FERAL DOGS AND CATS 





Like native wild animals, stray dogs and cats 

 occasionally become predators. When infected, 

 they transmit rabies. They can be fenced out as 

 easily as wild animals, but killing them may not 

 be as simple. Some dogs and cats apparently are 

 homeless until after they are killed ; then the owner 

 may identify himself, sometimes with a warrant. 

 Before taking drastic action, one should be familiar 

 with the local statutes concerning stray pets. 



KILLING HABITS 



The feral dog usually kills wantonly and may 

 leave the victims on the premises. With poultry, 

 many loose feathers are often in evidence. Sheep 

 are sometimes literally chased to death and die 

 from exhaustion rather than from wounds. 



Predation by house cats is largely confined to 

 young birds, particularly baby chicks. The vic- 

 tims are carried away and consumed in a sheltered 

 location. 



CONTROL 



Cats and dogs can be taken in steel traps with- 

 out injury by wrapping the trap jaws with several 

 layers of cloth, but box traps may be preferable 

 when it is suspected that the animals belong to a 

 neighbor. With some ingenuity, an arrangement 

 can be devised in which a box falls on the animal, 

 or a door closes behind it, when a bait is moved. 

 These box traps should be baited with meat or fish 

 and set at locations frequented by the animal. 

 Garbage cans, fence rows, or spaces beneath or 

 beside buildings are good sites. 



OTHER PREDATORS 



In addition to the predation of smaller flesh- 

 eating mammals, predation by larger animals like 

 wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, bears, and 

 bobcats occurs in many parts of the country. 

 On occasion, losses in certain geographical areas 

 may also be caused by badgers, armadillos, and 



other less common wild animals. Detailed infor- 

 mation and assistance in the control of such 

 wildlife is available from field offices of the 

 Fish and Wildlife Service, and from State con- 

 servation agencies. 



GENERAL GUIDES 

 TO TRAPPING 



Professional trappers employ many types of 

 traps, scents, baits, and techniques, to capture 

 animals. Their selection of equipment and trap 

 sites is based on personal experience and knowl- 

 edge of animal behavior. While the methods vary 

 in detail, the general procedures followed by 

 many trappers are briefly as follows: 



CARE OF TRAPS 



Traps should be kept free of rust and in good 

 working condition. Oil should be avoided. Prior 

 to use, they should be thoroughly cleaned and 

 boiled in water solutions of bark from trees such 

 as oak or hemlock. Gloves should be worn in all 

 subsequent handling. 



BAITS 



Baits range all the way from carcasses of 

 rodents, such as field mice, to complex, aged, 

 vile-smelling formulations. A simple, easily pre- 

 pared bait that is attractive tu many forms of 

 animals consists of equal parts of lard cracklings, 

 sardines, and dog meal. 



DIRT-HOLE SET 



The dirt-hole set is especially effective for 

 foxes, raccoons, and minks, and should be made 

 along known routes of travel or in the corner 

 of a clearing where digging is easy. First lay 

 down a "kneeling pad" (a 4- by 4-foot piece of 

 canvas or other durable material) to hold all 

 tools and excess dirt. Then, while kneeling on 

 the pad, dig a slanting hole 6 inches deep and 

 2 to 3 inches wide, and clear out a bed immedi- 

 ately in front of the hole for the trap. This 

 should be slightly larger than the trap and deep 

 enough to permit it to be placed ji inch under- 

 ground. 



Drive the trap stake into the ground under the 

 proposed trap site or, if dogs roam the area, sub- 

 stitute a 5- or 6-foot wooden drag and attach the 

 trap chain to it about 18 inches from one end. 

 Place the trap in the depression with the spring in 



