Portrait of a chicken slayer

"My owner took my freedom, locked me in a ball and chain,
Said I'll never see the sunshine or feel the pouring rain,
You see my head is burnin, these chapped lips need a lickin,
I swear one day I'll get even with that dirty rotten chicken,
Cos I'm a baaaad dog and your flavour tastes sooo goood."


And so sings Oscar, a neighbours Jack Russell. He is a friendly little thing (once you know him) and looks harmless. It is easy to be fooled and get drawn into that sad little face. However, if looks could deceive, Oscar is without a doubt master of his craft.

From picking fights with larger dogs and leaving others to resolve the outcome, to disappearing into the woods and coercing other dogs to follow. When you meet him he has an incredible greeting for himself! He loves nothing more than a daily rich tea biscuit served at around eleven.

Unfortunately he is now doing hard time. His crime, killing chickens belonging to a neighbour. He had been given a few chances by the owner of the chickens. He is a very tolerant man, as he keeps a lot of animals, including dogs.

The first time it happened, Oscar did time. Placed in solitary, we all thought he would be a contrite soul. All the other dogs know how to live in harmony with the chickens. On his release, it was not too long before he reoffended and got the irons slapped back on. He will never learn. It leaves the parole board with a serious dilemna.

At night it hurts to hear the soft blue tones of a harmonica as Oscar laments his lost freedom. We miss him.