Courtesy of Danielle Langloism, Wikipedia CCLDogs and Goats
Do you know what your dog is up to? You might be surprised. A very forthright, brass tacks commentary can be found at Goats in the Garden.
Goat maulings are more common occurrences than you’d think for farmers. Every time a dog is left to run loose in an agricultural area it could prove disastrous. Your dog, while perfectly behaved and sweet dog at home, becomes exactly what it is intended to be when running loose: a predator.
Don’t take it personally; just be aware. Even those of us who keep dogs on a goat farm have occasions when the goats get out or the dogs get in often resulting in a problem. A dog can run a goat to death. Equally as bad, predatory instinct will cause dogs to attack small livestock, mauling or even killing goats.
The owner of a dog running at large that causes injury or death to livestock is legally and financially obligated to make reparations. So if your dog bites the neighbor’s goat, you’ll have to pay.
Be a responsible goat farmer: build good fences. Be a responsible dog keeper: keep Fido at home. It’s the best of both worlds for everyone. Remember, dogs are dogs and dogs are predators. Goats are prey and even with horns have little means of defense. Thanks for the reminder, Jennifer.
[...] but it’s irresponsible and reckless to let dogs roam, as we’re written about previously here and [...]
Good article and better written than our web page about dogs on GoatFestival.com. We have a policy of no dogs at all on our festival area and none left in vehicles. With the dairy goat show and people with pet goats in a parade, We are telling people to keep their dogs safe and happy at home for the day of the festival…