HOW COULD YOU DUMP ME?

HOW COULD YOU DUMP ME?

On or about last Thrusday, June 14, 2012 these two little dogs showed up around our house.  Both are entact males that look like they have not been fed or well cared for.  A member of our family said that a newer blue colored sedan vehicle, possibly a Chevy, was seen at the intersecting of Forest Road 275 and Rocking RL road on Thursday with these dogs chasing the vehicle as it speed away.  

One male looks like an older animal, he has some damage to his right eye and possible scaring on the right side of its face.  The other male looks younger.  I think they may be Chiuaua cross breeds.  Both dogs flee when approached so we are trying to calm them down in order to capture them.  

Should it be the case that these pets wandered off - our family would be very happy to assist in returning them to their owners. If the owners can not be found, we would be happy to offer them to a new home, or ultimately, will either have to take them to animal control or dispose of them should they show any danger to our livestock. 

Should it be the case that these animals were dumped, to the person/person's who may have dumped these dogs, just because you may see ranches with lots of land doesn't mean that the families living there want to be responsible for your throw away pets.  You should be very ashamed of yourselves - throw away pets/dumped pets can suffer a slow painful death from lack of food/water, can become prey to coyote, big cats, bear, and risk being shot by a rancher in order to protect their livestock. 

Given today's economy, it is understandable that some folks can't feed and care for their animals. There are other options besides dumping these animals on the side of the road. You could contact the area shelters, talk to animal control officers in the communities, put up flyers offering to give these pets away, or ultimately, man up and have them put down. Dumping animals is not only a crime, but is morally reprehensible.



Please help these dogs be reunited with their family or offer them a new home - we already have multiple mercy pets and can not take on any more.  If you recognize these dogs, please contact Edwina Hewett 505-847-2220 or 505-705-0732 or George@WhisperingRange.com. 

Rural Torrance County, A Giant Country Dog Park?

Does all of this open land in Torrance County create a giant country dog park? What prompted this post was a brief conversation along one of our county roads. Seeing a vehicle on the side of the road and with the driver walking away from the vehicle, I assumed they were having trouble so I stopped to offer assistance. The driver indicated that they had let their dogs out to exercise. I explained that there were cattle all around to which the driver commented they were aware of that which is why they selected their exercise locations very carefully. Not more than a quarter of a mile away, was cattle gathered at a drink tank. Carefully selected location? 
Those who are new to the area and new to rural living may misunderstand what all of this open space is all about and possibly have no understanding of the ramification of allowing their dogs to roam about freely. I ask that those folks please consider the following;

1. Private property – the open space you allow your dogs to run on is owned by someone other than yourself. Their yard is just bigger than yours and is primarily used for agricultural production. Would you allow your local rancher to drop off their cattle in your yard?

2. Trespass – because this land is not yours, your animals are trespassing while roaming so in effect you are trespassing. If you want to allow your dogs to roam freely, please have the courtesy to find out who owns the land and at least ask their permission – don’t assume it’s a go just because you don’t see any livestock.

3. Right to Shoot – New Mexico statute allows for the shooting of animals, including dogs that endanger livestock. You may not believe that your pets pose a threat, but as a cattle owner, I can tell you that dogs will cause cattle to run. At a minimum, your dog could run my cattle through fences which will cost me time and money to gather my herd and repair fence, or at a maximum cause my cattle to run themselves to death which would be a significant financial loss for my family. Trust me, ranchers would prefer not to shoot any dog but they will do so to protect their livestock.

4. Natural Dangers – were you aware that your dogs could be bitten by rabid wild life, be attacked or eaten by coyotes, bears, mountain lions or other predatory species in the area, that your dogs could become infected with lice and other vermin that could carry plague back to your home just by coming into contact with native species?

5. Man Made Dangers – were you aware that some land owners will set traps and poison bates for coyotes, that your dogs could be attacked and possibly killed by dogs owned by the land owners on which your animals are trespassing on?

No, rural Torrance County and all of that beautiful open land is not a giant dog park it belongs to your neighbors so please be a good neighbor, respect the private property of others and keep your dogs safe by leashing them and walking them if appropriate areas.

Lost Dog Follow Up

Update on the Lost Dog post . . . "Baby" showed up late Tuesday night and is home with his owner Hamilton Montgomery safe and sound.  Rumor has it that Baby was tracking a good sent and just lost track of the time - lol.  Glad to hear a happy ending to a scary time for Baby's family!

Buddy says Thanks Tanisha

Dear Tanisha - I wanted to thank you so very much for rescuing me. I am totally loved and my new family is treating me like a king.

The big dogs at my new home are my new best friends, but the little boy named Segan is my bestest friend in the world!

My new name is Buddy and I love my new home. Maybe other families will adopt puppies and kitties too.

Thanks Tanisha!

Tanisha Starr is Mountainair, NM animal control officer and she does a fantastic job!

Whistle Stop ChoCho

This is ChoCho.  Karen Ray Bernauer found her at the train station.  She is about a year old, spayed, and her shots are up to date.  Karen seems to think that poor ChoCho wasn't loved or cared for at her old home and is hoping to find a Good Home that will love and care for her.  Can you give ChoCho a good home?  Do you know of anyone that might be a candidate?  If so, email George@WhisperingRange.com or post a comment via this blog.

Planning & Zoning to Hear 1st County Animal Control Ordinance Request

On September 1, 2009 the approved Torrance County Animal Control ordinance will be put to the test.  On the agenda is a request for a rescue facility within a residential neighborhood.   The approved version of the new ordinance is still not uploaded on Torrance Counties web site - anyone interested in the approved copy or who would like to receive meeting agendas via email, please contact: 

Arthur Foust, Planning and Zoning Coordinator
Phone:  505-246-4759
Email:   afoust@torrancecountynm.org