[Bright Raven]

The dog warden has given us some good advice. If the animal goes on to our property again and is not accompanied by the owner he will take it away and impound it for collection by the owner with a fine. He has also liaised with the police about the incident. I am still waiting for the police to get back to me. I am pleased that the issue has been taken seriously by him. I have just been on youtube trying to find film of spaniels jumping over fences. It seems that English Springers are very capable of making a jump over a four foot fence.

My next concerned will be for my ewes aborting, and also that now the dog knows where to hunt it's instinct will be to return if he is off the lead again. You know the bugger has also dug up my raised bed with strawberry plants in, I found the mess this evening when I was watering in my new fruit trees. A small extra to keep my blood boiling. Thanks to all for your helpful words, shared experiences and support.
Karen, I am sorry to hear about Boris and your chickens and turkeys. 

[Penninehillbilly]

would it be possible to get a security camera overlooking the area thru a bedroom window, they seem quite cheap now and would plug into a video recorder. on a long play setting you should get quite a few hours at a time.

[Henstock]

Should you find your poultry attacked by a dog, you may find the following links useful, these will provide you with all the legal information you will need to fight your case against the owner for recompense and also your legal rights in relation to dogs straying onto your land in the future.
For those who have questioned the information I have previously imparted, I know this information is correct and legal because it is what I used in my case against a dog owner to successfully gain compensation and also the matters I discussed with the Police following the attack in relation to my right to destroy any animal found worrying my livestock.
I sincerely hope none of you ever have to witness the devastation I did when I came home to find many of my birds dead or injured, but if you do, look here first as it will save you alot of the legwork I had to do when I was most upset.
To those of you who question my tone in replies, I believe you have taken a dislike to my writing style and take every opportunity to 'have a dig', you know who you are. And to those who tried to support me, thank you I apprieciate it.
Those who know me know that I will always try and help people in any way I can, if that ruffles feathers, so be it!

Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/1-2/28
Particular attention should be made to this section...
3 Interpretation and supplementary provisions. E+W+S.(1)In this Act—.
“agricultural land” means land used as arable, meadow or grazing land, or for the purpose of poultry farming, pig farming, market gardens, allotments, nursery grounds or orchards; and“livestock” means cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses, or poultry, and for the purposes of this definition “cattle” means bulls, cows, oxen, heifers or calves, “horses” includes asses and mules, and “poultry” means domestic fowls, turkeys, geese or ducks.

Animals Act 1971
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/22
Particular attention should be made to the following sections
3 Liability for injury done by dogs to livestock. E+W.Where a dog causes damage by killing or injuring livestock, any person who is a keeper of the dog is liable for the damage, except as otherwise provided by this Act
9 Killing of or injury to dogs worrying livestock. E+W.(1)In any civil proceedings against a person (in this section referred to as the defendant) for killing or causing injury to a dog it shall be a defence to prove—.
(a)that the defendant acted for the protection of any livestock and was a person entitled to act for the protection of that livestock; and.
(b)that within forty-eight hours of the killing or injury notice thereof was given by the defendant to the officer in charge of a police station..

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/199 ... troduction

Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Act 1991

DEFRA Advice On Dangerous Dogs
http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/dangerous/

[HappyHippy]

The dog warden has given us some good advice. If the animal goes on to our property again and is not accompanied by the owner he will take it away and impound it for collection by the owner with a fine. He has also liaised with the police about the incident. I am still waiting for the police to get back to me. I am pleased that the issue has been taken seriously by him. I have just been on youtube trying to find film of spaniels jumping over fences. It seems that English Springers are very capable of making a jump over a four foot fence.

My next concerned will be for my ewes aborting, and also that now the dog knows where to hunt it's instinct will be to return if he is off the lead again. You know the bugger has also dug up my raised bed with strawberry plants in, I found the mess this evening when I was watering in my new fruit trees. A small extra to keep my blood boiling. Thanks to all for your helpful words, shared experiences and support.
Karen, I am sorry to hear about Boris and your chickens and turkeys. 

Ach, he's a dog doing what comes naturally unfortunately (and he's done it again  down to one turkey  thankfully the turkey is going to live with Lil just til Xmas  )
Sad though it is, it proves that once they've done it once.................

I'm glad your warden is taking it seriously, but it's a shame they need to wait til 'next time' 

[mmu]

It's the neighbours from hell again!  At least you have the phone messages as some kind of proof.  If anything should happen again (and I hope it won't) take photos, preferably on a camera that records date, and preferably of the dog doing the deed.  I also feel sorry for the dog as it is being blamed for bad behaviour which it should have been prevented from doing when it was a pup.  It's always the people to blame.  Best of luck!

[Barrett]

Hi guys, I have had similar problems, the lady that rents the field next to mine for her horses lets 2 rescue German pointers run wild they have come onto my property several times that then ends in a dog fight with my 2 jack Russell's and 1 chihuahua who has a pack  are pretty nasty, they chase joggers up the lane and just intimidate every thing however, I had 2 lambs that only had a week to go before finishing went out to the field on the Saturday morning and found 1 dead with a canine tooth mark in its side obviously I have no proof that it was those dogs but I did approach the woman and told that if I see her dogs on my land again I will shoot it, people that have working breeds of dogs and do nothing with them really annoy me as the dogs are bored and will go off and find there own amusement and usually that means what comes naturally to them.

[Rich/Jan]

Make sure you hurt them in the pocket.  If any of our stock was killed by dogs I would take it to the highest level.  Here in France we have the 'chasse' to contend with.  They hunt for deer, wild boar, rabbits whatever.  It is moves shoot it.  Most members of the chasse are reputable but unfortunately not all.  We always worry when lambing time approaches and get the flock in a week or so beforehand.  All of our land is fenced and electric wired but some of the small chasse dogs still manage to get in (with the help of their owners)!  Jan

[Bright Raven]

I have been to the police and seen a CSO to make a full report. They have offered to visit the dog owner and show him the relevant laws and talk through their responsibilities. Very supportive and helpful. Tomorrow I will ask if he has decided to compensate me having had a week to think it through. If he doesn't I will call the CSO to ask him to make a home visit. Henstock's links are very helpful. Thanks again to all who have pooled their experiences and thoughts.

[Henstock]

I'm glad the links were of help to you, the law is on your side.
How did you get on speaking to him about compensation today?

[Bright Raven]

He is avoiding me, will update soon. A part of me is concerned that he could start to complain about my cockerels in the morning or my sheep blarting which they do every time they see me but especially in the morning when I am the walking feed bucket. I do want to keep him on side if possible. It's a fine line when you are attached by your semi.

On the bright side if we start a noise war I will defiantly win. Used to be in a rock band and still have Marshall stacks and a PA system, not to mention a lot of Prog rock LP's. I could rev up Hocus Pocus by Focus or Free Bird by Lynrd Skynard at least 140dB's.

[northfifeduckling]

CCTV?
Our former neighbour's dog broke into the rabbit's pen years ago and beheaded the poor thing. Bl... terriers, bred for rabbiting. When she sent us the water bill I casually mentioned my daughter's distress - we never again paid a water bill. The new neighbours also have stray dogs but as they have their own hens I don't think we have to be too concerned - BUT
I wish there was still an old fashioned sling shot around, I was good with those as a kid! Aiming for the head I'd hit the rear, good enough 

[SallyintNorth]

When we'd have unwelcome 4-legged visitors, my dad used to put out an old metal dustbin with something tasty in it, somewhere it was easy for the marauder to jump in, lid off, in view of the kitchen window.  He'd watch out for the little thief, who inevitably would jump in and start munching.  Dad would creep out, pick up the spade he'd left there for the purpose and smash the spade onto the side of the bin, making the most almighty racket. 

Squeals, vertical lift off, all hair raised in all directions, scuttling legs and our friend would vamoose, usually never to visit again. 

And a lot of fun for all onlookers, too.   

[doganjo]

When we'd have unwelcome 4-legged visitors, my dad used to put out an old metal dustbin with something tasty in it, somewhere it was easy for the marauder to jump in, lid off, in view of the kitchen window.  He'd watch out for the little thief, who inevitably would jump in and start munching.  Dad would creep out, pick up the spade he'd left there for the purpose and smash the spade onto the side of the bin, making the most almighty racket. 

Squeals, vertical lift off, all hair raised in all directions, scuttling legs and our friend would vamoose, usually never to visit again. 

And a lot of fun for all onlookers, too.   

Ha ha - what a brilliant idea - safe and no harm done to anyone, no animosity to neighbours either. 

[robert waddell]

northfifeduckling      you can still get slings
annie no animositiy  if the pet owners were to see you doing this they would not think it funny

[SallyintNorth]

if the pet owners were to see you doing this they would not think it funny

Oh Robert, everyone thought it was funny.  It was Tom & Jerry in real life.  All that was missing was the 'scuttling' music to accompany the rapidly scrabbling legs.  If there'd been You've Been Framed in those days we'd have videoed it and got £250 a time!