Wild dog problem

[SailorBob]

We have a pack of wild dogs that keeps harassing us. I don't know if you would really call them a pack but, it is a German Shepherd female and her 3 puppies. The pups are about grown (about 6 months old i suspect) now. I suspect that some jerk dumped the female because she was pregnant. We get a lot of stray cats and dogs dumped in our area. These beast have been tormenting since we first noticed the pregnant female. They have killed several of our yard cats and eat their food. They last straw was this past weekend when one of the pups start barking and growling at my wife while she was working in the garden. Unfortunately, I was not home. She won't even go outside anymore without packing a pistol. She shot it at one of them a couple of times and missed it.

Since we have no animal control outside the city limits in our county I will have to deal with it myself. I think my only alternative is to kill the dogs. I have tried a couple of times to shoot them but, they are smart and seem to know every time I try. It is embarrassing to be outsmarted by dogs. I hate to kill them but, i think now it is them or us at this point. Poison is not an option. I do not want to kill any innocent creatures. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[MMagis]

I think you've got the solution, I see no other reasonable options. Good luck.

 

[laen64]

223, 308, 22 cal or 5.56mm with a good scope to help for distance. That will lesson the noise of you approaching.

Good Luck!
Any other weapon is good these are just my favorites aside from the 44Mag

 

[jinman]

I can see a big trap with some raw hamburger for bait. The problem with these dogs is they have been wild for so long that they will never be reliably trained to be regular dogs. As inhumane as it sounds, I think I'd trap and dispose of them. If not, you may find them becoming so brave they will attack you instead of your pets. Domestic dogs in a pack are very savvy predators.

 

[Eagleview]

My place used to be a haven for feral dogs with all the rock overhangs and caves . Feral dogs have no place in the wild , they need to be put down . I get a sinking feeling every time i shoot one as i love dogs , but they create havoc with the native Fauna and are not afraid to approach humans . I also use 1080 wild dog baits on a string , hanging from a branch . This way no other non target animals can reach them . I also got rid of our Fox problem the same way . I could not trap a dog in a cage as having to destroy it in the morning as it cowers in the corner would be to much for me .

The small animals and birds that are on our property now is a stark contrast to how it was when we first arrived .

 

[chh]

You better get to shooting in a hurry, IMO. If they are staying resonalbly well fed there will be more puppies soon, then your problem will grow exponentially. Once you get a bigger pack they will not be afraid to attack calf, horses, lambs ect.
I have shot them, will most likely have to do it again. A good rifle or a shotgun with a good spotlight for night work. Just make it quick and sure.

Remember to spay and neuter and I sincerely hope "pet" dumpers rot in *#!!.

 

[20 20]

NO TO POISON !!! No matter how well a job a person "thinks" they're doing to just poison what they're after it will still get to other animals.

I agree with the rifle idea, probably the only way you'll get a shoot without them sensing you.

It is a shame that we can't get rid of the bad owners instead, seems like that would be a better solution to the problem.

 

[cowboy357]

You better get to shooting in a hurry, IMO. If they are staying resonalbly well fed there will be more puppies soon, then your problem will grow exponentially. Once you get a bigger pack they will not be afraid to attack calf, horses, lambs ect.
I have shot them, will most likely have to do it again. A good rifle or a shotgun with a good spotlight for night work. Just make it quick and sure.

Remember to spay and neuter and I sincerely hope "pet" dumpers rot in *#!!.

Sad to say chh , I totally agree . I dont like putting critters down but sometimes theres no real choice . I Really agree with the pet dumpers . . Bob

 

[RonMar]

I think I'd trap and dispose of them. If not, you may find them becoming so brave they will attack you instead of your pets. Domestic dogs in a pack are very savvy predators.

VERY Savvy, and EXTREMELY dangerous. Momma dog knows where food can be found, and has tought that to babies. She also probably does not have much fear of humans, which also passes over to babies. The growling at your wife in her own space(challenging dominance) indicates this. Got children in this neighborhood of yours? Kids don't know enough to stand their ground(food runs and triggers the hunt/chase) and that is a tragedy waiting to happen. Even if they stand their ground, a pack is a pack, and that is the way it works in the wild...

As much as I love dogs, if a stray on my property can't be called in to identify and get back to it's owners, it gets a dirt nap... As for shooting them, don't rush to get a gun, they will react to your haste. Move slow, be quiet. Better still, take a gun and a book and go find a comfortable place, with a good view to set still. Let them come out in the open not knowing there may be a threat. Bait might help control the time and place. Be patient, and good hunting.

 

[TUG HILL ADDICT]

You know they like the cat food so set out a full dish of cat food in a spot where you can get a good shot from a window...maybe a second floor window.