The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-04-26
HOW DOG LOVERS
CAN SAVE SHEEP
Owners of CANNES Can Aid by
Supporting Fair State Laws
Regulating Menace.
BIG HINDRANCE TO INDUSTRY
Most Serious Loss Is Fact That Farm
ers Are Kept From Engaging in
Sheep Busness-Dog-Proof
Fences Described.

Thousands of sheep are ruthlessly
killed every year by dogs. The none
tary loss of more than million dollars
year to sheep owners does not cover
the most serious aspect of the damage.
The fact that the dog menace keeps
many farmers from engaging in the
sheep business, even at this time when
here are urgent demands for more
wool and meat, is the most serious
result which may be attributed TO
sheep-kiIling dogs. Specialists of the
United States department of agricul-
ture are urging efficient state legisla-
ton as one of the best ways to deal
with the sheep-killing dog problem.
Dog-proof fences also are described
and advocated in a recent publication
of the department of agriculture deal
ing with this subject, 1.-THE Sheep-Kill-
ing Dog" Farmers Bulletin 935.
Hindrance to Industry.
That dogs are real hindrance to
the sheep industry is not only ac-
claimed by the testimony of thousands
Of sheep owners but is verified by
actual conservative statistics. An in
vestigation by the United States de-
partment of agriculture among sheep
owners in 10 states east of the Rocky
mountains shows that out Of a total
If $3.50, 1872 sheep in the SOP counties
reporting 34,6S3 were killed by dogs
In one year-1913-an paid for by the
counties. At the same rate of loss in
other farm states the total annual de-
struction of sheep by dogs would be
107, 760 head. But these figures are
based only upon the number actually
paid for, and specialists of the United
States department of agriculture say
it is more than probable that the true
losses far exceed this. 1t is known that
many sheep are killed which are never
reported to the county officials.
Sheep-killlng dogs work both singly
and in groups, but usually in twos or
threes. They do not limit their at
tacks to the fiocks Of the Immediate.
vicinity in which they are kept, but
travel for miles in all directions,
spreading destruction in the flocks
with which they come in contact. Be-
cause their work is so often done I'M
der cover of darkness it is almost inn
possible to catch them in the act of
worrying sheep, hence they can seldom
be positively identified. The ways in
which different dogs attack and de.
stroy sheep vary greatly. Some dogs
simply kill one or two In flock,
while others continue to attack until
all the sheep are either destroyed or
crippled. In many cases where large
numbers are killed they are neither
bitten nor wounded but simply chased
until they die from exhaustion. After
dog has once formed habit of kill
ing sheep it seemingly becomes a
mania with him and he is seldom, If
ever, broken of it. He not only de-
stroys sheep himself but leads other
dogs to the work No consideration
should be given such dogs; they should
be killed as soon as their habits are
known.
Rehabilitating Industry.
The desfrability of a maximum in
crease in the number of sheep is gen
orally admitted and steps now are
being taken toward a rehabilitation of
the sheep industry. But it is recog-
nized that one of the most effective
means of insuring the farmer profit
on sheep is to make and enforce laws
which adequately protect the farmers
flock. but in most Of the states the
present dog laws fail in their purpose.