Before I get into the weekend goings on I thought I would just get this off my chest.
Massacre
Devastation
Trauma
Death
Dismemberment
Grizzly Carnage
Panic Stricken
Yes, these are all things I found early Saturday morning.
But let me start from the beginning. I was up early getting ready to head out to pick up Mama and Daddy. We were going to be going down to Columbus, Ga. to my youngest neices graduation party. Ian took the dog out when he got up. He came back in and told me I had two of my smaller young ones from the grow out pen loose over in the horses and cochins area.
Many of the chicks CAN fit through the wire fencing, but unless they are in a panic they dont do it. My first thought was WHY were they in a panic to be out. There is never a good answer for this question.
I went out and caught one Serama right away. The silkie chick was proving more difficult so I got Ian to help me out with that one.
When I went around and over to the grow out pen I saw what had happened. The wire had been pulled away and everyone was still inside, but there were many many less chickens in there. Remember that adorable picture I just took of my babies asking to be fed? That was everyone in the grow out pen.
It is hard to explain, I will have to take a pic of it to show how the pen closes up. I had one latch in the middle to keep it from pulling back. That was obviously not enough. The bottom was pulled back.
Now, I put the Serama back, Ian gets the silkie back in and I start to look around.
One Serama, dead in the pen. Looking out I see flecks of color in the grass. Mostly white. I go out to investigate. I have to go back and get a BUCKET to pick up all the pieces. This was for sport. This was a killing spree for fun. This was no predator. Nothing had been eaten. Only heads, legs, wings torn from their bodies. I shudder to think of their pain before they died. I was so upset as I picked up the pieces and placed them in the bucket.
Two of my wonderful sultan babies are dead. One of the silkie babies. Many of the serama, at least five. What can you do, its done now.
So it had to be a dog. Had to be a SMALL dog. Know why? NONE of the older chickens were dead. None of the Polish, none of the Americauna that were in that pen. NONE.
I cant prove it. But I KNOW it had to be that damn dog, that dog from behind us. The shoe stealing, kid biting dog. Remember? It has found a way to climb my fence. Had to. A wild predator does not kill for sport like that. When a wild predator kills, they EAT because it is a meal for them.
I am going to kill that dog if I find it in my yard. With my gun. Oh yes I am. And I am going to enjoy it. I am also going to enjoy throwing the body over the fence to rot until the neighbors decide to mow again and find the body in their yard. I am mad as hell, and I am not going to take it. Those sultan babies were my show prospects for February. Now I only have two instead of four. The serama were of the Class Bs, show quality. Now they are gone too. They don't care, they dont see. They are dumb hickerbillies that dont have any consideration for anyone else. Period.
I have one body missing. The silkie chick. I wonder if that stupid dog took it home to add to its collection of shoes. I wonder if the neighbors found the body and know where it came from.
Its secret recipe time too. Oh yes it is. One way or the other I am going to rid myself of this nuisance. I spent too much money on that fence to protect my animals to have some little crappy dog come over the fence and reak havoc in my yard at night.
Once the Emus are full grown, they will KILL anything that isnt supposed to be in the yard. I have already seen it happen. They ran that cat off. Trying to stomp it.
Why cant I just have some peace here? I can deal with the fact that I am going to have predators like fox and coyote. They are just trying to find a meal. But this, this was just a massacre for fun, that is all it was.
I am so mad and sad at the same time about this.
So I have gotten this off my chest...now on with the weekend.
Just a side note, it is legal here in my county to kill dogs on your property if they are caught harrassing or killing livestock. The owners of the dog cannot touch you. That is why I have to make sure it is on my land, and I will definitely document with pictures of the dog on the property.
9 comments:
Just put your holster on and kill the son-of-a bitch when you see him !
Jimmy
I don't blame you I would be mad and sick about all that destruction. They must be letting the dog out at night thinking you won't know about it. I am so sorry this has happened. Helen
Ok I have to admit...BEFORE I had chickens I would not like the fact that that poor dog was about to be bones BUT now that I have my babies here and see them and see how helpless they are I TOTALLY understand your point. I'm already NOT liking the neighbors black dog who I USED to like only because he reminded me of my poor bailey who we had to get put to sleep last year. This dog comes over and trys to dominate my dogs! He fights with Max and Max will back down because he's fixed and he's not a dominate type dog at all. My pom is dominant over BOTH tho...it's so funny! He will run both the neighbors big dogs off! It's sad that these people cannot keep their dog home but I think the dog will be better off if they are not taking care of him anyhow. You have to know where your dogs are at all times...it's your responsibility when your a dog owner. That is what I have to get through my sons head! He leaves the dogs outside unattended and they run off to the neighbors house...now I don't want their dogs in my yard why would they want mine in theirs!? I go out with them and watch them until they potty and call them back in the house. I would be just devastated if my dogs hurt someone elses animals! Now if my dogs can't be nice to the chickens they WILL be chained when they go out unless the chickens are in their pens. In fact I'm getting chains ready for the start of all this ;) I know better and I KNOW my boxer is a chaser of little animals...I'm not going to just trust that he will be a "good dog". It's a dogs instincts to give chase. Good luck getting that predator be it the dog or whatever it was!
It is really sad for you, the chickens and the dog that its owners don't do more to try to control where he is. You've tried to deter him. You've tried to warn them. Now all you can do is to protect what's yours. - Barbara
Let me get my gun and I'll be right over to help you. This hickerbilly doesn't care. I thought I was a hillbilly but if I had a dog that did that I'd put it down myself and be over there kissing butt doing whatever I could to show I truly cared and to make it right. On the other hand, my hillbilly self wouldn't let me dog roam like that. Is there any time to breed some more? I can't imagine how you must've felt picking up all those pieces of your babies. I cannot tell you how sorry I am. I do like your attitude. Go get 'em GF! I'm on your side.
Nelishia
http://journals.aol.com/nelishianatl/Prayingandbelieving/
I'm so sorry to hear this happened. You have such a valid point about the fact that we, living in the country, expect to have our problems with natural predators but a dog who is owned by a neighbor is a whole other story. Those people are ignorant and irresponsible dog owners. I didn't know Emus were so protective of their territory. Again, so sorry your poor birds had to go through that and you have to deal with it at all.
hugs,
Lisa
So sorry to hear this happened. John would come help you. He really gets upset when dogs chase his cattle. Any chance these neighbors will move someday or do they own. Sure not the neighborly kind. Paula
That dog would be dead if I caught it too! Linda
I hope the Emus kicks that damn dogs butt!!
I worried about coyotes with my tiny dogs, we lost about 5 cats before we gave up.
Sorry about your chickens, so sad.
debbie
Post a Comment