Saint Bernards Kill Steer, Other Animals In Local County (Macomb)

WDIV Detroit ^ | 5-9=04

[Dan from Michigan]

Saint Bernards Kill Steer, Other Animals In Local County
Judge To Decide Fate Of Dogs

POSTED: 8:17 p.m. EDT May 7, 2004
UPDATED: 8:52 p.m. EDT May 7, 2004

Two Saint Bernard dogs were placed in a Macomb County shelter after they apparently went on a killing spree.

Among the victims of the dogs were a steer, a sheep, deer, llamas and a 200-pound pig, according to Local 4 reports.

Robert Wangelin, who sells fresh produce and beef, said he was confronted by the dogs when stepping out to work on his farm in northern Macomb one morning.

"There was two dogs on the other side of the fence and they were standing there growling at me," said Wangelin.

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

I never have liked St. Bernards. The entire breed should be wiped out, or sent to the new Lunar outpost.

[martin_fierro]

[Ronaldus Magnus]

You gave me multiple examples of your dogs killing stock and attacking other dogs.

Actually I gave multiple examples of Saints who could tell the difference between livestock and people.

Just because they didn't attack you doesn't mean they weren't dangerous to other stock, pets, and people.

You seem to be under a false perception, allow me to enlighten you. All animals are dangerous, there are no exceptions. The second deadliest dog (# of children killed/# of dogs) after the pit bull is the little chow chow. The only dog that ever sent me to the hospital was a 25 lb sheltie.

A dog who has attacked stock is dangerous, even if he doesn't attack his master.

Dangerous to whom? Certainly livestock, but our dogs were not dangerous to people. Some of the nicest dogs I've met were viscous bear hounds who could rip a bear apart yet could not be goaded into growling at a stranger pulling their tail. Being a threat to livestock does not mean they are a threat to anything else.

My dad and I lost a whole flock of sheep one year because of dogs like this. In Indiana, if you catch a dog killing stock you are allowed to shoot them. Harsh, but based on years of country experience with dogs like this.

Most farmers around me just ask for top dollar compensation. The guilty dogs are easily identifiable by the clumps of wool that get stuck between their teeth. My condolences about your sheep, and your father can certainly exercise his rights (if the law is as you describe). However, just because a dog would kill a sheep doesn't mean it a threat to people. You have simply drawn an unwarranted conclusion.

[mcshot]

Heck I'd be interested in adopting one. Plenty of room to roam and good processed food.
mc

[Moleman]

I have a Newfoundland
Oh yeah, I have a Yorkie who think's he tuff as nails, don't make me "unleash the beast" :-)

[LiberationIT]

Macomb County has a Yorkie too. His name is David Bonior.

[Moleman]

Please don't insult Yorkies!!

[eastforker]

Put em down, I agree once they have done this they will do it again.

[eastforker]

Everything you described was about the dog and loyalty. Once the get off home turf or with other dogs they are not to be trusted.

[xp38]

[Ronaldus Magnus]

Once the get off home turf or with other dogs they are not to be trusted.

That isn't my experience nor the history of any dog I have known. A friends brother's German Shepard "went native" and took up with a female coyote for about three months (I have no idea if the chromosomes work with this kind of pairing). He was far more effective than the coyotes had been and killed at least a dozen sheep. He was in a warden's cross hairs when the warden decided to take a chance and call him in. Even though the dog didn't know him, it came right to him and hopped in his pickup truck!

Although only anecdotal, to me this type of incident says far more about these dogs than the all the wild rumors and folk wisdom bantering around this thread. I think most of the misconceptions and hysteria surrounding this whole issue are from little people who are afraid of big dogs.

[eastforker]

Ok Ronald, I have seen too many regular house and farm dogs pack up and when they do they will kill anything, even one another if wounded or show weakness or timidness. They are like a bunch of teenage boys on a weekend spree, one has to try and outdo the other. I am sure there are exceptions, but, as a rule when two or more dogs travel in territory unknown to them they are not to be trusted and once they kill for sport they should never be trusted.

[Ronaldus Magnus]

I have seen too many regular house and farm dogs pack up and when they do they will kill anything, even one another if wounded or show weakness or timidness.

The dogs you describe sure don't sound regular to me. I wouldn't want them on my farm or in my house.

They are like a bunch of teenage boys on a weekend spree, one has to try and outdo the other.

Even the teenagers sound terrible were you live, marauding and all. I wouldn't them on my farm or in my house either.

I am sure there are exceptions, but, as a rule when two or more dogs travel in territory unknown to them they are not to be trusted and once they kill for sport they should never be trusted.

What a scary rule! If what you say is true, I don't think I'd be brave enough to leave the house if I lived in your area!

[eastforker]

Take the situation in Iraq prisons going on now, same rule applies but humans can change and we can't just kill em.If a dog ever loses fear of a human the dog is a threat to anyone it meets. Too many stories of dogs mauling and killing either strangers or someone who threatend a prior relationship, like a new baby where the mom has had the dog for years.And it is not just digs. I had a longhorn bull that was a pussycat to me and the wife. When we stepped into the pasture all he wanted was his back, ears and neck scratched. Any other animal other than his herd of cows, well maybe he would tolerate a strange cow, I am not sure if his cows would, anyway, any strange animal human or otherwise would be in grave danger. He got out once and held a family hostage in their house, if they had killed him I would have understood but they didn't have a gun. When I arrived he let me pet him and put a rope around him and led him back to the pasture. I have dealt with many differant animals, two and four legged, some should never be trusted.

[Ronaldus Magnus]

Take the situation in Iraq prisons going on now, same rule applies but humans can change and we can't just kill em.

I would take the opposite view about your rule that dogs can't change, as well as possibly taking the opposite view that humans can. Are you sure the military code of justice won't let us "just kill 'em"?!

If a dog ever loses fear of a human the dog is a threat to anyone it meets. Too many stories of dogs mauling and killing either strangers or someone who threatend a prior relationship, like a new baby where the mom has had the dog for years.

I've never known any dog to fear a baby. I don't believe the behavior in question is related as much to fear as it is to respect for the hierarchy, and there is a difference.

And it is not just digs. I had a longhorn bull that was a pussycat to me and the wife. When we stepped into the pasture all he wanted was his back, ears and neck scratched. Any other animal other than his herd of cows, well maybe he would tolerate a strange cow, I am not sure if his cows would, anyway, any strange animal human or otherwise would be in grave danger.

I've never known any bull, even a jersey, to fear anything no matter how many times you beat it over the head! We couldn't ever prove it one way or another, but I think that longhorn of yours probably just viewed you and your wife as funny looking cows.

I have dealt with many differant animals, two and four legged, some should never be trusted.

Although I might never trust a bull or even another man with my family, there are many dogs I have placed my full faith in. Dogs are the most honorable species.

[ExSoldier]

The Boston Terrier next door, all five pounds of him is constantly hanging from my pups left ear by his teeth. Missy (Miss America, 'cause we got her around 911; her lil sis will be Miss Liberty or Libby) just gives a gentle shake and sends him soaring across the yard. Funny how the little guys always got somethin' to prove.

[Moleman]

Funny how the little guys always got somethin' to prove
Boy isn't that the truth. My little guy Oscar would get out of the yard and run to the neighbors yard and start raising Kane with a Great Dane (gentle giant) The Dane looked at me like, WTF. Funny little dogs.

[Xenalyte]

That's VERY small for a Boston terrier. Is he a puppy? The Dread Boston Salty weighs 27 pounds.

[ExSoldier]

"Is he a puppy?"

Yup. A brand new addition to the young family next door. The kids are ages 5 (girl) and 8 (boy) so the little fur-ball of pure energy has plenty to keep him busy.

[Xenalyte]

Oh, man, do I ever wish we had a Boston puppy to go with the beast! Does Next-Door Dog get along with the kids? The Dread Boston Salty can't quite be trusted with small ones yet, so we let our teenage nephews have at him. They try like crazy to wear him out, and have yet to succeed.