Working Dogs - Protect Your Livestock Guardian Dog!

by Carla Grytdal
(Colbert, WA USA)

Many, many years ago, my husband got the bright idea that our next dog would be an Anatolian Shepherd. We started researching them in any fashion we could. The results were that he was more determined to have one. I was more determined that they were more dog then we could handle. Plus the obvious: we lived in town, and I was convinced that a dog of this nature needed acreage; something we wanted, but did not have at the time.

Fast forward eight years. We finally managed to move onto 9.1 acres in Spokane County, Washington State. We were without a dog, and an Anatolian Shepherd (Akbash) puppy became available for a price we could afford.

We had about 1-1/2 acres fenced in five foot chain-link with gates that lock.

Enter "Quincy" into our lives.

We somehow managed to survive through the puppy and adolescence part of growing up, had added goats to our small operation, and were beginning to enter into the truly productive years. We grew to love and appreciate the protective nature of this beautiful, personable animal. We never had to worry about our property, or the safety of our family.

Then that sad day, this past October.

My husband had just come home from work, and our teenage son had opened the gate to let him in. There were a series of instructions given, and the gate was accidentally left open. We all went inside.

No one really knows what happened except that we heard a lot of barking going on. When we looked we saw Quincy barking and snapping at the "at large" Blue Heeler from across the road. Both of the dogs were in the center of the roadway. And the 4 year old male Blue Heeler was biting and snapping back. They took their argument over onto the neighbors property, and the short version is that Quincy "won" the fight, and the Blue Heeler required stitches to close up his hinney.

Our neighbors were understandably upset, and called in the Animal Control people. We thought we'd get a warning, possibly a fine; maybe we would pay the vet bill. But that is not what happened.

Animal Control for Spokane County told us that they were going to seize Quincy and designate her a "Dangerous Dog." And they proceeded without our permission, to enter our property and seized our dog. We searched for a place to re-home her "Outside the State of Washington; never to return" as per Animal Controls stated and written requirements. And eventually did find a wonderful (safe) home for Quincy, in Orofino, Idaho. She has 12 children to protect, plus free range cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, geese, and a blooming relationship with another pure-bred Anatolian Shepherd(Kengal).

But it wasn't our home.

Again, to make a long story short, we fought in court (and won!) and Quincy was deemed as not "Potentially Dangerous." But the price was high. Sure we spent $1000 to hire an attorney, but the highest cost to us was the loss of our family member, Quincy.

Bottom line: I think that it is time that we seek protection for our Livestock Protection dogs. I believe that it is time that we proactively seek laws that protect them as guardians of flocks.