Two Chicks Down :0(

[julesapple]

We lost two of Morag's chicks today. I am totally fed up. Fed up doesn't cover it really.

The little girl next door came to visit the chooks, and left the gate open when she left and a dog got in. This is the first time that she hasn't rung our bell. We were home, but had various things going, like the ancient Kenwood mixer, and heard nothing until it was too late. We don't know who's Staffie cross type dog it was but it chased the chicks and Morag, caught one chick and just tossed it, it landed hard on concrete and was dead when we got to it, then the dog bit another before we could fend it off. That one died later.

My BH and our boys were wanting to wade straight in, but an unknown dog is a dangerous thing, so we all grabbed rakes, brooms etc. It took just a few minutes but it felt like ages. The dog ran off, but we have reported it to the police. I've talked to my neighbours and they'll talk to the little one about only visiting with permission.

Still got to tell my DD though. I knew I didn't want to hatch this year, just far too much going on.

Jules

[polo]

I am so sorry to hear that. You will remember the same thing happened to one of my girls recently.

You have done the right thing by ringing the police and by not tackling it yourself - I was very stupid and didnt think at all about wading in!!


Hope things turn around soon and DD is ok.

[Glutton4...]

Blimey Jules, that is awful. You can't blame the Dog, I know, but it's still upsetting. I bet the little girl will be upset too.

[Flummery]

Poor you - you are really going through it at the moment aren't you? You do get to the stage of wondering what else life can throw at you. Hope it starts on roses and chocolates soon!

[petal]

If it gets in again, get police/council? to collect it- dogs are worse than foxes - an attack is unforgiveable, no dog should be allowed to roam at any time, gate left open or not.

[julesapple]

I don't blame the dog, but I'm really furious with the owners. And, of course, it crosses your mind (later) that one of us could have been attacked when we were fending it off, even though it looked like it was having a great game and not on a killing spree.

One day I'm sure we'll have a dog or two, but it/they will never roam at will. There does seem to be a huge number of these Staffie type dogs around the town, and their owners all look a little....irresponsible....to put it mildly. The dogs seem to be a fashion accessory rather than a pet.

Jules

[Glutton4...]

I don't blame the dog, ... does seem to be a huge number of these Staffie type dogs around the town, and their owners all look a little....irresponsible....to put it mildly. The dogs seem to be a fashion accessory rather than a pet.

Jules

Check out any Animal rescue website; at least three quarters of Dogs needing homes, are Staffies and Staffie crosses. They are really lovely dogs (not my type, I'm afraid, but I do know several), but they have bad press due to the whole pit-bull thing. Still, it's taken the heat of the German Shepherd/Dobermann/Rottie brigade for a while.

[petal]

people usually get staffies as a status symbol. Then they get bored and dump them. They are no different to any other dog, its always the owners fault.

[BUFFS]

you know what they say about people who need a big dog as a status symbal,just waggle your little finger...........

[julesapple]

We know who the dog belongs to now. New people moved into the houses a bit behind our garden and it belongs to them. It escaped in the chaos of moving in apparently. We've also met their virtually feral cat today after it went for the quail in the 10 minutes they were in the garden whilst DD cleaned their run and house out. It mauled one that was a bit slow, and DD has now dispatched them all bar one (see General Chat Thread) As an introduction to new neighbours, this was an epic fail.

They were upset about the chicks and the dog seems lovely when you get to meet him properly. Sadly, they seem a bit clueless and they think the cat is hilarious in it's antics. They did flinch at the mauled bird though and have offered to put a collar & bell on the cat. I'm caught in a catch 22 situation now, as cat collars give me the heebeegeebees ever since one of ours nearly throttled herself in a tree before we could climb it and rescue her. I'm thinking I might buy them a proper quick-release collar as a compromise - we'd know if Tiger came in the garden and Tiger would be safe in her madness.

Jules

[Glutton4...]

My sympathies, Jules. A quick-release collar (Ginger Ninger told me about them) sounds like the best option.