Comments about ‘Family loses 18 sheep in attack by dogs’

"She admits her dog runs free at times, but insists it wouldn't chase sheep." That's a huge claim to make. I have two dogs that are great pets and we love them dearly. That doesn't change the fact that dogs are pack predators with an instinctive desire to chase and kill prey.

The biggest problem with people who own dogs is allowing them to run free. They believe that their dog is like them, they wouldn't chase sheep. The problem with that mentality is that they do not understand dogs. Dogs chase. Why does a dog chase a cat? Because it ran.
I have shot several dogs that were in my father's sheep. If the owner claims the dog, and you are able to get some money out of the dog owner (which never covers the cost of the loss), you are still left with disposal of the dead sheep and the loss to the herd.
This lack of responsible dog ownership creates a no win situation. The sheep rancher looses and if the dog is shot the owner looses.
Solution: Keep your dog on a leash, on a chain, or in a kennel. Be a responsible dog owner.

Are you sure it wasn't really some of those wild raving WOLVES that are invading Utah? (No, I don't mean the legislature.)

The dog owners are liable, I hope they pay the rancher for the lost stock.

These dogs are killing a families livelihood. If you own a dog it is your responsibility to keep it undercontrol. We have also had this problem, we have shot and killed several dogs. Everyone of them while they were chasing the livestock. Most die on our land but some survive and wander home wounded. If your dog wandered home wounded, she is one of the killers! and you have to pay up to the rancher! I know this is the law, we won in court over this very thing.

Why oh why do people let their dogs run free. I have dogs and sheep. I feel the pain of the sheep owner. If they are part of your breeding foundation it is a huge loss that takes years to rebuild. Our dogs are kept with the sheep to hopefully help protect them. They are trained to protect the animals on our property which has several layers of fencing. Still I wish I could graze my herd on other property but I just don't feel safe doing so unless I am nearby. To many dogs are allowed to run free. I hope the dog owners are made to pay even though it will not replace the loss. It never does.