Irresponsible dog owners

[Leo]

I don't make a point of interviewing sheep for their opinions, nor have I spoken to that unfortunate woman.

So talk to a sheep farmer, they'll tell you the presence of an unfamiliar dog when their chasing instincts kick in, and especially during lambing season is a source of stress for the animals, sufficient in some cases to lead to the loss of the lamb. Why is it some consider it acceptable that people should be entitled to enter their land without having a little respect? It's not like they'd be too happy if strangers turned up on their doorstep allowing their dogs to do as they please on their property.

The owners of the majority of dogs who worry sheep or attack people would have considered them well trained and obedient until it's too late.

 

[mathepac]

It all sounds like the behaviour of irresponsible dog owners to me but again, why should the dogs pay the ultimate price?

What about an annual Mutt Owners' Test, MOT, to prove that at licensing time, owners and dogs behave in such a way as to be safe to be out in public together? Proper dog retraints, leads, muzzles, proper ID tags, (FIDO registrations), chipping, etc, and behavioural testing with specialist dog trainers.

Killing animals be they domestic companion dogs, wild badgers, seagulls, foxes, or deer is not the appropriate answer in a civilised society.

 

[Leo]

why should the dogs pay the ultimate price?

Because they pose an unacceptable risk to people and other animals.

 

[joer]

Another reason the dogs should pay the ultimate price is that their owners won't pay any price, but should, in my opinion.

 

[Purple]

Killing animals be they domestic companion dogs, wild badgers, seagulls, foxes, or deer is not the appropriate answer in a civilised society.

Foxes are vermin and Deer populations are unsustainably large. Most deer are invasive species. None of them have natural predators. If we don't cull them they are an ecological menace (not nearly as much as Sheep but I don't think any grazing animals should be let loose to range across any habitat).

 

[Leo]

If we don't cull them they are an ecological menace (not nearly as much as Sheep but I don't think any grazing animals should be let loose to range across any habitat).

On the flip side, isn't it cruel to imprison dogs repressing their natural instincts to roam and chase prey?

 

[Purple]

On the flip side, isn't it cruel to imprison dogs repressing their natural instincts to roam and chase prey?

And for those who think that culling dear is cruel and we should reintroduce wolves please ask yourselves if you had firing squad or being eaten by a back of wolves as the choice of methods of execution which would you pick?

 

[Leo]

Yep, all other beasts should be allowed to live according to their nature, our own instincts should be the only ones to be repressed.

 

[Purple]

Yep, all other beasts should be allowed to live according to their nature, our own instincts should be the only ones to be repressed.

We're getting into the realms of philosophy now. The oft mistranslated line from René Descartes, "I'm thinking therefore I am" who people think is about what it means to be human but is just about existing. The bottom line is that we're different from other animals and so should behave accordingly.

 

[mathepac]

On the flip side, isn't it cruel to imprison dogs repressing their natural instincts to roam and chase prey?

Domestic dogs, companion animals, properly reared and trained, and with responsible owners, have no difficulty behaving as model citizens.

The bottom line is that we're different from other animals and so should behave accordingly.

And we prove that by slaughtering other species if they step out of line from the behaviours we expect of them, having invested nothing in modifying their behaviours.