Darrin Southwick on the news

[Filipowicz Farm]

Darrin Southwick a trainer in Michigan was on the news this evening. He trains and show miniature horses mostly amha. Darrin had a miniature bull on his farm for 3 years. A couple of strange German Shepard dogs came to his farm and attacked and killed his pet bull. The bull was the size of a miniature horse. The dogs are in animal control shelter and are awaiting their future. I own dogs and try to keep them on our property at all times not like some of the neighbors in our area. We finally had to have animal control out after finally getting pictures of neighbors dogs who wandered all the time and caused us two vet bills. Speaking to them was like talking to the wall. Finally they fenced in some of the area. I beleive dog owners should be responsible for their dogs.

 

[~Lisa~]

Oh no how horrible for him

 

[Little Wolf Ranch]

I can completely agree that dog owners should keep their dogs on THEIR property AT ALL TIMES!

I have Miniature Horses here at my farm and one Quarter Horse. I worry everyday about dogs wandering onto my property and harming one of my horses. Unfortunately I do not have "dog proof fence" - just electric fencing that a motivated dog can slip under. . . which by the way we WILL have dog proof fencing at our new place here in a few years.

My neighbors let their Boxer and two Weimeraners roam freely even though they have a perfectly good dog kennel and dog houses

. They say "we put them up at night or when we're gone" BUT they wander onto my property every now and then and have tried to chase the horses big and small on several occassions. I've told them time and time again that if they go into the pasture with my horses or start digging holes/causing damage to my property - I will quickly have my shotgun take care of the issue and ask questions later.

I am especially going to be paranoid about them getting near my first foals this year!

I've told them I will be expecting foals and that they BETTER keep their dogs on their property because if any one of those dogs were to hurt/kill any of my horses I WILL make them pay the vet bills (if any) AND I am going to sue them AND be sure those dogs are dead.

Don't get me wrong I love dogs - I have a two beagles, a lab, a jack russel and a red heeler and they ALL are in kennels when I cannot watch them and be sure they don't wander off.

I'm a good shot with a gun, I just hope they don't make me prove it. I would hate to purposely kill any animal but I refuse to sit there and let one of my own get injured or killed.

 

[Leeana]

That is horrible, my thoughts are with him

 

[REO]

What a horrible way to die.

I'm so sorry he lost his pet bull.

 

[StarRidgeAcres]

That is just horrible! I'm so sorry for them. An attack by a dog or dogs, no matter if it's humans or an animal being attacked, is a horrible, painful, scary thing. The poor mini bull didn't have a chance.

And for those dogs owners who think "well, it was just a stupid cow" be very clear, the next time it will mostly likely be a child. Dogs that attack once almost ALWAYS do it again if allowed to continue to run.

 

[wildoak]

I'm sorry to hear this, we get attached to our animals no matter what shape they take.

We lost our old Jack Russell yesterday morning to coyotes...think it's time to bite the bullet and get an LGD.

Jan

 

[Reble]

We finally had to have animal control out after finally getting pictures of neighbors dogs who wandered all the time and caused us two vet bills. Speaking to them was like talking to the wall. Finally they fenced in some of the area. I beleive dog owners should be responsible for their dogs.

I think I know which neighbour you are talking about....

So sorry to hear this kind of news. They say never a bad dog, just a bad owner...

 

[Allure Ranch]

[SIZE=12pt]That's awful.... I'm so sorry to hear about it.[/SIZE]

 

[ErikaS.]

I think if a dog kills someone's pet or livestock then the dog's owner becomes the proud owner of the deceased livestock and should pay the fair market value for their new dead critter. Miniature bulls are worth at least $1000.

One of my neighbor's dogs killed the entire flock of my other neighbors chickens, who maced the dogs on their return to finish off the flock. 40 chickens at $5 each= $200 compensation.

 

[ruffian]

I practice SSS. Shoot Shovel and shut up. That's ONLY if I find an animal in my barn or paddocks threatening my livestock.

 

[joylee123]

[SIZE=12pt]I'm with ruffian

I love all animals but I practice SSS too! and again only if the right circumstances exist.[/SIZE]

I'll be darned if I'm going to have my horses or my chickens and guineas torn up because someone is too irresponsible to take care of their own animals.

Joy

 

[angelspeeper]

Wildoak...

I hear Tony of "Little America" has a litter of LGDs. He's not too far away either if you need one.

I agree with what a couple of others have said...SSS!

Shoot, shovel, shut-up!!! I love dogs as much as anyone else. BUT, if me, my kids, or my livestock are in danger...Then I won't hesitate to shoot the offender/offenders!!!!