Dog Facts Page 3 All breeds and sizes of dogs, from Silky Terriers to Great Danes have been caught attacking livestock. Dogs as young as 3 months of age and as old as 12 years, unsterilised and sterilised dogs of both sexes, dogs with three legs, no teeth and with the best pedigree, have been involved. Well-fed pets from small holdings or suburban homes near the attack site are usually responsible. A dog may attack on its own, with another dog from the same household or in the company of one or two dogs it associates with. Most dogs involved are friendly and approachable and do not look or behave like killers when interacting with people. This is why 90% of dog owners find it difficult to accept that their pets have killed livestock. Dogs behave very differently when on their own, away from home with other dogs or when attacking livestock. Chasing and attacking livestock is a normal dog behaviour. All dogs can chase, track and retrieve. They can also conclude these hunting behaviours by grabbing, biting and killing. Some livestock owners allow their dogs to play with or chase their own livestock. This enables the dog to gain the skills needed to attack livestock and gives it the opportunity to practice. Many of these dogs have been shot later for killing their owner's livestock, and many more have gone to other properties to attack and kill. Few dogs have blood on them. Whether they do or not will depend on how the livestock was killed, whether the carcass was fed on, and what the dog did afterwards. Most dogs have been fed on meat from an early age and have already tasted blood. Dogs find chasing non-descript moving objects rewarding and this is why they are more likely to return to the scene of an attack. Dogs are having fun, but they don't kill for fun. Several animals may be killed or mauled, but very little will appear to have been eaten. Unless disturbed, dogs will take pieces off several carcasses. Together these will make a sizeable meal for the one or two dogs usually involved. Dogs will attack livestock at any time of the day or night if they are given the opportunity. Daytime attacks are especially common in semi-rural areas. Professional trainers will not give this guarantee if the dog is not under the control of its owner. Dogs will also chase and attack wildlife. Uncontrolled dogs and cats have destroyed many of the native animals in areas close to towns and cities. Dog owners must ensure that their dogs are under control at all times in areas where wildlife is present. The average dog lives 8 to 15 years. A dog is a true friend, and one you can be certain will never talk about you, no matter what you do. People have been keeping dogs as pets for the past 12,000 years. Never assume that a barking dog won't bute, unless you're absolutely certain the dog believes it too. A dog who destroys your home when you're away is frustrated. His frustration has been displaced onto household objects. Put your kitchen garbage can in a cupboard. It's the only way to be certain your dog will stay out of it. To keep your dog off the couch, nail empty tuna cans to a board and put it there before leaving. Your dog will find it uncomfortable, and it's easy to store under the couch. Dogs that are not around people before they reach the age of three months seldom turn out to be good pets. Dog Facts Page 4 © 2001 - present. Australian Media Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Please read our Legal Statement and Privacy Policy.