By Joe Rodweller
Well, it’s that time of year again when many take to the woods with family, friends and their pets, mostly hunting dogs or “companions”, because a lot of them really don’t hunt. They are there just for the company, your “best friend.” I write this to remind you
all that things can happen. Make sure you know where your dog is at all times in the woods.
It may be a big woods and you never see anyone else hunting, but that doesn’t mean they are not out there or close by. You might not see or hear them. Part of most hunting is to stay quiet and hidden. All over the country dogs are accidentally shot by another hunter who thought they had seen a rabbit or a bird or something. Others are shot when someone mistakes a dog for a fox or coyote. Sometimes they get shot by their owners, who didn’t expect the dog to dodge in front of the gun when chasing something. These, for the most part, are accidents. Other times it could be intentional.
For one, a dog running loose on another’s property and maybe chasing something, could become a big problem for all. Many believe that if they see a dog chasing deer, they can shoot the dog. This seemed to be the usual long ago. I have had calls in the past and heard of this quite often from others. I have also had landowners stand fast in the belief that they could shoot any dog running deer anywhere and they would not change. All I can say is that it’s against the law. It is reserved as a last resort for law enforcement.
That does not mean you can let your dog run deer. If your dog is running uncontrolled or loose, then you could be in jeopardy of fines and court costs, possibly in the thousands, depending on the circumstances. Like I have always said, be vigilant and be aware.
Something else that goes hand-in-hand with hunting season each year is the lost dog or found dog calls. Most of the time it is a “bear dog” used to hunt bear during different parts of the season. The old, young and new dogs to the hunt sometimes get tired or confused and just can’t find their way back. There are calls every year and almost all have happy endings because the owners are reunited. These dogs are not mean or dangerous dogs, they are mostly the opposite and looking for help from anyone they come across.
So when a dog shows up at your doorstep, give him some water and call your ACO and the police. Also check their collar for a phone number. Many will have a tag with the information needed.
The information above is, like always, just to get you thinking and to open your eyes about how things can happen anytime. Don’t drop your guard when it comes to our pets and the outdoors. I, along with other ACO’s, have had numerous dogs, all good, as houseguests while waiting for their owner to come. I do not have any negative remarks to say about any of the dogs I have had here and have been impressed by the temperament of all of them. In no way should anything written in my columns be taken as being against hunting in any matter. I am 100 percent for hunting and hold hunting dogs in high regard.
Thanks again for reading.
Joe Rodweller of Linneus, a certified animal control officer and member of the Maine Animal Control Association, operates Maine Animal Control with his wife Debbie. He can be reached at 538-1347 or via e-mail at debjoe347@yahoo.com.汬
