Electric fences don't protect against predators

[Maximo]

Sad news in Fredericksburg, VA yesterday. A family put their 7-pound chihuahua, shih tzu mix "Sammy" out in the front yard with only an electric fence for protection when they left home. Two loose dogs, 70 and 90 pounds, entered the yard and tore the little dog to pieces. A witness said it looked like the larger dogs were using little Sammy as a toy.

The police and animal control officers knew immediately where to go to find the large dogs. They had received complaints in the past about these dogs running loose.

The 2 large dogs were taken and immediately euthanized.

Three dogs died needlessly. The large dogs should not have been running loose and the little dog should have had more than a electric fence to protect him.

[Dzbabykel]

Ohh how sad!! That poor chihuaha....I could never trust just an electrical fence....and those large dogs should have been looked after better by the owners Absolutely tragic.

[Britster]

Wow! That is TERRIBLE. I would never fathom leaving a 7 pound dog (or any of my dogs for that matter) outside in a real fence when I am not home, let alone an electric fence. Dumb owners cost three dogs their lives.

[Rachael1983]

I understand that 3 dogs died and it's very sad story. But in all honesty the owner of the small dog should not have left their dog outside without supervision. Fence or no fence.

[Bellasmom30]

That is just awful!! So senseless! What would have happened to the little dog had it come in contact with the electric fence? What were these people thinking?? Either way it met it's tragic fate by irresponsible owners all the way around.....

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Britster

Wow! That is TERRIBLE. I would never fathom leaving a 7 pound dog (or any of my dogs for that matter) outside in a real fence when I am not home, let alone an electric fence. Dumb owners cost three dogs their lives.

Originally Posted by Rachael1983

I understand that 3 dogs died and it's very sad story. But in all honesty the owner of the small dog should not have left their dog outside without supervision. Fence or no fence.

Originally Posted by Bellasmom30

That is just awful!! So senseless! What would have happened to the little dog had it come in contact with the electric fence? What were these people thinking?? Either way it met it's tragic fate by irresponsible owners all the way around.....

I agree, no 7 pound dog should be left outside, out front, alone. The family wasn't even home!!

[KazzyK810]

gggrrr...angers me that some pet owners are so irresponsible!!! That poor baby.

I saw situations like that all the time in my last subdivision, where subdivision rules prohibited fences, (other than immediately around inground (the only kind allowed) swimming pools). Most people that had dogs, had underground electric fencing installed to keep their dog in their yard, which is great, but it doesn't stop other free-roaming dogs or ones that still jump an electric fence, from entering your yard. And all kinds of little dogs could be seen just handing out by themselves in their yards. Do these people not think???

[roseslevi]

My two don't go out alone...ever, fence or no fence. Anything could happen. I would not trust any poor animal to be safe left alone.

[EarthAngel]

It is such a tragic situation that could have been avoided by all concerned. I hope by this being posted here, if someone was thinking of this kind of underground fencing for whatever size dog will think twice.

I have a 100' X 100' fence in the backyard and I wouldn't ever leave either my Yorkie or my Boxer out there alone with me in the house...much less if I wasn't home at all. So sad for 3 dogs to die.

[viviansnickers]

Omggg Kristin, when I saw you were the OP I thought something happened to Teddy or Max!!!!! Such a sad, terrible story!!!!! Who leaves there small dog outside while they are gone????? What were they thinking?? Crazy!!?? I feel horrible for them, but REALLY!???? You leave your small dog outside and think he/she will be safe?? This ticks me off more than anything!!!!!


Viv

[chachi]

A hawk wouldnt have thought twice about swooping in and getting that dog either. I dont know what people think when they try things like that with a tiny dog. Those electric fences are for bigger dogs

[MyLilyRose]

Originally Posted by chachi

A hawk wouldnt have thought twice about swooping in and getting that dog either. I dont know what people think when they try things like that with a tiny dog. Those electric fences are for bigger dogs

Hawks seem to be getting braver...the other day I was driving and one swooped out infront of my car and grabbed something off the road with it's feet. So no doubt that it would grab a small unprotected dog like that from the yard...

[lexi43]

I can't believe people are so stupid. How can you leave a dog in a yard and go away. I swear people like this should not have dogs they should raise plants. I used to say godlfish but they are too stupid to even raise a goldfish. There are two dogs running loose around my neighborhood and the police have been called a few times. One is a German Sheppherd and the other is a Jack Russle Terrier. They both have collars on. We don't know where they come from but one day they were in front of our home eating our garbage. We were going to call the police but somebody already had. You'd think the idiot people would learn, but a couple of days later there they were again.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by viviansnickers

Omggg Kristin, when I saw you were the OP I thought something happened to Teddy or Max!!!!! Such a sad, terrible story!!!!! Who leaves there small dog outside while they are gone????? What were they thinking?? Crazy!!?? I feel horrible for them, but REALLY!???? You leave your small dog outside and think he/she will be safe?? This ticks me off more than anything!!!!!


Viv

Sorry I scared you Vivian! I worry about my boys when they are inside the house. Can't imagine leaving them outside, let alone the front yard. I don't understand what these people were thinking.

[Rhetts_mama]

Originally Posted by chachi

A hawk wouldnt have thought twice about swooping in and getting that dog either. I dont know what people think when they try things like that with a tiny dog. Those electric fences are for bigger dogs

Not to mention that the fences only work on the dog that's wearing the stupid collar. I really hate those darn fences. People use them for all the wrong reasons.