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Barnyard Buddies:  So tired of rural loose dogs!  |
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RedHoopWoman
True Blue Farmgirl
513 Posts
Kathryn
Yoder
Colorado
USA
513 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 16 2011 : 10:16:26 AM
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Yesterday I woke up to a rabbit massacre in my rabbit barn,I raise purebred New Zealand Reds and Champagne D' Argentes along with a few crossbreds,I had over twenty two rabbits,now after this one dog (who has done this before) got in,I am now down to eight rabbits and only one male and female of my New Zealand Reds.
I am so tired of this,over the years I have developed an extreme hatred of dogs because I have lost so many animals to loose roaming dogs,why can't people keep thier dogs confined or take responsibility when their dogs kill livestock?
I have heard the excuse so many times of "Oh,it's in thier nature to kill",well,it's in thier nature to do alot of things that people TRAIN out of them,why is it acceptable behavior for a dog to kill livestock but it's not acceptable for him to poop on carpet or chew furniture,these are arguably in his nature to do so why is livestock killing so acceptable to people?
I'm just frustrated,I'm tired of losing animals and having to dispatch dogs because thier owners don't care enough to train or confine thier impulse driven,slobbering idiot dogs.
I've spent my morning burning rabbit carcasses and so I'm very angry at the loss and tired of hearing people's justifications for the things that dogs do,I'm tired of people's love affair with dogs,I think it's time to clean up the neighborhood!
"Today's Mighty Oak is just Yesterday's Nut" |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2011 : 10:21:31 AM
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So sorry, Kathryn. Truly. I "hear" how angry you are, and it is totally justified. I'm a dog lover, but I'm also a responsible pet owner, and my dogs are inside, or in a fenced in yard.
Does your state have a livestock reimbursement plan or the county? A lot of rural counties, do--I worked for an animal shelter in a rural part of Kentucky, and unfortunately, folks just don't realize that a "leash law" is county wide, regardless of whether you have .5 acre or 500 acres! Our county did have a reimbursement fund, but it took a while to get the $$$ and some folks didn't think it was worth it, in the end.
Any animal control officers handy? I would keep up the heat and make sure you keep calling (and calling and calling) on these folks so that they're consistently fined until they either get rid of the dogs, or the dogs get taken to the shelter.
Again, so sorry for your loss.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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jclambert
True Blue Farmgirl
149 Posts
Judy
Stringtown
Oklahoma
USA
149 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2011 : 06:11:31 AM
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Kathryn, I'm so sorry about your animal problems. I live in a rural area also and people tend to dump their unwanted dogs and cats along the roads. We don't have a county animal control officer, so these animals are forced to fend for themselves if no one takes them in. If you know who they belong to, report the owners. They may be more responsible if they have to pay out some money. Please don't hate the animals for the persons shortcomings.
Judy
"Courage is when you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what". Atticus Finch - To Kill a Mockingbird |
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2011 : 06:56:59 AM
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So sorry for the loss of your bunnies. :( What a sad sight! Definately keep calling animal control if you can until the problem is fixed. I'm with Jonni; I love dogs and have 2 myself, but would take full responsibility for anything they did if they got out of my yard.
"The ideal equestrian has the courage of a lion, the patience of a saint, and the hands of a woman."
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amomfly
True Blue Farmgirl
658 Posts
Angie
LaGrange
IN
USA
658 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2011 : 4:26:53 PM
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I am sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you. I know the loss you are feeling.
God Bless
Angie-amomfly
#1038 |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2011 : 5:11:30 PM
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I'm so sorry your rabbits were killed by the laziness and thoughtlessness of your local dog owners and their dogs that they haven't bothered to train or keep penned. I know your anger and heartache over this .Sending warm hugs and sympathy.
I live out of town and have a lot of drop offs out this way, but by far my biggest problem has been local dogs left to run loose. I have temporarily given up on chickens after the last flock that were killed by roaming dogs, that was not the first time either. I have tried talking to the various dog owners, only to be met with lies and obnoxiousness. I have started catching any lose dog that I can and having the animal control take them away. I have done this to my neighbors dogs several times now, even though I could easily just take them back to their homes...maybe if the owners pay enough in fines, they will stop letting them run.
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Palouse Prairie Girls Chapter
http://palouseprairiegirls.blogspot.com/
http://prairiegirlsjournal.blogspot.com/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2011 : 5:46:47 PM
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I love dogs, but loose dogs are a menance. Not everyone loves dogs, and often times if they start running in a pack, they will get themselves into more trouble. I hope your county can do something to help protect you and your property!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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coloquilter
True Blue Farmgirl
214 Posts
Susan
Co
USA
214 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2011 : 6:02:04 PM
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I know it's hard , but remember , It's Bad owners that are the problem . I believe that there are people that are just not responsible enough to own dogs. i think there should be a way to charge the owners for your losses. Makes me very sad
Susan |
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Room To Grow
True Blue Farmgirl
974 Posts
Deborah
Kingston
Georgia
USA
974 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2011 : 07:31:14 AM
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We have seen about 5 dogs on our property in the last 3 weeks. I am glad we have 2 dogs that dont like to have other dogs on the property. But mine arent mean they are protective. I look on the craigslist and see alot of dogs that people say they found them on there property and dont want to just leave them to get killed on the road. One lady just found a Great Pyerness..And was giving it away..I would love to have her but I would have to double my dog food supply. I wish people would not get an animal if they cant take care of them.
Deborah
we have moved to our farm...and love it |
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Lindsay C
True Blue Farmgirl
117 Posts
Lindsay
Rogersville
AL
USA
117 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2011 : 4:14:03 PM
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I don't have a good solution for you. Just wanted to commiserate. We have had several attacks on our animals from loose dogs and it's always so heartbreaking and frustrating. We have had several instances where a pack of loose dogs have "stalked" our goat pen for days on end. It's super frustrating when people won't take care of their dogs. I also hate driving on my dark country roads at night and constantly fearing that I'm going to hit one with my car.
Lindsay
Farmgirl Sister #1452 |
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Betty J.
True Blue Farmgirl
1407 Posts
Betty
Pasco
WA
USA
1407 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2011 : 4:26:33 PM
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Is there any problem with trapping the dogs and taking them to the SPCA? I'm thinking of a Hav-a-hart type of trap or are those dogs too big for that sort of thing? I don't let my dog out in the front yard, but then we aren't in a rural area either. She uses the back yard and it's big enough for her.
Betty in Pasco |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2011 : 5:16:30 PM
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Have you caught the dog in the act before? If you have proof which dog is doing the damage, you might sue the owners in small claims court to at least cover your losses. If nothing else, it may make them take the issue more seriously. If these rabbits were part of your income, you would definately have a case. If the owners have to reimburse you for your losses by court order, then they will surely take care of the issue. Around here if a dog is running livestock it just gets shot.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran |
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henlady35904
True Blue Farmgirl
295 Posts
Kim
Gadsden
Alabama
USA
295 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2011 : 07:21:19 AM
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| I am so sorry about your rabbits! I am with you, my neighbors dogs lurches on the hill every morning waiting for my hens to be let out of their houses. One "chewed" through the pen and killed 5 of my best hens. I was hysterical...I loved those girls! |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2011 : 09:59:37 AM
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In almost all states , countys and cities, if a dog or any animal attacks your livestock, you have the right to shoot to kill, and the dogs owner will have to pay for all damages, including, future losses, such as eggs, babies that are to be sold or used for the freezer, etc...check your local laws, and if your town is one of the few that will not side/help you, then go to the 3 S's, shoot, shovel and shut-up...good luck
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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Melina
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Melina
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2011 : 12:57:48 PM
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I'm an animal lover, but I've gotten a bit hardened over the years to roaming dogs. If it can't be caught and taken to the humane society, I will SSS. We have zero tolerance for roving dogs. Luckily, I now have neighbors who are responsible and careful. Around here, a loose dog is usually coyote bait, even the larger ones.
The morning breeze has secrets to tell you. Do not go back to sleep.
Rumi |
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henlady35904
True Blue Farmgirl
295 Posts
Kim
Gadsden
Alabama
USA
295 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2011 : 06:42:12 AM
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| Thanks for the info...I have talked to my neighbor and he thinks I should put a new fence around my girls. I suggested he put his dogs in a fence. He says he can't keep them in a pen, so I guess my next step is the 3 S's. |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2011 : 09:34:43 AM
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Oh so sorry to hear about this!
I know how it goes only for us, we loose our chickens. I lost my tiny silkie chicks last week to a ferral cat.
It's so frustrating especially since it's a waste and nothing is eaten! |
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RedHoopWoman
True Blue Farmgirl
513 Posts
Kathryn
Yoder
Colorado
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2011 : 10:41:42 AM
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Hi Ladies!
Sorry I haven't been around much on the chat since I posted this,I did try to talk to the dog's owners,I have on multiple times and ended up being cussed at,called all sorts of names and threatened.
I chose not to call animal enforcement or the police and instead elected to eliminate the problem with both barrels of the shotgun,if they cared about him,they would have kept him home and I think if more livestock owners exercised thier right to kill roaming dogs then more people would be on notice of what happens when thier dogs are allowed to do as they please.
It may sound cruel to some but I've done nothing wrong,I'm of the perspective that livestock killing dogs should be shot,I gave this dog and it's owner a chance to contain him and they didn't take it seriously enough so he has departed from this world because of thier failure to abide by the law of the land.
I admit that I am not a dog lover,I have a very good dog that I am very good to because he does his best to watch over us and our stock but dogs are just not pets to me,I don't comprehend why anybody out in the country would keep one that wasn't good around livestock anymore than you would keep a horse that farts you off everytime you got on him,it makes no sense to me!
Anyways,thank you all for the concern,I hope it's all resolved now and please ladies,I'm not saying that shooting a dog is the only solution when your livestock is troubled but please don't be afraid to either,we have a responsibility to protect our animals from a senseless and painful death,if that means you have to put a bullet in a dog then there's nothing wrong with that,if I have an opportunity to save my animals by dispatching a dog,I'm going to take the shot!
"Today's Mighty Oak is just Yesterday's Nut" |
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AliciaNak
True Blue Farmgirl
405 Posts
Alicia
Elko
Nevada
USA
405 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2011 : 12:55:47 PM
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So sorry Kathryn!
I too am sick of loose dogs. There are a few around the neighborhood right now that will be SSS if they come around here again. Growing up my mom would catch any dogs that followed kids to the bus stop, lock em in the horse trailer and call Animal Control when she got to work. I've done that, but it they don't seem to really care about getting out here to deal with the problem dogs. I have big bucks in horse flesh out there, now we have a few cows, and all my chickens and turkeys, I just take the shotgun outside with me these days. I've even sat on the porch in the evenings and watched for the trouble makers. It sucks to have to be so....cruel, but I too am tired of being the one paying all the costs.
Alicia
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.~Ralph Waldo Emmerson
www.blondenak.blogspot.com
www.artfire.com/users/BlondeNakCreations |
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AliciaNak
True Blue Farmgirl
405 Posts
Alicia
Elko
Nevada
USA
405 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2011 : 1:02:55 PM
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Just read your last post Kathryn (I posted before without reading the 2nd pg). Growing up this was ranching country, it's a lot more subdivided now, but it was well known that if your dog was caught on the ranch messing with livestock he's be shot. It goes for anyone's livestock animals, any size of the property.
Too many careless owners, bring home the cute little puppy with the big brown eyes, give him 6 months and he's just another obnoxious mouth to feed.
Alicia
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.~Ralph Waldo Emmerson
www.blondenak.blogspot.com
www.artfire.com/users/BlondeNakCreations |
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rksmith
True Blue Farmgirl
858 Posts
Rachel
Clayton
GA
USA
858 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2011 : 5:12:03 PM
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If a dog comes on our property and doesn't bother anything I can live with that. If a dog comes on our property and starts harassing our livestock if I know how it belongs to I will let them know about it and to keep their dog fenced (our dogs stay fenced as well as our livestock so they bother no one)If it happens again the dog gets shot. If I have no idea who the dog belongs to it gets shot. Right now our farm is not our source of income (hopefully soon it will be) but rather a very deep enjoyment for us and I refuse to let someone else's irresponsibility be a problem for me.
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet. |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1149 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1149 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2011 : 7:44:51 PM
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It sure is sad when we have to take matters into our own hands and shoot loose dogs, but sometimes it's the only way to solve the problem. I am sorry, but if YOUR dog gets on MY property, now it is MY problem, and I'm going to solve the problem one way or another. I would fully expect the same treatment if the situation were reversed. If my dog was on another's property...well, whatever happens, happens. And that is that.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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BalancingAct
True Blue Farmgirl
297 Posts
Jackie
Hoosierville
USA
297 Posts |
Posted - Feb 24 2011 : 10:53:16 PM
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Kathryn, so sorry to hear of your bunny loss. : ( We have a problem with "wild" dogs in my area. People are having a bad habit of turning their dogs loose out in the country when they can no longer take care of them. I went to go look at some miniature horses recently. Right before I got to the farm, a pack of wild dogs got into the paddock and ripped them to pieces. Not a pretty sight. One of the dogs was shot and killed. The others got away. If you have already spoken with the neighbors and they "cannot" contain their animals especially after knowing the situation with the bunnies, then let there be a warning recorded with the local legal department(i.e. the Sheriff and your lawyer) that dogs not belonging to your property are fair game for a couple of bullets while they are "visiting uninvited" on your property. I had to do this with a neighbors pit bull recently. I talked with the neighbor, then I talked with the local county Sheriffs Dept. , the city police, and a lawyer to find out what my legal rights were for my livestock and my pets on my property. Then I let my neighbor know my stand on it and that if it was on my property again....fair game while on my property. Funny....I've not seen that dog since! Good luck.
#8206;"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2011 : 06:27:59 AM
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We look for the obvious collar first, then body condition, and overall demeanor.
So far, the dogs we have dispatched have all been 1. collar-less 2. bone thin or mangy 3. in tact males (non-neutered) and super hungry.
The last bad attack was 2 dogs, maybe 3 that tore into everything. They were so hungry, they started digging under the coop and pulling at the chicken wire. They were thin enough for us to see the ribs.
I almost feel bad for them, but the better solution is to end their mysery. Sad to know that no one will miss them. I also don't want disease potentially spreading to my own dog and cats
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dprovence
True Blue Farmgirl
55 Posts
Debbie
Little Rock
AR
USA
55 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2011 : 8:40:51 PM
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Kathryn, so sorry for your loss!
I work for a vet in the rural part of my county and EVERY day someone calls to see if we can take in a stray(or 3!!) that someone has driven out here and dropped off! If only we could catch some of these people. It makes me so mad and it's not the dogs fault it's the owners!!! I think they should be tarred and feathered!! The sad thing is that my vets office can't take all of them in b/c if we did then we would have to move out into the parking lot b/c the stray dogs and cats would take over the building.
We have had to use the sss method a few times around my house b/c my property butts up to a swamp and dogs stray in and kill my chickens. I finally got a 1/2 blue healer 1/2 catahoula named Dosey that won't let ANYTHING in the yard and we haven't had problems in about 2 years. It is sad to have to use the sss method but what are we supposed to do?
Huggs and Smyles,
Debbie
Farmgirl Sister #2636 |
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henlady35904
True Blue Farmgirl
295 Posts
Kim
Gadsden
Alabama
USA
295 Posts |
Posted - Feb 28 2011 : 07:02:55 AM
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| OK... I would love to hear some feedback. As I have posted before, my neighbor's dog has killed 5 of my hens. This morning I get home from work and what appears to be a dog has dug under both of my chicken tractors. The girls were locked inside, thank goodness, so no harm to them. I am thinking of having a sign made professionally that states "If your dog comes in my yard, it is subject to being shot" and posting around my property. Is this too tacky? |
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Barnyard Buddies: So tired of rural loose dogs! |
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So tired of rural loose dogs!
