Terrible tradgedy this weekend. Friend's grandkids kept their show goats at grandma's house. Grandma's neighbors had 3 dogs which proceeded to maul the show goats. The goats were too far gone to save and were humanely put down. The owner denied ownership of the dogs. About 6 hours later the dogs came back and attacked the bred goats. 1 of the 4 goats later died. So far the other 3 look like they will make it. They are locked in a safer place now. The law said they couldn't do anything. 2 days later, another pack of strays attacked a steer at the school farm 1/2 a mile away. Fortunately they only ripped the ears before the mom of the goat owners spotted them and shot 1 of the dogs.

My question/observations is "are owners turning their dogs loose because of the economy or is animal control just slacking off?" These attacks seemed more about tearing up than eating.

We live in the country and have not had problems with strays out here but we also have donkeys in the pasture with our cattle and 2 of our dogs are on guard at night around our show cattle.

Where do you live?
Hot wire is pretty effective against stray dogs.
What an awful scenario!

If the owner is denying ownership, then they shouldn't have any issues with the dogs being shot if they come back. And they will come back, now that they have discovered a place to have some "fun".

I think loose roaming dogs has always been a problem, wherever you live. More people may be dumping dogs due to the economy, but since you know who the owner of these dogs is, it sounds like it's a case of loose/roaming dogs.

I'd be on the lookout for the dogs, and if I saw them at the owners house I'd be taking photos to document they DO own the dogs, and heading down to animal control or the local police station, depending on who handles these issues in your area. If they can show ownership they can demand the owner pays for the animals their dogs killed, and also make sure their dogs are kept contained, or taken by AC. It's not the dogs fault they are owned by an idiot who thinks it's OK to let them roam, but I'd rather see them taken and humanely euthanized if they can't be rehomed elsewhere, than continue to maim and kill people's livestock. I'm a dog lover but I bet those kids loved their goats as much as many people love their dogs.

I'm not aware of ANY state that does not allow livestock owners to shoot roving dogs that menace thier livestock. SSS (Shoot, Shovel, Shut up)

We have FFA kids here who are devoted to their goats, sheep, pigs... very sad for the kids.

Awful news on all fronts!!

Photos are the way to go, no matter what the outcome. Roaming packs of dogs if left unchecked can become a danger not only to pets and stock but to people too, especially kids.

Do whatever you have to to get it stopped.