Written By: Diane Amble

OK, here is the link for this proposal : http://www.sheepusa.org/user_files/file_608.pdf PERMISSION TO CROSS POST

And here are just a few of my objections to this path they are taking which is really seemingly a fearful reaction to recent publicity of a rare hiker versus guardian dog incident:

1. You don’t give away what you already have because it will be twice as hard to get it back once you realize
you just became the sacrificial lamb (no pun intended).

2. Livestock Guardian/Protection Dogs think on their own. Their intelligence is among the highest in the dog kingdom.
Trying to tell them what to do when they can see/hear a predator or intruder far before you do speaks volumes on ignorance of
how these noble dogs work, and have worked for 1000s of years with herders. And they are still working while YOU are asleep!

3. What happens when a really good dog fails a part of the test? It becomes useless? a rescue? discarded?

4. What happens when the rancher/herder de-certifies3 times for whatever reason (health, personal, finances), they can no longer
apply for re-certification? Is that the American way? Even those convicted of drunk driving usually get to drive again. How can
this program cause such a restriction on a rancher’s ability to do his work? his business? Support his family and his ranch? Is that American?

5. Who gains from the AVID chip promotion? the low-cost mandatory insurance offered? The usual suspects?

6. Herders will have to have cell phones? Where do they plug them in to charge them IF THEY COULD get reception in the middle of nowhere?

7. The adequate water and food mandate is also ignorant. Even on small operations, where does one put the food while the dog follows the grazing animals?? On a robotis food tray? And what will eat it? The dog? varmints? or predators?
And IF that is not done to the “inspectors” or “animal rights activists” liking, will the dog owner be a BAD ABUSIVE dog owner?

8.Intact dogs become “inadvisable” even prohibited? ALL THESE 1000s of years these dogs have performed their services in the NATURAL STATE WITH All THEIR ORGANS
How is it that suddenly everything will be better if they are sterilized? JUST WHO IS BEHIND THAT IDEA? And there are studies PROVING aggression issues in sterilized dogs, reduced immune system function, and
a myriad of other growth issues since removal of the reproductive organs means removal of critical hormones for growth. What about the reduced stamina and drive seen in sterilzed working dogs?

9. Mandating shearing or clipping of livestock dogs is also IGNORANT. Nearly all these breeds have developed special coats for all seasons. Often clipping a coat causes the natural guard hairs to never return and the coat
no longer functions as nature intended. So, if one does not clip down their dog, THAT WILL BE ABUSE?????

10. And finally the coup de gras (definition: means a death blow intended to end the suffering of a wounded creature. …) :
LPD owners should not breed unless…… .

sounds like someone wants an end to LPD more than to protect these magnificent dogs.

Please write to mary@usasheep. org and ask just HOW placating to AR agendas will protect ranchers and their dogs?

Thank you,

Diane Amble
CAVA – California Animal Voters Alliance

Written By:  Diane Amble