Sheep! Magazine's January/February 2018 issue has my article on fire and disaster prep for your Livestock Guardian Dogs. Get your copy today:
Fire and Disaster Prep
Your Livestock Guardian Dogs
Brenda M. Negri
Copyright 2017
The recent raging California wine
country fires of 2017 have brought a sobering death toll that, at the time of
this writing, is over 40. Losses and damages are in the multi-millions of
dollars. Many homes, businesses, schools, small farms, homesteads and ranches
have been consumed and lost to flames, and with those losses, untold loss of
life in livestock, pets and wildlife.
A disturbing news article on the
Internet showing the miraculous survival of a Livestock Guardian Dog and it’s
eight goats in California after the owners abandoned them to oncoming raging
flames, created heated debate and outrage on both sides, with supporters and
critics alike arguing the right and wrong of the owner’s actions – and
inactions. While the victims were praised by many and a crowd funding set up to
help them rebuild, just as many if not more people questioned their lack of
preparation and most of all, the fact that they literally left their animals
behind to die a horrible death – understandably sparking outrage and disbelief.
Regardless of one’s position on that incident, the article showed what happens
when people don’t plan ahead wisely, and how important it is for livestock
owners to have a solid plan of escape should fire threaten their property. This
preparation needs to include not just humans, but livestock and the animals
that guard and protect that livestock – whether they are dogs, llamas or
donkeys. Leaving them behind to die an agonizing death in flames is NOT an
option that moral, caring and responsible owners exercise.
In 2014, Countryside Magazine
published a wonderful educational short article by Mary Wilson titled Fire Evacuation Procedures for Your
Livestock: http://countrysidenetwork.com/daily/homesteading/self-reliant-living/fire-evacuation-procedures-livestock/.
Packed with sound advice, it included a pertinent list of five “must do’s” in
the event of a fire on one’s ranch, farm or homestead:
The
5 P’s of Executing Immediate Fire Evacuation Procedures:
• People, pets, and livestock
• Papers—important documents
• Prescriptions—medications, eyeglasses, hearing aids
• Pictures—Irreplaceable memories
• Personal computer
Where I live in Northern Nevada
open range country, range fires are fast moving, deadly, and feared above all
else. I have had several range fires come dangerously close to my ranch and on
each occasion, along with my neighbors, had essentials packed up and ready to
go at a moment’s notice, and spent many sleepless nights on fire watch. Ranchers
in my country have evacuation plans and are prepared to fight then flee when
the time comes. Many new hobby farmers however, do not think about fire
prevention and preparation tips until it’s too late. The mindset is often more
of “oh, it can’t happen to me,” when in fact, it very well could. Living here with
a huge pack of Livestock Guardian Dogs means I must think about how I will get
them – and my sheep and cattle – to safety when the time comes. Leaving them
behind to die is of course, out of the question!
Part of responsibly owning and
using LGDs goes far beyond them just keeping your livestock free from harm year
in and year out. It means YOU, the owner, have a plan in place to keep your
LGDs safe and alive in the time of a fire, too.
Livestock Guardian Dog Preparation
Importance of Socialization and Handling: In the case of the
above-cited California fire where the LGD was left behind with goats to die,
the argument many cited was that “the dog refused to leave his goats,”
inferring that this was the reason the dog was left behind. The fact that a LGD
wants to stay with the stock it is protecting is never a reason or an excuse to leave behind a LGD! Responsible LGD
owners know this, and have a plan in place to move dog and stock out of the way
of dangerous flames.
If there ever was an argument for
rearing LGD pups hands on with daily human interaction and socialization, this
is it. I live with a large pack of LGDs, many of whom weigh well in excess of
200 pounds. I am able to safely leash or halter all of my dogs, and have them
come with me calmly and quietly. No “hands off, don’t ever touch” methods here,
and safe evacuation during a fire is just one of a plethora of reasons why. How
could anyone expect to shepherd their dogs and flocks out of the path of
oncoming fires, when their LGDs run or flee at the sight of a human because
they are afraid of them, because they’ve never been handled or barely touched
by man?
As inconceivable as it may be to
some, there are still many LGD owners (and breeders) who still subscribe to
this sorely outdated practice. Promoted by early LGD researcher, the late Ray
Coppinger, who claimed touching or handling LGDs would somehow diminish or
“ruin” their guarding instincts, sadly this much ballyhooed and disproved bad
“science” went on to become mantra in the USA. Strongly discouraged now by
respected authorities and organizations such as the American Sheep Industry,
thankfully the past several years have seen a complete reversal of this theory
as most LGD owners realize, the ability to handle a guardian dog safely is paramount
to safe, responsible ownership and use. It’s been shown time and again that
regular handling, socialization and kindness from owners in no way shape or
form, diminishes a good guardian dog’s protective instincts. Be smart – buy and
use only safe, socialized and handled LGDs. Keep them that way by regular
interaction with them! You need not turn them into obedience champs who’ll sit,
lie down or do tricks on command, either. Simply having a dog that can be
safely approached, collared and/or leashed or harnessed and led, is enough.
Why?
An LGD who can be caught, leashed
and/or harnessed by it’s owner, can be safely led out of a field, paddock or
corral by the owner, while others can get behind the flock of sheep or
goatherd, and shepherd them along as the LGD and owner lead the way out of the
endangered area either to a waiting trailer. By doing this, the dog is still
with his charges. He’s happy – he’s still with his flock and does not stress
out over being separated from them. You bring both dogs and livestock to safety. Assuming the owner owns a stock
trailer, the dog and sheep or goats can be loaded up in the trailer together
and hauled away from the approaching fire.
Chuck Avila, above with his Spanish Mastiff Zaca modeling a humane,
easy to use halter. If your LGD is "collar and leash shy", consider trying a halter such as Chuck uses here. This way you have a method to be able to bring your dog along in the event of a disaster or fire.
Practice Makes Perfect: Trailering up LGDs and stock need not be a
chaotic and stressful event. Some dry practice runs can make it routine. Bring
your stock trailer close to the paddock where your livestock is. Collar and/or
harness up your LGD and lead him into the trailer and then once inside, give
him a treat – I mean a real treat too, like a raw chicken leg, a chunk of beef
heart or his favorite edible reward, what ever it may be. Lots of praise and
calming talk will add to the dog’s comfort and he’ll soon associate going into
the trailer with a positive – not negative – experience. Shepherd in a few
sheep or goats as you do this so that they learn to trailer as well. If you
take them off feed for several hours before doing this, by placing some grain
or a flake of hay in the trailer, you can more easily entice the sheep or goats
to jump in and dine. By doing this you also make trailering a treat for them,
too. Stay calm and relaxed, make it a “fun” time and include all family members
in this prep work so anyone is able to do this. By making it routine, it’ll be
less stressful when the time comes for real evacuation, and everyone will be
less stressed because they’ve done this many times. Advance preparation like
this a few times a year can make all the difference in the time of a crisis and
help things to run much more smoothly. Proactive planning aces panicked
reaction every time!
No Stock Trailer? No Problem: What if you don’t own a stock trailer
or means to haul your dog and livestock? Well, think about investing in one;
even if it is a used “old banger” that can still provide safe transportation.
But if even that is not on the radar for you financially, there are other
options: neighbors with trailers may be able to loan you one, or you can set up
an evacuation plan that includes them swinging by your farm or homestead to pick
up your stock after theirs are safely trailered up. I know this is part of my
evacuation plan after I had to disburse of my gooseneck trailer – I have
options.
But say that isn’t an option in
your case, either. This is where some smart planning and preparation come in.
By drawing up a map of your property with it’s gates and surrounding roads, you
can draw up evacuation plans that can immediately be put into action in the
event of a fire. Review it at least once a year to keep it fresh in your mind,
and implement any changes that may come up with new fencing or construction.
Depending on what direction the fire is approaching from, you can draw up an
evacuation plan of safely bringing your LGDs and stock out of outer fields,
into smaller corrals or barns, and then shepherded out of a gate into the open
or roads that will lead away from the fire.
Where I live the country is huge
and there are large tracts of unfenced land that are Bureau of Land Management
or US Forest Service. In the event of a range fire, many ranchers here are
unable to load up their large number of cattle or sheep in trailers fast enough
to get them out of the path of oncoming flames. So the “open the gates and let
them out” plan is what is used. Ranchers in my area will throw open all the
gates, and if time allows, push stock out into the open range or roads where
the stock can then move out of the way of the fire.
Typically in my area, many roads
are lined with fences of adjoining properties so stock can be easily and safely
driven down the road without scattering to the four winds. But even if these
were not present, the main goal is still met; as the stock will by nature, want
to go in the direction that is away from the flames. By doing this a large band
of sheep or commercial goat herd and its guardian dogs can be shepherded to
safety by herders; cattle can be moved by buckaroos on horseback to a safer
area. In many cases, barbed wire fences are cut and pulled down so stock is
never trapped against a fence line in front of advancing flames. In other
words, if we can’t get all the stock out, we set it up so the stock can at the
very least, get themselves out to safety. It’s considered common sense in my
neck of the woods – and compassionate and responsible. No leaving behind to die!
Be Proactive and Pay Attention
In this electronic age where even
ranchers, homesteaders and hobby farmers are seemingly glued to televisions,
computers and smart phones, many “pre-Internet dinosaur” folks in the
agriculture arena shake their heads at the seeming increase in lack of common
sense amongst many people who are new to ranching and farming. Don’t become a
“cyber shepherd” who is too busy posting to Facebook to pay attention what’s
going on around them in the real world. Don’t depend on social media to keep
you safe! Use your eyes, ears and nose – you know, the “pre Internet” tools
your body was equipped with to keep you alive. Watch the horizon, take note of
wind shifts and follow your nose when you smell smoke. Watch your animals. Are
they telling you something by the way they are suddenly acting strangely? Do
they smell smoke when you don’t?
Establish a network with your
neighbors and a phone tree and keep tabs on where fires are. Only foolish
farmers have the attitude that “it won’t come this far” or, “I don’t need to
worry.” Always plan for the worst. Never assume you’ll be safe, never
procrastinate and never use the excuse that “well, it just came up on us too
fast” to cruelly abandon animals behind to die horrific deaths. Be proactive
and creative in your plans. Create defensible space around buildings, barns,
haystacks, outbuildings, homes. Make sure waterlines are operational and always
have your stock tanks topped off with water. Make sure your Livestock Guardian
Dogs can be safely handled, collared and leashed or harnessed, to lead to
safety along with your livestock. Unplug from Internet farming and get in touch
with the real world around you and plan for the worst so when it happens, you,
your loved ones, your livestock and your
precious four legged protectors will live through a crisis. It takes some
planning, some common sense and work but it will repay you in the end with
precious lives saved.
/////
Tools of the Trade: the Shepherd’s Crook or Staff
Ancient in it’s origin and use, the
humble wooden shepherd’s crook or staff is typically found in the hand of
shepherds in the Old World as they trail along their flocks in the age old
practice of transhumance – moving huge bands of sheep across mountains and
plains in seasonal search for grazing and food. Crooks now come in a variety of
sizes and shapes and can be metal or wood. Every shepherd and sheep owner
should have one. Besides giving you support as you stand and walk, they come in
handy when it’s time to catch or drive sheep into a chute or trailer. During an
emergency evacuation, a crook can help you catch and move sheep when it matters
most. They can be bought in some feed stores and online by such companies as
Premier 1 Supplies. Here is an informative article about the many types and
uses for shepherds crooks: https://www.premier1supplies.com/list.php?mode=article&cat_id=5
