Neighbors have dogs they can't control now a barn cat is dead (UPDATE not good)

[Paks]

My neighbors are elderly and did have one dog, a border collie, type they are a nuisance (coming over during vet checks bit at horses tail when trying to trot out. Stalking horses on trail and lunging at them etc) but I could handle and deal with it. The dog didn’t listen to them, but oh well lots of people don’t understand how to get a dog to behave. They are in their 80s. Then the Humane society made things much worse. The couple found a stray Malamute and took it to the humane society. The humane society said they were full and could they foster it. Now who does that gives and older couple one of the most difficult to train breed of dogs that they have no experience with. Well 3 months later I guess the fostering has become an adoption and both dogs are roaming onto my farm for entrainment. This morning I saw the Malamute trotting across my lawn with a cat in its mouth. I ran outside but I could see no sign of it. How do I protect my barn cats from my well meaning but clueless neighbors dogs? Is there a guard dog that will guard cats and perhaps prevent this from happening again? I would go over and talk to the owners, but I have covid and they are elderly so that is not advised for a while. I don’t have their phone number.

Found their phone number. Left a message. Got a call back. The daughter who is taking care of the farm wanted to know if that cat was vaccinated. When I said it was she said there was nothing she could do about it. The dog in question was young had been abused etc. I said please keep the dogs on your property. Well they are tied up right now what more do you want me to do. I said just don’t let them out here. Seemed to imply that since I didn’t see the dog kill the cat that didn’t happen. I explained there were the foot print in the tack room that explained what happened. She said that’s not the same as seeing it. all very defensive. She said the other dog was no problem I told her about it biting at horses tails and and nipping at heels and she said well he’s a herding dog that’s what they do. There if nothing me or my parents can do about your situation. I’m sorry you are sick and hung up. Didn’t offer to return the cat’s body if they found it on their place nothing,

[hoopoe]

this is when you start reporting to any authority that will listen. You have livestock menacing, trespass and now , animal killing. I would have reported it with the herding and stalking behavior of the BC.

[NaturallyHappy]

In my area, one can call the police. I had a neighbor who was a drunk and never controlled his dog. The police would fine him $150.00 each time I called…they also told me I could shoot the dog. He finally gave the dog to a friend. It worked out well. It’s nice you are so thoughtful about talking to them w Covid.

[luvmyhackney]

In my area there is the shoot, shovel, and shut up solution.

The better way is to get pictures and video on your property and send a letter from an attorney with pics included.

Plus contact animal control every time they are on your property.

[moonlitoaksranch]

Fencing is the only real solution to loose dogs. I would also tell the humane society that adopted the dog to the neighbors that Snookems killed a cat and runs loose.

[clanter]

@Paks

Is there a guard dog that will guard cats and perhaps prevent this from happening again?

our 1/4 wolf German Shepherd did, once he was shown the property boundaries he took control and Nothing every set foot on His place without his approval

but he was sort of Big at 140 pounds with eyes that would burn a hole through you

His greatest joy was when the kids would harness him to their wagon for him to pull them around the pasture …tail was just a wagging all the way around

TEN years after his death the local police stopped by to see if we still had That Dog as he was registered with them as certified protection dog

Sure he is still, I took them to his grave …there he is.

[2DogsFarm]

@luvmyhackney

In my area there is the shoot, shovel, and shut up solution.

Legal here too.
Find out if you’re legally permitted to address trespassing dogs harassing your livestock.
Maybe explain that to your neighbors.

If you don’t want to kill the dogs (understood, not their fault) you can use a Supersoaker filled with thinned molasses/pancake syrup & send home sticky dogs, who hopefully roll in something else on the way home.

[Djones]

Call the authorities and report this incident and the others.

Call (or better, text) the daughter every time HER dogs are on YOUR land. Every time. Be polite and firm: " Your Malmamute is on my lawn, I require that you remove him immediately."

Harass HER dogs with the highest pressure water hose you own when the above doesn’t remove the dogs.

Consider a simple motion-activated chime in the house to let you know when that boundary has been crossed to alert you of the dogs coming over.

IF you’re up for it, get a 22 and load it with bird shot to pepper their butts but not injure them.

At my house that’s a dead dog that’s buried in my yard the next time they set foot on my property.

[CindyB59]

A little extreme, but have an attorney send a cease and desist type letter. Inform them they will be held responsible for any vet bills incurred. Put up a blink camera everywhere. They’re not terribly expensive. Then you’ll have video.

Report to humane society that they are not containing the dogs. Geez, the people just on this board that say they’re not allowed to adopt without fencing. How did they get to keep him.

Is there a particular area they come from? Is it feasible to but 2-3 strands of 1-2” electric tape?

I’d be so mad. But absolutely not the dogs fault.

[Lusoluv]

Talk to animal control and after telling them about the dogs being on your property, ask them about the laws re: roaming animals in your state. Get a .22 and be prepared to use it…the dogs’ owners have been warned and don’t seem to care. Don’t waste money on an attorney to send a letter unless that’s your only recourse. Why should you lose money dealing with the issue after you’ve already lost a cat

[Djones]

Yep. I lost a cat to a pack of neighbor dogs that packed up and went a bit feral. i had already spoken to the owners of 2 of the 3 (same person) and we agreed that the 3rd was a dumped stray). She knew I had issues with her animals aggressively coming onto my place, chasing at cats, stealing food from my outside dogs. She did nothing.

The day after Gravvy cat was killed by my house by her dogs, the three dogs returned up the same path, tails held still, moving quietly- hunting. I saw it unfold with my own two eyes as I sat at my bartop, working from home. I had the front and side door open so I was able to silently approach and see the leader squaring off to sniff with my ancient English setter who would not have stood a chance. He had an aggressive stance about him, that other dog did… and now he doesn’t live anymore. The other two were so terrified by my imperfect first shot that they fled and never returned. I didn’t let him suffer, but I didn’t let him live.

That’s the breaks of country living- sometimes it’s on you to manage your mess.

[Annie10]

Here, there would have been a permanent stop put to that dog after coming over and going after the horse while the vet was there.oh hell no
Get video or photos when /if you can, then handle the situation appropriately. And keep it to yourself.
Sorry about your cat

[Paint_Party]

@luvmyhackney

In my area there is the shoot, shovel, and shut up solution.

In my area, you don’t even have to shut up about it. There are signs everywhere stating that dogs found menacing livestock may be shot.

If that’s the case where OP is, I’d print out the law and make sure they received a copy.

[chestnutmarebeware]

Dogs harassing livestock may be legally shot. I’d leave another phone message and say that if they come on your property again and go after any of your animals, the dogs will be shot.

That threat will probably work, especially if you can quote the law to them.

If they come on your property and don’t go after your animals I’d catch them with cat food and deliver them to your local shelter.

[SusanO]

The way I look at like this " If you don’t want to fix the problem because you don’t think the problem is your responsibility "- I can fix the problem. But you won’t like the way I fix it.

I woke up early one winter morning with a dog chasing my mare by the barn in the mud. I keep my 22 at hand for these times so I grabbed it and ran. The dog was lucky this time - I am a lousy shot. Hearing the shot, he and two other dogs ran. Nobody lives close to me with dogs so it came from a way up the street. I have no tolerance for people that can’t keep their animals at home. Those three haven’t returned but if they do they may not make it home. My animals deserve to be safe when they are on my property.

[trubandloki]

It sounds like you did not win the neighbor lottery.
I am sorry about your cat.

Do install cameras so that you can have proof of their dogs coming where they should not be.

Do report this neighbor, and their loose dogs to whatever governing body handles things in your area.

SSS sucks but is not your fault and might be necessary.

[Old_Mac_Donald]

Add anchovy oil

[Cowboy_Girl]

You shoot the dog for harassing your livestock.
Use a pump BB gun. The more pumps the bigger the sting.

[hoopoe]

You may wish to send a note to the vet. Ask them to write a statement as to what they witnessed when the dog(s) interfered with the exam. You need support evidence for authorities. Ditto trail cams. The neighbors don’t care and that is not going to change.

You also need to show honest effort to build your side defense. A shame you cannot live your life in your home as desired. Dog had access to tack room? Was there ready access to cat food or dog food there? You might have to change routine or security.

Document. All communication in writing even if it means certified letters. In all honesty, the last thing I would want to deal with, when dealing with elderly parents, are dogs who appear to be gathered without thought of management

[Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom]

The dogs are not “well meaning but clueless.”

They have been allowed to get away with stalking your horses, lunging at them, and now killing cats.

They are now dangerous. And as such, you have a right to SSS them, for the sake of your livestock and pets.