Farmers shooting loose dogs?

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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!

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I have enquired about he darting thing but it's more complicated than what you see on the TV. You have to have 2 people present, one qualified vet with tranquilliser licence and one nurse incase he darts himself by mistake! Then you have to find the dog and get someone there quick enough to dart him, and then you have to be closer than 20 feet with a good clear view with the animal standing dead still so you don't hit anything vital, and even then it's not terribly safe to dart a dog and could backfire and kill him anyway, so all in all not really an option. And even if all that could be worked out apparantly I'd have to remortgage my house to pay for it!
 
another thought .... if he is used to being around other hounds then maybe the sound of other hounds baying might bring him out ? -----(mental image of you with urine soaked rags tied to boots and a tape recorder of a pack in full cry - gosh I hope you find him soon
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I was considering the hound thing but I'm told he may not have what the hunt people called 'entered', which means he never really enjoyed or got into hunting and could run a mile in the opposite direction. This is all new to me so I've probably got that a bit wrong?
 
When did you last see the dog? Time's kicking on, and by the sounds all the local threats have come to nothing. If nobody is spotting him, then you have time on your hands to track him.

Stick in there, good look and keep trying that lady.
 
I've never seen him once, despite driving approx. 400 miles around the lanes! He was last seen on Monday and I've been going up there ever since with binoculars and I searched some of the barns along the road today and I'll search the rest over the weekend. Think the police dog lady must be away as I've been down 3 times but theres no sign of life.
 
It sound's to me like you have one hell of a job. Do you have a local blood hound group, would they be worth approaching?

I think after this weekend you are going to have to call it day and I do think the hound will most probably end up on your doorstep when least expected. He's living off the land and is really quite ferral, you have done all you can, I think its almost time to call it a day and let nature take its course.

You have informed everyone, done more than most people would and all of this is going to make you ill. It sounds like you need a rest.
 
You are an incredible person I have read your posts with much admiration. Good luck whatever the outcome, but I feel that filly190 has a point.

Emma
 
It is knackering and stressful but how do you give up looking for your dog when you know he's in such danger with the farmers and the traffic? Several times I've thought it's pointless and I'll have to do what filly said and let him take his chances but then I get another sighting and off I go again. I've covered all the unusual (horns, bitches urine, mediums etc) so now I'm concentrating on leaving food out and postering further afield which is easier.
 
PS For anyone who thinks I'm working extra hard to get Merlin back please look at www.doglost.co.uk and see the hundreds of people who go to such extremes (announcments at football matches, camping in fields, organised search parties, private investigators etc) to find their dogs. It's sad and doesn't always have a happy ending but for the ones it works for the relief must be immense and that's why I keep going....where there's life there's hope. They could also do with more Doglost helpers. You just sign up and get notified when a dog goes missing in your area, then you can print out posters and get the area covered more quickly.
 
I think your dog is living off the land and doing it very well by the sounds. If you cant get him, the farmers wont either. Besides they will not have the time and patience to go hunting a dog day in day out. As for traffic, he is "ferral" he will be hiding and avoiding people, cars etc.

I think given the time scale he is unlikely you will find him by going searching, shouting, etc. He is clearly not wanting to come back and throwing a "deaf one".

I dont think he'd manage a sheep or lamb, he will be hunting rabbits, depends if anyone has dropped mixi in your area, our farmers are still using it.

I admire your efforts, but at some stage a line has to be drawn and that is your decision, no one, but no one would blame you if that were today!
 
Loads of mixi bunnies in the area and he should be used to hunting the lively ones too, plus some people are leaving the ones they've shot out for him so he's probably fat as butter and having a ball! I've asked for them not to leave the rabbits out but collect them up and give them to me so I can leave them where the traps are set.
 
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