So angry

 How would you house the rabbits where no predators can get to them? My neighbor's dog used to climb my fence and rip into my outdoor rabbit pens. Climbed the 5 foot fence, ripped INTO the rabbit pen, which was completely enclosed when he started. I gave up, and brought the rabbits inside, but I only had two rabbits. I wasn't breeding/showing them, and they became nice house pets. This isn't really feasible for folks with groups of rabbits, I wouldn't think.

jennie_c_d

 How would you house the rabbits where no predators can get to them? My neighbor's dog used to climb my fence and rip into my outdoor rabbit pens. Climbed the 5 foot fence, ripped INTO the rabbit pen, which was completely enclosed when he started. I gave up, and brought the rabbits inside, but I only had two rabbits. I wasn't breeding/showing them, and they became nice house pets. This isn't really feasible for folks with groups of rabbits, I wouldn't think.

I don't understand why people have rabbits and then house them in pens outside. That's the same as having a dog that is in a kennel 100% of the time out in the back yard. When ever I see rabbit pens outside in the back of someone's yard I feel bad for the rabbit. What kind of life is that? (not that this is the thread for that and I'm in no way attacking the original poster, I'm just responding to Jennie). Anyway, when I had rabbits, they were indoor pets.

 So, you suggest that people only keep a number of rabbits that they are comfortable keeping and caring for inside? My rabbits REALLY enjoyed being outside, in their presumably safe pen. They were not nearly as happy indoors, though they did have run time and interaction, just as they'd had outdoors.

jennie_c_d

How would you house the rabbits where no predators can get to them?

The easiest and cheapest method would be a hot wire around the rabbit pen. 

jennie_c_d

 So, you suggest that people only keep a number of rabbits that they are comfortable keeping and caring for inside? My rabbits REALLY enjoyed being outside, in their presumably safe pen. They were not nearly as happy indoors, though they did have run time and interaction, just as they'd had outdoors.

*shrug* I just don't understand having a pet that is outside caged in a small pen. Feel free to educate me.

I think the burden in this scenario is more heavily on the dog owner.  The rabbits were in cages.  Not loose and not in the neighbors yard.  They were contained.  If the dog was contained in any way, then this might not have happened.

I have small dogs.  I have a fence.  If a dog jumps a fence or destroys part of a fence to attack them, I will not hesitate or feel guily using force to protect my dogs.

I'm very sorry for your little girl.  I hope the owner does the right thing and reimburses you.

spiritdogs

Owners of small pets have a duty not to leave them with inadequate protection against predators and owners of predatory pets have an obligation to keep them contained so that they don't access the small pets.  Shooting the predators is not the answer to a human problem.

 I am horrible for having my rabbits in a  cage (for about two hours)that a dog ripped to shreds, I get it.I dont want to shoot the dog, and it wont happen if the owner does what she needs to do and keeps her dog home.

Ok now that i am done with that.Your right it is a human problem but I shouldnt have to have my rabbits fenced in with 8 foot fence because some  idiot cant keep her dog in.She cant even get within 10 feet of the dog when it gets out.I will shoot the dog the next time it is on my property, whether that is with the paintball gun, pellet rifle, or other depends on the dog and how it reacts.

Jewlieee

jennie_c_d

 So, you suggest that people only keep a number of rabbits that they are comfortable keeping and caring for inside? My rabbits REALLY enjoyed being outside, in their presumably safe pen. They were not nearly as happy indoors, though they did have run time and interaction, just as they'd had outdoors.

 

*shrug* I just don't understand having a pet that is outside caged in a small pen. Feel free to educate me.

The rabbits are each brought in the house everyday for a minimum of an hour to play. They do not just sit in there cages. We tried keeping them inside but they have been so much happier and healthier since we moved them outside and bring them in for playtime.Plus they get time in the yard when the weather is nice and its not to humid.

Moonlight

I think the burden in this scenario is more heavily on the dog owner.  The rabbits were in cages.  Not loose and not in the neighbors yard.  They were contained.  If the dog was contained in any way, then this might not have happened.

I agree totally that the dog owner bears the most responsibility in this case. 

  I do think that housing prey animals outdoors where dogs or other predators can easily reach them is asking for trouble.  Not saying the OP is wrong just that it's not unusual for a predator to attack a prey animal.  Not the same, in my mind, as an attack on another dog. 

jennie_c_d

 How would you house the rabbits where no predators can get to them? My neighbor's dog used to climb my fence and rip into my outdoor rabbit pens. Climbed the 5 foot fence, ripped INTO the rabbit pen, which was completely enclosed when he started. I gave up, and brought the rabbits inside, but I only had two rabbits. I wasn't breeding/showing them, and they became nice house pets. This isn't really feasible for folks with groups of rabbits, I wouldn't think.

We do have two in the house at any given time. We rotate who is housed inside, but at one point this year we had 20 rabbits with rescues/show rabbits/and babies.( we breed when we have homes lined up and my older daughter raises flemish giants)

JackieG

jennie_c_d

How would you house the rabbits where no predators can get to them?

 

The easiest and cheapest method would be a hot wire around the rabbit pen. 

If I didnt have 4h'ers going in and out of the pen I would do that.Actually i might be able to work something out, thanks. I only wish I had thought of it and sooner

JackieG

Jewlieee

spiritdogs

Owners of small pets have a duty not to leave them with inadequate protection against predators and owners of predatory pets have an obligation to keep them contained so that they don't access the small pets.  Shooting the predators is not the answer to a human problem.

 

Very well put. Thank you for stating that.

I agree and was alluding to that in my earlier post but was a bit too subtle.   I think the woman should reimburse the OP for the rabbits but I also think the OP should house the rabbits where predators of any sort can't get to them.

JackieG

Jewlieee

spiritdogs

Owners of small pets have a duty not to leave them with inadequate protection against predators and owners of predatory pets have an obligation to keep them contained so that they don't access the small pets.  Shooting the predators is not the answer to a human problem.

 

Very well put. Thank you for stating that.

I agree and was alluding to that in my earlier post but was a bit too subtle.   I think the woman should reimburse the OP for the rabbits but I also think the OP should house the rabbits where predators of any sort can't get to them.

Oh hon you weren't subtle i got exactly what you meant. You dont think I felt guilty when I had to look my 7 year old daughter in the face and tell her that both of her rabbits were gone.

JackieG

Moonlight

I think the burden in this scenario is more heavily on the dog owner.  The rabbits were in cages.  Not loose and not in the neighbors yard.  They were contained.  If the dog was contained in any way, then this might not have happened.

 

I agree totally that the dog owner bears the most responsibility in this case. 

  I do think that housing prey animals outdoors where dogs or other predators can easily reach them is asking for trouble.  Not saying the OP is wrong just that it's not unusual for a predator to attack a prey animal.  Not the same, in my mind, as an attack on another dog. 

 

I know the dog was just doing what was instinctive. My mom had huskies when I was growing up one got out and killed a goat and then got out again. It was shot and she had to pay like $700 in fines and vet bills. My mother at least tried to keep her dog contained (he climbed a 10 foot high pen)and she took responsibility. thats all i want

Moonlight

I think the burden in this scenario is more heavily on the dog owner.  The rabbits were in cages.  Not loose and not in the neighbors yard.  They were contained.  If the dog was contained in any way, then this might not have happened.

I have small dogs.  I have a fence.  If a dog jumps a fence or destroys part of a fence to attack them, I will not hesitate or feel guily using force to protect my dogs.

I'm very sorry for your little girl.  I hope the owner does the right thing and reimburses you.

Thank you

Chuffy

Oh gosh that poor little girl! How upsetting for her :-( I hope she is doing ok. I can't believe the owner us being so brazen about it. I'd be mortified if my dog did something like that!

Thank you. she is doing better. If the owner was being sympathetic at all it would be nice.