Neighbours dog killed some of our chickens for the second time-what to do?

sillyruby · 01-09-2015 07:32PM #1

Title says it all really
The neighbours husky escaped and got in the first time and killed 3 of our pure breed chickens. I came home and the dog had a stand off with me. The neighbour heard my shouts and got him. I was upset but he was very apologetic and said he would put up electric fence etc. Partner said to keep the peace so we let it go.

Literally came home yesterday to the same scene again. Our garden is secure, the gate was closed and have an electric fence running around the side at the ditch then fence. He must have jumped it i dunno but I'm furious now. Neighbour is away and will be home Wed/Thurs (his relations/other neighbours) informed me.

I'm an animal lover and hate being put in this scenario but something needs to be done. Has any one any advice or what is a reasonable answer to deal with this?

minterno · 02-09-2015 10:42PM

very quiet? I think its time to stop worrying about keeping the peace and get on to the dog warden and inform him that there's a dangerous dog that need to be dealt with. hope it gets sorted for you, regards

tk123 · 02-09-2015 10:45PM

minterno wrote: »

very quiet? I think its time to stop worrying about keeping the peace and get on to the dog warden and inform him that there's a dangerous dog that need to be dealt with. hope it gets sorted for you, regards

Yeah I'd agree tbh. If they were sheep and not chicken would you have hesitated to call the warden OP?

FelineOverLord · 03-09-2015 09:21AM

sillyruby wrote: »

Title says it all really
The neighbours husky escaped and got in the first time and killed 3 of our pure breed chickens. I came home and the dog had a stand off with me. The neighbour heard my shouts and got him. I was upset but he was very apologetic and said he would put up electric fence etc. Partner said to keep the peace so we let it go.

Literally came home yesterday to the same scene again. Our garden is secure, the gate was closed and have an electric fence running around the side at the ditch then fence. He must have jumped it i dunno but I'm furious now. Neighbour is away and will be home Wed/Thurs (his relations/other neighbours) informed me.

I'm an animal lover and hate being put in this scenario but something needs to be done. Has any one any advice or what is a reasonable answer to deal with this?

I'd have been scared stiff if that happened to me. Call the dog warden or something a lot worse may happen. The onus is on the owner of the dog to be keeping the peace, not you.

kylith · 03-09-2015 10:58AM

And make sure you're well compensated for your loss. I know that money is probably the last thing on your mind, but some people only take notice when it hits them in the wallet.

Penny Tration · 03-09-2015 10:59AM

I'm in agreement with the posters above me.

Report the dog to the local warden as he's uncontrolled, and have the neighbours pay up for your loss.

kathleen37 · 03-09-2015 12:48PM

I was wondering what your neighbours have said - as hopefully they should be back now?

Are you chickens loose in your garden? I'm just wondering if this second time (I know you saw it the first time) it was defo the dog as foxes will take/kill chickens (and our ducks) during the day... actually - saw a mink take one of the ducks too once...

Sorry, not to take away from you losing the chickens as it's really horrid when it happens.

thierry14 · 03-09-2015 01:04PM

Huskies are incredible animals, highly intelligent and amazing athletes.

Honestly unless the owners are going to invest alot of time and even money, it's not going to end well for your chickens.

Siberian Huskies are known to clear 6 foot walls, clear 7 foot high fencing, dig, avoid electric fences, problem solving intelligence.

I make them sound like super dogs or something ☺

But they are not your average dog, pack animals, that are very hard to train, with a very high prey drive.

This dog doesn't know it's doing wrong killing your chickens, its his instinct from generations of breeding.

Surprised to hear the dog had a standoff with you, huskies are usually very good with people, but with food being involved it's actually normal for them to defend themselves and try and keep dinner.

Latatian · 03-09-2015 02:37PM

Is your relationship with the neighbour such that you can talk to them? Ask them for the price of 'replacement' chickens and that the dog be kept secured from now on?

Worth a shot to try and settle it amicably, I would say. But that depends on your neighbour and your relationship with them as to whether that is even an option.

Seconding that it could also be something else, we had dogs and foxes go after the chickens when I was small.

kylith · 03-09-2015 03:37PM

thierry14 wrote: »

Huskies are incredible animals, highly intelligent and amazing athletes.

Honestly unless the owners are going to invest alot of time and even money, it's not going to end well for your chickens.

Siberian Huskies are known to clear 6 foot walls, clear 7 foot high fencing, dig, avoid electric fences, problem solving intelligence.

I make them sound like super dogs or something ☺

But they are not your average dog, pack animals, that are very hard to train, with a very high prey drive.

This dog doesn't know it's doing wrong killing your chickens, its his instinct from generations of breeding.

Surprised to hear the dog had a standoff with you, huskies are usually very good with people, but with food being involved it's actually normal for them to defend themselves and try and keep dinner.

That just means that the neighbour has to build a better fence. IDK where the OP lives but if it's anywhere rural and the dog can get out then it may only be a matter of time before a farmer shows up at the neighbour's house with the corpse of the dog and a bill for dead sheep, or if it's urban it could be a motorist with the corpse and a bill for repairs to their car.

Nody · 03-09-2015 04:04PM

kylith wrote: »

That just means that the neighbour has to build a better fence. IDK where the OP lives but if it's anywhere rural and the dog can get out then it may only be a matter of time before a farmer shows up at the neighbour's house with the corpse of the dog and a bill for dead sheep, or if it's urban it could be a motorist with the corpse and a bill for repairs to their car.

Huskies would need a fully fenced in with fence roof and concrete floor for that to work.

keano25 · 03-09-2015 04:09PM

Nody wrote: »

Huskies would need a fully fenced in with fence roof and concrete floor for that to work.

https://www.google.ie/search?q=dog+run+fence&rlz=1CDGOYI_enIE590IE590&hl=en-GB&prmd=iv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMInMacr5LbxwIV6jHbCh2UNwFo&biw=375&bih=591#hl=en-GB&tbm=isch&q=dog+run+fence+panel&imgrc=s6XFIm5WfSRk9M%3A

This fence prevents escape.

PucaMama · 03-09-2015 04:16PM

Are the chickens loose in the garden? Did they get the dog before or after you got your chickens

Knine · 03-09-2015 04:31PM

keano25 wrote: »

https://www.google.ie/search?q=dog+run+fence&rlz=1CDGOYI_enIE590IE590&hl=en-GB&prmd=iv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMInMacr5LbxwIV6jHbCh2UNwFo&biw=375&bih=591#hl=en-GB&tbm=isch&q=dog+run+fence+panel&imgrc=s6XFIm5WfSRk9M%3A

This fence prevents escape.

+1 my little terriers also escape from the run the husky is in, in the video above.

the beer revolu · 03-09-2015 05:05PM

PucaMama wrote: »

Are the chickens loose in the garden? Did they get the dog before or after you got your chickens

What difference does it make when the OP started to have chickens on their property?

Some posters here seem to be suggesting that the dog owner is not at fault because of the characteristics of the huskie.
It is the owner's responsibility to do what ever it takes to keep the dog that they chose to own contained on their property - even if that means roofing the garden - whatever it takes.

Whispered · 03-09-2015 05:09PM

the beer revolu wrote: »

It is the owner's responsibility to do what ever it takes to keep the dog that they chose to own contained on their property - even if that means roofing the garden - whatever it takes.

This is all that matters. Many people responsibly keep dogs with never a problem because they care for them as they should.

PucaMama · 03-09-2015 05:19PM

the beer revolu wrote: »

What difference does it make when the OP started to have chickens on their property?

Some posters here seem to be suggesting that the dog owner is not at fault because of the characteristics of the huskie.
It is the owner's responsibility to do what ever it takes to keep the dog that they chose to own contained on their property - even if that means roofing the garden - whatever it takes.

and the owner of the chickens should also have the responsibility to keep them fenced in and not running free when they know a high prey drive dog lives next door

FelineOverLord · 03-09-2015 05:22PM

PucaMama wrote: »

and the owner of the chickens should also have the responsibility to keep them fenced in and not running free when they know a high prey drive dog lives next door

So what you're saying is neighbours shouldn't be allowed to have free range chickens because it's not fair to the prey driven dog next door

The Randy Riverbeast · 03-09-2015 05:23PM

PucaMama wrote: »

and the owner of the chickens should also have the responsibility to keep them fenced in and not running free when they know a high prey drive dog lives next door

Their responsibility is to ensure the chickens remain on their property, not to make up for the neighbors failing to do the same with their animals.

tk123 · 03-09-2015 05:25PM

PucaMama wrote: »

and the owner of the chickens should also have the responsibility to keep them fenced in and not running free when they know a high prey drive dog lives next door

Are you for real?! The owner of the dog is 100% at fault. The dog has gotten into the OP's garden more than once and killed their chickens. As I said earlier if it was sheep/livestock the dog would be dead. By your reckoning every farmer who's had sheep killed by dogs are at fault for not keeping the sheep locked up and the dogs out?!

the beer revolu · 03-09-2015 05:59PM

PucaMama wrote: »

and the owner of the chickens should also have the responsibility to keep them fenced in and not running free when they know a high prey drive dog lives next door

The chicken owners do have them securely contained on their property.
If the chickens were wandering into their neighbour's property that would be a different story.

PucaMama · 03-09-2015 06:10PM

im not saying its fair, im saying its something that should be done. protect the chickens more.

billion dollar baby · 03-09-2015 06:22PM

From reading the OP's post it seems like it only happened the once and the owners of the dog were fully apologetic and took remedies to correct the mistake. Now, the owners of the dog are away, so whomever was left in charge of the husky may not have been made aware of the extra measures in place to contain the dog and therefore it escaped.

It's terrible for the OP to lose their animals for a second time but perhaps having another word when the owners return may be best thing. You say you are an animal lover so I'd imagine the alternative would be something that you wouldn't consider lightly. Clearly whatever plans they had in place failed in this instance and they owe you for the cost of those chickens. Hopefully that will solve the problem once and for all and if not.....then you have to do what you need to do to protect your animals

CJhaughey · 03-09-2015 06:32PM

The question should also be asked, what the hell are people doing owning a husky if they can't give it proper exercise and time.
Having a dog like a husky locked up in a cage is a waste of a dog.
FWIW I have chickens and a dog but the dog isn't allowed to roam or attack chickens.
Its the dog owners fault 100% and if they cannot contain or manage the dog then its their own baby.
I'd politely demand that they compensate you for the chickens and warn them that they must contain the dog better, no matter who is minding the dog.

roadrunner16 · 03-09-2015 07:20PM

thierry14 wrote: »

Huskies are incredible animals, highly intelligent and amazing athletes.

Honestly unless the owners are going to invest alot of time and even money, it's not going to end well for your chickens.

Siberian Huskies are known to clear 6 foot walls, clear 7 foot high fencing, dig, avoid electric fences, problem solving intelligence.

I make them sound like super dogs or something ☺

But they are not your average dog, pack animals, that are very hard to train, with a very high prey drive.

This dog doesn't know it's doing wrong killing your chickens, its his instinct from generations of breeding.

Surprised to hear the dog had a standoff with you, huskies are usually very good with people, but with food being involved it's actually normal for them to defend themselves and try and keep dinner.

Well if they aren't willing to fork out for the facilities for the dog then they would need to get rid of the dog, If the dog dosent know better the owner should, especially after an incident.

03-09-2015 10:28PM

Have they had the dogs long OP? I'm not making excuses for them, it's entirely the owners fault that this has happened and I'm so sorry for the loss of your hens. However, a lot of people seem to have taken on huskies without putting any consideration into the work involved in them. They just seemed to become fashionable. Now my dog is only part husky and smaller than a husky too and she can clear a six foot fence. I'll hold my hands up and say when we rescued her we had no clue about this 'trait'. In the first six months she escaped from my parents garden 3 times, was gone for hours and got up to god knows what. In the last two years though she has not escaped once. This involved building the fencing up AND down into the ground. They are not a dog that can be left all day in the garden unattended because they do tend to find a way out. Just look at any rescue site and you're sure to find a few huskies that have been found wandering. It really is a case of trial and error and from your first post it sounds like the owners may have made some effort to improve things and now these people minding them failed to keep up those measures or that greater measures are needed. If they care for their dogs they should be able to find a suitable way to contain them. If not... Call the warden.

zoe 3619 · 03-09-2015 10:45PM

PucaMama wrote: »

and the owner of the chickens should also have the responsibility to keep them fenced in and not running free when they know a high prey drive dog lives next door

Disagree entirely.dog owner keeps dog on own property and has a responsibility to contain it.had the chickens wandered through the fence and been killed by the resident dog,I guess there would have been no comeback for the chicken owner.
Dog should not have been there,whether they keep chickens,sheep or toddlers.
If the dog is on there property killing livestock of any sort it's lucky not to be shot,especially not on a second occasion,and especially not if chicken owner had to have a stand of with it.

Milly33 · 04-09-2015 02:01PM

Talk to the neighbour again before reporting them OP. I get yes the dog came onto your property and eat the chickens, but I wouldn't say this is a savage attack it is just animal instinct... I would not be reporting the dog as a monster or anything. Its like a cat chasing a mouse.

As someone said the neighbours were away so whoever was looking after the dog didn't do a great job. Talk to your neighbours when they get back. Ask them maybe to replace your chickens and try and come to some resolve with them.

If it continues then well really it is up to you what you do, you can be lets say what in my mind would be go a bit drastic and report the dog to the warden, and the dog might be taking off which could lead to him either being rehomed or put down perhaps.

Or two keep the chickens locked in, so that if the dog does come back onto the land they are enclosed...

Ken. · 04-09-2015 03:11PM

Milly33 wrote: »

Its like a cat chasing a mouse.

If you had pet mice and the neighbour's cat came in your house and ate them you'd be ok with that?

Milly33 · 04-09-2015 04:54PM

Well I wouldn't shot the cat because of it...

Hooked · 04-09-2015 06:36PM

As the owner of two huskies, I feel for the dog. They're a highly intelligent breed, very trainable but as a few have said... are expert escape artists.

Couple that with the high prey drive - and it's a recipe for disaster, in your case.

The neighbours need to properly contain, and care for their dog. You need to get the warden involved. And be compensated for your loss!

Poor dog. Poor you.

Stupid irresponsible owners!!!

Neighbours dog killed some of our chickens for the second time-what to do?

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