General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This is beyond sick. Kristi Noem shot and killed the family's 14-month puppy because it couldn't be trained [View all]LT Barclay
(2,636 posts)According to Defenders of Wildlife only 2% of loss of cattle is due to wolves (in areas where they are not killed), while about 14% are lost to feral dogs. I would trust what they say because they have a program that reimburses farmers for lost livestock if they participate in a DOW program for non-lethal deterrents.
I haven't lived in a rural area, but have driven through visiting friends, family, or just passing through, but I would say the feral dog problem is largely due to lack of proper care for pets. Many dogs are just left to run loose, aren't properly fed or cared for, and not spayed/neutered. One place in rural MO that I travelled through fairly regularly for a short time, I observed a feral pack that was feeding on a rotting cow over a period of weeks.
But I also believe there is a big gap between people who do things like you did because it was necessary and those that think it is an easy way to handle "problem" animals, like this governor did (and as folks have said, probably a problem of her own making). Of course, she might be exaggerating because she wants to look tough to the nutjobs.