[Alpacasite] Sorry about the private post

Hi List,

Sorry about what was to be a private post to Tawny. I forgot to substitute
her address for Alpacasite, and to my absolute shock, found this had
actually gone to Alpacasite. I've had mail bouncing for weeks, and just
hadn't had time to fix it with Yahoo. I guess it self-resolved.

As I wrote to Tawny, I have removed the barrier we had placed over the
"doggie door" that leads from the girls' paddock to the paddock containing
Satori (14 months old) and two geldings. That barrier was in place because
Satori kept going through the doggie door to get back to his mother. I just
went out to check, to see if he is still where he belongs or has, as he did
before, returned to his mom. I'm pleased to say that he is still with his
two buddies, munching hay. My fingers are crossed that he will stay put.

Again, sorry for the boo-boo.

Best regards,
Sue

Ed and Sue Downs
Kindred Spirits Ranch
P.O. Box 591
Cushing, Oklahoma 74023-0591
918-225-2706
info@kindredspiritsranch.com
www.kindredspiritsranch.com
www.alpacanation.com/kindredspirits.asp

-----Original Message-----
From: Alpacasite@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Alpacasite@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Sue Downs
Sent: Saturday, December 10, 2005 4:19 PM
To: Alpacasite@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Alpacasite] Dog Attack Post

Hi Tawny,

I can't post to Alpacasite, right now, due to a Yahoo glitch that I haven't
had time to fix. But I wanted to thank you for this post and the warning.
I'm on my way out to our paddocks now to remove a piece of fencing we put in
front of a doggie door to prevent one of our yearlings from getting back to
his mother (and the rest of the girls). He had gone through the doggie door
when we put him in the next paddock to live with other boys, so we blocked
it off. We didn't like blocking it, because that meant our dogs could not
get in the third paddock where we have two geldings and our beautiful
yearling future herdsire. And that has bothered me, a lot. I'm going out
now to remove the barrier. I'd rather deal with having to shoo Satori back
where he belongs than to take a chance on anything getting in there and my
dogs not being able to reach them. Thank you! I'm so glad your client was
able to turn to you for help, and I'm glad their remaining animals are with
you. I'm so sorry for them, for the loss of precious animals in such a
horrific way. I wish there was something I could do to help them. My God,
what a nightmare...

We've been in Oklahoma since mid-August, living on Ed's brother's farm until
we are back on our feet and can buy our own property. They are very kind to
take us in, lock, stock and critters. We like it here, although the thought
of tornados scares me half to death. But people are so warm and welcoming,
it's hard not to appreciate Oklahoma. And, it's very pretty in Central
Oklahoma. I thought I would long for my mountains, but we have rolling
hills and lots of trees, so it has a beauty of its own that is very special.

We haven't been in touch for a while. How are you, Tawny? How is your
family, and how are your animals? I think of you often, with great
affection. I hope all is well with you and that you have a wonderful
holiday season.

Warm regards,
Sue

Ed and Sue Downs
Kindred Spirits Ranch
P.O. Box 591
Cushing, Oklahoma 74023-0591
Home: 918-225-2706
Cell-Sue: 918-873-0283
info@kindredspiritsranch.com
www.kindredspiritsranch.com
www.alpacanation.com/kindredspirits.asp

-----Original Message-----
From: Alpacasite@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Alpacasite@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Tawny Bott
Sent: Saturday, December 10, 2005 12:40 AM
To: Yahoogroups Alpacasite
Subject: [Alpacasite] Dog attack!

Hi sitters,

I have some sad news to report, and also a reminder how determined and
devastating domestic dogs, that are running in a pack, can be.

Last week some dear friends and clients of mine, just had the terrible
misfortune of having a pitbull attack on their alpacas and llamas.

The first night all 4 male alpacas, 1 yearling llama and their 2 pygmy goats
were killed. These were kept in two different fields. They were both at
work, during the attack, but got back just in time to witness the aftermath,
as the dogs had stayed to eat on the goats. My friend was able to shoot one
of the dogs, a lab/shepherd mix, but the pitbull that was with it, got away.

4 days later, this pitbull returned with another pitbull (perhaps also at
the first attack, although they didn't see it) and they killed the only
pregnant female alpaca they owned, by cornering her in the barn.
Well, she was damaged so badly, she had to be put down. Her almost 6 month
old cria also got bit on one of her back legs, but they were able to scare
the dogs away before any more were attacked or killed. These are juvenile
dogs, that have not been in the area long. To say they are devastated is and
understatement, as they tried to do everything right and fenced for the
predators in the area, mostly coyotes.

I now have the only three animals they have left, here for safe keeping, the
cria and two llamas, until something can be done.
They had 4"x4" woven fencing, and those dogs actually wiggle though that
small hole. If they hadn't seen it themselves, they never would have
believed that that was how they got in and out.

They think they finally know who owns the dogs, a neighbor, but the wheels
of justice turn slowly, and they have to wait till the first officer that
took the first report comes off of vacation before anything can be done. It
sounds really strange to me, but that was what they were told.

My friends have been financially struggling for a while as they suddenly
became the guardians of their three small grandkids, and then one was out of
work for over 4 months. Of course with all that, they just didn't have the
money to renew the insurance on their alpacas this year, when the finances
went south. So I suspect the only way they will get anything back is if they
sue the dogs owners, and then who knows if they will ever be able to
collect. The irony is he had just gotten a new job two days before the
attack or he would have been home. Not that that might have helped as my
understanding is pitbulls attack in silence.
This is second alpaca attack I know about personally and both people that
experienced it, said they never heard a thing till they went outside. Even
their inside dogs didn't bark.

So of anyone knows of any experienced LGD's that are available, any breed,
please let me know. They still want to continue in the alpaca business, but
it is going to be tough, maybe even a couple of years before they get
financially able again. They want to really reinforce their fencing and you
know the price of that will not be cheap. Plus they won't bring their
animals back until they can find at least couple of LGD's to help keep them
safe.

The cria that was bitten is thankfully doing well, though this is the first
day she is walking without a pronounce limp. And she is stuck to her llama
companions like glue, even though she is now living with several alpaca moms
and crias. It's very sad really, to see those three startle at everything.

So please take this to heart. Even those living in the most urban of areas
need to put up defenses against domestic dogs. Unlike wild predators, they
kill for sport, not to eat, and if they get inside your fence, will
slaughter and chase until there isn't anything left to chase.

Hopefully posting this will help someone else from going through this
horror.
Tawny Bott
Abra-Cadabra Alpacas
303-621-9656
http://www.abra-cadabraalpacas.com
http://www.alpacanation.com/abra-cadabraalpacas.asp
<http://www.alpacanation.com/farmsandbreeders/03_viewfarm.asp?name=10304>
Kiowa, CO.
Home of Bay Black, Multi-Blue ribbon winner, SRR's Mikado Rose, Mutli-Blue
Ribbon and Reserve Color Champion, Royal Peruvian Montaro, Blue Ribbon and
Reserve Color Champion, Ala Kazam and introducing Blue Ribbon Winner, Full
Peruvian, Lt. Rose Grey, Bandit of Grace

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