Steve Carpenter at the pen where his laying hens were killed.
MUSCLE SHOALS – When Connie Carpenter heard the noise outside, she picked up the phone and called her husband, Steve. “I didn’t know what it was,” Carpenter told this reporter, “Steve told me not to open the door. It could’ve been a coyote or a rabid something-or-other.”
Connie was at her place of business this morning… early. She always gets there early because she and Steve like to be ready to sell organic and hydroponically-grown vegetables to restaurateurs who start their day by picking up at Jack-O-Lantern Farm on the TVA reservation.
Jack-O-Lantern Farm main building is across the parking lot from where the stray dogs killed their flock. One of the birds was killed just past the sidewalk It tried to get away, but wasn’t a match for the dogs.
Steve wasn’t there. He was on his way to Birmingham with a load of produce and some of the nicest free-range eggs you’ll find anywhere in the Southeast.
It’s not easy doing what they do. They work hard for their money. And this morning, because the owner of 2 Chow-breed dogs didn’t have the animals secured, it just wasn’t the Carpenters day.
In the twilight of the morning, these dogs made their way into the chicken pen and had a field day with the helpless birds. These were the Carpenters laying-hens. A special breed of Rhode Island Reds, they were all imported into Alabama. And they were all killed by these dogs, save a couple of them who made it to safety. It will effectively end the production of free-range eggs for this year. And the birds aren’t cheap.
The dogs didn’t get into this part of the coop. Steve shows some of his chicks. The room was blocked by a small wooden pallet.
The owner of these Chows was not available for comment. Turns out he’s in jail. He has been in jail for a few weeks, according to a confidential source. The dogs, which are having to fend for themselves, must be pretty hungry.
Steve says that it will take months to rebuild his flock of laying hens. It will also take a lot of money.
We asked Colbert County Animal Control Director, Julie Nichols if this is an isolated case of stray dogs causing mayhem. She gave the obvious answer, “Happens all the time. Just not quite like this.”
The dogs are still on the loose as of this writing. Additionally, we mistakenly included a photo of a home that we were told belonged to the dogs’ owner. It was NOT the correct house. We apologize for any inconvenience we may have caused the owner of the home.
This is a link to Jack O Lantern Farm Facebook page.
1 comment
There should never be loose dogs and the owner should be punished. But most areas also have wildlife. Why weren’t the chickens fenced in a way to keep them safe>