dog or fox?

[petal]

a few days ago a 20 week brahma cross and a buff orpington went missing on the same day i found a light sussex pullet pullet dead but intact on the wrong side of the pen fencing(electric, wasn't on at time as I was getting ready to put away but got delayed) Yesterday our neighbours lakeland terrier was yet again in our garden(she says he runs off when she lets him off his lead) and had hold of one of our ducks- which we retrieved. another day he was caught digging a hole into the silkie pen. What do we think, is he responsible for the losses or is it a coincidence? We will be trying to dig down under the picket fence at the front of garden to put netting in where he is gaining access. There is only so much I can do, a fox i can deal with and the game keeper will lay traps and wait out to shoot it, but someones pet dog is a different matter. How do I approach this one? Why can't the owner be more responsible anyway?

[Two_Sheds]

I'd kidnap the dog for a day or so. Keep it safe, but in your garage or something until the owner realises he's missing, then let him go (before she calls the police )
She clearly isn't bothered about your fowl, but I bet she takes more care to keep the dog in if she thinks he could come to harm.

[petal]

If I wasn't friends with the neighbour, I would catch dog and call dog warden. This is the problem you see, when the game keeper lays traps, we will see who the culprit is, I guess.I don't want to point fingers either - its just foxes are pretty scared here due to the game keepers activities..!He is rather efficient.

[broadway]

Hello Petal,

Well if the neighbour is a friend surely she should understand??

It's not the dogs fault, have to broached the subject?

[Bramble-Poultry]

get a humane fox trap. they are like a large dog crate. you put in some bait, like a frozen chicken or similar (already dead of course) and set it. when the trap comes down you will know who the culprit is

you can then say to your neighbour "thought we had foxes killing our birds, so we set traps and caught your dog"

then you have legal right to compensation and possible controls set by the council over the "nuisance dog"

[RichmondHens]

Having seen your place Petal, unless the foxes are very bold and happy to hunt in daylight near to a road and neighbours I would suspect the dog as the culprit. The only solution is to approach your neighbour but I know this is difficult to do. No-one wants to fall out with their neighbours but if the dog is trespassing on your property then you have every right to complain.

[elizajay]

I'd kidnap the dog for a day or so. Keep it safe, but in your garage or something until the owner realises he's missing, then let him go (before she calls the police )
She clearly isn't bothered about your fowl, but I bet she takes more care to keep the dog in if she thinks he could come to harm.

His barking might give the game away...

[Polly Fouracre]

An electric fence will keep dog and fox away.

[Glutton4...]

I appreciate it is difficult, especially if you are on good terms with your Neighbour. You can't really tackle them unless you know it is there Dog, otherwise it is just speculation. I would say, set the trap. If you catch the Dog, then you have your evidence. It may also deter the Dog if he has a short sharp shock like that, too. Good luck.

[chris]

I'd approach them, I did with our neighbours cat who was a) messing all over my veg beds, and b) stalking my chickens. She just said "Yes, just give them a boot and they won't be back" - not everyone is the same, but it's worth a shot. The fox trap is a good idea too. I'd leave it in there for a while too, it might get the idea then.

[petal]

Problem is sorted. Neighbour is sick of the dog, ours is not the only place being raided. He is nearly impossible to keep in her well fenced garden and driving her mad. He is going to rescue centre this week. Thank god.

[Two_Sheds]

I'm glad your problem is sorted, but kind of upset that the problem is being passed onto someone else. (If people have dogs, they should train them, imo)

[broadway]

I'm glad your problem is sorted, but kind of upset that the problem is being passed onto someone else. (If people have dogs, they should train them, imo)

It's not the dogs fault

[petal]

Don't care about dog, it can become someone elses problem far away. Dog had a good home, food, walks twice a day. love. and all it did was try to escape from windows, dig under fencing, jump over fencing... plenty of dogs out there don't abuse the love they get from owners including our labrador.My neighbours dog has cost me a lot of money.

[broadway]

Don't care about dog, it can become someone elses problem far away. Dog had a good home, food, walks twice a day. love. and all it did was try to escape from windows, dig under fencing, jump over fencing... plenty of dogs out there don't abuse the love they get from owners including our labrador.My neighbours dog has cost me a lot of money.

Glad to see you and your neighbour are happy for see the dog (probably) be put down.

So she has admitted her DOG killed your chickens has she?