Animal Security

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Just moved into this place recently and something killed my rabbit today while I was at work. Where I used to live I kept him in this pen inside a dog pen. My family thought I was nuts for "layered security". I guess they are gonna learn the hard lesson tonight when they get in. This rabbit wasn't really for food as much as a pet although I ain't as attached to critters as that feller and his horse on the other days post. I'm gonna eat, period.
This was the work of a big dog. Hoping he comes back tonight, got a little suprise set for him along with a new cold steel tool I've been wanting to work in.
Guess I'm gonna take it as a lesson. Think we just had a discussion about dogs recently didn't we? Might need to overbuild my next cages make'em "tremors" and zombie proof or something I dunno. It moved the cage almost 3 ft before breaking the aluminum welds and breaking the zip ties.
Anyway something to think about, today I can go to Tractor Supply and buy another one tommorow I might be outta luck and real hungry.

[Klayton]

Sorry Matt, that sucks!!

If no children are at risk, I would be setting up one of those fox's spring traps. Any dog wild or uncontrolled pet, that kills my livestock is free game. Afterwards I would be feeding them to the hogs to get some of my money back too... ;)

[610Alpha]

makes you wonder why the animal didn't drag it off and eat it. I would be surprised if the animal comes back tonight unless you put out some bait.

Sorry about the loss :(

[Klayton]

elittle, most domesticated animals (pet dogs) kill because of their animal instict/drive but through so many generations of human feeding them, they dont know what to do with the dead animal after they kill it. It just lays there and becomes fox/vulture food.

[610Alpha]

klayton- I disagree. My in-laws have a farm cat that gets a bowl of food every day and yet she brings them the heads and beaks of her prey to their front door :) I have seen this cat eat her victims. I have also seen domesticated dogs eat rabbits that they have caught. Some may not eat their pray but some will. I have also seen some that will carry it off to play with their catch not to eat but they at least carry it off. I have yet to see a dog or cat that just kills and leaves the prey where it kills it. Next time you see a domesticated dog catch something chase after it, I'll bet that it will carry its prey with it for a little bit at least. Just saying from my own personal experience.

[Klayton]

cats and dogs, two way different animals :)

I refer to my uncle who had to kill two black labs, that thought it was sport to chase down and slaughter his sheep
after killing the sheep, they left them be, again, cats and dogs are too diffferent animals...

farm cats can and often are, left to fend on their own for food (not somethint I recommend, as they can wipe out bird populations faster than anything) dogs on the other hand, pet dogs, if they have not gone feral yet, are usually just dumb killing machines, killing out of instict...

now feral dogs (dogs allowed to revert back to wild animals) are a different story... there is a youtube video (unfortunately) of a pack of feral domesticated dogs attacking a bear cub and ripping it to pieces... I know I know, its nature, but not really, domesticated dogs that go feral have NO fear of man, unlike foxes, coyotes, and wolves... which leads to bookoo trouble in the PAW... :)

[610Alpha]

I understand that cats and dogs are different animals, however, I still have seen with my own 2 eyes a domesticated beagle catch and kill a rabbit and run off with it and start munching on it. It did not just kill it and leave it. Not that a dog can't or won't do that, I am saying I have not seen it. Every dog is different and I cannot just give a blanket statement that all dogs do this is what i am saying. Anyways I can't imagine that after a dog goes through that much trouble to kill the rabbit that it doesn't at least drag it out of the cage, it seems odd that it is still in the cage. Regardless of how dumb of a killing machine they may become because of domestication, the dog is going to play with its toy that it just caught in the very least. Maybe we need to get the dog whisperer on here? LOL

Either way he needs to up his security, I recommend a 6 inch concrete bunker next time to keep the hounds of hell from his rabbit. LOL

[eeyore]

The dog thing could have been as simple as he/she was just playing with it, and when it died, it was not fun or interesting anymore.

The cat thing, we have had cats the brought home heads and whole mice as presents to the owner.

Sorry for the animal, you might try suspending the cage higher might help? Or electric fence?

[vick]

If you get another rabbit,put it's cage up on stilt like legs.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Yep next one on Stilts, bunkered, electric fence, remote fired weapons, minefield LOL
I won't say what I did but it didnt come back and if it does it won't be back again.
Mainly wanted to post it because I failed and wanted you all to take a look at your stuff and learn from my mistake. Won't be another time believe that!

[Klayton]

Just asked a friend that raises rabbits. The dog doesnt even actually have to touch the rabbit to kill it. According to him, the non-stop threat in the immediate area is enough to give a rabbit a heartattack!?!?! I found this very interesting when he told me...

[Matt In Oklahoma]

True on fat domesticated rabbits, mine was crushed though with a single bite. Mine wasn't scared of dogs or cats. I got both and they used to banter between the cages

[Lacey]

Just asked a friend that raises rabbits. The dog doesnt even actually have to touch the rabbit to kill it. According to him, the non-stop threat in the immediate area is enough to give a rabbit a heartattack!?!?! I found this very interesting when he told me...

This is absolutely true. We used to raise rabbits and our neighbor's dogs came over to the rabbit cages barking, growling, scratching at them and several died on the spot. They never got inside the cages. They literally scared them to death.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

He wont be scaring anymore rabbits. at least here on earth.

[arcangel911]

Matt if I may,

First off, sorry about your loss. Were there any tracks or signs of dog? I looked over your photos and must say that is one solid cage you have there.

Also, I was curious about your surroundings (fences, open area, camera system, problems before?). This might be a good OPSEC thing that dropped into your lap and as to look at for future notes for me.