Farmers shooting loose dogs?

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Oneofthepack

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Merlin is still on the loose and in a world of trouble as he's roaming in with the livestock and farmers have called in someone to shoot him. I totally understand that he can't be distressing the rams and ewes in the breeding season but what upsets me is I'm told that some farmers will just shoot him and throw his body under a hedge rather than find the owner as it's too much hassle. I've been told this by the man called in to shoot him and by the dog warden. Is it worth contacting all the farmers and asking them to call in this man, who is a crack shot with a rifle, rather than trying to take pot shots at him with a shotgun which makes me feel sick at the thought. Or to at least tell me if they shoot him? What I don't want is to stir up a posse of farmers all out to shoot my dog.
 
I dont mean to be rude but at the end of the day its the farmers lively hood that the dog is upsetting, Im sure you have posted how he got out, but im sorry I missed it.

Im not a farmer but ive heard of this happening, they will shoot a dog to protect what they have worked hard to maintain.

Cant you call the vet out to get him with a tranquilser gun instead?
 
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I dont mean to be rude but at the end of the day its the farmers lively hood that the dog is upsetting,

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In my posting I did say I totally understand that he can't be left to distress the livestock so why did you make that comment? My question (again!) was is it worth asking the farmers to call in the crackshot who will kill him cleanly rather than take potshots with a 12 bore, or to tell me if they do shoot him so at least I know, without sending out signals for a posse of farmers to hunt down my dog. Perhaps some comments from farmers who know what happens in these circumstances please! PS The dog broke his lead..........I am most definately not the sort of person who lets their dogs out to roam and stuff the consequences and I am doing everything I can to get him back safely. Re the vet/tranquiliser thing the problem is I couldn't get one there quick enough but I am asking around if anyone local has a tranquiliser licence.
 
Right. We are farmers. We don't have sheep but have a dairy farm.

I'm sorry, but whilst we hold a gun licence we would NOT shoot your dog ourselves, for fear of any litigation afterwards. We would call in our local vet to help us catch your dog or the police for advice.

I would guess, that we'd bring all the cows in the field down to the farm to their sheds and hope he'd follow and could be darted or simply just caught by you or us.

Of course, any veterinary charges we'd expect you to pay for in respect of having your dog darted etc.

I cannot for the life of me imagine they'd want to shoot a dog that is running about the livestock unless they are 100% sure they wouldn't shoot their own animals in the process. Have you approached the farmer with a vet in tow to try and sort this out?

For the record, you can't just dump a dead animals body anyway. They wouldn't do this, or shouldn't.
 
So sorry Merlin is still on the loose and none of it your fault either, poor hound though; his former owners want shooting themselves, I hope you find out who they were and bring them to book for the distress they've caused. (sure the RSPCA would help, just up their street!)

If you think this is what is going to happen then why don't you call in the marksman yourself and ask local farmers to let you know when he is about so he can be killed cleanly; after all, even if you manage to catch him, it is what will have to happen anyway and as you say, better a marksman then a bodged job. As he is your dog they would be relieved that someone is taking responsibility (and cost!) for him rather than they having to do it. No decent farmer enjoys being in that position but they are bound to protect their own livestock so if you could be seen to be sorting the matter yourself they will be more inclined to help rather than shoot him themselves.
I assume the rescue centre have washed their hands of him even though this is their fault anyway for even attempting to rehome a hound that had been living wild for some time anyway; sorry, but you know my thoughts on this anyway, don't you even though I admire you for giving him that chance, but sadly, this was always on the cards.
 
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I'm sorry, but whilst we hold a gun licence we would NOT shoot your dog ourselves, for fear of any litigation afterwards.

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I think this is why some farmers may dispose of the body rather than face questions . I can't be sure of this, it's only what the man who was called in to shoot Merlin said and he is a sheep farmer himself. I'm assuming that they would only shoot him while he was away from the livestock and would feel justified in doing so because he has been seen in with the sheep, although hasn't worried any yet. I have contacted a vet and they don't have a licence to dart animals. My vet thinks a deer farmer/vet would be the only people who could do this, and the law is that 2 people have to be present when a tranquiliser is used and the chances of getting 2 people here quick enough is nil as he moves away so quickly. I'm going to do more research on this though as it seems to be the only option.
 
I have been to see the farmers who have complained about Merlin and they were all really nice about it but still adamant that he will have to go if he hangs around, but they have promised not to shoot him themsleves and to call me first if they see him again. I haven't managed to trace them all though as there are 100's of acres full of sheep round here. I did have a long chat with the man with the rifle yesterday and told him that if Merlin has to be shot I would much rather he did it but I haven't got it in me to actually ask that he be shot. I never thought in my life I'd be in a position to choose which was the better option........have my dog shot cleanly and quickly or risk him dying full of pellets in a ditch.
 
I am so sorry to hear your situation and you must take pride that you are behaving in very responsible manner.

I took a rescue dog years ago and could'nt catch it, in my own garden!! So I know a little of how you feel.

I wondered if you had spoken to your local police dog team, they are excellent at search and retrieve and (having worked for the police) love this sort of challenge as it becomes a field exercise for them. The way to approach is not by ringing through to the police switch board.

Either, get yourself down to where they are stationed, and ask at reception to see the chief dog handler and insist you need to see him (they will bring the person up to you). Or ask to be put through on the phone to their department. It is much better face to face and I really think that way they would help.

Police dogs are so very, very well trained they will track your dog, pin him down and problem solved.

It's just a case of getting through to the right people.
 
Just to add to what I mentioned before, if you really cant get anywhere with the police, another few suggestions.

1. Local dog club, contact them and they will have a pro-dog at senting who can track your dog.

2. Get hold of a pro with colley's who could sent, track, trace and round up, who are used to sheep.

Its not the end of the road, you still have some options.
 
I really sympathise, there's not much else to add is there? I can't think of anyone who would want to be in your shoes right now.

I'm not hard, just older and more able to cope I expect, but I think I would have be asking the marksman myself; I feel it's the more honorable thing to do if that makes sense; taking responsibility for the situation - which you have been doing all along.

Take care whatever happens.


As a footnote to Patches - it's not unheard of for farmers/keepers to not own up to shooting things be it foxes, badgers or dogs, they just don't want to be found out!
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I do know someone who works with police dogs so I'll pop down and see her.

Just a quick mention about the rescue that I got Merlin. Sylvia at Many Tears does great and much needed work (2 of my other dogs came from there too, both with horrendous backgrounds and now living very stable and normal lives) and though she was a bit misguided with Merlin as she didn't fully understand his background (no-one did, it took lots of research) she really did have the best intentions for him and she couldn't really have predicted the things that have gone wrong. She did give me lots of practical advice on catching him and I would always go the her for a new dog............not that she'll ever let me have another one after all this.
 
Dont be daft, this is'nt your fault, the lady will understand, all dog owners do. If a dog decides to live wild and bog off, there's not a lot you can do about it.

Please dont beat yourself up, its a situation that "nobody" can control.

I hope your police dog handler friend will help you. They need loads of different situations to improve their training and if the farmers agree to it, you'll get your dog back. Sell your friend the idea so she can go to the head dog handler. I would suspect they will even do it for you in their spare time.

Worse case (get the police marksman on the job, there's none better!!!) and again they love the challenge. If they wont help, all local police have their own gun clubs where they go in their spare time to practice, they would be very approachable.

I am sure it wont come to all of this, get your friend on board and lets hope its a story to tell with a happy ending.
 
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I'm not hard, just older and more able to cope I expect, but I think I would have be asking the marksman myself

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I know it's the responsible, sensible, more honourable and kinder option but I just don't think I can say the words 'please shoot my dog'. I would never shy away from having a dog pts if it was the kindest thing but somehow that is so much more brutal than an injection.
 
Just a thought - but do you know anyone with a bitch in heat ? - you could use her scent to lure him back and try and either catch him or shoot him cleanly.

if you had her on a lead he may be tempted to follow till he's safely away from the livestock.
 
It's a shame you have ended up on this situation. A farmer can legally shoot a dog if it is worrying their stock it doesn't have to have hold of it. Most farmers round here wouldn't think twice about shooting a dog if it was worrying there stock & alot have signs in their field saying have your dog on a lead or be prepared to carry it home if it chaces. Hard but they have been told of the stock. But if the responsible owner like yourself has been to them & said what you have they would be happy to help/assist in getting it back or would notify you if iyt had been shot. In regard to speaking to the marks man rather than saying "shoot my dog" can't you just ask him to do the job correctly? he will understand as will you but you haven't said the actual words shoot my dog? I know you will of effectivley said them words but not actually said them if that makes sence?? I hope it comes to an end for you soon the worry can't be doing you any good.
 
Watched a programme recently were the RSPCA placed large traps for a dog that was running wild. They put tinned meat inside.

It took a while but they did eventually get the dog, that way if you feel its best that the dog is pts, it can be done so at its own house or the vets with you by its side
 
I'm not posting anything else regarding this dog as the rescue centre I got Merlin from was contacted and told that I was posting asking for marksmen to come and shoot my dog rather than try and catch him. Won't put in print what I thought of that but needless to say after a month of sleepless nights and constant searching I'm not happy! I'll carry on doing what I'm doing to get Merlin back home safely and thanks everyone for your support and comments.
 
It's a shame when you can't call on your friends for advice when you have been trying your best for the hound. There's to many do gooders out there having to interfere when you were already keeping the place where you got him from informed. Hope it works out for you.
 
Just a thought - and sorry if I am repeating another post.

But have you tried calling in your local huntsman to try and get the hound. Surely by sounding his hunting horn there's every chance the hound could be encouraged to him???
 
That occurred to me.....but dismissed it as probably one of the first things OOTP would have tried.

Shame that hassle has come of this.
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Don't laugh.....going out with dishcloths soaked in 'bitch on heat' urine tomorrow, so if anyone gets reports of a mad woman walking round the fields with dishcloths on bits of string tied to her wellies it's only me!
 
What about an alternative 'marksman' is there a vet near you that is skilled in darting animals? Im sure if they can dart animals in a zoo they could dart a dog? Might cost a bit but im sure that isnt an issue!

Good luck x
 
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