Frustrated Ranchers Want People to Quit 'Rescuing' Their Working Guardian Dogs

Wyoming ranchers are asking people not to remove large dogs they encounter in rural pastures: many are livestock guardian dogs working away from their owners’ homes. These dogs live among sheep or other livestock, patrol for predators and protect the herd around the clock. When someone mistakes one for a stray and takes it to a shelter, the rancher must locate and retrieve it, while the livestock lose a crucial layer of protection. Martin Wissner’s Akbash dog Faith was taken from his property by a neighbor who thought she looked underfed. Though she wore identification with Wissner’s contact information, he had to drive to a shelter and pay a fee to get her back.

Ranchers and shelter staff say the removals happen repeatedly, usually because people mean to help but do not recognize the dogs’ role or appearance. Guardian dogs may range away from a flock, and breeds such as the Akbash can look thin despite being healthy. They can also be costly and take one or two years to train for a particular property. Officials and livestock advocates advise people to look for nearby sheep and contact law enforcement if they remain concerned, rather than put an unfamiliar dog in a vehicle. Ranchers say subdivision and newcomers unfamiliar with open-range practices have weakened the local knowledge that once helped neighbors identify one another’s animals.