I haven't seen dog packs lately like we used to have here running on the banks of the Rio Grande. The free spay and neuter policy of the local animal shelter is probably to be thanked for this improvement. I started having trouble with dogs the minute I started raising sheep and chickens. Even with two livestock guarding dogs I was losing animals to dog attacks, so I asked an older rancher friend what he thought I should do. He said that the rule is to kill them, bury them, and keep your mouth shut about it. He said to try buckshot, that he had been impressed with the range it has and its ability to go through brush. He added that it won't keep traveling for miles like a rifle slug will, so it's safer to use. Now, 35 years later, I am the older rancher friend, and I can tell you that dogs that get inside my fence and tangle with my stock dogs get treated to hot buckshot. I can also attest to the fact that a dog that wants to attack livestock, and I believe this to be a small percentage of pet dogs, will come back and try again if he is chased off the first time. The real problem, as you suggest , is the attitude of dog owners that "this is just what dogs do." This is what you allow your dog to do.
Ahhh, I remember your lovely farmstead. You gave me shelter in a tiny house on the edge of your land when I was on tour and fell outrageously ill with a flu. It was a very healing place. I'm sorry to hear you had trouble with your livestock. I love dogs. I grew up with mutts and huskies. In my early 20's I had a malamute mutt that went everywhere with me. And yes, I caught her chasing deer a time or two. This issue in our valley affects a lot of people. I wish people would choose to train their dogs and contain them to their land instead of let them run. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us. It's a worthy discussion to have. Wishing you and your farm all the best!
I knew there was an essay in the story you told me a few weeks back. I had no idea about the whole Exertion/Capture Myopathy thing, and how it affects wild animals especially. I was on the edge of my seat hoping the fawn made it.
I love dogs and deer, so not sure how to feel about it all. But I'm losing my love of humans by the day.
And here's the big truth from your essay:
"One of the travesties in life is not being able to choose who moves in next door."
Thanks Mark! I love dogs too, as you know. It's part of why I feel so strongly about this. But being so close to seeing the ill effects of unconfined dogs was really powerful. It's not an easy subject and the solutions are complex. But I feel it's well worth the conversation and exploration. Thanks for the read and for taking the time to comment!
I too found this story a very compelling--up close and personal--argument. The vivid descriptions and observations are emotionally cutting. My eyes were glued to the screen, rooting for the deer and cheering you on. Well done, thanks!
Thanks so much Terry! This was an interesting story to write because I love dogs, and as you know in McCarthy, dogs rule and run free all the time. I think up there it works because there are nearly zero fences so the wild critters have room and space to move. Plus, the wild critters up there are hella bigger :). Here in this valley, it's a rural neighborhood with an incredible number of high fences making it much harder for deer and wild animals to keep a safe distance from dogs or predators. It's an issue that is complex here, but one that I feel is worth talking about. I really appreciate your thoughtful feedback. Thanks for reading!
Wonderful reminder to those who let their dogs run loose. Allowing your dog to run a deer to death is just plain cruel. My Dad used to talk about this all the time and when he was hunting deer, would leave the dogs home and would shoot buckshot at any dogs who ran deer through our property. He also got the shotgun out if any dogs bothered the cattle, something that my brothers do today. All the neighbours have been warned. I also remember my Dad talking at length about how difficult it is to keep a dog that has gone "to the wild" as he called it and said it was more humane to put it down than to let it go and cause harm which it will inevitably do to wildlife, livestock and people. I love dogs, and though I have great sensitivity where all animals are concerned that common sense still rules. However, when one of our dogs began running wild and killed some of our chickens we sent it out for adoption giving those details instead--easier on all of us. For all my Dad's teaching, there was no way I could shoot that dog so he went to a city owner who keeps him out of trouble.
I haven't seen dog packs lately like we used to have here running on the banks of the Rio Grande. The free spay and neuter policy of the local animal shelter is probably to be thanked for this improvement. I started having trouble with dogs the minute I started raising sheep and chickens. Even with two livestock guarding dogs I was losing animals to dog attacks, so I asked an older rancher friend what he thought I should do. He said that the rule is to kill them, bury them, and keep your mouth shut about it. He said to try buckshot, that he had been impressed with the range it has and its ability to go through brush. He added that it won't keep traveling for miles like a rifle slug will, so it's safer to use. Now, 35 years later, I am the older rancher friend, and I can tell you that dogs that get inside my fence and tangle with my stock dogs get treated to hot buckshot. I can also attest to the fact that a dog that wants to attack livestock, and I believe this to be a small percentage of pet dogs, will come back and try again if he is chased off the first time. The real problem, as you suggest , is the attitude of dog owners that "this is just what dogs do." This is what you allow your dog to do.
Ahhh, I remember your lovely farmstead. You gave me shelter in a tiny house on the edge of your land when I was on tour and fell outrageously ill with a flu. It was a very healing place. I'm sorry to hear you had trouble with your livestock. I love dogs. I grew up with mutts and huskies. In my early 20's I had a malamute mutt that went everywhere with me. And yes, I caught her chasing deer a time or two. This issue in our valley affects a lot of people. I wish people would choose to train their dogs and contain them to their land instead of let them run. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us. It's a worthy discussion to have. Wishing you and your farm all the best!
I knew there was an essay in the story you told me a few weeks back. I had no idea about the whole Exertion/Capture Myopathy thing, and how it affects wild animals especially. I was on the edge of my seat hoping the fawn made it.
I love dogs and deer, so not sure how to feel about it all. But I'm losing my love of humans by the day.
And here's the big truth from your essay:
"One of the travesties in life is not being able to choose who moves in next door."
Well done. Write on! - M
Thanks Mark! I love dogs too, as you know. It's part of why I feel so strongly about this. But being so close to seeing the ill effects of unconfined dogs was really powerful. It's not an easy subject and the solutions are complex. But I feel it's well worth the conversation and exploration. Thanks for the read and for taking the time to comment!
I too found this story a very compelling--up close and personal--argument. The vivid descriptions and observations are emotionally cutting. My eyes were glued to the screen, rooting for the deer and cheering you on. Well done, thanks!
Thanks so much Terry! This was an interesting story to write because I love dogs, and as you know in McCarthy, dogs rule and run free all the time. I think up there it works because there are nearly zero fences so the wild critters have room and space to move. Plus, the wild critters up there are hella bigger :). Here in this valley, it's a rural neighborhood with an incredible number of high fences making it much harder for deer and wild animals to keep a safe distance from dogs or predators. It's an issue that is complex here, but one that I feel is worth talking about. I really appreciate your thoughtful feedback. Thanks for reading!
Tugged at my heartstrings. Why do some people have to be so self centered. Wonderfully warm story and also informative. Thanks
Wonderful reminder to those who let their dogs run loose. Allowing your dog to run a deer to death is just plain cruel. My Dad used to talk about this all the time and when he was hunting deer, would leave the dogs home and would shoot buckshot at any dogs who ran deer through our property. He also got the shotgun out if any dogs bothered the cattle, something that my brothers do today. All the neighbours have been warned. I also remember my Dad talking at length about how difficult it is to keep a dog that has gone "to the wild" as he called it and said it was more humane to put it down than to let it go and cause harm which it will inevitably do to wildlife, livestock and people. I love dogs, and though I have great sensitivity where all animals are concerned that common sense still rules. However, when one of our dogs began running wild and killed some of our chickens we sent it out for adoption giving those details instead--easier on all of us. For all my Dad's teaching, there was no way I could shoot that dog so he went to a city owner who keeps him out of trouble.