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Loose Dogs Kill Animals at El Paso Zoo
Zoo Killer Dogs Euthanized
UPDATE 08/29/08: The two captured dogs were euthanized by animal control despite Chacon's claims that breed-profiling was occurring. Animal control officials said a veterinarian conducted a physical examination and a behavioral assessment test before determining the dogs were not suitable for adoption.
08/27/08: Attorney Claims Breed Profiling
Defense attorney Fernando Chacon says he will intervene on behalf of the two dogs caught by Animal Control and suspected of killing the antelope named Hope and a sandhill crane. Chacon says "breed profiling" may be occurring. Zoo employees who witnessed the end of the attack described the dogs as two pit bulls and a German shepherd-mix.
By offering a description of the dogs for identification purposes Chacon seems to believe that a crime has occurred. The two dogs are currently in the care of Animal Control and will likely be put down Thursday. According to Animal Control, the animals are being treated as any other unclaimed stray dogs would be treated. Maybe Chacon will claim the dogs and invite them to his home.
08/22/08: Antelope and Crane Attacked at Zoo
El Paso, TX - In July, mysterious dogs slaughtered three alpacas in San Antonio, then more loose dogs killed goats in the same area. In the first quarter of 2008, a pit bull epidemic struck Lubbock County that claimed at least 23 livestock animal lives. Loose dogs continue killing animals in Texas. El Paso Zoo officials say they have just caught two dogs that mauled a sandhill crane and an antelope.
According to El Paso Zoo officials, a pronghorn antelope and a sandhill crane were attacked and killed by three loose dogs at the El Paso Zoo late Wednesday. The dogs were described by zoo employees as two pit bulls and a German shepherd. Animal Services caught two dogs using cages Friday morning. The animals caught are described as a pit bull and a German shepherd-mix.
One pit bull is still loose. We hope the zoo has tall fences. Animal Services said part of the problem is that pet owners who no longer want their dogs set them free on the streets. Last year, animal services caught more than 13,000 stray dogs; this year the city has impounded 8,000 feral dogs. Many people feed stray dogs as well, instead of reporting them to Animal Control. The antelope that was killed had been with the zoo for 20 years. Her name was Hope.
Related articles:
07/17/08: Pit Bull Rips Up 28 Goat Kids in Greece
07/10/08: Mysterious, Wild Dog Slaughters Alpacas?Labels: livestock attack
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Two Pit Bulls Attack Goats in Georgia, Two Goats Die
Livestock Owner is Devastated
Murray County, GE, - Genevelyn Hope, the owner of two dead goats says, "I want you to know these animals are out there, they have tasted blood, they've made two kills." She says she'll do what's necessary to safeguard her family and property. Hope says that while she was out of town, two pit bulls attacked her goats, Baby and Petunia. One died and the other had to be put down.
Hope's story is best understood by watching the video. Her donkey was spared, but Hope says he's still a bit shaken up.
Hope says, "I'm angry, this is my property the goats were mine and they were here for a purpose, we paid for them, we raised them." The pet goats had been part of the family for the past ten years, they helped keep down the growth around the 20 acre property. Hope's brother, George Beavers, witnessed the attack.
Beavers said, "I came in the gate and I saw those two dogs had the goat down there against the fence." He scared the dogs off with a shot from his pistol, but it was too late. He said he found one goat dead and the other with its ear tore off. The family called Murray County animal control several times, but no one picked up. (On Friday, the office is only open from 3-5pm).
The combination of loose, vicious dogs and a lack of animal control resources is devastating for a livestock owner. Hope said, "I would be delighted to see heads roll...they [animal control] never come, that's ridiculous we pay these people." Animal control officers did come out Monday to talk with Hope. But no one knows who the dogs belong to. The family says they look like pit bulls, one is brindle and the other is black. As long as the dogs remain unidentified, the livestock owner has no recourse.
Related articles:
06/23/08: Report: Dog Attacks on Livestock and Horses January - May 2008Labels: livestock attack
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Duvall Girl Witnesses Pit Bull Attack Show Calf
Unacceptable "Animal Agression"
Duvall, WA - The images of the attack still bring tears to the eyes of 9-year-old Lea Galusha. She was playing outside her home with her best friend and pet when a pit bull sprinted in from the neighbor's yard. She then watched in horror as the dog latched on to her beloved calf's neck and hung on in classic bull baiting style."I was upset and I was just crying and screaming," said Lea. When her grandpa heard the screams, he rushed to her aid. "He had the calf and lost his grip and he went right back for another one," said Rus Galusha. He said it took several agonizing attempts to unclench the dog's jaw. Officials warned the pit bull owner to remove the animal from the property by the end of the week, otherwise, animal control officers would intervene.
The owner, Mamie Boyle, said she plans to get rid of the dog. (The article does not state if Boyle plans to put the dog down or simply relocate the animal to a new community.) Rus and Lea are relieved the dog is going away. "To me, it's very disgusting for somebody like that to have a dog like that in the neighborhood," Rus said.
The damage may have been already done as far as Leah is concerned. She's been working with her 4-H club for weeks to get her calf ready for two upcoming fairs, and hopes the wounds heal in time. Rus, meanwhile, is stuck with the vet bill. It's unclear why the pit bull owner is not.
Related articles:
06/27/08: Pit Bull Snaps Chain, Attacks Show Calf in Missouri
06/22/08: Pit Bull and Boxer Attack Calves; One Dies other Badly InjuredLabels: livestock attack, relocation
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Pit Bull Rips Up 28 Goat Kids in Greece
Single Pit Bull Kills 12; Injures 16
Greece - Twenty-eight goat kids were attacked by a single pit bull at a Nicosia district farm, according to police. Twelve of the animals were slaughtered and the remaining 16 sustained serious injuries. The attack took place at a goat farm in Ayious Trimithias belonging to a 70-year-old Lakatamia woman. The woman was not harmed in the attack.A single pit bull is as deadly as a pack of dogs to a livestock owner. The dog’s owner is currently abroad. Police are now trying to determine who was responsible for the animal in its owner’s absence. Veterinary service officials were called to the scene and the pit bull was put down, while the kids’ carcasses were taken in for further tests. Preliminary estimates suggest the farm owner has suffered over €1,500 from the attack.
In other news:Pack of Dogs Tears Through 7 Sheep
Garfield, OR - In late June, a sheep owner lost seven sheep after loose dogs attacked them. She believes the culprits were three dogs she later saw on her property. She fired a shotgun at them but the dogs fled unharmed. In March, the same sheep owner reported two Airedale dogs to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office after they killed three of her sheep.
The sheep owner told Deputy Griffith she suspected her neighbors' dogs were responsible in the latest attack. Griffith talked with the neighbors and learned that the dogs are kept in a kennel most of the time. He found no evidence of their involvement in the attack. The article does not name the breeds of these dogs, nor the type of "evidence" the deputy expected to find.
There are no leash laws in the area and the dogs remain unidentified, so it doesn't really matter whose dogs are guilty. The sheep owner is simply out 10 sheep, has vet bills stacking up and no decent laws to protect her. The owner has had the herd for 25 years with few problems. Now, she's suffered two deadly dog attacks just in the last three months.
Related articles:
06/23/08: Report: Dog Attacks on Livestock and Horses January - May 2008
05/20/08: Lower Valley Livestock Owner Knows Dog "Will Be Back"Labels: livestock attack
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Unleashed Dogs are Dead Dogs in Semi-Rural America
Protesters Want Stiffer Charges
UPDATE 09/23/08: Protesters want the farmer who shot two dogs after threatening his cattle charged with a felony. Christopher Commins, the farmer, currently faces misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. Protesters held a rally and demanded the state take additional action against him. One of the shot dogs, Hoochie, also attended the rally.
07/15/08: Farmer May Be Prosecuted
Back in May, we reported on a farmer that shot two huskies circling one of his cows. At the time of the shooting, wolves had been seen in the area. There were also calves in the field. The dog owner caught the scene on video and the Orange County Humane Society is now urging the State Attorney's office to prosecute the farmer.
05/23/08: Farmers Will Shoot Off Leash Dogs
Orange County, FL - Farmers are losing livestock at an increased rate due to loose dogs and they're unhappy about it. As urban folks spread into semi-rural areas, they bring their dogs with them and an attitude that is unwelcome to farmers: "Look at all the open space! I don't need to leash my dogs."This attitude will get your dogs shot and killed. If your off-leash dog steps onto a farmer's property and chases livestock, it's perfectly legal for the farmer to shoot and kill your dog. Loose, roaming dogs are a significant problem in semi-rural areas of the US. Livestock owners suffer enormous costs as these dogs destroy herds of goats and other animals.
Dog owner Chris Butler now has two shot dogs and a pile of medical bills. He had the dim-witted idea that walking his two huskies off-leash would be "good for the dogs." Next thing you know, the dogs were chasing cattle on a nearby ranch. An unhesitating farmer shot them both and he doesn't owe the dog owner a dime.
Labels: livestock attack, roaming dogs
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Mysterious, Wild Dog Slaughters Alpacas?
 Mid-Sized Tan and White Dog
San Antonio, TX - Between January and March of 2008, loose pit bulls killed at least 23 livestock animals in Lubbock County, Texas. Not far from here is Bexar County, where a recent attack by a "mysterious, wild" dog killed two alpacas and mutilated a third. The attack happened at a ranch on Scenic Loop Road on the far north side.
Workers say the animal bit through the legs and necks of two alpacas and seriously injured a third. As quoted in DogsBite.org's recent report on livestock and horse attacks, "severe head injury, tearing off ears, noses and legs is an attribute of the pit bull breed." A mid-sized tan and white dog was seen chasing after the animals and mauling them. The dog fled when workers tried to catch it.
Deputies are trying to track down the vicious dog and its owner (good luck).
Related article:
06/23/08: Report: Dog Attacks on Livestock and Horses January - May 2008
05/23/08: "Wanted" Posters Go Up After Pit Bull Owner Flees Horse AttackLabels: livestock attack
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Husky Devastates Poultry Pen in Maine
Dog Stopped by "Sons" and Tagged
Wales, ME -- Members of a central Maine farming family say a dog got into their poultry pen and devastated scores of animals being raised for food. Amy Tremblay said her sons caught the dog and hooked it to a run, but that by then the husky had wiped out the family's young flocks of about 105 chickens (Rhode Island Red and Cornish Rock).
Tremblay said the dog didn't eat any of the fowl, but mangled them. Animal Control Officer Wendell Strout said after the attack that the husky, which was young and had a shock collar and a tag, was not dangerous to humans. Strout said the dog probably got excited after getting through the fence. He estimated the damage at around $1,000.
Note:
The family's sons were able to "catch" the dog instead of having to beat it with a pipe or shoot it to stop the rampage. The husky also had a shock collar and a tag. The dog was easily caught and identified, thus giving the livestock owner recourse. In the many pit bull attacks on livestock we reviewed between January to May, few pit bulls could be stopped and possibly none were tagged.
Related articles:
06/23/08: Report: Dog Attacks on Livestock and Horses January - May 2008
05/23/08: Unleashed Dogs are Dead Dogs in Semi-Rural AmericaLabels: livestock attack
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Pit Bull Snaps Chain, Attacks Show Calf in Missouri
Another Chain Snappin' Pit Bull
Marshall, MO - A calf belonging to a youngster who was raising it for show was attacked and severely injured by a pit bull Wednesday. The boy's father, John Sprigg of Nelson, said that the calf is still alive, but far from recovered. The calf's right ear was badly damaged and both the left and ride side of the animal's face and nose had severe lacerations.
As DogBite.org's recent report on livestock and horses states: "Severe head injury, tearing off ears, noses and legs is an attribute of the pit bull breed." Sprigg's daughter discovered the injured calf that morning when she went to feed the animals. When sheriff's deputies arrived, they observed pit bulls in the area, one of which had blood all over its mouth.
Sprigg said this was not the first incident involving the dogs. Several days ago, one of them allegedly jumped up on his son, but did not attack. Sprigg said he learned of the incident in a phone call from the dog's owner, who said he would put the dog on a chain. The incident report said the dog had broken the chain during the night and was running loose when the attack took place.
Pit bulls commonly snap chains, crash through doors and chew through chain link fences to reach their targets. This breed of dog cannot be "contained," even by responsible owners. The fact that pit bulls cannot be contained with normal -- and far above normal -- constraint methods considerably adds to the risk they pose to people, pets and livestock.
Related articles:
06/23/08: Two Pit Bulls Attack Shetland Pony then "Misdirect" Attack Onto People
06/22/08: Pit Bull and Boxer Attack Calves; One Dies other Badly InjuredLabels: chain snap, livestock attack
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Report: Dog Attacks on Livestock and Horses January - May 2008
Seattle, WA - DogsBite.org, a national dog bite victims’ group dedicated to reducing serious dog attacks by creating common sense laws, has released its first report on dog bite trends. The report details the occurrence of dog attacks on livestock and horses in the United States from January 1st through May 20th of 2008.
View full report:
Report: Dog Attacks on Livestock and Horses January - May 2008
The report shows the results of dog attacks on livestock have been devastating. While various breeds of roaming dogs pose a significant threat to livestock owners, the research revealed that only pit bulls have a history of attacking large animals without a partner or group of dogs. Furthermore, without immediate human intervention, pit bulls may not take down just two or three animals, but may continue until they have killed an entire herd."Another major attack occurred just a few months later in Quincy, Illinois. Three pit bull mixes killed 34 pet deer that were penned. The livestock owners were left with two animals. The valuation of the herd fell from $50,000 to $3,000 in a matter of hours." Pit bull type dogs are the most common "fighting breed" and are comprised of several types of dogs: American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, bull terrier, and any other pure bred or mixed breed that is a combination of these dogs. Selective breeding of pit bulls has created a dog with powerful jaws and unmatched tenacity. The report shows the difficulty of constraining pit bulls as well:"Pit bulls are also notoriously difficult to constrain, particularly when in high-prey drive mode. Ample evidence exists that a pit bull can scale a 6-foot fence, break tethering methods -- including chains -- bite through wood slats and chew through metal to reach their target." In the area titled, "Livestock Attacks on the Rise," the report details the Pit Bull Epidemic that occurred in Lubbock County, Texas between January 1st - March 18th 2008. The epidemic did not end until a child suffered serious injuries by a loose pit bull and a senior citizen was mauled by a stray dog that still remains unidentified today.
"By March 18th, the death count had reached 23. Animals killed by loose pit bulls included over a dozen goats, three prize winning potbelly pigs and three miniature horses, two of which were therapy animals owned by Hearts and Hooves Ranch. Several more of their miniature horses were left badly wounded. The shocked community raised $10,000 in donations for immediate veterinary costs for Hearts and Hooves. Rarely are livestock owners as fortunate." In the area titled, "Horse Attacks on the Rise," the report warns horse owners that a single pit bull is just as lethal as a pack of dogs to a horse owner. It also reveals that the number of horse attacks in Britain, primarily by pit bull type dogs, has increased so rapidly in the last year that the British Horse Society (BHS) is now tracking them. The report urges US horse organizations to do the same."This past April, three horses with riders were attacked by pit bulls in nearby parks. The first, an attack on a young Arab-Morgan gelding occurred near Auburn, California. The pit bull attacked the horse's flank first, then locked onto the horse's nose. The gelding flung the dog into a nearby tree before losing balance and sending the 70-year old rider toppling to the ground. The dog attacked a third time, launching the two animals into a dead run. The horse was found three miles out. The pit bull and his owner were never found having fled the scene." The latter portion of the report addresses the ineffectiveness of current US dog laws in semi-rural counties, particularly when it comes to animal attacks (as opposed to human attacks). It urges US livestock and horse owners to actively engage in the legislative process to ensure that "animal attacks" are strongly penalized."By the time a dog is legally labeled a Dangerous Dog (DD), it may have inflicted three attacks. These attacks may result in the loss of many livestock animals. Furthermore, as is often the case with pit bull owners, once the dog is given the DD label the owner will put the dog down. The financial cost of ownership becomes too high. The owner is then free to go out and buy two new pit bulls, and the process starts all over again." Finally, the report reviews a variety of laws that can help protect livestock and horse owners from future attacks including: placing "potentially dangerous" or "dangerous" designations on specific breeds, banning certain breeds and limiting the adoption of these breeds from county animal shelters. The report notes that the state of Ohio, a handful of U.S. counties and about 250 U.S. cities already regulate pit bulls and other fighting breeds.
View full report:
Report: Dog Attacks on Livestock and Horses January - May 2008Labels: Horse Attack, livestock attack
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Pit Bull and Boxer Attack Calves; One Dies other Badly Injured
Dogs Have a History of Being Loose
Rolland Township, MI - In a theme that continues to play out in US semi-rural counties, a farmer awoke to his calves being mauled by two dogs, both of which had a history of being loose. This time, his two Jersey calves were injured -- one so badly that it was euthanized. The dogs are now at the county animal shelter as authorities prepare a report to send to the prosecutor.
The farmer, Clyde Pritchard, spoke Tuesday of the horror he faced when he went into the barn, hearing a dog barking inside the building. When he went into the barn, he saw the pit bull-mix inside the pen with the calves; one of the animals was visibly bloody with a broken jaw, and the other was lying on its back, "with its legs sticking up in the air," Pritchard said.
By the time Pritchard ran back to the house, got a gun and loaded it and returned to the barn, the dog was outside. He took a shot and missed as the dog ran away. Returning to the barn, Pritchard inspected the calves -- one a 100-pound, six-week-old male; the other an eight-month old female. With both calves injured, the smaller of the two more severely, Pritchard called the Pol Veterinary Clinic.
Pritchard also called the Isabella County Sheriff's Department and animal control. Detective Sgt. Dan Denslow said that a report will be sent to Prosecutor Burdick's office, along with the report from animal control, for possible charges. Pritchard's neighbor and owner of the dogs was issued several tickets as well. Meanwhile, Pritchard is concerned about children in the neighborhood.
"This isn't the first time those dogs have been in the barn," he said. "There's probably 10 or 15 little kids in the neighborhood." Pritchard has received several phone calls from other neighbors supporting his quest to get the dogs out of the neighborhood. DogsBite.org hopes that Pritchard is successful. It is often tough to remove dangerous dogs until after a second or third animal attack.
Related articles:
06/04/08: Farmer Shoots Dog to Protect Livestock in Washoe Valley
05/20/08: Lower Valley Livestock Owner Knows Dog "Will Be Back"Labels: livestock attack
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Farmer Shoots Dog to Protect Livestock in Washoe Valley
Dog Owner to Blame, Not Livestock Owner
Reno, NV - The shooting of a dog in Washoe Valley south of Reno has neighbors at odds over whether the killing was legal or justified. A black Labrador named Bucket was shot and killed recently by an employee of Kruse's Custom Meat. Butcher shop owner Tom Kruse said he's had problems in the past with Bucket getting loose and attacking chickens or rabbits on his property.Loose dogs in semi-rural areas that end up harassing livestock are as good as dead. The dog owners are 100% responsible. This attack was one time too many. Kruse says an employee shot the dog when he found it killing a chicken. "That animal has been in here numerous times and killed other animals and rabbits. We have lost so many animals over the years, but this is the first time in 30 years we've had to shoot a dog. We just had enough of this one particular animal killing our animals."
Karie Maxwell heard the shots when her teenage daughter began screaming. When she turned around she saw her neighbor's dog running toward her. A butcher shop employee holding a rifle and two other men were walking back toward the business property. "I just collapsed where the dog was and I was trying to comfort him, and crying...and trying to call 911," Maxwell said.Far be it for Maxwell to understand the heavy financial cost loose dogs pose to livestock owners. The Washoe County sheriff's office is investigating whether the butcher shop employee, Tom Benton, could face possible charges, including animal cruelty or discharging a firearm in a populated area. He said there could be any number of charges stemming from this, or there could be zero. "We just have to wait until the investigation is complete,” sheriff's spokeswoman Brooke Keast said.
Bucket's owners should be charged with animal cruelty. The dog has a history of running loose and harassing livestock.
Related articles:
05/23/08: Unleashed Dogs are Dead Dogs in Semi-Rural America
05/20/08: Lower Valley Livestock Owner Knows Dog "Will Be Back"Labels: livestock attack
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Lower Valley Livestock Owner Knows Dog "Will Be Back"
 Vicious Dogs Roam Freely
Wapato, WA - Nationwide, livestock owners and people in semi-rural areas are being victimized by loose, dangerous dogs. Another attack has occurred in an area called Lower Valley. Last January, Lew Yallup, 55, was viciously attacked by a pack of dogs in the same area while he was picking up aluminum cans.
Livestock owner, Marshia Crook, is tired of the problem. She's got a rifle ready in case the dogs return. In the latest incident, Crook said, her husband spotted the downed animals -- a sheep and a lamb -- and a rottweiler fleeing their pasture. Later that day, a neighbor said he shot a pit bull mix that attacked his chickens the same morning along with the rottweiler and at least one other dog.
Crook said she had raised the sheep and its lamb, and that they were her foster daughter's pets. "She was just devastated," Crook said. "Now, she's afraid to wait at the bus stop, and I don't blame her." The sheep had its throat ripped out. The lamb's neck and head had been badly torn up, and Crook said she had to shoot it to end its suffering.
Her missing goat was never found. Crook said she thinks the dogs dragged it away. She said she believes a neighbor a few blocks away owns the dogs. In November, she shot and killed three of the neighbor's dogs after they came into her yard and killed three chickens, two ducks and four turkeys. More than a year ago, the same dogs killed one of her goats. The offending dogs live on tribal land; authorities cannot take action against the dog owner. Cook has complained to the Yakima County Sheriff's Office, but was told to buy a bigger gun. Crook said county authorities told her they had no authority over the dog owner because he is a tribal member living on tribal land. However, she is allowed to shoot the dogs if they come onto her private property. Cook promises to do just that.
Yakama tribal police told Cook that the offense involving livestock was only a civil infraction, and that they could only order the owner to destroy the dog if a person was attacked. They said she could take the matter to tribal court, but that would cost her money for an attorney and no guarantee that the dogs would be destroyed.Now that all of her animals are dead, she fears the dogs may go after a small child. "It's aggravating because it leaves livestock owners like us to have to wait until they come in our yards," she said. She fears the dogs may go after small children in the area now that all her animals are dead. "It's a horrible thought," she said. "You have to wait till a kid gets mangled or something before they can do something about a vicious dog."
Related article:
04/06/08: "Potentially Dangerous Dogs" Roam Freely in Pierce County
Labels: livestock attack, roaming dogs
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Attacks on Livestock by Pit Bulls in Aiken County
 Animals and Livestock Owners Left Fearful
Aiken County, SC - The dogs, described as pit bulls, didn't actually kill the donkeys, "they just mutilated them," said Dr. Gariboldi. Due to the staggering injuries, both donkeys at the Aiken polo farm were put down. No one expected a little donkey, Shrek, to survive. But thankfully, he did.
Two weeks earlier, ten goats were attacked and left for dead. Farm Owner Meghan Arellano says the SPCA looked for the dogs, even set traps, but so far no luck. Arellano says she's worried about the safety of the people on the farm. "What scares me the most is my children," she said. "If you can bring down a donkey, that's that size...and they're a lot stronger than children.""These dogs [pit bulls] were bred to fight and to do so aggressively," said Gariboldi. "So to let them roam the neighborhood is unacceptable." They're keeping a close eye on their property, but want nearby neighbors to be on the lookout. Arrelano thinks the owner of the pit bulls knows their dogs did it because the dogs came home covered in blood. (After Carshena Benjamin was fatally mauled, the dogs ran home soaked in blood. The dog owner washed it off then dumped the dogs in an unknown location.)
The attack and subsequent realties have been expensive for the Arellanos. So far they've spent thousands of dollars in veterinary bills, as well as lost income on donkeys, had they chosen to sell them. The Arrelanos, whose farm is located on Joyner Pond Road, off Highway 78 (Charleston Highway), say they think the dogs are coming from Old Firetower Road, near Windsor.
Related articles:
05/05/08: Molly the Pony Survives Katrina and Pit Bull Attack
05/01/08: Roaming Pit Bulls Destroyed After Killing 7 Pet Goats
04/16/08: Two Pit Bulls Seized After Killing Donkeys in Vineland
04/08/08: Pit Bulls Massacre 34 Pet DeerLabels: livestock attack
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Roaming Pit Bulls Destroyed After Killing 7 Pet Goats
Livestock Owners Getting Hit Right and Left by Loose Dogs
Mnt. Shasta, CA - What happened to Dr. Grace Robert, bares the same markings as too many livestock owners. On March 20, Roberts witnessed a horrible scene: Two pit bulls broke into her Angel Valley area animal enclosure, killed seven of her goats, and severely injured four more as she helplessly watched.
Roberts said that it was absolutely horrifying. "The dogs were ripping my animals apart. There were dead and dying goats on the ground, blood everywhere, legs broken. It was just terrible hearing the animals screaming as these dogs were feasting on them." The goats to her were not livestock -- they were family pets.
The two pit bulls were recently destroyed by the Siskiyou County Animal Control. The dogs could have been released to their owners, according to Chief Animal Control Officer Ron Fisher, had the owners attended a release hearing and paid release fees. "The owners of these pit bulls did not attempt to get them back," Fisher said. "As a result, they were destroyed."
The Sheriff's report lists Darren and Kelly Day as owners of the dogs. According to Roberts, in the days following the incident the owners of the dogs apologized to her family and helped her son dig graves for the dead animals. Roberts thought it was "decent" of them.
Roberts also estimates her financial loss to exceed $10,000 she has invested in the animals. The article does not state if Roberts has a means to get this investment back. Quite likely, the "grave digging" help she got from the dog owners will be it. Neighbor Cathy Moore and others are frustrated."There is a definite problem in Angel Valley with dogs running loose. Nothing is ever done," said Moore. Officer Fisher tried to explain how a dog gets labeled as "potentially dangerous" or "vicious" and what he can do as an enforcement officer to penalize dog owners. This is where the system breaks down. The system is complex, highly administrative, and favors the attacking dogs and the dog owners instead of the victim.Fisher explained that in order for penalties to be enforced, a dog must be involved in at least two incidents where the dog either threatens or bites a person or livestock; or be involved in one severe attack. "After one incident, the dog is labeled as "potentially dangerous" and can be released to its owner following a release hearing," said Fisher. After a second attack the dog is labeled as "vicious" and can either be released to the owner or a board of officials can decide to terminate the animal, according to Fisher.
In other news:Roaming Dogs Attack on Sheep Reflect Growing Problem
Boise, ID - Jeff Rosenthal of the Idaho Humane Society says there's a growing problem with roaming dogs attacking livestock in semi-rural areas. Recently, three lambs were killed by loose dogs and a fourth was badly wounded. Officials don't know who owns the dogs, but hope someone will come forward to claim the animals.
The lambs belonged to Star resident Miles Miller, who said he found the dogs standing over the lambs after his own great Pyrenees dog woke him up in the early morning hours. Animal Control officers sent to the scene captured an Australian Shepherd and a German Shepherd.Rosenthal says people who move to semi-rural regions often think they can let their dogs run loose, but that can lead to problems. The question is, what are authorities going to do about it?Labels: livestock attack, potentially dangerous
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Police Seize Two Pit Bulls After Killing Donkeys in Vineland
 Pit Bull Owner Wonders Why Dogs Bloodied with Bird Shot
Millville, NJ - Two pit bulls believed to have attacked and killed a couple of miniature donkeys April 9th have been found. The dogs apparently attacked and killed the donkeys -- each weighing about 300 pounds -- Tuesday afternoon at a home in the 2200 block of East Broad Street.
Neal Parker witnessed part of the attack at his 26-acre farm."The male donkey had been dead for awhile," he said. "I saw a pit bull attacking the female, then I saw another pit bill covered with blood coming from the other pen. There was blood on the fence and the water buckets."
Police received a tip saying the dogs could be found at a home in the 5500 block of Lodge Place in Vineland.
The homeowner, Diana Figura, told police her two pit bulls, Cocoa and Dakota, escaped the yard on Tuesday afternoon only to return later that day covered in blood and suffering from gunshot wounds.Lt. Ed Zadroga told Figura that the donkey's owner shot the dogs during the attack. "He shot them with bird shot." Figura has been charged with having a potentially dangerous dog, a dog running at large and public nuisance. Zadroga said Figura indicated the dogs belonged to her son, who is a juvenile. It remains unclear how Figura's dogs escaped her yard. Given that a pit bull can scale a 6-foot fence, figuring this out isn't too important.
The male donkey, named Webster, was 14 years old and the size of a miniature pony. He was valued between $1,200 and $1,500. He was in his own pen and died during the attack. Caroline and a baby donkey, who she was trying to protect during the attack, was 10-years old and valued at the same amount. Injuries to Caroline required that she be put down.
Betsy Parker said she was relieved to hear the two dogs had finally been caught.
"I'm happy because I didn't want anybody else to have to go through what I did," she
said. She's also relieved that she doesn't have to worry about keeping her existing animals locked up in fear of the dogs returning. The Parkers have two dogs and two horses on their property as well.
Collins Micheaux lives next to Parker's long driveway that runs north from Broad Street. Collins has an 8-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter. He's not letting them play outside until he knows the dogs are caught. After the donkey attack and shotgun fire, he saw a pit bull dash across the street. The cops told Collins "It got the donkey by the face."
Labels: livestock attack
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Rural Communities Suffer Animal Losses Due to Pit Bull Attacks
Pit Bull Owner Threatens Family with Death
Christian County, MO - Christian County, like much of Missouri, has few laws to protect rural residents from vicious dogs. Some municipalities have ordinances for the control of vicious animals, but outside city limits, state and county laws offer little protection -- at least until violence ensues.
A state legislator has proposed to change that situation, a move supported by local officials and one Nixa family whose pet was recently killed by a neighbor's pit bull mix. Kara McGhee believes this law would have helped prevent the fatal mauling of Max, her family's beloved 10-year-old black sheepdog, last month.
The new bill would make it a Class C Misemeanor for a first offense if the owner intentionally or negligently fails to adequately control his or her animal and it bites or causes physical injury or property damage. The key language here is "property damage," a category that includes livestock and pets.
Prior to the killing of Max, the McGhee family and other neighbors had a history of trouble with Hoss, a pit bull mix belonging to the Davis family next door. Once, the dog "practically tore the bumper off a car" trying to get to a cat that ran under the car for safety, McGhee said.
On March 7, as Hoss and other dogs were chasing livestock, a neighbor used a pellet gun to scare them off. Max jumped off his porch and ran to see what was going on. Hoss, who may have been "stimulated" at the time, attacked him. It took gunfire before Hoss backed off, allowing the McGhee family to try to save their mauled sheepdog.Reporting the problems the McGhees and their neighbors allege against Hoss likely would not have offered them any protection. County officials said there was nothing they could do unless the dog bit a person. Charges have been filed in the case against 17-year-old Matthew Davis, but not for the dog attack. It was Davis' alleged threats against the family that led to Class C misdemeanor charges of third-degree assault. Prosecutor Ron Cleek said Davis is accused of telling McGhee's husband, Damon, in the presence of witnesses that he would:"put a f----- bullet in your head if my dog came up missing ..." Davis admitted making those and other threatening remarks. The remarks came after Damon McGhee went to the Davis home and told the family about the death of Max and that Hoss should be euthanized. Commissioner Bill Barnett, a neighbor of both the McGhees and Davises, intervened in the dispute. David Harper, the boyfriend of Matthew Davis' mother, got stuck with the bill. He took Max to the vet and paid up.
In other newsLivestock Owners Defend Law to Shoot Dogs on Their Property
Idaho Falls, ID - In a separate, but related story, one has to wonder why more farmers don't shoot dogs that interfere with their livestock. Granted, in some instances, the dog attacks occur when the farmer is not present. In many states it is legal to kill dogs that disturb livestock.
In Idaho Falls, a family is heart broken after their neighbor and cattle owner legally shot their dog to death for coming on his property. The law says if a dog comes onto a livestock owner's property, then the owner can kill it. On Saturday, livestock owners wanted to stand up for the law since they say people need to understand how the law actually protects more animals than it hurts.While it may sound cruel to shoot a dog to death for trespassing, livestock owners say it's much more cruel to lose several of their animals to packs of dogs looking for a good time. Sherry Glick owns three sheep now, but, a few months ago, that number was higher. "The dogs come in just as soon as we get them up and going and take out half of them," says Glick about losing 9 sheep over the last two years. Livestock owners don't want to kill a dog for coming on their property, but a rancher soon learns that shooting the dog can be the easier option.
Evan Smith, a Bonneville County Animal Control Officer, says it's the duty of dog owners to keep their dog off other people's property. Once they leave their property, it is a dog at large, warns Smith. Smith particularly warns dog owners about this time of year. Its spring fever and dogs like to get out and run around with other dogs. This might mean an unfortunate ending for the dog.Labels: livestock attack
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More Dogs Killing Livestock in Lubbock
Five Goats Dead After Dog Attack
Lubbock County, TX - Five goats are dead in Lubbock County making them the newest victims in a rash of dog attacks. The attack happened near where three show pigs were killed by a dog last week. The goats owner went to feed them. When he found them, the five goats were dead and he saw a large brown and white dog running away.
Related article:
03/21/08: Pit Bull Epidemic in Lubbock, Texas (Jan-Mar 2008)Labels: livestock attack, lubbock
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Kennewick Man Kills Neighbor's Dogs After They Attack Chickens
Kennewick Man Protecting Livestock and Family
Kennewick, WA - A man shot and killed his neighbor's two pit bulls after they got into his chicken coop, then charged at him. Laura Chandia spoke of her husband's actions,"He was protecting his family and our livestock. It was the third time they were in our yard that day."
When police arrived, one pit bull was found dead in the fenced area of the chicken coop and the other was in the fenced backyard. Obadiah Soto, who lives next door in the 3400 block of South Auburn Street, said the pit bulls were just puppies and didn't need to be killed.
"They're babies. They're not even 6 months old yet," Soto said Tuesday. "They're harmless. ... There's a much better way of handling it than pulling out a gun and shooting a new neighbor's dogs." The pit bulls, Precious and Vicious, are owned by Michael Soto, Obadiah Soto's brother. Soto said they do run toward people when they see them, but not in an aggressive way. Laura Chandia disputes that. She said every time she opened the door to try to shoo them away, they ran toward her, growling.
"They were frenzied around the chicken coop and one of them got in," she said. "My son went to the window to distract them, and one got out. They discovered the hole in the hen house, and my husband went to scare them away and one came out at him." The owner of the dogs, Michael Soto, could not be reached Tuesday because he was in the Benton County jail on an outstanding warrant.Labels: livestock attack
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