Long story short some hobby farmers living the dream got rid of their pet sheep and have moved closer to work. They deserted two beautiful maremas, one is already dead. The other has been loose for months, it patrols a out 15km at least per day looking for food and water, the owner has given up trying to catch it. It sends all the local dogs nuts, it had at least one fight we know of when a local dog attacked it. It is very elusive but I know its habits and circuit, comes by my place twice a day at same time. My dogs would kill it it managed to get thru my fence or mine got out.


Obviously it will meet a sad end at some point, most likely by car.


Should I trap it and hand it over to council which = death at hands of strangers, rescue won't handle it. Should I leave it be or should I give it a humane quick end.


It is such a noble animal, I would take it if I could.

Why not trap this poor animal and then offer it to someone who may want it. There may be other sheep people who would/could use the service of a train dog or perhaps a pet/companion home.

The internet should help you reach more people who may want thhis animal.
 

Technically that might be illegal, logistically how do I store it while looking for a home, in a trap??

Farmers have their packs, I doubt a pet home would work, the dog has never had people.

Rescues not an option?

If you post the information about it in the local agricultural mag (or site), with an offer to help trap/capture the dog, maybe some farmer would like to have a flock guardian dog.   Worth a try, sounds like that dog needs a job and flock to guard - shame if it just got killed wandering looking for food/water.

 

http://www.petrescue.com.au/groups/10487?listings=active

Maremma Sheepdogs In Rescue

Active in Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria andWestern Australia

Rescuing and rehousing Maremma Sheepdogs and other Livestock Guardian Breeds, for over 15 years. We are also known as DABS Rescue Portland, or Companions For Life Pet Rescue. Located at Portland, NSW, Australia.

followed link back, nice people, full of advice and info.

 

they will take the dog if i get it there. the RSPCA is involved now and opened a case file.

 

by law a trapped dog has to go thru the pound before RSPCA rescue can take it.

 

it will most likely fail temp test and will not legally be allowed to be passed on.

 

i also have to get a letter from owner saying they have given the dog up, they also might face charges so they might not admit to owning it.

Get the owner to sign the dog over to you, trap it and then bypass the pound by turning it over to RSPCA youself, as the new owner?

Ang

negative, the RSPCA follow strict guidelines of temp testing, working dogs and bull breeds rarely make it out alive. the testing has to occur whiile still property of the pound, a pass then goes to RSPCA.

a traumitised LGD that has never been handled and used to surviving and running wild all of a sudden in a cage surrounded by many dogs, chance of passing the temp test, the RSPCA unofficially told me close to zero.

 

i have to get the letter before i trap it, then i am legally liable for a loose dog i have never handled until it is trapped, assuming i trap it.

 

that is a lot of liability to carry.

 

link above can take an untested dog legally, once it is surrendered to them it is there dog, they are not gov.

 

there is a gap between getting the letter,trapping and interstate transport.

 

appreciatte suggestions, just trying to rationalise them as they come.

contsct the owner and have them sign the dog over to the people in the link then.

 

Ang