Dog Attacks Bear, Owner threatened by DOW

[tmjohnson]

I talked to a sheep rancher in Cortez today, He has his ewes close to his house to lamb. He keeps his guard dog to guard the sheep. A bear came in the pasture and the dog attacked the bear, running the bear off. A bunny hugger saw the dog at work and called DOW. The DOW officer came out and told the sheep producer he needs to tie his dog up, so the dog won't harass the bears. The producer told the DOW officer that the dog was doing his job,and he wasn't about to tie the dog up. THe DOW officer said if it happened again he would be issued a citation.
Can DOW really issue a citation when the dog was using NON-LETHAL force to run the bear off? And the dog did not use excessive force, just run him back thru the fence

[J]

Sounds a bit off, first not DOW jurisdiction:

The Division of Wildlife regulates commercial and recreational trapping of wildlife in addition to any activities involving threatened or endangered species. State law, enacted in 1996, gives the Commissioner of Agriculture authority over individual animals or groups of animals that may prey on agricultural products and livestock.

I'm looking through CRS to find something relevant. I'm sure there is something in there. I did find the following posted in 2008 by the DOW. Not entirely relevant, but I did like the attitude.

On behalf of the Colorado Division of Wildlife, I felt it appropriate to add a brief note. The DOW is not 'turning a blind eye' (to sheep dogs). The DOW has absolutely nothing to do with regulation of sheep grazing, sheep herding, sheep herders or sheep dogs .........

If it comes to anyone's attention that the bighorn sheep are hiring packs of aggressive dogs, please get back with us as it will then be 'our' problem.

Good luck and safe recreation.

Randy Hampton, public information officer, Colorado Division of Wildlife, northwest region.

- Randy Hampton

Additionally, I remember reports of people who shot mountain lions in the defense of their dogs (dogs saved the guy from lion, guy runs inside and grabs gun to shoot lion before dogs are killed). The information I found on that incident indicated that the shooter was guilty of poaching, because the dogs were not live-stock, and therefore not covered under statute. Looking for that info too.

[xring]

I talked to a sheep rancher in Cortez today, He has his ewes close to his house to lamb. He keeps his guard dog to guard the sheep. A bear came in the pasture and the dog attacked the bear, running the bear off. A bunny hugger saw the dog at work and called DOW. The DOW officer came out and told the sheep producer he needs to tie his dog up, so the dog won't harass the bears. The producer told the DOW officer that the dog was doing his job,and he wasn't about to tie the dog up. THe DOW officer said if it happened again he would be issued a citation.
Can DOW really issue a citation when the dog was using NON-LETHAL force to run the bear off? And the dog did not use excessive force, just run him back thru the fence

Last i knew it is a $300 fine for a dog to chase any big game.

[Eggysrun]

Last i knew it is a $300 fine for a dog to chase any big game.

What about hunting dogs?

[hammer03]

9.) CAN I SHOOT A BLACK BEAR OR MOUNTAIN LION IF IT IS ATTACKING MY DOG OR MY
LIVESTOCK? Statute 33-3-106
• Black bears and mountain lions CAN NOT be destroyed when they are causing damage to personal property,
including pets.
• Black bears and mountain lions CAN be killed when it is NECESSARY to prevent them from inflicting death or injury
to LIVESTOCK, HUMAN LIFE, real property, or a motor vehicle. Any wildlife killed shall remain the property of
the state, and such killing shall be reported to the division within five days. “Real property” means land and generally
whatever is erected or growing upon or affixed to land. (Note: “Personal Property” means everything that is subject to
ownership, other than real estate. Personal property includes moveable and tangible things, such as animals, furniture
and merchandise.)

So, pets can't be protected, but livestock can be. Next time he needs to shoot the bear instead of letting the dog run it off, according to the DOW... http://www.joycefoster.com/docs/coyo...feLaws1209.pdf

[J]

My dog and my gun are always near and on me, respectively. If one attacks my dog, I am in real danger... attacking Mtn Lion at 3 ft distance is a real danger. Its getting dispatched judiciously.

[Danimal]

He should shoot the bear if there is another incident. The citation that he would get is there for a reason. Basically people would use their dogs to tree a bear then shoot it in order to "protect" their dogs. In order to stop that type of poaching, having the dogs involved at all had to be made illegal. The DOW will come and set up a trap to catch the bear and relocate it if need be. They are generally very accommodating when it comes to protecting livestock and personal property. It is easier to trap the bear and relocate it than do a game damage estimate, file the paperwork, and pay out to the land owner who will always feel ripped off.

[J]

Also, have them talk to the County commissioner of agriculture. They have final say in regards to deprecating animals on livestock.

[GilpinGuy]

So, pets can't be protected, but livestock can be. Next time he needs to shoot the bear instead of letting the dog run it off, according to the DOW... http://www.joycefoster.com/docs/coyo...feLaws1209.pdf

So the actual livestock can be protected...by a human...but not by a dog, who's purpose is to protect the livestock. Gubmint at it's finest.

This is one of those judgement calls f-ed up by the DOW officer.

[Irving]

Why the hell was a hippie around in the first place?