Dog Packs and a Poor Economy

Don't Make Me Shoot Your Dog

This article is on dog packs and dogs that run with coyotes. Is the economy adding to the numbers? I think so. Instead of feeding the dogs or turning the dogs over to the humane shelter, people are just "dumping" the dogs. Not only is this not the "right" thing to do, it's a dangerous thing to do. Dogs can equal dog packs. Dog packs can intermingle with coyotes. All are death or danger to livestock.

Walking by the sliding door, I visually checked the goats and Dexter cattle this morning. It's a habit I have of always looking out at the livestock when passing by a door or window. This morning I saw my goats, who had earlier been headed for the back pasture, standing at attention. I stopped in my tracks. The Dexter cattle were not in the pasture either. They had come in to the lot. What is up?

I turned down the TV, opened the door and heard yapping. Was it a pack of dogs or coyotes? At first all I could do was listen to them. But then a dark shadow. Grabbing the binoculars I tried to make the figure out. No luck. The yapping kept up and I strained to see what was doing it. Then, a yellow color came into view. It was a very large yellow lab. I caught a glimpse of 2 yellow labs and 2 dark colored animals. I also saw a small pup that was black. At best this was a dog pack. At worst this was a dog pack running with coyotes.

I called my husband and told him. The goats and Dexter cattle weren't budging. These animals instinctively know that dog packs are dangerous to them. All the while, the yellow dog was pacing the fence.

Looking at this dog through the binoculars, all I could think of was what an awesome animal. Who left this dog to survive on his own the best way he knows how? More and more dogs are getting into dog packs. And, more dogs are joining in with coyote packs. Who is responsible? The owners of the dogs are responsible. Sure, occasionally a dog will run away and not be found. I'm are talking about people who cannot or will not feed and care for their dogs anymore. I'm talking about people who dump dogs out in the country. What the heck is a dog supposed to eat? My livestock!