It's devastating what a dog can do to an animal. But, 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 hounded 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 Hancock. The animal really suffers when the dog is just playing around.
Wildlife is particularly vulnerable during dry years and in the winter.
When food supplies are low, animals don't have the energy to maintain their body heat and must begin burning fat and muscle tissue to survive, Hancock said. Consequently, the animals become weaker and more susceptible to stress. That means pet owners could be billed and charged for a civil offense for any deer or elk injured or killed by dogs. According to state law, any peace officer has the option of capturing or killing a dog that is caught chasing wildlife. However, killing dogs to save livestock or wildlife does not occur often.