The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1918-06-18
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 10 Fact That Farm
srs Are Kept From EngaSino In
Sheep Business-Do0-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
there are urgent demands for more
wool and meat, Is the most serious
result which may be attributed to
sheep-killing 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 q recent publication
Of the department OF agriculture deal
ing with this subject, THE Sheep-Kill-
ing Dog" Farmers Bulletin 985.
HIndranes to Industry.
That dogs are a real hindranes to
the sheep industry Is not only &C
claimed by the testimony Of thousands
Of sheep owners but is verified by
actual conservative statistics. An in
vsstigation by the United States de-
partment Of agriculture among sheep
owners in Is states east Of the Rocky
mountains shows that out OF 4 total
Of $3.50, 402 sheep in the 5O2 counties
reporting, "a ,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
1O7, 200 head. But these figures are |
based only upon the number actually !
paid Tor, and specialists Of the United
States department of agriculture say
it is more than probable that the true !
losses far exceed this. It is known that
many sheep are killed which are never
to the county officials.
Sheep killing dogs work both singly
and in groups, but usually in twos or
threes. They do not limit their at
lacks to the nocks OF the immediate
in which they are kept, but
travel for miles in all directions,
spreading destruction in the hocks
with which they come in contact. Be
cause their work is so often done I'M
Ter cover of darkness 1t is almost i'm
possible to catch them in the act Of
sheep, hence they can seldom
,e positively identified. The ways in
which different dogs attack and de-
troy sheep vary greatly. Some dogs
imply kill one or two in a flock,
While others continue to attack until
IL the sheep are either destroyed or
In many cases where large
umbers are killed they are neither
itten nor wounded but simply chased
nti1 they die from exhaustion. After
dog has once formed habit Of kill
ng sheep 1t seemingly becomes
lania with him and he is seldom, it
yer, broken of it. He not only de- ,
troys sheep himself but leads other
ogs to the work No consideration ,
hould be given such dogs; they should !
E killed as soon as their habits are
nown. $
RehabiIitatin0 Industry. :
The desirability of a maximum in
-ease in the number of sheep is gen. :
-aIly admitted and steps now are =
ling taken toward rehabilitation of =
Re sheep industry. But 1t is recog- 4
xed that one of the most effective !.
cans of insuring the farmer a pront 9
, sheep is to make and enforce laws u
hich adequately protect the farmers +,
,ck. but in most Of the states the II
.esent dog laws fail Ia their purpose