Is your dog at home a fan of chasing wildlife? Most of our pets aren’t the strong hunters they may imagine themselves to be. But, even well-trained dogs occasionally go after a tempting squirrel or chipmunk. However, allowing your dog off-leash to pursue wild animals is a crime. These incidents can sadly turn deadly for both the wildlife and the dogs involved. In an incident involving wild deer, a dog was shot by an Idaho conservation officer.
Dog shot after wreaking havoc
According to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the officer involved was responding to an unrelated call on April 10. During this call, he was approached by citizens who had just watched two dogs chase and kill a fawn. After inspecting the deceased fawn, the officer witnessed one of the dogs attempting to pursue more deer. “The officer shot the dog which was engaged in pursuit of the animals,” the IDFG stated in a news release. The press release notes that the dogs involved were observed running loose and chasing deer previously within the same week.
It is unlawful for people to allow their dogs to harass, chase, or kill big game animals in Idaho. Fish and Game officers are authorized to shoot dogs that are actively engaged in those behaviors.
“It’s tough on our officers to have to make these decisions,” says Jennifer Jackson, regional communications manager for Idaho Fish and Game’s Southeast Region. “Many of our officers are dog owners, too. But, it’s also tough to watch deer being chased down or killed by people’s pets — especially now after such a hard winter when these deer are so vulnerable.”
It’s unfortunate that a dog was shot for what amounts to, ultimately, being a dog. Unfortunately, dogs do not have a sense of what’s “right” or “wrong” regarding conservation laws. They’re likely to be triggered by prey and chase based on deeply ingrained instincts. Sadly, this tragic incident could have been easily prevented by keeping the dogs involved contained or leashed.
Keeping dogs safe around wildlife
Dogs may love to try their best to interact with wildlife, but it’s rarely a safe idea. Dogs can not only harm wildlife but can also be the victim of an attack by a dangerous animal. To prevent unfortunate incidents, monitor your dog in wild spaces. A fenced-in yard can provide your dog with outdoor playtime in a contained area where they’re unable to get into trouble. Additionally, a leashed nature walk can be fun for both pets and their owners. Read up on the laws of your location involving pets and wildlife so you can be sure your pet is respecting nature.
