Free-roaming dogs bite 5 million people a year, kill 10-15; inflict serious damage to livestock, pets

Dogs are often called "man's best friend," but not all dogs fit this description. Feral and free-roaming canines, or wild dogs, can terrorize wildlife, livestock, humans and their pets. (Feral dogs harass two bighorn sheep in a photo by Jeff Crouse Hinojosa of JJ Restoration Service)

"Wildlife Services, the federal agency responsible for predator control estimates that more than 33 million feral and free-roaming dogs run loose in the United States, biting 5 million people each year and killing about 10 to 15, usually small children," Troy Anderson writes in the High Country News, which focuses on the rural West. "In rural areas, feral and loose pet dogs often form packs that chase down and kill deer, elk, chickens, goats and even cattle." Jeff Villepique, a biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game, told Anderson most incidents go unreported. "There is no reason for me to think we know the full extent of the problem."

Such attacks are not limited to big game animals. "Many ranchers are quick to blame wolves, coyotes and grizzly bears for harassing or killing their livestock, but wildlife officials say dogs are often the culprits," Anderson writes. In 2004, dogs killed approximately 30,000 sheep nationwide, second only to coyotes who butchered more than 135,000. "Each year Wildlife Services receives hundreds of requests to trap, poison and shoot feral dogs. Still, the agency devotes most of its resources to killing wild predators. In 2006, the agency killed more than 87,000 coyotes but only 512 dogs. Hundreds more were taken to animal shelters."Wild dogs also inflict mayhem on humans and their pets and neighborhoods. A pack is suspected of nearly killing a family dog in Tell City, Ind., Stefanie Silvey reports for WIFE-TV. Residents in Aiken, S.C., notified police after sighting about five wild dogs roaming together who officials believe could carry rabies or other diseases," Joy Howe reports for WJBF-TV. Authorities in Upper Arlington, Ohio are offering a $1000 reward for the return of Curley, a feral dog who escaped while being transported from Utah to New York state, writes Bill Bush of The Columbus Dispatch. "In California’s San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains, officials have removed 350 feral and free-roaming dogs over the past 15 years," Anderson writes. "The dogs are difficult to catch, and trapping has been sporadic at best. Recent U.S. Forest Service budget cuts will further hamper efforts to address the problem."

Wildlife Services is a division of the Animal and Plant Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture, the parent agency of the Forest Service. It should not be confused with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is part of the Interior Department.