As a homesteader or gardener, dogs can be a real problem. This is a hot topic that I really wanted to bring to the table, as I know all too well how these situations can end up. If you think you’ve been having a horrid experience with some dogs, you’re not alone. Many of us have been in your shoes, and if you keep reading… We’re here to help you.
Dealing with these dogs could be quite easy; for most, it won’t be. Sometimes, owners have no idea that leaving their dogs alone for FIVE minutes (long enough to make coffee, or have a bathroom break) could result in the dog destroying an entire flock of chickens or trampling an entire bed of freshly transplanted seedlings in a neighboring yard. Facing them can be hard, but you must present them with the ugly situation that you have on your hands.
Have you had a chicken go missing lately?
Perhaps a new blueberry bush was unearthed as soon as you planted it?
Were your carrot seedlings demolished during a pup stampede?
Dogs aren’t easy to deal with at times, but they are easy to spot.
We love our dogs, and enjoy having their companionship… but not all dogs are good dogs.
Today, it’s not the homestead dogs in question; it’s the outsiders.
The dogs that come during the night…..
The dogs who have nowhere to call home…..
The dogs who stumbled upon your land in search of fun, or perhaps a dinner…..
The dogs who have poor training or high prey drives….
Today, I want to touch base with my own experiences, and how we resolved the problem successfully.
So grab your morning coffee, sit for a spell, and prepare to take action; this dog problem will stop for you, and your homestead will return to its former, slightly less chaotic glory.
Dogs: The Worst Predator and Destructive Visitor a Homestead Can Have
Of all of the predators, dogs are the largest and most fearless. Rivaled only by the coyote, dogs are larger, far more bold, and far more dependent on an “easy” food source. If a neighboring dog has locked its appetite on your chickens, you’re going to have a hard time bringing it to a close if the dog is not contained.
Dogs tend to be very destructive as well. They will dig in gardens in search of small wildlife, they will urinate on plants, tools, and decor, they will trample garden beds, and will destroy pens in order to get to the animals inside.
Very few dogs fear people, and they tend to visit when the individual is likely sleeping or at work. Even with frequent shouting and scaring, they will return quite quickly. It’s a full time job keeping an eye on dogs at large.
Although, you’re probably well aware of this; just as we were. At this point, you are probably at your wits end with the damage, and are probably quite frustrated… we were too, especially after losing over a dozen animals in various instances, as well as garden beds and yard damage. This was over a long period of time, which tends to happen when you’re the “nice neighbor.” I’m here to tell you:
Take action, and take it now. Before things get much worse, because they will.
I also recommend adding some electric fencing to the perimeter of your property, as this will help to deter the dogs. Fencing an entire property might not be within your budget currently, which is fairly common for newer homesteaders; then again, you are not responsible nor at fault for a dog at large, and should not suffer the consequences just because you do not have a fence.
First Action: Notify the Neighbors
If you can, immediately notify the neighbors of any dog-related damage, such as chickens that have been killed or torn fencing. If you know the culprit is owned by a particular neighbor, let them know of the damage that was caused, and that the dog is not welcome on your property any longer. If you are unsure of what dog caused the damage, let your immediate neighbors know that an unknown dog caused damage; their dog could have went missing, or there may be a dangerous new stray in the area. This could be an important tip for the entire neighborhood, however small it may be.
We communicated our concerns to our neighbors, who did not restrain their animals while they were outside. Since they were allowed to roam without supervision, the dogs would do as they pleased. Once the neighbors learned of the damage that was being caused over time, they were happy to reign them in as they know that the loss of a beloved pet (dog, chicken, or otherwise), is hard; I’m sure there was a feeling of guilt on their part, as they were very quick to assume responsibility over the dogs and monitor them closely.
Unfortunately, some neighbors could quickly become very defensive. They may be unpleasant to deal with, and a conversation with them could leave a nasty taste in your mouth. Always communicate the damage calmly and in a friendly manner; give yourself 24 to 48 hours after the incident occurs to collect yourself and tame your emotions. If your anger and feelings of loss speak for you, the interaction will go south quickly. Even so, some people are very hard to communicate with or deal with when it comes to their dogs. You may encounter responses such as:
- My dogs are free to roam, I will not fence them
- My dogs wouldn’t hurt a fly
- Can you prove MY dog did this damage?
- My dog is never outside unsupervised
- My dog stays on my property
- You should have stronger fences
- You should fence your property line
As you can see, it’s possible for an owner to make this incredibly difficult, and refuse to keep his or her dog under a watchful eye or behind a fence. Thankfully, this wasn’t our experience; however, there are more options available to you than you might realize.
Keeping Stray Dogs from Hurting Livestock: Animal Control
One of the first lines of defense is animal control. If you call animal control, they should offer you some tips and information, as well as potential solutions for the problematic dog. This will truly depend on where you live; in cities or urban areas, animal control is much more helpful. In very rural areas, it may be close to nonexistent.
If the dog has not caused any harm, it can be hard to have anything done. They can be requested to deliver a message to the offending neighbor, but this would vary from location to location.
If you have proof that the dog is vicious, animal control will then begin to take action; in some places, animal control may only respond if a person has been attacked. In the case of damage property or injured livestock, they may offer to come trap the animal on your property, or pick it up if it has been caught. Generally, the owners may be faced with fines, especially if there are leash laws within your state. Some states have close to no leash law, while others are far more strict. In the case of stray dogs, land owners will have to rely on animal control or animal rescues to remove the dog from the area.
Resolving Stray Dogs with Legal Force: Filing Reports
If nothing seems to work with your neighbors (who, must be a nightmare to deal with at this point), it’s time to take heavy action. We, thankfully, have solidly avoided something like this.
First, begin by assembling proof of the attacks. Once you have the proof, contact the police as soon as you can after the incident occurs. Let them know that you would like to file a report, and that you’d like them to assess the damage with you. This starts a lengthy paper trail, which will be necessary while fighting for your right to remove the dog from your land.
As the damage occurs and values are assessed (or, receipts collected for the price of the damaged items), it’s time to contact a lawyer. Once you have a lawyer on your side, present all photo and video evidence to them, as well as police reports and receipts or appraisals. The lawyer can then help you to fight back, hopefully allowing you to win the case.
In a perfect world, the owner would become a bit more wise once authorities become involved; however, it may require that they be held responsible financially for all damage incurred and potentially risk losing their pet before they’ll supervise and restrain the offending dog.
How to Prove That a Neighbor’s Dog is Causing Damage on the Farm, or Harming Livestock
If you’re not sure how to prove that a dog is causing damage, there are a few ways to catch him or her in the act (or prove that he/she was guilty). Dogs tend to be active when you’re less likely to bust them, so keep this in mind. If they sense your presence they may back off quickly. Here are some ideas:
- Installing Game/Trail Cams: All you need is a few cameras. Place one along the path that the dog takes to reach your property, close to your property line. This will demonstrate that the dog is trespassing from an adjoining property. Place another one facing the scene of the repeated crime, such as the chicken coop or goat barn. This will capture any future visits or damage by the dog.
- Collecting Physical Evidence: If the dog struggled through a fence or coop, you may find some hair stuck to the fence, and you might find tracks in the mud. Cast these tracks and collect the hair in case it is needed to prove that a particular dog is most likely the culprit.
- Setting Up Marking Stations: If a dog is coming through a particular hole in the fence, or is entering your barn through a particular door, you can set up a marking station. In this situation, the dog will be marked with animal-safe chalk or paint when he or she passes through. This will help you to identify which neighboring dog is causing the issue.
