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.
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."
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!
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.
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
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!
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.