My Landlords dogs attacked my chickens yesterday. They were in the paddock (ours under our tenancy) when the dogs came in and snatched three of them, dragged them out to the road where the landlord had to smack one on th enose with a stick to get it to drop.
They are all incredibly shaken, one is limping, one had puncture wounds including on her neck and Edith is missing. The majority og feathers on the road seem to be hers. We've looked everywhere we can and can't find her so I suspect she's hidden herself... and probably died. I'm aware that I may never know, poor thing.
I'm not angry with the dogs. I'm angry with out landlord. He's a farmer for petes sake and should know about keeping dogs under control near livestock. I would never dream of letting my dog off if I knew it might run on his land and worry his animals. His attitude was I'll replace them (dh saw it happen and was out there) apparently dh was polite but pretty obviously peed off with the attitude. I know chickens are livestock but these ones were pets/layers. I've hatched a lot of them myself. Edith has been with me over three years.
I am fully aware that a fox may strike any time and I would have to live with that but dogs should not be allowed to do that. I'm blaming the owners. And being very thankful my children weren't out there too