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Crime Watch Alert - Dog Attack Update


Cinnamon the goat was attacked early Saturday morning.

 Have you seen these dogs?
We are looking for two specific dogs; a brown & tan German Shepherd mix and gray or black & white Husky/Collie mix.  From the witness accounts we have heard, they seem to frequent the area bounded by 11th & Island Blvd, 11th & Kamus, 9th & Gway, and 12th & Mowitch Dr, although one attack was reported as far West as the Fox Island bridge. (see map below)

If you see any dogs matching these descriptions, or if your livestock are attacked by dogs,try to get a photograph of the dogs to aid in identification.   Notify the Pierce County Animal Control officers at 253-798-7387.  If humans are attacked, please call 911 immediately.  Don't forget to submit your incident to the Crime Watch Tips page.
According to reports there are now 5 incidents of dog attacks. The last attack was in the morning of 3/28 where a baby deer was mauled by a dog near the 800 block of 11th Av.  Please keep your pets and livestock indoors at night & early morning, as these dogs typically attack between midnight and 8:00 AM.

Additional up to date information may be obtained by calling the FICRA Crime Watch hotline at: 549-7744.

Click here to read the Pierce County Dog Control Ordinance which states in part:
6.03.070 Animals Injuring Humans, Domestic Animals, or Livestock - Gross Misdemeanor.
It is unlawful for the owner or other person having control or custody of any animal to allow such animal to cause injury to a human, domestic animal, or livestock which is acting in a lawful manner. Any such animal may be seized and impounded.
Any violation of this Section is a gross misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 365 days in jail and/or a $5,000.00 fine.

New Information!
The following information has been provided to FICRA by various agencies to help us solve this problem.

bulletFirearm Use on Fox Island
bulletDealing with wild animals
bulletAggressive Dog tips from the Humane Society
bulletWhat dog owners can do to prevent attacks
bulletWhat to do if your livestock is attacked by a dog
bullet What livestock owners can do to prevent dog attacks

The Pierce County Sheriff's office posted this advisory:

Fox Island is listed as a "NO SHOOTING" area by County Ordinance. That means no weapons of any type can be discharged. HOWEVER, there is a provision within the Pierce County Code that allows a property owner to shoot or capture animals that are attacking livestock (not domestic animals such as dogs & cats).  The caveat is that if the shooting damages other property or injures people, the shooter can be held liable.

ALWAYS MAKE SURE OF THE BACKGROUND AREA BEFORE DISCHARGING A WEAPON!
Bullets travel a long way, even after passing through "something."  A much safer alternative that will also mark the animal for positive ID, is to use a paintball gun.  This will leave a large paint mark that can be identified later on by the animal control officers.

The Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife advises the following to prevent attracting wild animals to your property:

bulletDon't feed the wildlife, not even raccoons or deer.  They will become dependent upon your food source.
bulletFence off areas or plant heavy shrubbery where you keep livestock such as goats, sheep or horses.  The attacking animals will not try as hard to overcome obstacles if an unobstructed path is available somewhere else.
bulletKeep trash inside, where animals cannot smell it
bulletBring in bird feeders at night; bears love bird seed
bulletClean your barbecues after each use, the meat smell attracts animals
bulletNo shooting of wild animals

If you encounter a wild animal near your home, call the State Patrol, and request a Game Warden to respond.  Wild animals such as coyotes, bears or cougars are the responsibility of the Washington State Fish & Wildlife Department.

The Tacoma Pierce County Humane Society offers this advice when confronted by an aggressive dog:

bulletDon't run away from the dog, it will chase and attempt to bite you.
bulletKeep the dog in front of you, but don't look into it's eyes, as that will provoke an aggressive reaction.
bulletHold an object in front of you, such as an umbrella, backpack or stick to protect yourself with, but don't swing at or attempt to hit the dog unless it is already attacking you.
bulletWalk slowly away, facing the dog until it is a safe distance away.

Dog owners, What can YOU do? 
How to Prevent Your Dog From Attacking Livestock

bulletFence your dog in. A secure fence will prevent your dog roaming. This eliminates the opportunity for your dog to attack livestock.
bulletIf necessary, restrain your dog. Dogs can be trained to accept restraint or confinement. However, if restrained a dog must have sufficient exercise during part of the day.
bulletDon't be careless. Some owners claim their dogs escape despite efforts to restrain them, but this is a myth. Most dogs walk out through open gates, under or through insecure fences or over low ones. Many dogs that roam are unrestrained on properties without fences, or their owners forget to restrain them.
bulletTake care releasing dogs for exercise. Many owners deliberately release their dogs in the morning for exercise. This is when many attacks occur. The dog may be absent for less than an hour, but this is sufficient time to kill livestock nearby.
bulletPrevent night-time roaming. Many dogs sleep at the back door and are there in the morning, but that doesn't mean the dog has stayed home all night. Dogs often roam after owners have gone to bed and return before they rise. In this time they can attack neighbors' livestock.
bulletSpay or neuter your dog. Roaming is normal dog behavior, particularly in male dogs as they mature. Dogs will roam in search of food or bitches on heat, then attack livestock. Roaming can be reduced by spaying or neutering.
bulletKeep your dog and family safe. Allowing your dog to wander puts its health at risk - and can even endanger yours. Every year hundreds of pets are shot, poisoned and impounded for attacking livestock. Other roaming dogs die from snake bite or traffic accidents. Those that do return often bring back diseases that are passed on to their owner's family.
bulletBe a responsible dog owner. Dogs need more than feeding and watering; they have to be trained, controlled, vaccinated, registered and exercised.

What if your livestock is attacked by a dog?
(information obtained from the City of Swan, Australia)

bulletAll dogs have an instinct to roam and hunt.  Even friendly, domestic dogs that would never attack a person will often attack livestock if allowed to wander unsupervised.
bulletPacks of savage, wild dogs are rarely responsible for livestock attacks.  Most attacks involve one or two dogs from nearby properties.
bulletNotify Authorities.  If your livestock are attacked by dogs, notify the Pierce County Animal Control officers at 253-798-7387.
bulletGet a photograph of the dogs if possible, or at least an accurate description of the dogs.  Observe the type of ear (erect or drooped), type of tail (short or long), coat (color, length, markings), to help identify the breed.
bulletDetermine entry & exit points by noting dog tracks, scuff marks near fences, and the location of remaining livestock.  The point of exit is important if the dogs are to be successfully located.
bulletFollow the dogs.  Some dogs go directly home after an attack, others continue over their usual route or run off in the opposite direction and circle back.  When following a dog, keep a reasonable distance behind.  Dogs do not run unless chased.  They will usually walk or trot at a moderate pace.
bulletLocate the livestock.  Livestock attacked are often upwind of the dog's home.  Dogs may follow the scent of particular animals, passing others on the way.  When stock run, the dogs chase and attack.  After the first attack, dogs also use memory in locating the livestock again. (this has already happened at the 10th & Leschi attack site).
bulletWhich animals are vulnerable?  Dogs don't differentiate between sheep, goats or other wild animals, such as raccoons or deer.  All sizes, breeds, ages and conditions may be attacked. 
bulletCatch friendly dogs.  The dogs involved are often pets, so many will be approachable.  Attempt to call and catch them.  Most dogs impounded are caught by landholders on their properties rather than by animal control officers.  (the black & gray husky dog was encountered by someone, and was described as being docile and friendly towards humans)
bulletObserve dog's behavior patterns.  Dogs often return to an attack site using the same entry & exit points.  Be alert for several weeks after an attack as patience and careful observations are required to catch the dogs.
bulletNotify your Neighbors.  The same dogs may be responsible for a number of attacks in an area.  Attacks on neighboring properties can be prevented by sharing information with your neighbors.
bulletDon't notify suspects.  Don't warn the owners of the suspect dogs.  This will only give them time to produce an alibi for their dogs.  Observe the dog, obtain evidence of its movements and pass on the information to the animal control officers.
bulletDocument the attacks.  You should accurately document losses for later compensation claims and evidential purposes.  Don't dispose of carcasses until the injuries can be examined or photographed.  It may be possible to identify the breed, number and size of dogs from injuries to the carcass.

How to prevent Dog Attacks on livestock

bulletDon't encourage dogs to visit.  Many livestock owners ignore or even encourage dogs wandering onto their property.  They may appear harmless, but the dogs could return when no one is home or at night.  Dogs other than resident dogs should not be tolerated, even if they belong to a neighbor.
bulletDon't allow dogs to play with livestock. During play dogs learn the hunting skills for later attacks. Many farmers have had to destroy their own or a neighbors dog they thought was harmless.
bulletBe ready at all times. You cannot predict when and where dogs will attack. Timing depends on whether dogs are unrestrained at night or released when their owners get up. Seasonally, most attacks occur between March and October, possibly because dogs are less active in the warmer weather or because there are more sheep in the area. Attacks occur in all weathers, but appear to increase after a change from warmer to cooler temperatures and with the onset of rain.
bulletCheck your boundaries. Check boundaries regularly, keep all gates closed and fences repaired. Dogs will enter via open gates, and through, under and over the weakest parts of fences.
bulletReview your management plan. Many livestock owners don't change their management plan, even after repeated attacks. You should have a pen or secure area where livestock can be confined. Alternatively, keep animals close to the house
bulletListen for the signs. Don't ignore disturbances during the night. The sounds of livestock running, prolonged barking by your own dog, or geese and ducks making noises may indicate an attack.
bulletCheck your Livestock. Attacks are often discovered hours or days later. Check and count your livestock each morning for minor injuries and behavior changes. Changes may include a flock scattering or huddling in small groups, staying close to the house or avoiding parts of the paddock or farm. Livestock will be nervous of dogs after being harassed.
bulletUse other animals as protection. Other livestock, such as donkeys, cattle and horses, can be used to protect sheep and goats if kept in the same paddock with them.
bulletDogs have been used to guard livestock with mixed success, but require a lot of training and supervision. It is important to select a dog from a breeder who provides information and advice on how to do this.  Donkeys and Llamas hate canines, so they make great protector animals for other livestock.
bulletInstall an electric fence.  Island residents have reported electric fences have been effective in keeping dogs out of the livestock pens.

---------------------------------
John Ohlson
FICRA President

Dog Attack Locations on Fox Island


Locations of recent dog attacks on Fox Island

Have you been wondering about those orange flags at the Fox Island Bridge?  This is the FICRA Crime Watch Committee's crime event warning signal.  When a crime event has occurred on the Island, the orange flags go up.  See the crime incident list below for more information on specific alerts.  Submit an incident using our form below.

Citizen's Patrol (CP) meets at the community Center at 7:30 PM on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.  Meetings are open to those who participate in CP and those who are interested in becoming a part of CP.

Call Stan Weston 253-549-2904 or e-mail: Equity_7@msn.com 

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