Keep Dogs from Harassing Wildlife Urges CDOW

RIDGWAY, Colo., February 9, 2010 - As winter storms dump more snow in the area, the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) has issued a statement to dog owners to keep their pets from harassing wildlife.

The winter months are stressful on wildlife especially as the snow accumulates and wildlife such as elk, deer, and turkeys find it difficult to get around. Elk may become stranded in areas and face starvation as they can't move in the deep snow. Deer face the same fate along with the risk of predators including the family pet dog.

Dogs will chase deer all year long, however, when deer cannot move as fast in the snow, that's when dogs will hunt them down and kill or injure them. Neighborhood dogs will team up and their "pack" instincts will take over.

CDOW Area Wildlife Manager, Renzo DelPiccolo explains that many big game animals can lose as much as 30% of their body weight during the winter months. If a female animal is pregnant, she especially needs to conserve her energy to make it through the winter. If wildlife is being chased by neighborhood dogs, they are using up their energy and may not be able to survive the winter.

Unfortunately, many dog owners do not believe that their dog will chase and actively hunt wildlife. While the owners are at work, dogs should be chained up or kept indoors. If left to roam free in a fenced-in yard, many dogs will jump the fence to chase wildlife and be back home before the owners arrive. It's a genetic instinct in dogs to chase and hunt wildlife especially if they see other neighborhood dogs on the loose and they team up together.

The CDOW reminds dog owners that in the State of Colorado, dogs may be shot and killed by law enforcement if they are seen chasing or harassing wildlife. In Ridgway, there is a leash law and dogs should not be allowed to roam free. A pet owner may also be fined if their dog is caught chasing or harassing wildlife.

CDOW points out in their newsletter, the "DOW Insider," that recently a Ridgway woman was fined $276 because her dog teamed up with other neighborhood dogs and chased two deer. One deer was killed by the dogs while the other was injured and had to be euthanized.

CDOW urges anyone that sees a dog chasing wildlife to call their local Division of Wildlife office, local animal control, or law enforcement agency. Phone numbers for all Division of Wildlife offices can be found on this website: http://wildlife.state.co.us/About/OfficesAndPhone/.

Source: "DOW Insider," February 8, 2011