05-12-2008, 09:03 AM
I also live pretty much in the country. Actually on the very edge of a village of less then 90 folks. We also have to depend on the Sheriff for protection and yes they aren't always johnny-on-the-spot.
I sorta see both side here and have been in both situations.
We had our first bunch of chickens/ducks/geese killed by foxes. Since we had just bought and moved chickens into a year where the foxes had their den the year before, I felt it wasn't the foxes fault. (and no, we found out about the fox den later)
Last year we had problems with coons going for the chickens. We bought a live trap, but then I started thinking. We had no idea if there were babies involved and I didn't want to trap a mother and have the young starve. Plus where would I take it too? The city? lol. Seriously I wonder about folks who bring their animals out and dump them in the country. Like country folks should be gifted with all the animals that have become problems? I spent the next two weeks sleeping in the chicken house, until we could build a fence covering that out smarted those coons. It was actually interesting seeing the wild coons up close, watching them think out problems, and seeing how hard they are to scare off.
We also have a dog problem in my village, which then create major problems for me. Two dogs which are great alone, but together cause problems. They tease my dogs by jumping/barking/acting like they are attacking them thru the fence. Doesn't stop there, they also go to my windows and do the same thing there.
Needless to say, we replace fencing, screens , and windows like they are going out of style. Windows are broken from both sides, mine trying to get to them and them trying to get to mine. Under the windows you can see the mud and claw marks from them. We tried many things. We can't place a fence to keep them off the side of the house (too close to the neighbors home). We ended up boarding some windows, covering all lower windows with contact paper to block views, stapled the heavy wire onto the outside of the house. We live in a war zone is how I feel.
Last week, while I was taking my son to school (his car died), the two dogs showed up. (I was told this by somebody else who saw them) They went to the house and started in on my dogs. The German Shepherd in the house managed/or they managed to loosen the board covering the window enough to get out. He jumped the two dogs. The fight was broken up. No animal was hurt thankfully.
However, they then called the Sheriff on my dog. My dog stayed in his own yard or within feet of it. He had just been in a fight and was clearly upset. Yes he probably did growl at the Sheriff, but then so would I. The Sheriff then decided he was a viscous dog and shot my animal, because it attacked their dogs. The two running loose and not in their yard, who started the whole fight are still running around enjoying the sunshine.
I can clearly imagine your wanting to kill the dog who went after you goats. I had my seconds many times of feeling the same way, before sanity returned. It's not the animal's fault, it's the owners. Dogs do get loose it's a fact of life. If the owner of the animal takes responsibility for it and atleast tries their best to keep the dog pen/tied/whatever I have no problem with it. It's the ones who let them loose for no reason.
Flip side I always try to remember is how would I feel if my animals got loose and were killed. (okay, so I guess I know this side now
). My neighbors should have the same rights to protect their animals/crops/land whatever the same as I do. How would I feel if one of my horses got loose and was shot for escaping. In this case it would be your goats.
True your goats might not be as life threatening as the dog, but it could create a car accident for example. Or maybe somebody is just scared to death of goats. Even non threatening animals can be threatening to some. I had an neighbor once who was scared of my tortoises. Not sure if it was the Yellowfoot or the DT. He was honestly afraid it would hurt my children.
I sorta see both side here and have been in both situations.
We had our first bunch of chickens/ducks/geese killed by foxes. Since we had just bought and moved chickens into a year where the foxes had their den the year before, I felt it wasn't the foxes fault. (and no, we found out about the fox den later)
Last year we had problems with coons going for the chickens. We bought a live trap, but then I started thinking. We had no idea if there were babies involved and I didn't want to trap a mother and have the young starve. Plus where would I take it too? The city? lol. Seriously I wonder about folks who bring their animals out and dump them in the country. Like country folks should be gifted with all the animals that have become problems? I spent the next two weeks sleeping in the chicken house, until we could build a fence covering that out smarted those coons. It was actually interesting seeing the wild coons up close, watching them think out problems, and seeing how hard they are to scare off.
We also have a dog problem in my village, which then create major problems for me. Two dogs which are great alone, but together cause problems. They tease my dogs by jumping/barking/acting like they are attacking them thru the fence. Doesn't stop there, they also go to my windows and do the same thing there.
Needless to say, we replace fencing, screens , and windows like they are going out of style. Windows are broken from both sides, mine trying to get to them and them trying to get to mine. Under the windows you can see the mud and claw marks from them. We tried many things. We can't place a fence to keep them off the side of the house (too close to the neighbors home). We ended up boarding some windows, covering all lower windows with contact paper to block views, stapled the heavy wire onto the outside of the house. We live in a war zone is how I feel.
Last week, while I was taking my son to school (his car died), the two dogs showed up. (I was told this by somebody else who saw them) They went to the house and started in on my dogs. The German Shepherd in the house managed/or they managed to loosen the board covering the window enough to get out. He jumped the two dogs. The fight was broken up. No animal was hurt thankfully.
However, they then called the Sheriff on my dog. My dog stayed in his own yard or within feet of it. He had just been in a fight and was clearly upset. Yes he probably did growl at the Sheriff, but then so would I. The Sheriff then decided he was a viscous dog and shot my animal, because it attacked their dogs. The two running loose and not in their yard, who started the whole fight are still running around enjoying the sunshine.
I can clearly imagine your wanting to kill the dog who went after you goats. I had my seconds many times of feeling the same way, before sanity returned. It's not the animal's fault, it's the owners. Dogs do get loose it's a fact of life. If the owner of the animal takes responsibility for it and atleast tries their best to keep the dog pen/tied/whatever I have no problem with it. It's the ones who let them loose for no reason.
Flip side I always try to remember is how would I feel if my animals got loose and were killed. (okay, so I guess I know this side now
). My neighbors should have the same rights to protect their animals/crops/land whatever the same as I do. How would I feel if one of my horses got loose and was shot for escaping. In this case it would be your goats.True your goats might not be as life threatening as the dog, but it could create a car accident for example. Or maybe somebody is just scared to death of goats. Even non threatening animals can be threatening to some. I had an neighbor once who was scared of my tortoises. Not sure if it was the Yellowfoot or the DT. He was honestly afraid it would hurt my children.