Jensen spent most of the last week talking with the other sheep owners and representatives from Union Pacific. Questions also remain about the liability of the dog's owner.

"That's a mess over there," he said. "They're going to come tomorrow (Wednesday) to clean it up. Rightly so, they don't want us cleaning up on the tracks."

Jensen and the other owners are awaiting claim forms from Union Pacific. They hope to get some money from the railroad, Jensen said.

Jensen does not know his immediate plans, but he assumes that he will slowly rebuild the group of sheep. "It is their (Union Pacific's) responsibility to keep the tracks fenced and cattle guard in front of them," Jensen said.

A spokesman with the Omaha, Neb.-based railroad said the incident is still under investigation. "Typically, we do not have fences on our property," said Mark Davis, spokesman for Union Pacific. "Usually, responsibility for maintenance of these fences is that of the property owner."

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E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com