The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-07-17
Annual Toll of Sheep
Killers, Marks Huge
Loss
FARMERS FEAR TO
RAISE FLOCKS
Chances of Attack BY
Stray CANNES too
Heavy


ment OF agriculture. In state
ment, indicates that the sheep-kill
ing dog is greater menace now
than ever before, and that II he
could be destroyed It would mean
at least $144.267000 In the pockets
Of farmers of this country. II II
suggested by an expert Of the de-
partment that the increase would be
nearer 100000, 900.
THE number of sheep In 36
states, which do not include any
IN the western division, could be in.
creased by $50 per cent. 1t Is esti.
mated. without displacing other live
stock" asserts the once OF informa-
ton Of the department of agricul-
ture.
Some authorities believe that the
increase could be even 40 much ~
500 per cent without serious inter
ference with the number of other
animals. An increase Of $50 per cent
In these SO states would mean In
money S144267,00 In a new pub
location of the department, Farmers
Bulletin $50, the responsibility for
this loss to the country 10 laid upon
the sheep-killing dog.
"sheep-killing dogs. II 10 said. are
the principal cause of the marked
decrease In the numbers OF sheep
On American farms. In the ten
years between 1900 and 1910 the
number OF sheep In the country.
exclusive OF the states In the west
ern division. decreased 100000
head. in face of the fact that during
these same years the market value
Of sheep rose SO rapidly that the
total value Of sheep In this area
was $19,0oO,0O0. or approximately
rs per cent more In 1910 than In
1900.
Favorable though the market
conditions were. they were not q
sufIicient incentive to induce farm
ers to risk the heavy loss. from
stray dogs.
"If the dog question could be sat
isfactorily disposed of. there seems
to be no reason why the number OF
sheep in the country could not be
increased to the extent already indi-
Gated. In Great Britain there 10
one sheep or lamb for each 31.S
acres. The British farmer handles
his land on an intensive basis and
feeds his sheep on forage-crop pas
ture. Such pastures not only In
crease the fertility of the land but
also free the sheep from many In.
ternal parasites contracted through
grazing upon permanent pastures.
''In particular the use Of a success
sion OF forage-crop pastures will
prevent stomach worms, one Of the
most prevalent and disastrous
scourges Of Young stock. and will
enable the farmer to market by the
end Of June or the first of July.
when market prices are usually the
highest the lambs that were born
In the late winter or early spring.
Handled under such conditions
and on high-priced farm land, the
importance Of small flock of
sheep cannot be overlooked.
"In addition to pointing out these
facts, the bulletin discusses the pos
sible means OF preventing in the
future the loss from dogs. At the
present time the various state laws
on this subject differ widely from
states using the money obtained
from dog licenses to reimburse
sheep owners, while others permit
the sheepmen to recover damages
from the dog owners, and two offer
them no recourse whatsoever.
Dogs. however. are very seldom
caught in the act OF killing sheep
II Is always diflcult to determine
their ownaes, and where the dam
ages are paid by the state directly
from the dogtax funds the money
very frequently Ia far from sum
cient to meet all the claims.
"A remedy that Is suggested for
this situation Is uniform state