I also live in the country and do keep my dogs confined to a one acre pen with 5ft chain link fence. People think that living in the country is an excuse to not be responsible owners, but the truth is that the dogs are the ones who suffer from owners' irresponsibility. Down here it's not unusual to have dogs shot by landowners who also have livestock. And roaming dogs are likely to get into trouble in one way or another, whether it's by running livestock, killing chickens, or getting hit by a car or killed by a coyote. Even if not killed by wildlife, the dog may become exposed to dangerous diseases such as lepto or rabies. A vaccination is NOT a total defense against a disease. Just as in the city, a loose dog is always in danger and, if it's caught running or killing livestock or poultry, the owner may be liable for damages---and calves aren't cheap. |