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Discussion on Dog Attack
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 19, 2000 - 12:24 pm:
My vet was delayed for our fall immunization appointment yesterday because of an emergency.I haven't been able to stop thinking about the cause.
Two elderly (30 yrs & 27yrs) horses were attacked by dogs, the older one killed outright and the younger mauled severely.The owner rents a barn and pasture and doesn't live on premises.
I heard a commotion a few months ago and ran off two big dogs that were chasing my horses, but I wonder now if I'd "shoot first & ask questions later" - hang the legalities! My guys are all in their prime , and the pony especially lives in hopes of squashing a dog (preferably MY dog, but she'd settle for a stranger!). I suppose the size of the dog pack would be a factor, but this has really shaken me up - we live in what has basically become the suburbs in the last thirteen years. Not a bear or panther within miles.Shouldn't have to worry about this! Anyone have any experience with this sort of thing, or comments?
Sharon
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 19, 2000 - 3:09 pm:
I have a friend who keeps a Great Pyrenees dog as a stable/pasture guard dog. Her job is to protect the horses from wandering dogs and coyotes.
The GP is not kept as a house dog. When the people show up in the a.m. the dog lays down and sleeps after being "on watch" all night.
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 19, 2000 - 3:34 pm:
That is a horrific story - and one hears such things too often, I fear. Are there laws in America to control dogs? Here, in South Africa, we do have laws that say that dogs must be kept in control behind fences, and they are not allowed to roam the streets and be a danger or nuisance to other animals or human beings. However, human nature being what it is, not all owners have sufficient responsibility to properly fence their property and control their dogs. So the same sort of thing happens.
I do feel that in this day and age it is now the horse-owner's responsibility to make sure that the horse is behind protective fencing so that dogs [or other animals that may hurt the horse] can not approach them. When horses ran free, they could probably outrun dogs and/or the horses could defend themselves, with the space to do it. Now we constrain them to small areas, without the space, so it is up to us to make sure the horses are safe. I think that is the only answer.
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 19, 2000 - 7:53 pm:
I have 4 herding dogs, 2 of which are trained to herd my horses (the horses also need to be "dog broke" so no one gets hurt). At one point a neighbors dog was DIGGING into my pasture to try to attack my horses. Luckily my horses would not react to "inappropiate herding" therfor never gave the dog the thrill of the chase. His persistant barking and lunging just got my appy mad so he struck out and stomped the dog in the head.
I am a firm believer when it comes to my horses and vet bills, loss of use, etc. I shoot first! I also check with County Animal Control and I am with in my legal right to do so.
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 19, 2000 - 8:53 pm:
I have a two year old Jack that doesn't allow stay dogs to stay on the property. I have also heard that Llamas (sp?) are also good at this. In Tennessee, the law allows you to shoot dogs that endanger livestock. I wouldn't have any problem enforcing that law.
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 20, 2000 - 11:36 am:
In Arizona, we had a stray dog on our property. We called Animal Control, who removed the dog. The officer did inform us that we had the legal right to shoot any stray dog on sight. Unfortunately, a lot of dog owners allow their dogs to roam. Many times, these dogs roam in packs and become quite vicious. Recently, a woman was walking her dog on a leash, when one of these packs attacked and killed her dog.
Any dog without ID that enters my property will be picked up by animal control. I don't have the heart to shoot it, besides, I'm a terrible shot!  . The only time I would shoot a dog is if I felt my family or my animals were in immediate danger.
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 20, 2000 - 11:40 am:
This is exactly why I plan on putting up 5'-6' wire mesh fencing for my horses. How sad.
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 20, 2000 - 3:02 pm:
Jordana,
Be sure you anchor the bottom of your mesh fence. We had a neighbor's dog come UNDER the fence to get at our horses and chickens. Animal Control was called and asked to visit the neighbor and told the guy we were within our legal rights to shoot his dog. We haven't seen the dog since.
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 21, 2000 - 2:25 pm:
It is legal in Colorado to shoot a dog that is chasing livestock or wildlife. I think the person who owns the dog can also be fined, in addition to the dog being shot.
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