I need to vent and see what you guys think.  I got woke up this morning at 0730 by the wife yelling that the neighbors’ dogs were in the yard again. Now under normal circumstances, this wouldn’t be an issue; however, we own a farm and have horses, turkey, chickens and rabbits that we raise. I grabbed the .45 and ran outside and fired one shot into the ground. This set the dogs into run mode and they hauled ass down the driveway and crawled under the gate.

A little background; this is not the first time this has happened. We lost 9 turkeys to these dogs last year and a few chickens. Since then we have installed welded wire all the way around the fence line (12 acres) and for a while all was well. County has told me to shoot the dogs if they show up over here but we still have to live here as neighbors. Hell, the county has told HIM that we can shoot them.

Today’s death toll 2 rabbits and 1 Tom Turkey, so far. The Tom was named Stanley he was one of our two breeding Tom’s. I found him alive cowering in the bushes with his tail feathers gone and back  half eaten. I had to shoot him to put him down; he was suffering. For those of you who don’t live on farms, normally if you name it, you don’t eat it. At least that’s our rule.

 The rabbits were taken from their cages. The dogs ripped the chicken wire off and snatched them. We found them dead in the yard. They were nursing mothers and the babies’ are about 8 days old (6 of them) and we’ll probably lose them now also.

The wife is inconsolable because of this and the fact that the neighbor could give a crap, even though he says he does. We took the carcasses over there to show him what his dogs had done and he tried to blame it on coyotes, even though we chased HIS DOGS out of the yard.

I’m too pissed to type Cliff Notes right now. Thanks for letting me rant. Thoughts?

Jim,
I understand the idea that you have to live beside each other as neighbors, but if he doesnt have enough consideration for your property or pets, sounds as though he doesnt care about the circumstances he has created. At some point you will have to shoot the dogs, they will continue to come back every chance they get. They are animals and dogs are hunters. Its a shame because given a proper care and training I am sure the dogs could have been good pets. However it sounds as though they are well beyond that point. I feel sorry that you will have to shoot the dogs because it wont be an easy thing to do I'm sure. Best of luck with the situation.
Rodney

I can't believe that someone would be so inconsiderate to have his dogs come over again and again! Isn't it HIS responsability to fence or chain HIS dogs? If it was me, I'd shoot 'em like Rod said!

2 things come to mind...
Trap them and haul them off
Poison

Well...then again, there's the shoot them thing, too.
I grew up on a farm, so I know what yer goin thru. We shot everything that threatened the livestock...period. End of discussion.

I also live in the country. 3 months ago i was up at 0400 hrs and when i got in the vehicle the lights came on and I spoted four coyotes at the corner of the house I proceeded to chase them with the vehicle when they stopped i got out (prob not a wise move- but when I was much younger these animals would run) the animals started toward me at this time i made a tactical withdraw. the next day i purchased a new henry 38/357 rifle (any reason would have helped with the purchase decision) to day i saw the rabbits in the yard again. MY count is 4 fox and 4 coyotes now fertilizing the soil out back. wife likes to hunt the squirls and rabbits. ( last year wife killed 52 squirls, dog killed 8 squirls, I killed 6 squirls. 

That is a tough one..there really is no humane way to stop the dogs from destroying your livestock...one thing I do know is that once they get that fever for wild game they wont stop...I looked online for options..other than shotgun..one was using animal repelant like mace or pepper spray is to us..can't use people spray on them because they don't have tear ducts..it is extremely effective ..but you have to catch them in the act and not spray your own animals in the process..trapping with negative reinforcement..meaning set traps big enough for the dog to stand and be tight inside..once the trap shuts loud 110 decibel sirens lights flashing and vibrating walls scare the dog to the point of defication..they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks but this might actually work..I dought you would see that dog back again..oh and make sure your neighbor comes over and sees his dog on your yard..sorry to hear about the loss of the animals..but even more sorry for the dogs owner.
Rich

Take pictures and sue your neighbor for all the lost livestock.  Shoot the dogs and still sue.

I grew up in a section of rural land outside of Los Angeles.  The neighbors domestic dogs (several neighbors) would come out in a pack every so often and attack our chickens and ducks.  My brother and I were charged with scaring them away with our BB guns.  It worked but they always came back.  We were too young for lethal rifles.  Eventually, we gave up the  chickens and ducks, cost of feed, loss of eggs to other animals.  Just wasn't worthwhile anymore.

Jim,

Ive had the exact same problem that you have, hard to do, but I ended up shooting the dogs myself.  Sad for the animals, but once they got the taste of blood and knowning where they could get it, they kept returning.