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After talking to one of the police officers, I learned that the chicken owner declined restitution stating "it's only a chicken" or something like that. We wanted to do something neighborly and apologetic since it's still a pretty terrible thing to have your chicken (what if it were a pet?) murdered in cold blood in the middle of a work day.
After getting a rough guesstimate of the address, I delivered a card and restaurant gift certificate to the neighbor who seemed to be the appropriate neighbor. She called that day saying it was sweet but all her chickens were fine, and really they're just chickens. I then delivered the card to the neighbor who my neighbor who took the incriminating photo thought it was. Nope. Wrong neighbor. She believed it was across the street and that perhaps his chickens were running loose again -- he was in the process of fixing his fence.
Not wanting to repeat this more than a few more times, I knocked on the door. It was his chicken. "Happens all the time" he said. Well, I sincerely doubt that but who knows. He was rushing out to go hunting and didn't really have time for more than a handshake and brief introduction. All the other chickens were fine and uninjured he claimed. Neighbor relations achieved.
Next week we are slated to appear in City Court for having loose dogs. Our first appearance in front of the new District Court Judge -- Ted's new boss and all. Never a dull moment with our dogs. It did occur to me that our neighbors' chorus of "it's only a chicken" might not be heard in other parts of the country. We're lucky I guess to live where chickens are "just" chickens rather than prized pets. Or are there such places? Clearly I was not raised on a farm. And should not get backyard chickens.
EDITED: Oh yes there are such places.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/13/nyregion/displaced-by-storm-couple-seeks-rental-with-access-to-chicken-coop.html?hp&_r=0
5 comments:
You got lucky. Some people definitely love their chickens. Though those people might be more likely to live in Oakland than Kalispell. Also, if he doesn't contain them, it probably does happen all the time. It doesn't take much of a predator to take out chickens. Still... naughty Sonja. I love that your neighbor got it on camera, though. Good luck with the judge.
I think people in more rural places think of them "as just a chicken". Matt was raised with both laying and meat chickens and has that sort of attitude anyway.
We raised meat ones in Alaska one summer and bought 25 because Matt said "oh at least a couple of them will die off from something or other anyway". We had only one casualty: the morning after my cousin forgot to put the lid back on the water feeder and one fell in and drowned.
Don't you feed your dog enough? ;) Maybe Sonja is just asking you to make her a hunting dog? I bet she'd be awesome with pheasants.
Wow, you are surrounded by chickens. Thank goodness my dogs aren't. There wouldn't be many left standing.
I am dying. Dying. Your life never has a dull moment. Good luck in court and please update us on how it goes.
Poor Ted!!! Yes, they are just chicken! I do have 2 co-workers who keep them as pets - all I think is when the grill will be on? But, ok, happy to hear your neighbors feel the same. Although that whole Judge thing...good luck!
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