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You Don't Know Your Neighbors Until They Shoot Your Dogs

Saturday, July 02, 2005

You think you know your neighbors well enough? Your neighbors might be friendly people, but high-pressure situations can bring out the worst in us. Such is the case with this story.

In short, a woman's beagle and basset-mix got loose, ran down the street, entered a neighbor's backyard, and then proceeded into his chicken coop where they attacked his chickens. The neighbor shot the dogs with a shotgun. He ended up losing six of his chickens.

The first question one might ask is, "Why did he have a shotgun with him?". Obviously, he heard the commotion going on in his chicken coop, and probably thought a fox or coyote got in there. But when thrust into a panic situation like this, with chickens already down, he didn't have time to think rationally. Moreover, his mind was already prepared to shoot a fox or coyote.

Again, even if you think you know your neighbors, you really don't know your neighbors. The brightest people can do the dumbest things when put into a high-pressure situation. Be responsible with your dogs, and don't take folks for granted.

16 Comments:

  • This is really to bad.I belive the Beagle might have been the leader of the 2.But not the small dog why kill both of them.I have met a lot of organic Farmers (organic my self )and and the kindness and understanding in there heart would not of taken it this far.Being a Navy Vetern has nothing to do with a fast quick decision.THE DAMAGE was done!!!The women could of replaced the chickens.And the dogs going after the man son who knows what he had done to the dogs .Why does a man have to have a gun to raise chickens in the first place.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:16 AM, July 03, 2005  

  • CON'T
    From This is really to bad it happen.Electric Fences are no solution for any dog.They are bad for the dog and the owner.Most of the time they end up hurting the animal.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:57 AM, July 03, 2005  

  • Okay, I love my dogs, but I love my chickens too. And if the neighbor is going to let his dog endanger the pets of another person, he doesn't deserve to have that dog... *shrugs* I'm sick of stupid people owning animals. I've had too many of my animals killed by the neighbors' dogs. If you can't take care of your animal, the neighbor is going to take care of it for you.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:42 AM, July 03, 2005  

  • How is it that everyone is boo-hooing over the loss of the dog when it killed this person's pets? Are chickens not as important to their owners as the dog was to his? Are they a sub-standard species? The response that the owner could "just get some new chickens" is completely ignorant. The owner of the Beagle can certainly "go get a new dog" just as easily, can't he? Maybe he'll keep this one in his own yard.

    And on another note, what if it had been the man's child the dog killed, instead of chickens? Would you feel better about the dog being shot?

    Yeah, he could have taken another route. But I'm appalled that people are actually taking the dog owners' side. If my dogs killed the neighbors' animals because I was an irresponsible owner, I certainly wouldn't expect for the neighbors to happily turn the dog back over to me.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:45 AM, July 03, 2005  

  • The newspaper article clearly stated that the man that "murdered" the two dogs was planning to use the chickens as a business! A "business" is NOT a pet! I agree completely that the dogs shouldn't have killed the "chicks"....but I believe this man acted badly! I believe he, his son and most probably the "witness" aggitated the dogs into charging them. This must also be some "Red-Neck" hick town for the police department to allow anyone to shoot a gun at "anything" and then say "Oh that's perfectly legal"! He should be reported for animal cruelty!

    As far nas the "dogs" owner posting signs in her yard. She is within her legal rights!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:53 PM, July 03, 2005  

  • Some stray dog comes and kills my chickens. I will kill the dog. Then call the owner to come and get the dead dog. Then I will sue him to pay for the dead chickens. Period. Pets, buisiness animals argument is stupid. A pet is not allowed to kill buisiness animals or the other-way around.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:53 AM, July 04, 2005  

  • the dogs killed six of the chickens, which was probably a very unsettling sight for the man. i'm sure the scene was a mess, and i'm also pretty sure that the dogs wouldn't have just dropped the chickens and ran when the man showed up. most dogs i've seen get even more violent and possessive when a person tries to interrupt their feeding. so maybe we should try to understand the man's state of mind when confronted with that situation. i sure wouldn't try to wade in there and separate not one, but two dogs from their feeding/killing frenzy.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:32 AM, July 04, 2005  

  • I think he overreacted.I don't think I would've shot if I were the farmer.Chickens for a buisness and pet dogs are completely different.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:46 PM, July 04, 2005  

  • My boxer mix loves chickens. They are so yummy. When she lived on the farm, she would kill a chicken, one at a time. Killing 6 is a massacre. I love my dog (her love for chickens is why she's my dog now.) If I came home seeing my property being trashed by dogs, I'm not going to see if I can find the owners. I'll put a stop to it right now! He was right and the owner of the dogs is irresponsible and owes him an apolgy.

    By Anonymous Kathy, at 9:52 AM, July 05, 2005  

  • I LIVE ON A FARM, WITH CHICKENS, GEESE, DUCKS AND HIGH DOLLAR GOATS. NEIGHBORS BRING GROWN DOGS AND LET THEM RUN LOOSE, THINKING THEY WILL STAY ON THEIR PROPERTY!! WE PEPPER FIRST AND WARN THEIR OWNERS-THEN SHOT TO KILL, THE NEXT TIME.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:40 PM, July 05, 2005  

  • I'm not sure how the first commenter is able to ascertain that the larger dog was the leader... all dogs have prey drive, big and small. All dogs have the ability to kill anything. Size is irrelevant.

    E-fencing and collars are NOT a replacement for a REAL fence and adequate supervision. I don't think shooting the dogs was necessary, but the onus is on the owner to contain their animals (in this case, the dogs).

    By Anonymous rottnpagan, at 2:05 PM, July 06, 2005  

  • I will probably never find the dog that killed my two pet laying chickens. The dog attacked them in the middle of the night, pushing over the entire chicken house (that would have taken some doing!) and kept going until both were dead. Chickens are not as alert at night and disadvantaged. These were tame, loved creatures. If I had witnessed the situation I would have had no hesitation in at least air pistol fire upon the dog, (I don't own a real gun) knowing it would be dangerous to approach whilst it was killing/feeding. I know I cannot have pet chickens again because whatever dog did this will probably return one day to fulfill the taste it has now for chickens. I am very sad at their loss and feel like my home and property has been quite violated. What a stressful, violent way for the chickens to die, one of them ejected a half formed egg on the ground, which I found next to her body, so great was the stress no doubt. It was simply a murder scene that greeted me in the morning.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:04 PM, July 06, 2005  

  • We found the story about dogs in a mans chickens, and as people who own livestock, horses in particular, I can vouch for anyone who is sick of dogs in their animals...We once complained NICELY to a neighbor about a bunch of hounds howling constantly, and were rudely told off, so after MONTHS of listening to them, we called the local sheriff's dept, and that led to even more trouble, because one of the deputy's was a friend to the bunch with the dogs. To make a long story short, we wound up with "someone" trying to hurt or kill our horses, and our own dogs being terrorized with guns, all because we like to sleep at night...dogs are a real problem when people continue to let them become annoying and nuisances...there are too many in the world, and too many people who think debarking is inhumane...which it is NOT...it is kinder that them getting shot, or taken to a pound...or making someone lose sleep, or sanity...Responsible dog owner in Indiana

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:08 PM, October 27, 2005  

  • I'd sure like to hear from someone on how to train dogs who kill chickens how not to kill them anymore. Or is it once a dog tastes blood it will continue to keep killing when given the chance.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:09 AM, December 08, 2005  

  • How INCREDIBLY ignorant a particular poster is!!
    Chickens are "business" and dogs are pets??? What kind of statement is that?
    It doesn't MATTER what people have chickens for. WHY do I want YOUR dog on MY property? If I have chickens and your dog entered my property and killed my chickens, you better believe that the dog would either A...pay with his life. Or B. You will be bailing his furry butt out of the pound and would have to deal with the Animal Control authorities.
    I have both chickens and dogs, and will attest to the amount of money that gets tied up in these feathered creatures.
    Until you have your own chickens, paid with by your own money, cared for and fed with your money and time...DO NOT make ignorant statements such as the one you made.
    Fact is...the dog should NEVER have been on that farmer's property to begin with!
    I get so tired of irresponsible dog owners who think because they're in the country, they can allow their un-neutered dogs to roam freely, while making them everyone else's problem. (I know this is a city problem too).
    I don't hesitate to trap and remove....I've done it before, will continue to do it as long as dogs and other pests are a problem.
    Neighbors dogs can be a HUGE headache! Unfortunately, they're the same idiots who replace those furry yard ornaments when they go missing.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:47 AM, August 18, 2006  

  • Why can't dog owner's be responsible. I am. I have dogs and I love them. I wouldn't dare allow them to roam because I would worry for their safety.

    My neighbor's dog killed my favorite chicken and he only put the dog up for a month, and now he has 3 dogs who come to my house every day and wake me up looking to eat my chickens. Their howls sounds like screams. It is very disturbing especially at 4:30 am.

    Instead of allowing my chickens to eat bugs in my garden area, I have to keep them locked up, and I still fear for them even in a locked up area. It is not fair.

    By Blogger hayley3, at 4:18 PM, February 18, 2007  

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