Oh Erin! I'm so very very sorry!! And that jerk neighbor! At the very least he owes you the price of your poor little tortoise. An apology would have been nice too. What steps are you taking to be sure this won't happen again?

Yvonne

I am so very sorry to hear that.
I don't mean to be rude, but are you sure? Have you found the little tort body? If not maybe he/she is just hiding somewhere? I heard they are hard to find sometimes in a garden, especially when they are little. I'm trying to hold on to a sliver of hope.....

What are you going to do about the idiot neighbor and their stupid dog? I hope there's something you can do. Can you sue them, do you have any evidence that the dog did it? Always have your camera handy, so you can take pictures of the dog in your yard.

I am just so sad for you. Especially after I saw the picture of your tortoise.
I love my torts dearly and I cannot even imagine something happening to them.
I am very very sorry for your loss.

Em

I'm sooo sorry to hear of your loss. I fully understand!!! We live in the country, where there are no
leash or fench rules. Our neighbors dogs killed one of our calves, but we couldn't prove it, just
what the vet said, as it was different from a cyote kill.
My little torts won't get to be outside unsupervised, as these same dogs trap snaping turtles, red-eared
&painted turtles that move from the pond to the creek on our place. They don't usually kill them, I think
because these turts are good sized. But still the harasment goes on.
We have "talked" with these folks & things are better for awhile but then.........
I'm sure being in town you should have some recourse.
Again, you have my sympathy!
Kay

Hopefully the neighbor makes it right with you and keeps their dog confined from now on. I to live in the country and had a similar incident. A neighbor let his dog run free because it was country. Well this dog got into my goat herd and savaged 4 milkers. I own a .243 rifle for coyotes which worked very well on a shepherd cross. The owner called the sheriff on me and ended up paying vet bills and was informed if he took it to court would end paying for lose of income from milk ( it worked out to about 9 months milk production).

[quote=Itort]
I own a .243 rifle for coyotes which worked very well on a shepherd cross.
[/quote

Did you try to get the dog to quit attacking your goats before you shot it?

Oh believe me, my husband thought of doing the same thing. I just don't want to kill a dog for the neighbors ignorance or just not caring!
Our neighbors have several dogs + numerous pups.:0(

Yes, it was it was unhandleable and the goats ran into barn, so I shut door and got rifle. In Iowa dogs attacking livestock legally can be shot. After this I got Frank, the donkey, as a guard animal and never had this problem again. Unforunately none of these options can be used in city.

Most states the dogs can legally be shot unfortunately. So you shot the dog after your goats were locked in the barn? Why shoot the dog then? Why not be calling the sheriff then?

This post was last modified: 05-12-2008 08:17 AM by Jacqui.

PYGY, I too am so sorry for your loss. I know what a heavy heart you must have at this difficult time.
Unfortunately irresponsible pet owners are the problem; unfortunately your little Leo paid the price.
I would definitely talk with the dog owners and state your demands, 1) for them to pay for your Leo. 2) For them to truly secure their dog. It after it is their fault their dog got out of their yard and into yours.
Now looking into the future;
I would set up a secure enclosure-predator proof for your new upcoming shelled babies. Maybe even set up a hot wire around their pen for the dastardly little 4 legged beast in case he comes back. But a small Tort also has threats from above like ravens, hawks, owls or even Cats, skunks or opossums all of which dwell in the cities.
Again, so sorry for your loss.

There had been a problem with livestock in the section and neighboring one with livestock attacks (calves and sheep) and people had been warned to keep dogs under control. The humane society is not real responsive to problems in rural county and sheriff is unable to respond quick enough plus I was very angry. The dog was afterall semi-feral.