>>>>Early on an old timer gave
me the following advice on dealing with dogs: Shoot, shovel and shut
up.>>>
I have to agree! This Fall a neighbor's dog got into my pasture late at
night and brutally attacked one of my miniature donkeys. Before my other donkeys
could grab it and kill it, my alpha horse chased it out. This dog ripped
open both sides of upper inside thighs of this little donkey and threw him
on the ground and severely broke his hip. (He was a rescue donkey that already
had physical problems so he could not defend himself.) Animal control was called
and got involved and I really wished I had taken manners into my own hands.
Because the donkey was NOT killed, they could not put down the dog. The owners
got a lecture, a big fine, had to pay my vet bills and they got a slap on
the wrist. The owners felt it was a one time event and he was just being
"naughty." They moved a few months later (thank god) and took that nasty dog
with them....into the city....where they thought the dog would be ok. I'm sure
little kids are his next victims....the system is not very good. By the way,
donkeys are good predator control but this dog was FAST, black colored so
hard to see him at night and insane in his attack. He was being kicked and
bitten by my other donkeys and an alpha horse and it hardly affected him.
Animal control says this dog is very dangerous but law would not let them put
him down.
Next time I will....shoot, shovel and shut up!
Those of you with goats may consider getting a "standard" sized donkey for
protection. Put one in with your herd. They are easy to own, very loveable, eat
very little and are very good at keeping dogs OUT. The mini
donkeys (like I have) are pretty docile and not as aggressive as the
standard sized donkeys. The BLM donkeys are really good predator control as they
grew up in the wild and had to defend themselves. Donkeys can't run far so they
stand and fight. They are good fighters. They will even go after mountain lions
and chase bears out. Farmers are using them quite a bit now for protecting
livestock.
