Weekend
I’ve spent most of the weekend farting around, working on the garden and doing little things that needed doing. I put together a cabinet thingy for Robyn’s bathroom yesterday morning, and raised the electric fence in the pig yard in the afternoon. In between, I messed around in the garden with the scuffle hoe. I sure do like chopping down weeds.
Also yesterday, I planted five half-rows of yellow corn. The corn plantings were staggered, so we should get a big load of white corn first, then a load of yellow corn a few weeks later. If the crows don’t get it all, that is. Crows, I have found, are some wily motherfuckers. They fly off as soon as I go out the back door, and I lack the patience to sit and wait for them for long. I got a shot off today (in true redneck form from the back door) but it was about a hundred yards and I missed. The crow was slow to take off, and seemed wobbly at first, like I’d gotten him, but then he straightened up and flew normally.
Damnit.
Today, I replanted blackeyed peas and okra, because I completely forgot about having planting them too early last year (and having to replant them then) and planted them with everything else while the ground was still too cool for them. Some okra sprouted, but not much, and I only saw one or two pea plants. I also went down all the rows of squash and planted new seeds where the originals didn’t germinate, and did the same on the row of soybeans (edamame). I set up for and planted a couple of small rows of cucumbers, and replanted the Black Beauty eggplant seeds because none of the originals germinated. Who knew eggplant seeds needed it so hot?
I spent the rest of today weeding the rest of the garden and putting up fence for the pole beans, blackeyed peas, and navy beans. The pole beans are climbers, so they got a row of 5-foot welded wire fence. The blackeyed peas and navy beans are runners, so they’re sort of boxed-in with 2-foot chicken wire, to keep them from getting into the other rows.
I’m pretty much done with getting the garden going, except for transplanting pepper plants, which are still too small, and putting in a support system for the tomatoes. I’ve been thinking about it over the last couple of weeks, and have come to the realization that I planted the rows of tomatoes too far apart to be able to reach all the tomatoes through field fence. Instead of running three rows of fence like I’d planned, I’ve decided to cut the field fence into 4- or 5-foot sections and fashion tomato cages out of them by making a circle. I’ll drive a t-post next to each plant, set the “cage” over it, and connect the two with the greatest thing ever created: cable ties.
Probably my arms will fall off at some point while I’m doing that fifty-four times, but it’ll be worth it in the long run.
Here’s a good ethical question for you.
Our property shares borders with two professional nurseries, both of which are hundreds of acres of nothing but trees and bushes. Our property also has a privacy thicket around it of trees, briars, and a TON of poison ivy.
On the weekends, hunters sometimes bring their beagles onto the nursery property to practice (right now) or hunt (Jan/Feb). Often, these beagles come onto our property in a long baying line of maybe 12 dogs. Generally, they just go across the back field and into the thicket on the other side.
Today, however, they came onto our land three times, and raced around, tearing into the garden and getting all our animals (chickens, cats, and pigs) terrified. One time, a beagle too stupid to go around the pig yard managed to jump up and fit himself through openings in the field fence. I had the satisfaction of seeing him get zapped several times by the strand of electric that’s run around the inside to keep the pigs from rooting under the fence.
He was stuck in there for a couple of minutes, racing around the perimeter and baying his fool head off. The pigs, needless to say, were in a state of terror. I went out to see if I could get him to come out the gate, taking a gun just in case he was mean. Before I got to him, he managed to jump high enough to fit through another hole in the field fence and got out.
The dogs don’t pay any attention to our animals, but their presence / noise / assiness scares the fool out of them. I can’t ever hear any people around, just the baying dogs out running and raising cain. I can’t easily get through that thicket of poison ivy to look for people, and even if I could I don’t relish the thought of possibly being shot by an overzealous hunter. Plus, I don’t really want to go trespassing on someone else’s property unless I’m sure it’s their dogs I’m following.
At what point would you just say “to hell with it” and start shooting dogs? Or would you even consider such a thing? I love animals, but I have no patience for nuisance animals that are bothering MY animals, even if those nuisance animals mean mine no harm.
Probably I’ll just call the nursery tomorrow and ask them about it, and tell them what happened, but I’m curious as to what others would do in this situation.
And now, I devote the rest of the entry to pictures.
Is it time for the eatin’?
Dinnertime!
The cukes will grow up the hog panels.
The boxed in peas and beans. Beans are to the right, peas (just planted)
to the left.
We are going to have some serious green beans this year. Rattlesnakes, they are.
Okra
Soybean
Squash
Curious George, living up to the name.
Rhode Island Red roosting practice.
Don King is rather round.
Still broody.
And now, a plug. I heard of some slick software the other day called VirtualBox, which is great for dorks like me because it lets you set up virtual PCs within your PC, and install different operating systems on those virtual PCs. It makes it possible to run Linux in a Windows window, or Windows in a Linux window, or any combination of operating systems you want.
Below is a screen shot from my PC, which runs Windows Vista Home Premium. In the screenshot, the back window is a normal FireFox browser. The middle window is a full Ubuntu Linux installation, running Gnome desktop with a game of mah jongg going, and the foreground window is an installation of Windows 2000.
The fact that I’m running three operating systems, two in their own windows, nearly brings me to geekgasm.
So very cool.
How cool is it that I remember watching this on the Friday it happened?
(Originally, I wanted to put this video in the space above, but I couldn’t find a copy that didn’t have embedding disabled. Damn people.)
I would call the nurseries and tell them that the dogs are coming onto your property and that you will be forced to shoot them if they continue to destroy your property. That way they can warn the hunters, who should be keeping better track of the dogs. Personally, I couldn’t shoot a dog, unless he was going after one of the kids or my dogs.
hi fred.
i think that attempting to find the owners of the dogs is your best course of action here. when i was growing up in the country in pennsylvania, a neighbor shot and killed our two dogs (who had escaped from our property), and the pain and anger that caused my family is still palpable to me today. my sister and i, as teenagers, inflicted swift retribution on her, and i’d imagine you wouldn’t want some crazed dog-owner harassing you and robyn. i realize that you must protect your property and animals, but killing these dogs, who’ve clearly no idea that they’re doing anything wrong, seems a little harsh, you know? and just so you know, i’ve read you and robyn for over five years now, and i know that you’re not a fan of unsolicited advice. i’m only offering up my two cents since you put it out there. i’m sure you’ll find a good way of dealing with this situation.
-heather
Fred, if you ever shoot a beagle, I swear it will be the end of ever reading your blog. You are so passionate about animals….what are you thinking?…who are controlling these dogs? Go after them, but for God’s sake…why take it out on the dogs?
Don’t know about Alabama, but in California, it is perfectly legal to shoot dogs that are harrassing your livestock. The definition of harrassing probably varies though, and merely running through the yard may not qualify. And I’m torn, because I hunt behind hounds myself, although not in a habitated area, so I don’t know about the ethics of that. I would not care to irritate the neighbors myself, if I had hounds. Perhaps a word to the nurseries and through them to the hunters is in order first.
I wouldn’t shoot the dogs until I spoke to the owners about it and the situation didn’t improve. I probably wouldn’t even then, unless they harmed my family or animals, because I love dogs and it’s not their fault, it’s the owners’. But I agree with you that it’s very wrong of the owners to let the dogs on to your property in any way, never mind in such a disruptive way.
I agree that calling the nurseries should be your first move. I don’t think it would be right to shoot the dogs unless they’re presenting real physical harm to your animals. I do, however, think it’s perfectly acceptable to shoot the owners of the dogs.
The poor dogs can’t help it that their owners are morons.
Can you run that electric fence where the properties meet? That might fix ‘em.
I agree, though, that you should call the nursery and warn them. Then maybe some “Tresspassers - and their dogs — will be shot” signs
I actually work as an Animal Cruelty Investigator and we get calls out here all the time about someone shooting a dog that comes onto their property and causes property damage or harasses livestock/people. It really isn’t the dogs’ fault and I am always very stern with the owner who let their dog out to run. The owner often wants cruelty charges brought against the person who shot the dog and I tell them they are out of luck.
That being said - I agree with the other posters that advise speaking to the nursery and warn them that the dogs are damaging your property and harassing your livestock. They may tell you to piss off, but at least you have warned them.
Some other options: spray the dogs with a garden hose with a high pressure nozzle on it, pepper spray (although that could come back to hit you or your chickens etc), an air horn (something loud and piercing to scare them off), etc. I wouldn’t hesitate to use a gun though if the dogs ever attacked the livestock or a family member.
My brother had issues last week with his neighbors dog. The first time it snapped at him, the second time it bit his 5 year old daughter. He called the neighbor and she came storming over. Said it didn’t hardly break the skin to not worry about it. That pissed my brother off so he told her that he’d shoot her dog next time. She went home and called the sheriff’s department. He came out and told my brother that he would be charged with a felony if he shot the dog. He told the neighbor she needed to keep her dog in a kennel or on a chain. She says its inhumane. Btw, this dog also chases cars in front of my brothers house which has a rather nasty curve in front of it. She told the deputy that was how the dog got his exercise, lol. I’m thinking someone will eventually have an accident because of the dog. Oh, and she also warned the deputy the dog would probably chase him on the way out. My brothers plan now is to call the humane society.
word to the wise: a beagle got skinned here in our county and despite the fact it was running loose, it created a media sensation — not just locally, but throughout north Ala. Was on all the newscast, calling for punishment for whoever did it. A fund was even set up to find the culprit, but hasn’t happened.
Thing is, an autopsy on the dog showed it had probably gotten skinned in some kind of farm machinery it had wandered into. Nevertheless, the owner who let it run loose, nothing but sympathy for him.
Probably best to try the nursery first, or put up “No Tresspassing” signs on your property. Shooting the dog seems harsh; like most here, I fault the owners, not the poor dog just following its instincts.
If the dogs were threatening your animals or family, I would consider it permissible to shoot them — with a tranquilizer dart only, though I don’t know how such a thing would be obtainable. I do not think it’s ever permissible to kill or injure a dog or cat just because its humans have allowed it to become a nuisance.
Usually a dog’s behavior is a result of their owner. So I think contacting the nurseries and advising them of the issue should be the first step. And if the problem is not solved maybe consider using a bb gun to shoot at the dogs with so they won’t be injured, but get the idea.
But if they go after any of the animals or you guys then definitely protect yourselves.
I agree with Tina. Contact the nursery, post signs, get a low power BB gun. (THe water suggestion was good too). You might call the local animal control/sheriff also?
If they attack your animals or one of you, do what you have to do. If the nursery is letting them use the property and know that someone is unhappy, they will most likely do something about the problem.
Try a BB gun. On the dogs’ owners, that is.
Take it up with the nursery first, and then your Animal Control person. Some places have different rules regarding hunting dogs. Any *ethical* hunter is going to do all they can to keep from aggravating you.
Now, that said — any stray dogs on our place get shot. Period. Everyone who cries “It’s not the dog’s fault!” Well, you’re right — it’s not. But until you have seen goats and lambs ripped to pieces, partially eaten and still ALIVE that you have bottle raised from babies and then have to shoot yourself to put out of their misery, you have no idea of the damage the “sweet family pet” can do. Our neighbor once had a mare in labor TORN TO BITS and the just-being-born foal EATEN by a neighbor’s labradors! I LOATHE people who move to the country and say well, now we can let Fido run freeeeee!
I even had the Fish and Game AND a Sheriff deputy out here a few months ago hunting a feral Chow mix. The deputy shot him. They take strays getting into livestock pretty seriously.
Let me offer another solution — http://www.premier1supplies.com/ has awesome electric netting that already has the poles in it. Maybe it is possible to string it along that one side? Guaranteed, no dog is going to go through it.
Oh, guess I should add this so I don’t seem totally heartless — we had a half-grown lab pup show up here last summer. He came running up to me all happy — I put him inside my pickup and called the County shop and found out he had jumped out of a truck several days before and was missing. He got drove to town and dropped off to be reunited with his owner.
And then because no good deed goes unpunished, I drove over a pig skull that my own dogs had drug up, and punctured through the sidewall of my $250 truck tire! GRRRR.
Shoot em in the ass!!
Try a paintball gun! It stings and will leave a bright paint splotch on the dog to let his owner know he was somewhere he shouldn’t have been. A non-lethal way of scaring the dogs away and warning their owners.
Ditto on the paintball gun. Not only will it not kill the dog, it will send a definite message to the owner! Please don’t shoot any of those dogs. I will stop reading you also.
The paintball idea is great and hopefully won’t be too painful, and would certainly send a message to the owner/s, plus pretty good on the not killing things needlessly karma, but lets you give them a little “spank” as it were, so A+ all around on that idea (at least for me)! Definitely contact the nursery and then maybe take a visit to the General Store and casually bring it up with the “old timers” there; you know how small town social networks can be….it’ll probably be more effective if one of those folks gets word back to the hunter/s, and then maybe talk to Animal Care & Control. Worse comes to worse, and it kind of sucks that you’d have to bear the cost of doing it, I’d string a perimeter electric fence. I’d hate to see one of the dogs get shot for their owners disregard for you and your personal property and it’s not like they’ve been aggressive thus far, so I think it’s overkill to shoot one, for as much as they’re being annoying. Just my .02, kthxbai.
BTW, when you planted your melons, did you grow them in pots first?? And what’s this damn “hilling” thing on the seed package?? Put them in a mound of compost or soil?? Thanks if you can help; I tend to like the seeds my kids (who did not inherit my black thumb)can put in the ground and don’t have to “mollycoddle”, as it were. If I were to get involved, the seeds/plants would be dead in a day
….ah well.
I know neither You or Robyn are heartless so I know there will be no shooting of the annoying STUPID Beagles. Irresponsible pet owners tick me off. I train my dogs, though they are ass pains, they are social and have manners. I echo all who say call the nursery to find who the hunting club party is and put up a fence so the STUPID Beagles cannot gain access to your property.
People here,in a major city, think it’s okay to let their dogs roam free because the community is gated. I watch some of them crawl right under the fence out into public next to canals. The gators will eventually take care of them.
Fence. Definitely, fence.
S S S
I agree with talking to the landowners, posting No Trespassing signs, but don’t shoot the dogs (except maybe with a paintball gun). Their owners are right behind them, right?
Here’s a true story. Here, about 1000 miles north of Alabama, and 30 years ago, my Dad took a shot at the neighbor’s cat which had been getting into and damaging his garden every night. However, he managed to merely wound it, and it made its way back home. The next day, the local Barney Fife came by to let my dad know he would be cited and would have to pay a stiff fine as well as the cat’s vet bill. He took a couple steps toward his squad and then turned back around and walked up to my dad and whispered, “And the next time you shoot at a cat, make sure you don’t just wound it,” apparently unofficially recommending the SSS method above.
There is a good chance beagle owners do not have guns with them, as if, as you say, they are “practicing,” they are probably practicing for field trials, not for hunting. Beagles are usually field trial dogs, or if they don’t make the grade, then they are sold as hunting dogs. It sounds like those are field trial dogs, which just consists of judging the dogs on how well and consistently they track the rabbits; the goal is not to catch the rabbits. Those owners carry walking sticks, not guns.
I have to definitely say go with the paint gun. I guarantee you will have someone coming around that day wondering if some kids are “shootin’” at their dogs…. then you can say, “Next time it’ll be a real bullet unless you keep an eye on your dog” and that you will be sending them bills for your troubles.
I’d like to think you wouldn’t kill a dog (unless they are killing something of yours) but being a farm girl raised, I know how irritating it can be. Do you guys own a dog? Maybe it’s time you get yourself a guard dog that you train to do a perimeter check (so it doesn’t go on other land) and then see how that would take care of any “intruders”. (obviously has to get used to your cats, to know what is “okay” and “not okay” to be on the land). Would also protect your chickens and pigs… and would have to be a strictly outdoor dog.
I would NEVER say “to hell with it” and start shooting dogs. With either a real gun or a pellet gun or a paint gun or anything. (If the dog is threatening physical harm to another animal that’s a different story.) I WOULD, however, start shooting at the people letting the dogs loose to run on your property. It would probably be more fair to first talk to them (you should be able to get names/numbers from the nurseries, if they give these people permission to use their land?) and let them know they need to keep their dogs off your land.
First off, I’d contact the nursery and the sheriff or whatever your local authorities are called to document trespassing on your property. I would take trespassing very seriously.
Then I’d shoot the hunters.
Seriously, the dogs know no better. You need to warn the hunters though, that the dogs are not allowed and will not be tolerated.
Remembering how humanely and ethically you and Robyn cared for that poor starved and abused and neglected dog just months ago,and how you and she have tenderly and steadfastly cared for so many cats and kittens all of your married life and, of course, Spot–I know you would never hurt those beagles except as a last resort; I am in agreement about the paintball gun. I would caution you not to let on to any of the locals that it’s you to avoid retaliation against you, your property or your critters. As for me; I would not shoot them but shoot AT them if I wasn’t using the paintball method.
Sammi
I don’t think I necessarily agree with those who have said that the dogs don’t know any better. If they have been properly trained to be hunting dogs than they definately should know better! These people don’t sound like serious hunters to me, just a bunch of good ole boys out for some fun. That being said shooting at the dogs should be a definate last resort and the paint ball gun sounds like a good idea but definately contact the nursery and tell them that the dogs are on your property and digging up your garden and bothering your livestock. Of course you want to stay on good terms with everyone but you shouldn’t have to put up with that aggravation.
I would check your local laws of shooting dogs. Where I live it is a crime. I would also post a no trespassing sign and contact the nursery. Good luck….those hunters are certainly disrespectful.
Did you think you’d get this kind of response?!! Maybe you did and that’s why you did it
Under NO circumstances would I shoot a dog. No, that’s not true. If an animal of mine, or a family member was being hurt I guess I would, but it would kill me. Having said that, I can certainly understand you wanting to. When my own dog runs through and tears aup the garden, I momentarily think I’d like to shoot her also, but seriously, no, I would never.
Like the others have said, start with the nursery. The paintball idea souonds good if you need it, but the electric fence is probably the route I’d take.
Good luck, but please don’t shoot the doggies…
Paintballs can kill an animal if ingested. My neighbor’s dog is no more because of eating them.