The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-04-12
DOGS ARE The
FARM SHEE s
worst ENEMY
1T This Menace Were Removed
Flocks Gould Easily Be
More Than Doubled.

WASHINGTON, April ] 2..The
number of sheep in the 36 farm
states, which do not include any in
the western division, could be in
creased by $50 per cent. 1t is esti-
mated. without displacfns other live
| stock Some authorities believe that
1.-The increase could be even as much
as 500 per cent without serious in
Interference with the number of other
animals. An increase of $50 per cent
lin these 36 states would mean in
money s144,267.O00. Iii a new pub
! lication of the department of agricul-5
lture, Farmers Bulletin So. the re-
Esponsibility for this loss to the coun-
Itry is laid upon the shcep-ktlling dog.
Sheep-kiIling dogs. it is said, are
the principal cause of the marked de-
crease in the numbers of sheep on
Amrican farms In the 10 years be-
tween 1900 and 1910 the number Of
sheep in the country, exclusive of the
Estates IN the western division, de-
creased 100000 head. in face of the
\ fact that durin 6 these same years the
market value Of sheep rose so rapidly
1 that the total value of sheep in this
area was SO, 100000 or approximate
! " rs per cent more in 81 than In
I190O Favora Bile though the market
conditions were, they were not suf-
1cient incentive TO induce farmers to
risk the heavy losses from stray dogs.
More Than 100000 Year.
The number Of sheep killed annu-
ally by dogs cannot be stated exactly,
since there are many cases which are
not reported at all. Judging from
the figures in those counties and.
states in which reasonably complete
reports are obtainable, however. it
may be said that in the thirty-six farm
states more than 100000 sheep are
! killed each year by dogs. This, it is
true, is less than i per cent OF the
total number Of sheep in this area,
| but a 1 per cent loss on business that
i is being conducted on a profit basis
of s or 8 per cent cannot be ignored.
| This estimate, it must be remembe
is also proba bly, much lower than the
actual figures. 1t is certain. too. that
many men have been kept out of the
sheep business through fear that in.
their own particular cases the loss
would be much more than ] per cent.
Any one who has actually seen sheep
killed. I'M ured or frightened by dogs
is likely to think twice before engag-
ing in the buiness. In many cases,
while only or 2 sheep may be ac-
tually bitten by the dogs. the whole
flock is chased until it dies from ex-
haustion
If the dog question could be sat
|isfactoriIy disposed.of there seems to
be no reason why the number Of
sheep In the country could not be in
creased to the extent already indicat-
! I'd. IN Great Britain there is i sheep
or lamb for each 2.5 acres Of the to-
tai area. In the So farm states IN
this country there is I sheep or lamb
for each 31.S acres. The British
farmer handles his land on an in
| tensives basis and feeds his sheep on
forage pastures. Such pastures
not only increase the fertility Of the
land, but also free the sheep from
many internal parasites contracted
through grazing upon permanentspas-
lures. IN particular the use OF a
| succession OF forage-crop pastures
! will prevent stomach worms, one Of
the west prevalent and disastrous
scourges Of young stock. and will
end OF Pune or the first Of July, when
market prices are usually the high
est. the lambs that were born in the
late win ter or early spring. Handled
under such conditions and on high
priced form land the importance Of a
small flock OF sheep cannot be oy-
erlooked.
In addition to pointing out these
facts the bulletin already mentioned.
THE Sheep-Killing Dog" discusses
the possible means Of preventing in
the future the loss from dogs. At
the present time the various state
laws on this subject differ widely,
Esome states using the money obtained
from dog licenses to reimburse sheep
owners. while others permit the
sheep men to recover damages from
the dog owners and two offer them
inc recourse whatsoever Dogs. how
lever. are very seldom caught IN the.
act OF killing sheep. It IS always diff
fcult to determine their owners. and
where the damages are paid by the
state directly from the dog-tax funds
the money very frequently is far from
lsuf1cient to meet all the claims.
Uniform Law Needed.
"a remedy that is suggested for
this situation is a uniform state dog
}1aw. embodying the principle Of tax
upon dogs sufficiently heavy to dis
ilcourage those who are not willing to-
take care care Of her pets from keep