Dogs Chasing Wildlife A Serious Problem by Colorado Dept. of Fish and Game
One of the attractions of living in Colorado is the feeling of independence some dog owners get from letting their pets roam free. But when you are not paying attention to Lassie, do you know what she is doing?
Lonnie Brown of the Colorado Division of Wildlife suggests that most dog owners are not aware of what their dogs are up to when they are out roaming. And, he added, they're not being kind to the dog.
Wildlife managers believe that people underestimate the potential for their dog to get into trouble. Most people do not believe that their dog would chase wildlife.
"People think it's great that their dogs can run," Brown said. "But they don't know what the dogs do when they are out of sight. Because the dog is well mannered when the owner is around, the owner underestimates the potential for their pet to chase wildlife."
In reality, the dog is out there doing what dogs do - following a scent and chasing down prey. Single dogs are usually not much of a problem to wildlife, but when they team-up with neighbor dogs and form packs, the hunter/killer instinct surfaces and they become a serious threat to wild animals.
Domestic dogs chasing deer, elk, and even bighorn sheep is an increasing problem in Colorado, according to Brown. And it is particularly hazardous at this time of year - for both the game animals and the dogs.
"Winter is an appropriate time to talk about the problem," Brown said. "It's never a good time. But there are two times of year when it's crucial. One is in the spring, when elk and deer have their calves and fawns."
"This time of year is just as critical, because these big game animals are expending every bit of energy to stay alive. It is a growing problem because of urban sprawl. More people are moving out to the country to get away from the city. As a result, Colorado wildlife is being stretched to its limits," he said.
Brown points out that dogs chasing game animals is especially bad for the wildlife when it is cold out. The dog is frisky, full of food, and ready to go. However, the wild critters are out there 24 hours a day, burning a lot of energy just to stay alive.
"When dogs are let loose, they naturally chase the wildlife," Brown said. "It's devastating what a dog can do to an animal, especially when they kill it. The dogs are usually well fed at home, so most kills are not made because the dogs are hungry, but rather instinct and frenzy."
However, dogs do not always kill the animals. Dogs, in their domestication, have lost many of their instincts for making quick kills, and instead chase, harass and terrorize wildlife until the chased animal collapses in exhaustion.
"For example, if a dog chases a deer they often do not know what to do with it once they catch it," said Brown. "Coyotes are efficient killers, but dogs will bite the nose off and chew ears. The animal really suffers when the dog is just playing around."
The penalty to the owner of a dog harassing wildlife is a $274 fine. In addition, Colorado considers deer, elk and bighorn sheep as state property valued at $500 for a deer, $700 for an elk and $1,000 for a bighorn respectively. That means pet owners could be charged with a civil offense and billed for any wildlife injured or killed by their dog.
According to state law, any peace officer has the option of capturing, or killing a dog that is caught chasing wildlife. In reality, this means the penalty to the dog can be death.
"It is illegal for anyone other than a game warden or peace officer to kill dogs that are chasing wild game," Brown said. "But that's no guarantee it won't happen," he said.
"People should be aware if their dog is loose, it could get shot by a neighbor who is unhappy about it running loose," Brown said. "It may be illegal, and immoral, but sometimes people decide to take care of problems themselves. So there is not only a threat to wildlife, but the dog could get shot, hit by a car or poisoned."
Brown said that only after all efforts to contact a pet owner have failed would the dog be shot and killed. "I hate to do it, I love dogs," he said. "I would rather issue a citation to the owner first."
The last thing a wildlife manger wants to do is go talk to someone about controlling their dog, Brown said.
"If people make a little extra effort we wouldn't have these problems," he said. "
The Division of Wildlife doesn't perceive this as a dog problem. We perceive it as a people problem."
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