Of course, you can be in the city limits here and still be in the country. The owners of the miniature Shetland Pony reported that at least six dogs were involved in the attack. The dogs jumped a cattle fence and mauled the pony to the extent that it had to be euthanized. The owners are scheduled to be on the agenda at the next city council meeting. The paper reported that the owners stated that it could be a child next time.
Free roaming feral dogs are a problem, and the problem will probably worsen. I realize that everyone blames everything on the economy, but I believe there is an element of truth. Yesterday I saw four half-grown dogs, what appeared to be some kind of black lab mix, beside a country road. It is easy to spot dogs that have been abandoned on the roadside. They appear confused, and will walk around aimlessly. I have seen them hang around for several days in the same spot they were abandoned. These dogs had that look. Undoubtably, the owners grew tired of buying feed for them. They surely thought they could put the dogs out and someone who lives nearby will be glad to get them. In reality, the humane thing to do would be to put a bullet in their (the dogs) head.
Dogs like these will wind up ran over by cars, or on the edge of starvation, and will eventually go feral and attack livestock, small game, and in some cases, humans. I have shot or shot at dogs in my pasture. One of my neighbors shot four or five grown dogs that were attacking a cow that was calving. He said that two of the dogs had collars. That indcates to me that Fido who sleeps in the yard all day, if allowed to roam free, is likely to join a pack on occasion.
I have had to put down unwanted puppies. It isn't any fun, and I surely get no enjoyment from it, but it is much more humane than taking them to the dumpster.
Free roaming feral dogs are a problem, and the problem will probably worsen. I realize that everyone blames everything on the economy, but I believe there is an element of truth. Yesterday I saw four half-grown dogs, what appeared to be some kind of black lab mix, beside a country road. It is easy to spot dogs that have been abandoned on the roadside. They appear confused, and will walk around aimlessly. I have seen them hang around for several days in the same spot they were abandoned. These dogs had that look. Undoubtably, the owners grew tired of buying feed for them. They surely thought they could put the dogs out and someone who lives nearby will be glad to get them. In reality, the humane thing to do would be to put a bullet in their (the dogs) head.
Dogs like these will wind up ran over by cars, or on the edge of starvation, and will eventually go feral and attack livestock, small game, and in some cases, humans. I have shot or shot at dogs in my pasture. One of my neighbors shot four or five grown dogs that were attacking a cow that was calving. He said that two of the dogs had collars. That indcates to me that Fido who sleeps in the yard all day, if allowed to roam free, is likely to join a pack on occasion.
I have had to put down unwanted puppies. It isn't any fun, and I surely get no enjoyment from it, but it is much more humane than taking them to the dumpster.
