Devastated after dog attack

[SeaSea47]

I don’t really have a question or anything - I’ve just need to vent to someone who may understand. I’ve had chickens for nine years, and I’ve lost many to predators but I’ve never had anything like this happen.

My flock of 11 hens get free time every evening with supervision. Sometimes my dad and me, and sometimes just one of us. This evening, we were all out, but my dad had to go inside, and I had my 15-year-old hospice dog with me. All the sudden, the chickens were screaming and flying everywhere. My new-ish neighbor’s very large, mean dog had gotten out and was chasing them.

I ran around chasing him and keeping him from killing the chickens for a good 20 mins while screaming HELP!!! Of course, no one came. He finally started to go for my dog, and I couldn’t let that happen, so I dove on top of her and he got one of my beloved Cochins. I watched him eat her alive. The look on her face was unbearable. Thankfully, she died fairly quickly after he came and take a second bite out of her. I was finally able to call my dad, and the owner came over shortly after, and the three of us chased that dog for another 20 minutes.

It took a while to find all the chickens, and we had to pull some out from tight space after it got dark. They seem okay other than a lot of missing feathers. One is still missing. I’m not sure if she’s dead or hiding. She seemed okay last I saw her so I’m hoping she’ll show up in the morning. But I feel so bad for that Cochin.

The neighbor was very apologetic and felt awful, but he said he’s not sure how to keep the dog from getting out. I’m honestly scared to let any of my animals out anymore. I have some feral barn kittens and ducks too. The ducks get free time in the mornings. The cats are going to get rabies shots tomorrow and sleep in the barn at night. When a natural predator gets a chicken, I feel like it’s my fault and kind of the circle of life and I know it’s a risk I take letting them have free time, but this just feels so different. It’s almost like we were violated.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent.

 

[bill3607]

I don’t really have a question or anything - I’ve just need to vent to someone who may understand. I’ve had chickens for nine years, and I’ve lost many to predators but I’ve never had anything like this happen.

My flock of 11 hens get free time every evening with supervision. Sometimes my dad and me, and sometimes just one of us. This evening, we were all out, but my dad had to go inside, and I had my 15-year-old hospice dog with me. All the sudden, the chickens were screaming and flying everywhere. My new-ish neighbor’s very large, mean dog had gotten out and was chasing them.

I ran around chasing him and keeping him from killing the chickens for a good 20 mins while screaming HELP!!! Of course, no one came. He finally started to go for my dog, and I couldn’t let that happen, so I dove on top of her and he got one of my beloved Cochins. I watched him eat her alive. The look on her face was unbearable. Thankfully, she died fairly quickly after he came and take a second bite out of her. I was finally able to call my dad, and the owner came over shortly after, and the three of us chased that dog for another 20 minutes.

It took a while to find all the chickens, and we had to pull some out from tight space after it got dark. They seem okay other than a lot of missing feathers. One is still missing. I’m not sure if she’s dead or hiding. She seemed okay last I saw her so I’m hoping she’ll show up in the morning. But I feel so bad for that Cochin.

The neighbor was very apologetic and felt awful, but he said he’s not sure how to keep the dog from getting out. I’m honestly scared to let any of my animals out anymore. I have some feral barn kittens and ducks too. The ducks get free time in the mornings. The cats are going to get rabies shots tomorrow and sleep in the barn at night. When a natural predator gets a chicken, I feel like it’s my fault and kind of the circle of life and I know it’s a risk I take letting them have free time, but this just feels so different. It’s almost like we were violated.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent.

You were violated, no doubt there. The owner of the dog being very apologetic is one thing, and it is good thing. However, being apologetic, no matter how much, is not enough. The neighbor stating they don't know how to keep the dog from getting out is unacceptable. They need, and should, do "whatever" it takes to keep their dog on their property and not killing others livestock. Absolutely, "ABSOLUTELY" unacceptable. They have to do what is necessary for this not to happen again. And, they owe you for the loss of your chicken at the very least for what has already happened.

 

[CoopBoots]

20 minutes while you screamed for help and had to defend your own dog's life?! I am so sorry. Unbelievable. If my dog did that I'd be groveling and buying the best dog kennel available, explaining in great detail how we will do everything possible to prevent recurrences or just rehoming the dog. What if it had attacked you or a child?! It's not okay that "they don't know how to prevent it". I'm afraid I'd be getting the polic/animal services involved. If they can't offer any better than that, neither you or your animals are being kept safe.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

So very sorry for your loss! I can't imagine how awful it must have been. Having had dog problems in the past, most recently last winter when the neighbor's dog killed 6 of my hens, I can recommend getting the dog warden involved. It's amazing how quickly they change their tune when visited by the animal control folks. The law is on your side should you decide to go that route.

 

[CHlCKEN]

The neighbor was very apologetic and felt awful, but he said he’s not sure how to keep the dog from getting out.

Don’t let your dog out alone and free if you don’t have a fence that can contain it. I mean, isn’t that obvious? Clearly it poses a possible threat to any animals and children in the area. Do not hesitate to demand they keep it indoors until there is a solution.

I’m honestly scared to let any of my animals out anymore. I have some feral barn kittens and ducks too. The ducks get free time in the mornings. The cats are going to get rabies shots tomorrow and sleep in the barn at night.

I would not let them out until you’re sure the dog isn’t able to come back.

When a natural predator gets a chicken, I feel like it’s my fault and kind of the circle of life and I know it’s a risk I take letting them have free time, but this just feels so different. It’s almost like we were violated.

You were violated. You neighbor should know that they cannot just let their large and aggressive dog out off leash knowing they don’t have a way to contain it. That’s stupid, selfish, and wrong of them. You have a right to feel that way.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent.

Hugs, so sorry this happened and that you had to watch so helplessly. I can’t imagine how that must have felt.

 

[CHlCKEN]

I can recommend getting the dog warden involved. It's amazing how quickly they change their tune when visited by the animal control folks. The law is on your side should you decide to go that route.

100%

 

[McChooky]

I don’t really have a question or anything - I’ve just need to vent to someone who may understand. I’ve had chickens for nine years, and I’ve lost many to predators but I’ve never had anything like this happen.

My flock of 11 hens get free time every evening with supervision. Sometimes my dad and me, and sometimes just one of us. This evening, we were all out, but my dad had to go inside, and I had my 15-year-old hospice dog with me. All the sudden, the chickens were screaming and flying everywhere. My new-ish neighbor’s very large, mean dog had gotten out and was chasing them.

I ran around chasing him and keeping him from killing the chickens for a good 20 mins while screaming HELP!!! Of course, no one came. He finally started to go for my dog, and I couldn’t let that happen, so I dove on top of her and he got one of my beloved Cochins. I watched him eat her alive. The look on her face was unbearable. Thankfully, she died fairly quickly after he came and take a second bite out of her. I was finally able to call my dad, and the owner came over shortly after, and the three of us chased that dog for another 20 minutes.

It took a while to find all the chickens, and we had to pull some out from tight space after it got dark. They seem okay other than a lot of missing feathers. One is still missing. I’m not sure if she’s dead or hiding. She seemed okay last I saw her so I’m hoping she’ll show up in the morning. But I feel so bad for that Cochin.

The neighbor was very apologetic and felt awful, but he said he’s not sure how to keep the dog from getting out. I’m honestly scared to let any of my animals out anymore. I have some feral barn kittens and ducks too. The ducks get free time in the mornings. The cats are going to get rabies shots tomorrow and sleep in the barn at night. When a natural predator gets a chicken, I feel like it’s my fault and kind of the circle of life and I know it’s a risk I take letting them have free time, but this just feels so different. It’s almost like we were violated.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent.

I hope your neighbor keeps it contained so you don't go thru this again.Sorry for your loss!

 

[Callender Girl]

First off, how horrible for you and your chickens! I'm sorry for all of you, and especially for the violent death of your Cochin while you had to watch.

Thank goodness you were able to protect your sweet, old dog.

I'm puzzled about the owner not knowing how to keep the dog from "getting out." Is it able to open the door, unlock a gate, unfasten its leash, jump a fence? Owner needs to IMMEDIATELY solve this "mystery" for his dog's sake as well as everyone else's. A loose dog is subject to being hit by traffic, shot by an unhappy neighbor, and/or attacked by another loose dog or a wild predator (coyotes have no aversion to ganging up and killing their "cousins").

I hope your missing girl returns and in good shape, and that all your other critters stay safe. Please keep us posted on how everyone, you included, is doing.

 

[Altairsky]

If it happened to me I would have killed the dog. I would either shoot it or impale it with my sharpened pitchfork.
I'm ready for it, there is already many idiots with their dogs, who come around my property, even in the mud, just to show my chickens to their dogs and get them excited. My property is fenced, but if any dog ever get through, it's a dead dog. Their owners can cry me a river.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Sorry for your losses. Usually I’m not one for calling animal control right off of the bat, but if you call and tell them that this dog attacked your service dog heads will roll. Attacking chickens while unacceptable is a prey drive, but a dog heading straight for a senior dog to attack shows an entirely different level of aggression that is a huge red flag. What’s next someone’s toddler?