Two years ago, new neighbors behind my home fenced their backyard, all 2 acres of it … very nice…
Next I see 2 magnificent golden retrievers and 1 spectacular Bernese Mountain Dog roaming their yard… very nice… I have neighbors animal friendly and seemingly responsible pet owners.
My personal dogs roam freely with no fence boundaries, but respond obediently when called.
Yesterday early evening, my one dog goes nuts barking at the rear window. Sure enough, the neighbors 3 dogs are also going nuts trying desperately to get to my flock that are simply ignoring them, doing their chicken thing in their secured run.
Great… the birds are too accustomed to dogs and do not see them as a threat…
I watch patiently and do nothing. I built my run and coop to withstand a 200-pound dog attack, just in case.
5 – 10 minutes or so, seemed like an hour later, both husband and wife come running through the woods yelling at their dogs that apparently have selective hearing.
After they leash their animals, I venture out to greet them.
One retriever obviously has a blooded paw. I sympathized as no animal should suffer. Culled, euthanized, dispatched, yes, but not suffer, and I offer assistance. The wife scowls at me accusing my flock of being an attractive nuisance, and made it known that it cost thousands to fence their yard and still her beloved show dog suffered a nail injury…
Her husband tells her to be quiet, not his exact words, to take her animals home, and lock the fence more securely. He genuinely apologizes and asks if there are any harmed birds or damage.
We assessed the coop and run together. The only visible sign of the attack by 3 near or over 100 pound dogs was some misplaced accumulated compost surrounding the run.
Relieved, I finally get to reap my reward for all my efforts and due diligence.
Good fences make good neighbors… not always but it sure helps…
Next I see 2 magnificent golden retrievers and 1 spectacular Bernese Mountain Dog roaming their yard… very nice… I have neighbors animal friendly and seemingly responsible pet owners.
My personal dogs roam freely with no fence boundaries, but respond obediently when called.
Yesterday early evening, my one dog goes nuts barking at the rear window. Sure enough, the neighbors 3 dogs are also going nuts trying desperately to get to my flock that are simply ignoring them, doing their chicken thing in their secured run.
Great… the birds are too accustomed to dogs and do not see them as a threat…
I watch patiently and do nothing. I built my run and coop to withstand a 200-pound dog attack, just in case.
5 – 10 minutes or so, seemed like an hour later, both husband and wife come running through the woods yelling at their dogs that apparently have selective hearing.
After they leash their animals, I venture out to greet them.
One retriever obviously has a blooded paw. I sympathized as no animal should suffer. Culled, euthanized, dispatched, yes, but not suffer, and I offer assistance. The wife scowls at me accusing my flock of being an attractive nuisance, and made it known that it cost thousands to fence their yard and still her beloved show dog suffered a nail injury…
Her husband tells her to be quiet, not his exact words, to take her animals home, and lock the fence more securely. He genuinely apologizes and asks if there are any harmed birds or damage.
We assessed the coop and run together. The only visible sign of the attack by 3 near or over 100 pound dogs was some misplaced accumulated compost surrounding the run.
Relieved, I finally get to reap my reward for all my efforts and due diligence.
Good fences make good neighbors… not always but it sure helps…
