Missing Chicken

[so lucky]

Another neighborhood dog running loose, chased my chickens all over the back 40. One is still missing, after dark. I don't know whether she is lying out there in the soybean field, wounded or dead, or just too scared to come home. I think I know whose dog it is. I am going to pay the lady a visit tomorrow. That same dog was running the chickens this morning, while they were still in their yard. I ran him off then, but didn't know he was back this evening, till the neighbor alerted me.

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

i'm hoping she found a high place to roost for the night. you have any trees in the area or maybe check the roof of the coop to see if she could have flown up there?

 

[so lucky]

I checked the trees around the house, and the top of the coop. The last place the dog was seen nosing around, before he took off for home, was down around the pond, in the middle of the soybean field. There are lots of willow trees there. I'm hoping Scarlet found one of those. You know, I have some mixed feelings right now. Just today, I was working on fencing off a bigger area for the chickens, but it won't be as secure as the predator-proof smallish yard and pen we built a couple of years ago. The fence won't be as tall, or as strong. I am planning to put a small opening between the two pens, hopefully big enough for a chicken, but too small for an average dog to fit through.
I have some 3 week old chicks still in the basement, and trying to get things set up to divide the coop, and make it possible to keep the two groups separate for a while.
I just hope I am not setting myself up for failure, and chicken massacre. My DH is skeptical about my efforts, but going along with it.
On a different note, the missing chicken is the roost-layer, who breaks most of her eggs.

 

[dewdropsinwv]

Hope she turns up in the morning!!!!! I would not be very nice about things when you talk to them about their dog running loose. Is there a leash law in you area??? I'd report it to the dog warden also if there is a leash law.

 

[so lucky]

No, we're in the county. But there are laws that apply to dogs bothering my "livestock."

 

[Carol Dee]

Around here dogs that chase, bother and/or harm your livestock can be shot on the spot. And you will not face any charges. See if it is so in county and then warn the dog owner....

 

[Ridgerunner]

Ive had a chicken show up the morning after a dog attack, but frankly, not many. Its possible but dont get your hopes up.

Its almost certain it is the same dog. Thats just too much of a coincidence. Legally you didnt see it though and that makes a difference legally. Would your neighbor be able to testify it was that ladys dog? Definitely talk to that lady about her dog. You know it was her dog chasing them in the morning.

I dont know what the laws are in Missouri. In Arkansas and Oklahoma you have a right to protect your animals if they are being threatened or harmed. But you do not have the right to shoot or harm a dog that enters your property unless it is causing damage. Several months back two coon dogs treed a coon on someones property just over in Oklahoma. He shot them. They were not threatening him, his family, or his property. He had to post a $15,000 bond to get out of jail on an animal cruelty charge. If they had been threatening his family or his animals hed have been OK, but they were not.

If you do take drastic measures, grab a camera and document the damage. Protect yourself legally. If she is unresponsive when you talk to her or if you have another experience, it might be a good idea to report it to law enforcement, especially if you can identify her dog, just to get it on the record. If you get lucky, a cop may chat with her and let her know what you can do to the dog plus she would be responsible for damages. Sometimes its remarkable what a chat with a cop can do for some peoples attitudes.

You are innocent. Through no fault of your own, you are being put in a very tough position. You may feel like you are the bad guy or she may treat you that way. You are not the bad guy. That lady is probably not a bad sort either but she has a responsibility to control her dog.

About three years ago, an elderly neighbors husband died. Her granddaughter gave her a pup to keep her company. That pup roamed all over. It chased cows and calves and horses. I ran it off once from chasing my chickens. When I mentioned it to her son, he said shoot it next time. Really? Shoot a grieving widows pup? Her granddaughter is the one that takes care of my chickens when Im gone. That pup disappeared a few days later. I think her son or her nephew who lives in this valley took care of the problem we were all having. I honestly dont know if I could have shot that dog or not.

Some people may tell you to SSS, shoot, shovel, shut up. In some circumstances that can work real well. Ive shot stray dogs that were killing my chickens before. Didnt enjoy it but I did what I had to do. Where I live I can SSS. Neighbors arent that close and a lot of people around here target practice. If a neighbor told you that a dog was in your chickens, it sounds like you might be able to shoot and shovel, but you might have trouble with a neighbor handling the shut up. Thats why it may be important for you to document and report.

Good luck! Ive been there. Its not pleasant.

 

[897tgigvib]

I sure hope Scarlet is ok.

With that new thing you're building try to make some other escapes for the chickens, maybe some kind of high enough roof type structure that a dog can't get up on.

 

[so lucky]

I wouldn't want to have to shoot the dog, but there may come a time when it has to be done. The owner has sheep, and keeps a bunch of white dogs that reproduce and just hang around. I think they are supposed to be LGDs but they don't seem to be trained to do anything but feint an attack when anybody walks by the house. I used to love to take my walks up that way, but the pack of dogs are kind of intimidating, whether they would actually attack or just run at me.
I wish I had a paint gun. A big splash of paint on that dog might give the lady pause for thought. Or maybe not......I'm pretty sure she doesn't know her dog is a quarter of a mile away from home, chasing my chickens.

 

[bj taylor]

how awful! hopefully your girl is tucked in some corner & you'll find her tomorrow. I wish you the best of luck dealing with your neighbor and the dog. not a fun position to be in.