Dogs Killing Chickens

[persephone]

yes,lizandel, - if you construct a goat proof fence- it will probably be reasonably dog proof Goats squeeze thru tiny gaps- the jump- they also will make crawl spaces under fences ....So someone who has valuable goats will certainly have a very well made fence

[OSoSwift]

Pewithers I have seen what two Anatolians can do to someone pigs in a short period of time, I am sure maremma's are capable of similar if they decided to. If your dogs roam and they get shot YOU are responsible for that.

Unlike other dogs, the Maremma is a guardian breed. Unlike other guardian breeds, the Maremma "tasks" as a last resort. Unlike a Maremma that is not raised properly, they are simply not interested in chasing down other animals.

I am excusing here the puppies that were overly playful with the penguins they were ignorantly placed to guard in Victoria.

The best, and classically accepted, description of the "the Maremma is 'aloof' -- disinterested but not inattentive.

To witness a Maremma's responses, on property in comparison to off property, is truly something to behold.

In three years, with adult and puppy dogs, they have had the run of five acres and the adjacent surrounds without incident.

However, I digress.

Purely, by chance, while out riding my bike, I found a fence that was an absolute masterpiece.

There were two paddocks for goats, one 150 x 25 metres and the other much larger.

The tension posts and stays were without exaggeration, Beautiful.

The square fence wire, parallel and perpendicular at all points.

A single strand of barbed wire ran 1200mm above the ground all the way around both paddocks.

I was shocked and stunned at the work that had gone into such a magnificent fence.

This is a dog fence.

My point is: if you are serious about protecting your livestock, then a half hearted, I'll just shoot the dog if it gets into my yard, is contemptuous of both the livestock and the dog or any other animal. I am not sure, that in the current environmental climate, we can afford that luxury any more.

So what about the 'chooks'?

The idiot should have shut the gate.

Lesson: don't let this person look after your chooks.

ETA I will get some pictures of the goat fence. It is something which should be shared.

So you still maintain that is ok for your dogs and anyone elses to roam in an area where others keep livestock??

Unbelievable arrogance, ignorance and stupidity.

Keep your dogs on your own land, that is your responsibility as a dog owner.

I haven't had a lot to do with Maremma's, there are some farmers here using them with sheep to protect against wild dogs of which we have a lot. The Govt has given the shire money to built a dog fence - which by the way would leave a goat fence for dead!

These Anatolians were bonded with livestock, they lived with sheep, goats and horses. The bitch had young puppies and the owner would not believe that her dogs had done it as the farmer could not catch them but had talen photos. at that time she was the only one in the district that had any flock guardians. They were also over 50kms from home. The did eventually return homesome days later. Fast forward a few months down the track and the were roaming even further afield in summer with grain trucks on the road. The bitch got hit by a truck and killed , the male was guarding her as you would imagine.

My dad was called as he was the closest to try and move the bitch off the road until there owner could come, he couldn't get out of the car. They were over 70kms from home. The owner had to accept her dogs were then roaming. another Anatolian here could not be contained onto her 200acres for whatever reason, but never worried anyones stock, that they know of.

My point is: if you are serious about protecting your livestock, then a half hearted, I'll just shoot the dog if it gets into my yard, is contemptuous of both the livestock and the dog or any other animal. I am not sure, that in the current environmental climate, we can afford that luxury any more.

Why should I have to pay for a fence that cost 5 times more than the fence I have which more than adequately keeps my cows in, because you cannot keep your dogs home.

I have lived on farms for years. In the last 12 years I have had Dobes, Staffords and Whippets. I have NEVER had a dog roam - not once. Why?? because they are appropriately contained. If they did and chased stock and got killed then I take the blame for that squarely on my shoulders

Edited January 8, 2011 by OSoSwift

[Tara and Sam]

Oh dear , this has turned into more than my question

the owner of the chickens lives in Alexandrina Council area which is not a rural property

more a residential neighbourhood

he has reported it to council and they will look into it further

I also rang them and explained a bit better as he was upset with what he found

the dog controller is going to do further checks with him and get him to sign a statement etc

they are trying to track the dogs as pretty sure it was same dogs who have been roaming

but also benifit of doubt as not seen doing the attacking

it was explained to me he did have the right to shoot them if they were killing his animals on his property

as explained to me via our conversation , describeing the dogs that were seen by neighbours roaming , there doesnt appear to have been other reports lodged as them killing or hurting anyone

it might have been their first time , none the less , the dogs should not be roaming to be able to do this

so , a report will be done and investigated to try and find these roaming dogs for everyones sake

We agree the dogs should not be roaming as they are

so hopefully they find the owners and alert them or take action to stop the dogs getting out

[shekhina]

Or load a trap with some specially prepared meat.

I hope you don't mean you would poison the dog. Dear god, that is sick.

I can understand people shooting a dog who is attacking livestock. Personally I cannot understand poisoning a caught dog in a trap. I find that quite disturbing.

[OSoSwift]

Or load a trap with some specially prepared meat.

I hope you don't mean you would poison the dog. Dear god, that is sick.

I can understand people shooting a dog who is attacking livestock. Personally I cannot understand poisoning a caught dog in a trap. I find that quite disturbing.

Agreed. If and animal needs to be euthanased then it should be very quick,baiting is extremely cruel and painful and I shudder to think anyone on here would even think of recommending it.

I hope your neightbours situation is sorted quickly and the dogs that did it are found quickly