Why some people shouldn't own dogs...

[Mephibosheth1]

Happens often this time of year; the shelter Im interning at is probable full of escaped animals after all the fireworks last night. Even big dogs like that get pretty freaked out over the noise etc.

And almost all dogs have the POTENTIAL (not saying all do or will....please don't kill me) to eat/attack farm animals. And domestic dogs are one of the only species that will attack them just for the heck of it, without even being hungry. I think it has something to do with the domestication process that the connection between "hunt" and "food" was lost in the domestic dog.

Glad to hear that there is a happy ending on both ends of this; It's refreshing to hear about people who are interested in all kinds of animals (chickens...really?? o_O) and that the owners of the dogs are at least trying to care for them instead of just leaving them in the backyard while theyre on Vacation.

[KMG]

I'm glad things are looking up. I'm sure the owner would have been more than happy to buy you more chickens. However jumping straight to legal actions is not the answer. I applaud you for handling this well and not sinking into one of America's frivolous lawsuits before talking to the dogs owner. Why people can not simply ask for the responsible to make the accident right is beyond me. Not very neighborly and a good way to start a feud.

I also commend you for realizing dogs are dogs and even the sweetest ones still enjoy hunting and killing. Living in the country my dogs always brought use gifts including our chickens if they got out.

[Evenstar]

Glad to hear everything is turning out all right!! I totally agree with you about irresponsible dog ownership, but it does appear that this was quite possibly an honest mistake. I respect you deeply for not blaming the dogs. So many people - even animal people - would blame a bully breed like that no matter what the circumstances. Most often, the dogs are not to blame - only ignorant people.

No matter what, I am very glad to hear your chickies are back! They look good! I hope Dot heals up well and quickly for you.

[DooLittle]

I'm so glad the rest made it back ok! Fingers crossed for Dot! She needs a little chicken medal.

[SlitherinSisters]

Aww Dot took one for the team, lol. Poor chickens I do hate that people let high prey drive dogs run loose. I'm sure it was an accident in this case, but people need to take every precaution with breeds that will kill small animals.

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[Annarose15]

Quick update - Dot seems to be doing pretty well. She's content to sit in her carrier in the kitchen all day, but is eating and drinking, and strongly disapproves of the meds getting syringed down her throat twice a day! A fight is always a good sign, IMO. Sadly, this isn't the first chicken I've nursed back from an animal attack, so I have much more practice at administering than she does at fighting me off! I make a point to handle each of my girls occasionally, though, just so experiences like this don't have the added trauma of "Why is the human TOUCHING me?!?!" Hopefully I'll have halfway-healed pics of her to share next week.

[sorraia]

So glad your girls made it!!! Glad you understand dogs enough to realize that's just what they do sometimes. I really hate saying this... but if it were my dog (before she underwent aversion training!) they wouldn't have made it. That dog of mine killed a neighbor's chicken who came into our yard, and another one of mine who made it out of her yard. I worked on aversion training and now she's great around the chickens, but I would never trust her alone if I could help it. Her prey drive is extremely strong (pointer/staffordshire mix).

I was having an issue with a neighbor not long ago. Their dog HATES other animals. Killed one of her owner's cats, then kept trying to get into my yard to attack my dogs. She actually succeeded in getting into my yard three times - once while my dogs were inside the house (thankfully) and twice while my dogs were outside, but after we put up a double fence (thankfully! that second fence kept her from being able to reach our dogs). I was worried sick she'd get into my yard when I wasn't home and attack my chickens, horses, or goats. We kept talking to the neighbor about it, and all he ever did was put a chain on her, and then she'd slip her collar and dig into our yard again. He finally rehomed her (apparently it was his ex's dog, but when they broke up she left the dog behind... he isn't much of a dog person, prefers cats).

[SjbReptiles]

I hate when people let dogs loose!! That when stuff gets screwed up like this! I'm sorry for what happened to your chicken ):

[Annarose15]

Two-week update: Dot is healing well. She still has a good hunk missing out of her rear end, but got to go outside for the first time since the incident. She immediately started whipping the other girls back into line!

[treeboa]

That's a nasty wound! Looks like it's healing well, though. I hope she continues to heal well!