fyi pets and deer

As Chi owner I am really sorry for your loss.

I also want to thank you for the strength to post this occurrence to help warn others.

I'm so sorry for your loss. What a horrible experience. It's bad, when your dogs aren't even safe in your own fenced back yard. I always watch out for hawks in our area - they'll start circling if the dogs are out for awhile, even though our two are really a little too big for them to take - they might try anyway (I don't leave the dogs outside unattended for this reason), but otherwise, I don't have to worry about other animals getting into our yard.

I am so sorry for your loss...it's good to hear Rocky is recovering...I can't imagine the horror you experienced in witnessing that attack...

So sorry for you loss....scared at all times with my little chis getting injured by wildlife.
We have a herd of deer anywhere from 4 to 9 deer that run most of property, 4 acres, with fawns frolicking around, the deer respect the doggy pen area. I have 6 chis, a collie and a foster min pin. I check every morning and evening, mainly for the 3 black bear that are around here, within 5 foot of house (wildlife path up our driveway). I have to make sure fencing is still up before letting them out at all times. Our chis, under 10 lbs are wee wee pad trained and are allowed out only when one of us can sit and watch to make sure deer, bear, owls, cougar or eagles swooping down on them.
Came to close one time with the bear, neighbor yelled bear so I was on alert and checked my driveway to see it walking directly towards my doggies, had to scare it off. Glad this bear is skiddish so far.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Healing thoughts for Rocky.

My FIL lives on the ranch. He lost a Heeler when the heeler chased a deer. The deer pummeled the dog to death.

Thank You for the kind words.
Update: Rocky had a vet's appointment yesterday. The drain tubes were removed, flushed the tube sites. He had a little temperature so he got another 3 day antibiotic shot, anti-inflammatory pills and pain pills to be used after the pain med patch was to be removed today. Said that the stitches look good and is healing very well. June 6th the stitches will be removed. He'll have the cone on until then.
Rocky and Mini are not allowed out in the back yard any more. The front is now fenced and we are with them at all times, even though it is fenced, keeping them on a leash. There are no trees/bushes in the front yard, clear view.
Thank You again for the kind words and suggestions.

I'm so very sorry for the loss of your little Chi. I can attest to that helpless feeling for sure. The DW and I lost a Boston Terrier puppy back a few years ago to a Possum. It is not something pretty too see to say the least. We rescued a full grown Boston that is blind in one eye 3 years ago and the first 2 years we live smack dab in the middle of 2 major highway construction projects that really drove the wildlife out in mass numbers. Our poor little guy got his share of attacks but thankfully he survived them all. We would always go out with him in the fenced in yard but the badgers weren't afraid of us or the dogs at all. They were so very quick that it was done before we could do much. This is in the middle of a large city none the less. You never know about wildlife or how quick it can happen.

We're very sorry for your traumatic loss. Prayers and condolences at this time. Deer can be deadly as you have found. They can even kill humans if riled. Sounds like animal control needs to clear out your deer population.

Not to hog up the thread but SGKKing brings up a good point with her tragic story of the deer attack. Man (humans) have become accustom as being the fiercest animal and top of the food chain but a lot of wildlife don't share his false ego. Maybe most are reluctant to attack us personally to have us for dinner but as with any wild or tame animal they have no difficulty defending their young or stealing a meal from us. A friend of mine said he was with other tourists at an outlook and one lady had a little unleashed dog that was running around yapping making a nuisance of himself. Out of nowhere a large hawk swooped down and carried him off. The hawk wasn't afraid of the people, he saw a meal. We have an occasional coyote comes through the yard but I don't hesitate to let our dogs out to whizz at 2:00am. I watched our Pit back down three one morning and I'm not concerned with a hawk carrying off our Rottie but desert camping is another concern. We camp in mountain lion country. I take the Rott. Pit & shepard for walks, keeping to trails because of possible snakes out in the Winter. I carry a pistol and keep an eye out in the surrounding desert for motion. I would hope to scare a cat off before he got close. The Rott would feed a cat for a couple days. What I'm thinking, we need to take our superiority out of the equation and see the environment that we place the safety of our pets in as a natural wild setting. Wildlife are opportunists, they grab a meal whenever they can and don't hesitate to defend their young no matter what the odds... Just a thought.... IMO... .

Jerrybo66 wrote:
Nomad297
I doubt very much that your dog is "running with" the deer. They were chasing them. I also doubt deer enjoy "running with dogs. Deer are fast for short distances but if chased for any length of time will be exhausted to the point of falling. They, or their fawn can be killed by the dogs or painfully tore up. The PA. Game Commission would fine any owner who's dog was chasing deer. Anyone witnessing the harassment and didn't know the dog's owner could legally shoot the dog. That was years ago but I doubt anything has changed. I had a doe run past me in a field, panting with her tongue hanging out and wide eyed with fear. I heard Beagles on her trail so I waited for them. I could never shoot a dog but I turned them around and chased them back where they came from. Dogs may enjoy the chase but the deer are running for their lives, burning up energy they may need to survive a cold Winter. Besides, the guy they pass in a field my not be as tolerant as I was..

It's a shooting offense everywhere I know of. And if they lead the dog over a road or other hazard, the dog could easily be killed.