kannie Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 This morning our neighbours (who we share a path with) had a visitor who brought her dog and no lead. The dog was curious about our chooks on the way in - I heard their panic calls - but on the way out it really went for them. Luckily they were physically safe inside their run, but of course they were completely terrified. The dog - a chunky strong little thing - ran from one side of the eglu to the other, as our poor chooks ran clucking to the furthest point trying to avoid it. And so they went on, backwards and forwards, for about 5 terrifying minutes. Of course the chooks didn't run inside the eglu, which would have meant I could have closed the door and ended the whole ugly episode The woman was extremely ineffective at controlling the dog, just saying 'come here big boy' 'I've got a treat for you little man' etc. I grabbed hold of it a couple of times, which wasn't easy as it had no collar and I didn't know if it might bite me. Finally she lifted it up (it was quite big for her) and I told her not to put it down until she was outside the gate (which I went to open for her, still in my PJs, slippers, etc ) Afterwards, I spoke to our neighbour, who told me the visitor was 8 months pregnant. I had no idea of this at the time, but it did explain her lack of dynamism in catching her dog, and didnt make me feel any better. I'd instructed her to carry this hefty dog the length of our garden! Don't think it excuses her for the lack of a collar & lead though: all the more reason to have had them. Sorry for this long rant, but I just needed to tell people who'd understand. And sorry not to have been around much recently: final (and also terrifying) semester at uni. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Hi Christine I hope your girls are ok? Don't feel bad about her being preggers, she should have had her dog under control! We always had our dogs on the lead, especially when visiting people! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara.F Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 and let's hope the stupid woman has better control of it if it starts on her new baby! being pregnant means she should be more careful not less! she deserved to carry it all the way home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Oh gosh Christine, what a horrible experience. Some people don't think twice about their dogs where chickens are concerned, do they. I hope your girls are OK after their shock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Poor chooks! Its not funny is it? I would let your neighbour know politely that you would expect people who bring dogs onto the shared path to have them on leads! Hardly unreasonable is it? I do hope your girls (and you) aren't too upset by the event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Hi Christine I agree with the above - it's inexcusable for people with dogs not to keep them on a lead in that kind of situation - you did exactly the right thing. Hope your chooks are okay now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted March 23, 2007 Author Share Posted March 23, 2007 Thanks folks - I hope they're OK too. They've lived a fairly sheltered life so far - not really used to dogs. They got quite spooked last week by what appeared to have been a cat vomiting outside the gate - went right off their food and stopped laying! No eggs today of course. Have given them porridge with rescue remedy in it, so hopefully they'll feel better tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz Steed Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Have given them porridge with rescue remedy in it, so hopefully they'll feel better tomorrow. I have that most mornings only way to get through the day!!!..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Have given them porridge with rescue remedy in it, so hopefully they'll feel better tomorrow. I have that most mornings only way to get through the day!!!..... Doesnt the rescue remedy turn the porridge a funny colour???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 What a nasty experience Kannie, for you and the chickens. Some people are just so well...stupid....there is no other word for it. Have the super soaker primed in case she comes back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 Have the super soaker primed in case she comes back. I would aim it at her,not the dog What a Muppet - all dogs should be on a lead & have a collar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 What a horrid start to the day for you I hope the lady learnt her lesson about the dog being on a lead and that the chooks lay for you today I thought collars were compulsory anyway karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 Yes Karen they are along with a tag with contact number too. Some people just dont have doggie sense! How are your girls today Kannie? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 Oh Kannie, what a nightmare. Hope the chooks are feeling perkier again today after such a big shock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 Christine, what a dreadful experience for you and your poor hens. I hope they've recovered today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted March 24, 2007 Author Share Posted March 24, 2007 Doesnt the rescue remedy turn the porridge a funny colour???? No - I don't think it did! They wolfed it down OK anyway! They seem OK today - thanks folks! Did spend a higher than usual proportion of their free ranging time sitting on the window cill though! Got 1 big & rather crinkly egg from Matilda, nothing from Maisy, but that's not unusual at the moment. So no lasting harm done, I think. Didn't occur to me till later though how disasterous it could all have been if they'd been out free-ranging at the time. I'm thinking that I should speak to our neighbour about visitors and dogs in general. Quite scary. Didn't know about dogs & collars - thanks for that. Makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 I'd speak to her, Kannie.......she would feel pretty dreadful if it were to happen again. You are entitled to feel that even though you have a shared access, that she wouldn't allow her guests, canine or otherwise to trespass on your property. Tell her that hens have quite a slender hold on life and shocks can really do for them. She might not realise this....I didn't before I had hens. Plus, if you or yours were bitten when trying to rescue your hens from her visitors dog, then the fall out could be very difficult for her and the dog owner. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 You weren't to know she was pregnant, but no excuse anyway. If theoretically it had been a dangerous dog and attacked a person it wouldn't be excusable.She could have not carried it or explained. Poor little chickies The cat vomiting and putting them off did make me laugh though P.S. good luck with your course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 25, 2007 Share Posted March 25, 2007 Have the super soaker primed in case she comes back. I would aim it at her,not the dog What a Muppet - all dogs should be on a lead & have a collar my sentiments exactly. No excuse for not having ANY dog on a lead or without a collar, some dog owners make me so angry....If an unleashed dog bites a child or another dog - then it always gets blamed on the dog and not the stupid owner. ALL dog owners have a reponsibility!! Hope your chickens are ok, bless them - it must have stressed them right out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
