

I've decided to put electric around the barn in the future just for this reason. It will make things inconvient for me but hopefully will solve my problem. (It keeps bears away too)

Good luck to you

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), January 28, 2001.


Schau Marie- I forgot to add one thing. Contact their insurance agent and file a claim against thier homeowners policy. Insurance reps can be very persuasive when it comes to behavior modification.

-- ray s. (mmoetc@yahoo.com), January 28, 2001.

We had one of our neighbors' dog kill one of our Guinea Hens. Once the dog amde the kill they started coming back and pestering our goats. Since we moved out here the dogs had been bugging all of our animals. So we got a hunting slingshot,then when we saw the dogs we'd shoot at them with the slingshot. After we got them in the back a few times,they started to slowly stop coming at all. Anyway,the slingshot was pretty affective. You should consider it. :-) Hope I helped!

-- Cosmic Country Girl (CosmicCountry@Yahoo.com), January 28, 2001.

After what you said about catching the dog hanfing on your goat's neck, yes shoot it. Make sure you are shooting a dog that has actually been trying to kill your stock though, not just some harmless mutt wandering around. Most real country folk operate in this manner, and if my dog was chasing stock, I'd want them to shoot it. If they didn't I'd shoot her myself. It's open range here, if anyone shoots livestock, there are some heavy fines and reimbursemnet to pay. All the same, I respect my neighbors by keeping my animals well fenced. If you want to be really fair and nice about it(which it sounds like you have been already to a fault),catch any trespassing dogs and chain them up, and call the sheriff to take the dogs away. A time or two of having to pay fines and trying to explain themselves to the sheriff might be enough incentive to keep their dogs fenced. We've had to shoot dogs before, and yes we now have a reputation for it. As a consequence, our neighbor's vicious Rottweilers are now fenced very securely. Before, they were attacking people in their own yards! I don't care if they don't like it, I wouldn't want to be close friends with someone who thought it was cool to have a stock killing dog. And I've had to nurse a goat dying from a dog attack, and don't ever want to do it again.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), January 28, 2001.

Hi all,I wanted to throw 2more cents into the ring and then let sleeping dogs lie as it were.It was not my intent to inflame the situation on the board.However I do resent being called an immature idiot by an individual that obviously does not know of what s/he speaks.Nuff said on that.The reason that I reposted was to address something that I think can cause real problems both physical and legal.Using rock salt,bird shot,wrist rockets etc. while at first blush may seem like a nice non-lethal way to disuade errent canines.It is bad policy.You run the risk of wounding or maiming a dog by these methods.You can all well imagine how dangerous a wounded aggressive canine would be running at large.A second problem is legal.Most jurisdictions are very clear that it is acceptable kill dogs caught in the act of killing stock.On the other hand loading fidos ass up with rock salt will almost certainly get you charged with animal cruelity.(as well you should be)And you have made a hurting angry dog for someones child to run afoul of.This brings me to another thing that stood out to me in the above posts.That is the catching of the culprits for return to the owners or to turn over to animal control/legal authority.Bad idea.The dog is likly to savage you once he realises what you are up to and you would have very little legal recourse against the owner.The law would say you should have known better than trying to approach and restrain a strange dog.Ask yourself.Are the kind of people that habitually let thier dogs run at large also the kind of people that see to it the dogs are vaccinated against rabies?Are they the sort of people that will reimburse you for your stock loss?(how do they replace a childs pet with money)I think not. They are irresponcible,that is why the problem exists in the first place.It is a very sad and unfortunate thing to sometimes have to destroy a problem dog.It should only be a last resort.It is also your responsibility to do it when it becomes necissary.It is a very small transition between chasing and killing chickens and goats to chasing and killing a human child.Unfortunately some folks don't think that far outside of the box until it happens.It isn't the dogs fault he is a hunter and an oppertunist.It is what he evolved to do.As a former paramedic I have picked up the pieces of children attacked by dogs.None died, but the scars, loss of sight and trauma will be with them forever.The animals were almost always problem animals.Given the choice,I'll pull the trigger and take the consequences every time.Yeah, guess I need to grow up.Hope I never do. God bless you all and hug your kids.

-- Greg (gsmith@tricountyi.net), January 28, 2001.

MY grandfather taught me that dogs that don't stay home aren't worth having, So " nope haven't see any dogs today, maybe day before yesterday I was busy tranplanting a rosebush, but none today."

-- Thumper (slrldr@aol.com), January 29, 2001.

Guess I'll throw my 2 cents worth into the fray here....I posted on an earlier thread about the dog problem I was having. Trying to be nice rather than shooting the dog (and this is a nasty tempered dog) I called the sheriff's dept. and had a deputy come out and talk to the neighbors. First, they lied to him (he didn't buy it) and second, they said they'd keep their dogs contained. That lasted a few days. The dogs are now out frequently, and the one that's been my biggest concern is coming over again and has again threatened my daughter. Worse, they are letting the dogs out to run at night, apparently thinking we won't notice. (Dog was in my yard at 3 a.m. this morning.) The only reason this dog isn't dead is because we haven't been able to get a clear shot at him without endangering our own animals or shooting toward the road. But, talking to the neighbors has done no good, calling the sheriff out hasn't had any effect, so now I will SSS. I hate to, I really hate to, but I will not see my daughter or granddaughter bit or my animals killed. I have no other solution.

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), January 29, 2001.

After loosing 15 sheep to neighbor dogs, 2 last week, my response has become pretty simple. Shoot them! and let AnimalControl pick them up and notify the owner. I don't try to determine the intentions of a stray or wandering dog, because in the long run it always ends up the same -- I lose animals. If people are so irresponsible as to let their dogs run all over the place, then they run the risk of finding them dead.

If you are not comfortable with that then have Animal Control trap them and haul them off. Around here, Animal Control is pretty worthless so we don't bother with them. Good luck!

-- jennifer (schwabauer@aol.com), January 29, 2001.


Amanda your hen isn't worth 15$?? How much did she cost, and then the grain till she was laying, you have now lost production of one egg a day for at least 2 years, than 1 egg every other day for at least 1 or 2 more years. Thats like 90 dozen eggs at 1$ per dozen. Or how about replacing her with a chick that takes all that grain, electricty for the brooder etc. etc. Devalueing your own stock is the quickest way to homesteading bankruptcy!

Oh! for it to be as simple as to call the Human Society or the pound, I am certain they would laugh and say you live where? The Sherrif will try to keep the peace, but the best bet for us was to take the neighbor to the constable, he shot a hog of ours, for superbowl sunday barbeque, after we won the judgement, we told him we didn't want his money, just wanted to point out the fact that we can and would win! Start with paintballs, if the neighbors still don't do anything after you identify the animal, than just kill it. Besides it is nice Hillbilly for your neighbors to have a healthy respect for you! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 29, 2001.


Hi Shau Marie.

Good fences make good neighbors. Perhaps you could offer to go in halfs with the price of cheap effective fencing (like low hot wire) with your neighbor. Tell 'em it will save your relationship. If their dog is caught touching one more of your animals you will shoot it, and that would be bad for your relationship.

I don't condone the unneccesary killing of animals, both mine and others. However, once that dog has killed it's worth of your animals, you should solve the problem in a humane way. Your neighbor eventually beating the dog to death would not be as gentle a passing as one well aimed bullet.

If you can catch the dog (ha ha) calling the sheriff is a great idea. If you can't, and fencing (skids are cheap) isn't an option, loose the lousy neighbor, shoot, shovel, and shut up.

I hate thoughtless people, it's a shame you have some next door. :-(

-- Marty (MRS.PUCK@excite.com), January 29, 2001.


Our farm is partially within the city limits of a very small town. When we first moved in the neighbors within the city limits would let their dogs run and they would come to our farm. All it took was one discussion with my husband telling them that IF their dogs came to our property again they would be shot. They have kept them contained ever since and it has been over 4 years. We did have a problem with some people letting their dogs run and we just spread the word (by way of a mouthy teen-ager) that we shoot stray dogs. It helped, but we did have to kill someone's pet that had one of our cats in it's mouth and tossing it like a rag doll. Haven't had a stray since.

Sometimes just the threat works wonders. I also like the idea of a claim against their insurance, that works too.

-- beckie (sunshine_horses@yahoo.com), January 29, 2001.


We have a constant problem with other folks' dogs on a daily basis...they are all over our property day and night, digging, leaving droppings in the drive, getting into the compost heap, etc. etc. We have spoken to our only next-door neighbor (five dogs here)..he chooses to do nothing. Last week, we began a campaign of keeping the 22 revolver handy..see dog, fire gun in the air...so far, they run home when the gun goes off. At $6000 to fence in the front two acres,(6 foot chain link for OUR dogs), it'll be awhile before we can resolve the problem with a barrier.The way our property lies, hot wire would not be feasible for the dog problem...my husband has made it clear to the neighbor that if his dogs continue to drive us nuts, we will stop firing in the air with the 22 and go for the dogs with the 12 gauge. Our Sheriff tells us that if a dog is on our property, we have every right to shoot it dead...about the only law we have out here is a leash law..your dog is not confined???? Your dog will end up dead. On any given day, there are at least eight dogs roaming through our land. Since we plan on livestock in the Spring (as well as the fence),SSS is the only way to go. I LOVE dogs, and it breaks my heart, but last week, a loose Rott was between me and my truck and he was not in a good mood...glad I had my gun..glad the dog took off when I fired it. God bless

-- Lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), January 30, 2001.

Any chance within range of pepper spray? or similar 'repellent' ?

j

-- j (jw_hsv@yahoo.com), January 30, 2001.


I'd forget the repellent for 2 reasons. 1 you need to get too close to the animal to use it (putting yourself in attack range). And 2 it may only anger the animal there by provoking an attack. It was a good thought though.

One person earlier mentioned paint balls. Good idea. Like a bb gun or sling shot, you have some distance & you can give a good sting without causing the animal to go on a rampage (like a wounded animal). Paint balls also positivly marks the culprit and not just with some color but sometimes with a temporary limp. This also discourages the animal from comming back. I suggest not telling the neighbors if you get a paint ball gun. Just wait till after you hit a dog, clearly marking it, then tell them you did it & next time it won't be paint. It the animal does damage to your stock, bill them. And don't under value the stock. They are worth more them starting cost (feed, vet care especially if wounded in an attack, etc...).

I would also recomend the hot wire mentioned many times earlier.

Good luck

animalfarms

-- animalfarms (jwlewis@indy.net), January 30, 2001.


I would like to thank you all for your suggestions and for taking the time to help with my situation. It isn't feasable for me to put an electric fence surrounding my land. I have 40 acres of woods, a river, and swamp to contend with. I will however put it around my pens. I love the idea of a paint ball gun or sling shot with acorn's, If i can get close enough to them. The warden and the animal control are pointless. To many dogs and they don't have the man power. I am very rural. I also could never get close enough for pepper spray, but good ideas. These dogs walk up my drive and climb my fences. I have talked to the neighbor's and i n=made my self clear, dead stock, dead dog and a bill to go with it. I have to prove it though. Paint ball time! I will not shoot the dog unless i have exhausted every option. I feel i am being more than fare. You have been very helpful. You are great people.

-- Shau Marie (shau@centurytel.net), January 30, 2001.

Its been my experience that it is pointless to waste much breath talking to bad neighbors who let their dogs run. I've hauled dogs off to the pound only for the owners to pick them up the next day and then accuse me of stealing the dog from their house. This was after several warnings. They were very aware that their dogs left their property and attacked other animals.

SSS seems to be the ONLY solution. An animal control officer once told me to tether and stake a chicken in my yard and set myself where I could have a clear shot at any dogs that came through after it. I invited some target practice buddies over, set up chicken, lawn chairs and ice chest, served picnic food and these guys got me 6 chows in 1 weekend.

Before I bought the place I am in, I talked to animal control and asked if there was a dog problem out here. He told me the only problem was that one neighbor shot any dog that came on his property. I had to ask, "Is that really a problem?"

Thank you SSS people for the safety of all our stock, pets and children. With you in the neighborhood, dog owners stay responsible and I don't have to shoot any dogs. I just offer to dig the holes.

-- Laura (gsend@hotmail.com), January 30, 2001.


I just wanted to say that the electric fence is a good idea, but doesn't always work. We have one, and what happens is that the dogs hit the fence, yelp loudly, and run right through it. They go about their business, bump into the fence again, and run through it again. It seems to require several episodes for them to connect the zap with the actual fence. It will defintely help, but should not be relied upon as a deterrent.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), January 31, 2001.

Dear Shau, As you can tell by now, having stray dogs or the neighbors dogs kill or injure your poultry and livestock is a pretty common thing. And I have to say that if I caught a dog biting any of my goats, it would be a dead dog, no warning, no telling the neighbor afterwards. A livestock guard dog will stop the problem without the use of guns, or sheriff, or lawsuits. You need a good one that knows it's job. If a dog bites you, you need to go to the doctor and they will notify the law. the dog will be quarratined and possibly destroyed even if it is not rabid. Most responsible dog owners do not want their dogs at the neighbors, I certainly do not allow my dogs to run loose. It is the irresponsible people who allow their dogs free run and it is too bad the dogs get killed instead of the owners!

-- karen (kansasgoats@iwon.com), January 31, 2001.

Couldn't possibly devote enough time to read all the posts. When dogs were harrassing the sheep at 3 in the morning, I caught the dog and called the owners right then. He never came back. When a particular dog killed several chickens for the THIRD time, he had some problems with lead poisoning, and having become a 3-legged dog, he never came back. Sometimes you have to be nastier than you want. GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), January 31, 2001.

Rebeka, How about putting peanut butter on the hot wire?

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), January 31, 2001.

I've read almost all of these posts and I'm really surprised at what you think your neighbors will do or what they have done[apparently for you to be so sure of the consequences of shooting a rogue dog]. I live in the country, there are no leash laws here so dogs can run free. On the other hand, according to the sheriff's office you can shoot a menacing dog on your property. I know someone who shot 3 dogs who had killed a couple of his calves . He got the first dog as the three were killing the first calf and he shot the other two when they had the other calf down but too late to save the calf. He told the owners of the dogs and both families were very apologetic and did not know their animals were running amok. One family offered to pay for his losses. I know that if I had an animal that was harrassing someone else or their property I would take care of the animal myself. Meaning I would shoot and bury it if I could not guarantee that my dog would not bother others. I have had to destroy a dog I really was attached to because it would not quit killing my chickens. I tried every method anyone suggested but none of them worked. I finally had to bite the bullet and send her to an early grave. Dogs like that are just not worth keeping.

We have always tried to fence our property with Sheep and cattle fencing with a couple strands of barbed wire at the top, this does not guarantee no strays on your property but it does help cut down on the problem.

-- Artie Ann Karns (rokarns@arkansas.net), January 31, 2001.


Lots of good advice and I can see the reasons behind all the differing points everyone's making. That's why you really need to make up your own mind about what you will do. I won't tell you what to do, but will tell you what works for me.

I found out the laws concerning this where I live and have copies on hand (no leash law, can shoot to kill if hurting or killing livestock). The first time I see a dog here, I find the owner and tell them NICELY that he was on my place chasing livestock and that there's a man nearby who won't come tell you ~ he'll just SSS. If the dog comes back, I shoot with rock salt. Yes, a dog in pain is very dangerous, that's why as I'm firing the shotgun, I have a loaded pistol in my back pocket and all kids are in the fenced yard or house where they'll stay the rest of the day. If the dog comes back to kill some more, I will have no choice but to shoot to kill, but I haven't had to do this yet (thank God!).

I hate killing a dog, though understand that it has to be done sometimes for the safety of livestock, children and yourself. I believe that it's really not the dog's fault ~ he's only doing what comes naturally. If the owner won't restrain him, then the dog needs to be taught that my land isn't a good place to be. That's where the rock salt comes in. But after reading all these posts, I'm thinking that buying a paint ball gun will be a good idea! It'll teach the dog and the owner all at once!

-- Wingnut (wingnut@moment.net), February 01, 2001.


Interesting suggestions from anyone. Except no one came up with the Great Pyrenees suggestion! This dog is totally different from other dogs, it will protect its place from ALL predadors, including neighbors' pet dogs or strays. No question about it. It may tolerate your other dogs already on the place if they are not aggressive. A very easy solution to the problem, a lot cheaper than all those fence ideas. A lot less time consuming than waiting for the right moment to shoot the intruders. Which, by the way, can't help it, all but the guardian breeds have the hunting and killing instinct. Hope this will help someone. Karin

-- karin macaulay (kmacaulay@co.brazos.tx.us), February 01, 2001.

I can remember my father putting Hi-Life on stray dogs.It was rubbed into the hair.This would always send the dog back home in a hurry.I think everyone kept a bottle of Hi-Life back then.

-- Bettie Ferguson (jobett@dixie-net.com), February 01, 2001.

Bettie,What is "High Life"?

-- Greg (gsmith@tricountyi.net), February 01, 2001.

I will do some checking and see if some of the oldtimers know it by another name.When I was a kid everyone had a bottle of hi life to put stray dogs on the road. You can put it on a dog but the fur had to be rubbed for it to work.

-- Bettie Ferguson (jobett@dixie-net.com), February 02, 2001.

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