stray dog

[francesbean]

we lost one of our chooks pippa to a stray dog this afternoon. I found maisie caught up in the netting,and roxie had run (or was chased) far along the lane.
Neighbours saw it all and came running but it was too late. I stroked pippa until the end and then buried her in a neighbouring field. The other two are looking for her, no happy sounds but at least they are ok, barring lots of lost feathers. Bloody owner didnt even apologise. If I see it loose again, its going to the dogs home. I dont blame the dog, its the owners, and this one deserves a better owner- they never take him out so its no wonder it escapes, and its not socialised so knows no better.

I miss her already, and would like to get them another pal - recommendations for good bath and somerset area breeders would be appreciated.

francesbean

[shirlthegirl43]

What a shame. The dog will have chased as it is their nature to chase anything that flees. We had troubles with one of our dogs (miniature dachshund) years ago killing the chooks. One day my mum got so cross she picked up the newly deceased chicken and belted the dog with it - he never bothered them again.

[Two_Sheds]

That's horrible. I know you wanted to give the chook a decent burial, but I would've liked to have given the poor corpse to the dog's owner to dispose of.

[JILLY JACKSON]

You must be gutted you poor thing f b.Could you get an ex bat perhaps?I must just go out and lock mine away.Let us know what you do.I've been told that you can be compensated by the owner but don't actually know the law on it,maybe someone on here will.It would be a deterant to the dog owner.

[Alice]

What a shame Francesbean. The dog owner should be made to keep the animal under control. You should report the incident to the Police. They won't do anything , but it will be loged as one against them and they might even get a warning.

[kirsty b]

Dog wardens are usually pretty good, also, maybe the RSPCA? They may be willing to send an inspector round to the owners to have a word. Might help the message sink in.
I would be mortified if one of my dogs got out and did something like that, then again mine are spoiled lazy lumps currently sprawled all over the couch!!
and I have a pretty secure garden.

[Two_Sheds]

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953
Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 the owner and anyone else under whose control the dog is at the time will be guilty of an offence if it worries livestock on agricultural land. The dog must have been attacking or chasing livestock in such a way that it could reasonably be expected to cause injury or suffering ....The definition of 'livestock' includes ...poultry.

The Animals Act 1971
Civil liability arises from the Animals Act 1971. Anyone who is the keeper of a dog that causes damage by killing or injuring livestock is liable for the damage caused Defra, UK - Animal health and welfare - Animal Welfare - The Control of Dogs

[Tomere123]

Im so sorry to hear about your poor chook There is a place called Nibley bird farm which is very good and quite cheap or there is tockington and may more around me (Winterbourne, South glos!)

Hope ive helped

Tom

[francesbean]

thanks all for your replies, esp 2sheds, its nice to know where I stand. I will be reporting it to the dog warden tomorrow. Ive since found out that owners were banned from keeping dogs some time ago (how long i dont know) and this poor thing is never walked and kept chained in lobby, so as soon as it sees an opportunity it bolts. There is also rumour of ill treatment.

thanks also to tomere123 Ill take a look at your suggestions. Currently 2 girls are dust bathing and seem to have recovered just fine -even had 2 eggs this morning. But it looks strange without pippa and i would like to introduce another.

francesbean

[Polly Fouracre]

If you know the qwner of the dog then you would be within your rights to demand the cost of a new hen.
No compensation for the upset, I know but it may well make the dog's owner think about their responsibility.

[russell]

Hi

Did you get any further with this? Would love to know the ending of the story.

[Hilary B]

What a shame. The dog will have chased as it is their nature to chase anything that flees. We had troubles with one of our dogs (miniature dachshund) years ago killing the chooks. One day my mum got so cross she picked up the newly deceased chicken and belted the dog with it - he never bothered them again.

This is a very effective method for persuading a dog that chasing chickens isn't fun. My 2 used to try to catch pheasants when we walked them in the woods, and occasionally managed to grab one. They stopped trying after 'the treatment', although they still like to make the silly things fly.....

[jamesp]

I have a lot of knowledge of dog behaviour, it is never the dogs fault but the owners.

Not only do they chase things that flee, ie thats why joggers can get bitten, it prob also went into prey mode with the chooks.

If the dog never goes out they build up a lot of frustration and pent up boredom and lots of nasty behaviours develop as a result, to a dog, walking at least an hour a day is as important as birds flying and fish swimming, in the wild they would walk / migrate with the pack for 8 to 10 hours a day looking for food and water.

While the above methods worked stopping the dogs I wouldn't recommend them as they are punishment rather than discipline, if you assert yourself as the dogs 'pack' leader then they won't attack anything as that would be the pack leaders decision in the wild, not the followers.

Very sorry to hear what happened.

[Hilary B]

The idea in smacking a dog with the bird it has killed isn't exactly punishment, it is taking the 'fun' element out of the situation, because the 'prey' fights back.
Many dogs have a very infantile 'mind basis' and grab things that flutter in 'play mode' rather than a true predation attack. That will not necessarily be stopped merely by having the pack leader nearby. Wolf cubs will 'play hunt' regardless of having Mum around.
Lots of dogs never attack anything, but it isn't as simple as 'pack leader didn't say so', especially if you take on a rescued dog, or have 2 at once, and one is 'not a team player', or make the mistake of laughing when he chases a cat out of the garden....

[Gwyndy]

Sorry to hear about your hen francesbean. Have you thought about rescue hens? A friend has 10 and the change in them in just a few months is quite remarkable - from timid, featherless wrecks to fully feathered and very cheeky birds.

Check out the Battery Hen Welfare Trust - Battery Hen Welfare Trust