[Selkie]

i've just read your post pookey and i am so angry that that could have happened; yourself and your family (and pets) should be safe when you're on your own property minding your own business, it really is outrageous that this happened.

i don't think having a gate would have stopped them though - like you said, you saw them going over the wall, and we've had dogs come into our garden by going under (!) or over our big gate. if they're in that much of a frenzy something like a gate wouldn't be enough to stop them.

i really do hope you take this further legally, the hunters should have been in control of the dogs at all times - which they clearly weren't doing; as they tresspassed into yours and your neighbours land.

as far as i know foxhunting is still legal in the republic (hare coursing is too, and if they allow that then why not foxhunting :roll: ) so it probably was a hunt that went slightly off track...

i really hope that your kids won't be too traumatised by it, in one way, at least they're too young to understand what was happening.

what a miracle it was that frankie survived.

i'm sorry for going on but this has really upset me (i can imagine how awful it must have been for you to actually be there and feel so helpless)

don't forget to keep us updated and please don't hold back when you do meet up with the hunters.

oh i'm furious about this, it shouldn't happen...

[Bodger]

Is taking the owners of the dogs actually going to do do anything that will actually be of benefit to yourself ? Is it going  to make you feel better ? I think the answer is no.

[Selkie]

but bodger, if they do nothing then what does that achieve?

[Aunt Sally]

Is taking the owners of the dogs actually going to do do anything that will actually be of benefit to yourself ? Is it going  to make you feel better ? I think the answer is no.

There needs to be some assurance that it won't happen again Bodger.  Chickens this time maybe a child next time.  The dogs were obviously not under the control of the huntsman.

[Selkie]

exactly! well said sally.

and i find it really patronising that the hunters said they'd pay for the chickens - like that makes it ok, go and buy some more and everyone's happy - (i know people will say what more could they do --- keep their dogs under control, perhaps???!)

[ssatt44]

Thing is Sharon they probably aren't a dangerous breed,  ]

Breed be D@#$%. Any dog esp. in a pack situation will act differently.  A childs face was ripped off by a jack russell not long ago. I was on a training ride up in Flagstaff, az a few years ago. I was charged by 2 dogs, a rottie and a cattle dog. My arab mare went into a "war dance" and they backed off.  How I wish I had done something :cry:  Not a week later they attacked the neighbors child. The rott held him down by the neck while the cattle dog ripped him open. Nobody could rescue the child till the sheriff came and shot them both. He was alive at the hospital, but I don't know if he survived. Turned out they were also respons. for another attack on a rider that left her with a shattered leg. Please don't just let it slide like I did.

sharon in az

[Sally A]

Only certain breeds in the UK get classed as "dangerous".  a lot act differently in a pack situation when they are on the hunt than they would normally.

I'm not defending what has happened, which in my mind is appalling, but it's not as clean cut in this country to say that all hunt dogs are dangerous.

[muntjac]

Only certain breeds in the UK get classed as "dangerous".  a lot act differently in a pack situation when they are on the hunt than they would normally.

I'm not defending what has happened, which in my mind is appalling, but it's not as clean cut in this country to say that all hunt dogs are dangerous.

 its not down to the dogs ever ,, its the hunt that is responsible for the actions taken .same as any other " incident "  the lack of control led to the dogs doing this ,,ok it can be said that the dogs rabn off but in a controlled pack this shouldnt happen . im not against hunting of any kind  i hunt myself ,but the court case will teach the hunt to make more changes in case it happens again

[GrannieAnnie]

Oh Pookey, I have only just read this thread, I am so sorry about your chooks.

And I feel you should take this further.  My hubby agrees with hunting, but not in cases like this.  these dogs should be under control, or not out at all!!

Good luck in which ever way you decide to go!!!!!

[Zoidberg]

Also might be worth checking with your neighbours in case they were also affected. You mentioned a farmer whose cows were being upset? They might be willing to join with you to do something about this.
There might be people who were not home when it happened and they might not know whos dogs were responsible.

[Bodger]

When you say hunting dogs what do you mean ? Lurchers,terriers or hounds ? Was it an organised hunt or some people out for a walk with a particular type of dog ?

You must remember that most poultry attacks are comitted by either your own dogs or those of nearby neighbours, which can be of any breed.

I've been a hunter all my life and have worked and owned 'hunting dogs' all my life as well. My dogs have been workmen as well as pets and as such have all been well socialised to humans. To jump to the conclusion that they were likely to jump from killing chickens to young chidren is ill founded and not logical.

During a career as a PC in a rural area I dealt with many incidents of people being bitten by dogs and livestock attacks I can put my hand on heart and say that not one of the dogs involved in the incidents could even remotely have been decribed as hunting dogs.

The owners of the dogs cannot bring the chickens back or compensate for the shock to the owner of her having seen her chickens slaughtered but they have been and spoken to the owner and admitted their liability. What else would people like them to do ?
Some of the members on the forum might not like hunters or hunting but thats not what this thread is about.
I'd be seeking financial compensation and genuine assurances that its not going to happen again.

[SMIFFY]

Hi Guy's, Sorry to but in, but dogs are a subject I know a little bit about. I have trained dogs for nearly 15 years and I am also a dog behaviourist.
Needless to say, I also know about the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Now, 1st of all, ANY dog can be classed as a Dangerous Dog, no matter what the breed. If at any time, a member of the public feels threatened by a dog(or dogs) because of it's behaviour, they have the right to prosecute the the owner AND the person responsible for the dog at the time of the incident.( even if a dog is being friendly and jumps up at you, if you feel threatened, you can prosecute).
Secondly, if a dog is off of a lead and walking freely , the owner or person responsible at that time is under  legal obligation to have 100% control over that dog or dogs.
Pookey, if I were you, I would go and see a solicitor as soon as possible, you have grounds to prosecute not just the Hunt, but the owner of the dogs aswell.
This sort of situation can cause trauma to both yourself and your children all because of irresponsible idiots.
All of the above is in force on PUBLIC LAND, so you have a very strong case as this happened on your private land. Don,t let the hunt fob you off with cash or replacements, they WILL NOT want you to take them to court.
I'm really sorry this has happened to you and your children, I really hope this helps.

[SMIFFY]

SORRY! forgot to say, the dogs that were on your property, and killing your chooks, will do it again if they do not recieve training. They have now felt the thrill of a catch and this is now embedded in their brain. It's natural for a dog to hunt (any breed),but, now that they have recieved a "reward" for it, they will want more. They can be "fixed" but they will need training and quick.
GOOD LUCK !

[brucesgirl]

I call the police every time I see the hunt out here. They are the most obnoxious people, talking extremely loudly, looking down their noses to the rest of us plebs as if we were sh*t on their shoes. If they want to ride there are plenty of opportunities for them to do so without putting on ridiculous 'look at me' clothes. They pretend to be drag-hunting but if a fox 'happens' to come along, then what can they do??
I am not an active anti-hunter but something about them makes my blood run hot, I have had a near-miss on the road when they came round a blind bend on the wrong side of the road. I called the police and all they could say was 'were they galloping or cantering?' apparently galloping is illegal.
Sorry to go on but they make me really angry. Shooting foxes is much more effective, I am not against that, just the a**se holes who hunt!

[Bodger]

What an objective and sensible approach to have. :roll: