Owners Responsible For Pets That Harass Wildlife

Wildlife vulnerable to domestic dogs during winter

March 12, 2004

People who let their dogs chase and harm wildlife could face serious consequences, including stiff fines and the possibility of losing their beloved pet.

The fine for a dog harassing wildlife is $274. In addition, Colorado considers big game animals as state property valued at $500 for a deer, $700 for an elk and $1,000 for a bighorn sheep. That means pet owners could be billed for any wildlife injured or killed by their dog, said Bob Holder, district wildlife manager in Trinidad. Colorado law also allows any peace officer can capture or kill a dog that is caught chasing wildlife.

"In reality, this means the penalty to the dog can be death," Holder said. "Most wildlife officers only destroy the dog as a last resort after all efforts to contact a pet owner have failed. I hate to do it. I love dogs. I would rather issue a citation to the owner first."

Winter and spring are the most critical times for wildlife, when the animals are expending every bit of energy just to stay alive. The last thing they need is to be chased by a domestic dog, wildlife managers said. The problem is especially bad when it is cold out, Holder said. The dog is frisky, full of food, and ready to go. "However, the wild critters are out there 24 hours a day, burning a lot of energy just to stay alive."

Deep snow adds to the problem. While dogs can usually run on top of the snow, deer and elk sink down, making them easier prey for the dogs. Another vulnerable time is when elk and deer have their calves and fawns. The young are easy targets for a dog running loose.

Dogs that run free are also known to affect nesting ground birds. Plovers, larks, waterfowl and other ground nesting birds all suffer population losses from disturbances during the spring breeding season.

Wildlife managers say most people do not think their dog would chase wildlife.

Dogs, in their domestication, have lost many of their instincts for making quick kills, and instead chase, harass and terrorize wildlife until the chased animal collapses in exhaustion.

Holder said when dogs chases deer they often do not know what to do with it once they catch it.

"Coyotes and mountain lions are efficient killers, but dogs will bite the nose off and chew ears," he said. "The animal really suffers when the dog is just playing around."

Problems also arise when dog owners disobey leash and voice command laws, according to DOW field officers. People hiking on public land must keep their dogs on a leash or under voice control, depending on what lands they are on. The DOW prohibits dogs to run at-large on all State Wildlife Areas except dogs lawfully used while hunting, or while training dogs for hunting.