While vacationing in the Smokey Mountains, I observed a LOT of stray, unspayed dogs running in packs...?

Question

...in the rural areas. This really bothered me. I bought it up to several local people, and they kind of shrugged it off as if it was no big deal. These dogs were feral, emaciated, and looked broken down from having litters & a rough life. Some were purebreds (coonhounds, Beagles & Pit Bulls), some a mix of recognizable breeds. It still makes me sad to think of it - does anyone know of any possible solution to help these poor dogs, and/or better educate & encourage people in that area to spay & neuter their pets?

Answer 1

I hate to say it, but there is no easy answer. I also cannot condemn owners; while some of these are almost certainly drop-off dogs, others are intentionally lost preferring "the call of the wild."

In rural areas, people do not tend to keep their dogs penned up inside a fenced area. This because the dogs will usually stay on their own property because the property is generally very large. The dogs are often expected to be guardians of cattle and smaller animals and cannot thus have their movements restricted by chain link. Some stray, and rural/agricultural owners sometimes never form the kind of close bond with their dogs that urban owners have. This means that a female might well find a spot out in the woods to have her pups. These pups might in turn never become part of the family, they simply start and stay wild.

In these cases, what you see that looks like a beagle is, for all practical purposes, a wolf. The "hard life" you mention is actually because a dog that manages to usually eat its fill is around too many other dogs to avoid worms and disease. I grew up in an area where dog packs were a problem around cattle. A few dogs can bring down and kill a full-grown cow.

We used to change habits at the first sign of blood. We would wake a little earlier than usual and grab a rifle, normally a 30-30, and sit out and wait to see if the dogs showed up. If they did, more left than arrived.

Rural people also have a kind of rule between them. If any dog is known to bother the neighbors chickens, the first time it kills one, it is killed -- a dog that has killed chickens will always go back for more.

I've known a lot of country folk from all over the country. Dog packs seem to be an almost universal problem. There is no easy answer. Spay/neuter solutions won't work because many of the animals under discussion were born feral and were never pets. It you eliminate the ones that were once pets, you simply provide more space for what remain to florish and propagate, so you end up with the same problem you started with, though you do see more food animals while the wild dog population is down.

Rabies scares do sometimes solve the problems for extended periods, but not permanently. During a rabies scare, the government may get involved and hunt the dogs with helicopters. Hunts may be organized where the bushes are literally beaten over large tracts of land while the dogs are either killed or captured (and subsequently killed). During all this, wild dog populations are actually reduced to at or near zero; but then someone (in the city) ends up with a pregnant dog they don't want to deal with. They drive it out to the country and bingo, it all starts over again. Can't blame then tho, it would have happened anyway because momma country dog went off and whelped in the woods and her whelps stayed there, which also set it all off again.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Honestly, the best thing that could happen is for someone in that area to decide to take action, such as developing an organization specifically to address this issue. You might consider surfing the net for the areas you were in to see what kind of rescue groups are in the area. Maybe you can offer to help in some way, even at a distance.

Unfortunately, way too many people think pets are just something you can throw out when you don't want it any more.

Answer 3

We live in middle Tennessee but in a very rural area. Dogs and cats are dropped off all the time. The cats have a better chance of making it because they are natural born hunters. We recently picked up the 3 latest pups that were dropped off. They are beautiful pups, appear to be black lab/blue heeler mix. We are vetting them and going to find them new homes. There is no animal control in our county. We have taken in numerous strays since we moved here 12 years ago.

Answer 4

One Time I was walking and I Saw a Big Big Sign that said if you need anything Honk your Horn. After I read that there was a Big Dog that was running right at me I just Pray to my Father, The Lord Jesus Christ and I ask the Lord to Stop That Big Dog and the dog stop . Praise The Lord! The Lord Answer My Prayer Right Then

Answer 5

your problem lies with educating that area. it won't be easy but if you're commited you could join the local humane society of that area and volunteer, or the local spca whichever is around there. you can put in the zipcode of that area at www.petfinder.com and it will bring up rescue and shelter organizations that will better be able to lead you in the right direction. best of luck to you!

Answer 6

Probably not unless you live in that area. I see the same thing in parts of Colorado and New Mexico, but have plenty of work to do in my own area of Colorado, nothing I can do about the rest.

Answer 7

it's time to call the dog pound and let them take the dogs to the spca so they can help get them off the roads

Answer 8

yea...it's the smokey mountains...not new york city. There aren't many allies for the baby dogs to hide out in...and besides...how would you like to be violated like that?

Answer 9

take action!!!! call the aspca post fliers do what it takes!!

Answer 10

its fine don't worry about it



i am a dog expert