I'm so sad...

[tbs727]

Last night DH and went in the back yard and found that our dogs have killed a cat that kept getting back there. We have two inside cats and love animals so we are just heartbroken that our dogs would do this. In the six or so years we have had them they haven't killed anything besides birds and a squirrel. I don't know who the cat belonged to but it's always around our neighborhood and we have found it in our yard with the dogs 3 times and we pulled the dogs off and saved it's life each time! You would think it would be smart enough to stay out of our yard! Well, this time it wasn't so lucky.

Our dogs haven't ever acted aggresively to people and don't bite or mess with the inside cats, but I just can't stand to have them around now knowing they are capable of killing. I know its silly for me to feel this way since they were just acting on instinct and protecting their land. I wouldn't, for a moment, put up with them acting aggresively with each other, the cats, and especially people that come over.

I just feel awful about the whole situation.

[baxjul]

Hope that you are feeling better soon. If they aren't aggressive all the time, I don't think you need to worry.

[nodmicks]

I'm sorry! I wouldn't worry about the dogs. Its instinct. 1 of our kittys is a stray we litterally saved out of our dogs mouth in the barn. They seem to get that indoor animals belong in the family.

Hugs!

[FrugalMomof3]

I am sorry to hear that! I wouldnt worry to much though since they arent aggressive, but please keep us posted.

[Darlene]

I guess I am going against popular opinion. I would be worried about the dogs biting children. Animals are just that(even though we love them to pieces) and after seeing such aggressive behavior I wouldn't be able to take a chance that they wouldn't hurt a human next. Having someone harmed or being sued for everything I have isn't worth it. Maybe I'm nuts. I'm so sorry this happened.

[Missy]

I guess I am going against popular opinion. I would be worried about the dogs biting children. Animals are just that(even though we love them to pieces) and after seeing such aggressive behavior I wouldn't be able to take a chance that they wouldn't hurt a human next. Having someone harmed or being sued for everything I have isn't worth it. Maybe I'm nuts. I'm so sorry this happened.

I am running between both sides, but leaning more this way too. Perhaps an evaluation might help calm your nerves about the dogs. Perhaps getting them into a training program. Not sit, stay, heel. I am thinking one of those "fly-ball" training programs. Giving them a job so to speak. Might help. If they'd be receptive to the program...and reprogramming them from chasing birds/cats/ critters, to balls and toys etc. I don't know, it's an idea! Good luck whatever you decide.

[nodmicks]

Just curious what kind of dogs you have??? I know our critter catcher was part lab. A natural hunter. I routinely got rabbits etc brought to me. With the kitten we caught her shaking outside she was all nice nice once we brought him in the house. She never harmed a human in her life.

We have been looking for a new dog since our Baby passed a month ago. Quite a few I'm been interested in we were told no with cats because they have such a natural born hunting instinct.

[tbs727]

I guess I am going against popular opinion. I would be worried about the dogs biting children. Animals are just that(even though we love them to pieces) and after seeing such aggressive behavior I wouldn't be able to take a chance that they wouldn't hurt a human next. Having someone harmed or being sued for everything I have isn't worth it. Maybe I'm nuts. I'm so sorry this happened.

I totally agree, but the thing is, my dogs have been around lots of children and never had a problem with them. We had visitation with a little girl we were going to adopt and they were fine with her (she was a year old). They have also been around my nephews a lot and we've had no trouble. Its a reminder to be careful when little ones are around, though. Just in case.

[tbs727]

One dog, Max, is part lab mix/ part Australian shepherd, The other, Mandy, is a german shepherd mix. Mandy survived on her own for a while after her abusive owners abandoned her, so I know she has survival instincts and I believe that, when an animal runs, she thinks she has to chase it. KWIM?

I'm really not worried about them being aggressive because they don't act aggressively ever to the indoor cats, just intruders. Maybe they thought this cat was on their territory, I don't know.

[nodmicks]

One dog, Max, is part lab mix/ part Australian shepherd, The other, Mandy, is a german shepherd mix. Mandy survived on her own for a while after her abusive owners abandoned her, so I know she has survival instincts and I believe that, when an animal runs, she thinks she has to chase it. KWIM?

I'm really not worried about them being aggressive because they don't act aggressively ever to the indoor cats, just intruders. Maybe they thought this cat was on their territory, I don't know.

I agree with you 100%. That is exacly the behavior I see in our dogs.