Editorial: Don't let your dogs out

Linda Hall, Assistant Editor, Hawke's Bay Today.

As we head into lambing season, dog owners need to ensure their sections are secure.

This week we reported on two dogs that managed to escape their confines and returned home riddled with what appeared to be shotgun pellets.

I'm not accusing those two dogs of worrying sheep and I certainly don't condone anyone randomly shooting animals but the fact of the matter is it wouldn't have happened if the dogs were secure in their own backyards.

Yes there are some cunning canines that escape what we mere humans think is a secure backyard. However, it is the owners' responsibility to ensure they don't.

If you know your pet spends all day looking for escape routes while you are at work, the only solution is to tie them up. Not ideal, I know, but necessary.

According to Hastings District Council complaints about roaming dogs are up by 20 per cent. By law a dog can be destroyed or seized if it is attacking a person, stock or protected wildlife.

Nobody wants to see that happen to their family pet and even if you think your perfect pooch would never harm a fly, think again.

It's a well-known fact that domestic dogs can run in packs and when they do they seem to be a lot braver, which makes them a lot more dangerous.

The Hastings District Council says the main things that discourage a dog from wandering are neutering (or spaying for bitches), regular feeding, good fencing, lots of play and interaction with the family, so it does not get bored.

"However, given the opportunity, dogs will still roam as it is in their nature," the council says.

"Neutering works best at a young age, as once roaming becomes a habit it is difficult to break. The dog may not go off looking for a mate but will continue to want to explore what it believes is its territory."

Good advice.

It's not just big dogs that attack animals. Little dogs can make a real mess of livestock as well.

I've seen some pretty gruesome photos of dead and maimed livestock after they have been mauled by dogs.

I've also seen roaming dogs when I've been out walking. I either turn around and walk away or scuttle past and hope for the best.

Most dogs are harmless but you just never know.