trespassing chickens

A few days ago, we awoke to find our yard covered in chicken feathers and our ever-present family of stray dogs lounging indifferently around their kill. The chicken, presumably a neighbor's, was left untouched by the dogs, probably killed out of boredom or just because it was there. The four of us didn't know what exactly we should do in this situation -- would there be an angry neighbor coming around demanding compensation, should we bury the chicken, should we eat it?? We called the Ngowi's, our program coordinators in Moshi, to ask their advice. Mama Ngowi wasn't concerned -- they're not your dogs, so it's not your responsibility. Baba Ngowi's take was priceless. He got a little worked up, actually, declaring, "well, those dogs are there for your protection, to guard the house. That chicken was trespassing! Those dogs were just doing what they had to do."

We didn't end up eating the chicken. It was kind of a waste, I guess, but we're not quite to the point of plucking our own chickens, especially ones found dead in our front yard...not yet.