fairy&cake Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Ross' boss keeps chooks, and last year the neighbours dog broke into her garden and killed the Cockeral and two bantams. The neighbour said he was sorry and it wouldnt happen again, [but in a MUCH ruder manner] Yesterday Ross came home from work and said: 'Boss' came into work today upset because that dog had got in the garden yestrday and killed 4 of her 6 chooks. Its a lurcher apprently. What would you do? 'Boss' is too scared to go to the police. But its not fair! The owner of the dog is a rich Londoner whos moved to the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 If the owner of the dog cannot keep it under control & out of the neighbours garden then I would go to the Police myself Imaging the hen owner had a bigger dog & it went next door & killed the Lurcher - there would be hell to pay,would't there? Its not on to allow an animal to kill other peoples pets,especially if it has happened before & you are aware that it might be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joojoo Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 That's awful. Lurchers are notorious for getting into people's gardens as they can clear six foot fences with ease A few years ago alot of pet rabbits in our area were killed after a lurcher got into the gardens and opened the hutches! Mad as it sounds my friend actually saw the dog trying to get into their hutch, fortunately they had a padlock on it! Anyway back onto the thread. If it was me and Ross's boss isn't getting anywhere by politely talking to the neighbour I would definitely go to the police. Whether they will actually do anything is a different matter but it needs to be reported. If the dogs owner is aware that his dog can escape from his garden then he should be doing something to stop it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 How awful Is it poss for the boss to reinforce the garden boundaries? I would maybe suggest they do report it has it has happened before. I cannot believe they would let it out unsupervised knowing what it has done in the past Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Im not sure TBH how much the police would do as it would prob be classed as a civil dispute. But certainly contact the council and ask them what to do. How is it that the dog is breaking in? do they not have secure fencing? If this is the ase then it could be demanded that they properly secure their garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairy&cake Posted January 18, 2008 Author Share Posted January 18, 2008 thanks gals. I didnt know that Lurchers did this kind of thing! She has a little boy, and imagine if hed had been out there when the dog came into the garden!!!! I told her to go to the Police but shes too scared, poor thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 definitely go to the police. has she spoken to the dog's owner yet? what did he say this time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairy&cake Posted January 18, 2008 Author Share Posted January 18, 2008 im not sure because ive never been to her house. Her husband owns and lives on a dairy farm, and i know there is alot of fencing, i think hes been jumping and climbing over the fence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Get a solicitor to send him a letter, threatening legal action should it happen again. That way you can be sure that the dog owner is well aware of the legal standpoint, and has been warned. Even if the dog hadn't killed or harmed any pet/livestock, the law would still be clear. The letter would cost, though, thats the only thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Definitely go to the police, especially if there is a child in the house. Lurchers are hunting dogs and if it has developed a habit of going into their garden and attacking whatever it finds, it will keep doing so unless controlled. The shock of the dog attacking the chickens would be bad enough, but the risk to her little boy isn't worth taking. If the owner won't discuss this civilly then the police are definitely the next port of call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairy&cake Posted January 18, 2008 Author Share Posted January 18, 2008 Thanks everyone. Its really been playing on my mind. i will talk to Ross when he gets back and get him to ring her. xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Why is she scared? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairy&cake Posted January 18, 2008 Author Share Posted January 18, 2008 i dont know really, i think shes worried things will get worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Lurchers are bred to chase hunt kill and retrieve, that is never going to change, they should improve their security around the chooks, what about foxes? I dunno these Londoners who move to the country eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clur Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Personally I would mention what would happen if the lurcher did this on farm land - I believe someone would be within their rights to shoot it. In my humble opinion it's the owner who should be brought to task! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 I think she may be able to mount a civil claim. The dog was trespassing and damaged her property. Invest in a dog watch? Paint the fence with that anti-trespass paint stuff? PM Mrs Bertie and ask her advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 I agree, they should tell the police so it's on record. Has this person offered any compensation? Hardly the point, I know, but it would seem only right and proper. I wonder if it's because it's "only chickens". Some people seem to not regard them as "proper" pets . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Your friend is entitled to expect to be compensated for the loss of her hens at the very least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joojoo Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Hi Laura I've just found this bit of information about the Lurcher. I think your friend should definitely go to the police, as it would seem that once they've started hunting they are unlikely to stop! "Like all dogs, they need to be cared for by taking account of their special needs. Greyhounds and lurchers have been primarily bred to chase rabbits and hares. However, they will often transfer this drive to other small animals (such as small dogs and cats). In addition to this, they have been selectively bred to be fast runners, making it possible for them to catch up with most prey animals. In some dogs, these traits have been encouraged and developed, as in the case of racing greyhounds or lurchers used for hunting. Once inherited traits have been developed, and the dog has learnt to enjoy the chase, little can be done to help the dog ‘unlearn’ this behaviour." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 I read this earlier and was fairly horrified at your tale. Irresponsible dog owners Since then I've had a chance to mention it to a Police Officer I know, but he was a little unsure of the legislation. Certainly it's all to do with the dangerous dogs Act, but he's not really up on that, and seemed to imply that it's something that most Police wouldn't have at the tip of their tongue, more a scurry off and check the books thing. In all walks of life unfortunately you'll find those who will gladly check out the legislation, and those that'll try to fob you off. But, I've just had a quick look at the dangerous dog act (1991, with amendments in 1997 & 2007), and it's long and boring , and focusses most on the four breeds of dogs banned in the UK, dogs that are considered to be dangerous in public places, and those that "worry" livestock in agricultural settings. In a brief glance I couldn't see anything about a dog moving from one private garden to another private garden. I'd recommend that your friend does have a longer look at this piece of legislation, even if it's only to quote at the neighbour as a bluff, and ideally can visit the local Police Station and suggest that they check it out and let her know if they can help. In that case though I'd lay on the hypothetical risk to a young child from a dog who's already found a few tasty snacks in her garden and has developed a taste for attack I'd still like to start a rant about irresponsible dog owners though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairy&cake Posted January 18, 2008 Author Share Posted January 18, 2008 thanks everyone. Ross has litterally just got home, and ill tell him to ring her. Poor woman is very scared, because the man apparently is very agressive. Ill let you know what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
