SusieT Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 My two girls Amber and Matilda were free ranging in the garden this morning, something they have done for three years without problems. I was away from the house for an hour and when I got back the garden was covered in feathers. There was no sign of Matilda but Amber was hunched on the grass obviously traumatised but no obvious injuries. My first thought was a fox had taken Matilda but there have been no fox sightings around here. I put Amber in her coop and kept her warm, quiet and in the dark and checked on her throughout the afternoon. After a couple of hours of checking I was about to leave the garden to go back indoors when Matilda popped out from behind the playhouse! I was so excited. I couldn't entice her out as she was very scared so I had to squeeze in and get her. She was wobbly on her legs and had a lot of feathers missing on her back but was quite alert and had some mealworms. I put her in with Amber who was still struggling and thought it might pep her up a bit as the are inseparable. Anyway I was on the phone to Mum telling her the good news when a couple arrived at the door to confess that their Pointer dog had escaped from their garden and had attacked my girls! I was less than polite I must confess but at least they had owned up. And it turned out that one of them was a vet so she had a look at them and said just to carry on with what I was doing as there were no injuries. But when I went out to check on them again Amber had sadly died from the shock. Sorry this is long winded but I'm obviously very upset and it could have easily have been avoided. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Oh how horrible I feel so sad for you I hope this couple are going to attempt to make amends by making sure their garden is secure and giving you the money to get Matilda a new companion or two *hug* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 I'm so sorry, what an awful thing to have happened, poor you and Amber, hope Matilda makes a good recovery but I expect she will miss her friend. Some dog owners are so irresponsible, it makes me so mad and I have three dogs of my own. Sending lots of hugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 So sorry Hope Matilda recovers soon!! I think it was nice of the dog owner to come and own up, apologise and look at the chickens for you (im sure many wouldn't bother!) but still a horrible thing to happen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 What an awful shock, I am sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeloo Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 That is very sad, but at least they were honest and, I hope, will at least reimburse you for a new chicken. I've heard so many stories of dog owners who claim their dogs couldn't/wouldn't do such a thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizzyMomma Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 OMG! I am so sorry to hear this, having had to have one of my girls PTS following an attack from a dog a month ago I can understand how you are feeling right now, I hope that Matilda makes a full recovery from this, and if it's any consolation at all to you right now my Eva had horrid bites on her back too and is still with us...HUGE {{{{{HUGS}}}}} and thinking of you right now xxxxx P.S My neighbours eventually compensated me for the cost of my girl, but I had to involve the police and the dog warden before they did, they sent me a letter with a cheque, said letter was passed onto the police and Dog Warden who both told me my neighbours had done the right thing but that if it happened again their dog would be taken away as he now has "form" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindafw Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 such sad news {{{{{hugs}}}}} Well done to the dogs owner for telling you what happened, many wouldn't have. I am sure they are most distressed at what their dog has done and their lack of ability to control it (after all a dog can't help its nature). I hope you can get a new friend for your girl soon and begin to enjoy your chicken keeping again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 How sad, I'm so sorry. At least the dog owners did the decent thing but it's small consolation . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Horrid thing to happen. So sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 So sorry for your trauma and loss Did the couple leave any contact details? If was very honest, and good, of them to let you know what had happened - at least you won't be forever wondering about what/how/when. I'm not one to leave mine out when I'm not around to supervise them, but that is just my way of doing things - Mr Fox still managed to get my girls a year ago when I was sleeping though. ((hugs)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusieT Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 Thankyou for all your kind words and support. This morning Matilda is still with us but is very subdued. She wont come out of her nestbox as I suspect she is still frightened and confused as to the whereabouts of Amber. She is taking small amounts of food and water but only if I hold it up to her.She is going to need lots of love and attention in the next few days but I'm sure she is going to pull through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Must have been such a huge shock for her. Are you going to look for a new friend for her or is it best to wait? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusieT Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 I'm going to give her chance to recover before getting her a friend. Just been out to her again and she's stood in her doorway looking into space. It's pitiful to see, she is really missing Amber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 How awful for you - you thought a vet of all people would have their dog under control. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 That's so sad. So sorry. Sending you lots of hugs for you and your girlie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
