[ 247 J 



On SIiBep-killing Dogs. By Richard Peters. 



Read August 14th, 1810. 



Since my communication respecting the Tunis sheep ^ 

 and their woo/, my flock has been attacked, and much 

 injured, by dogs ; the flock having been imprudently 

 left during the night, by my tenant, in a frontier field $ 

 instead of being penned, near home, at nights, as should 

 be done by every careful keeper of sheep. Caution is 

 not always fortunate, but it should always be awake. 



A single dog will commit extensive ravages ; but 

 most frequently dogs prowl in pairs, or greater num- 

 bers. The flagitious sagacity of dogs is almost incre- 

 dible, when they are addicted to sheep-killing. They 

 often kill both in the day and night ; but more com- 

 monly in the grey of the morning, as do the humaji 

 savages of our wilderness. Of this vice, when it is once 

 fixed, they are never cured while living : death is the 

 only effectual remedy. When a dog has set his devoted 

 victims, he frequently collects confederates, to assist in 

 the slaughter. They adroidy pierce the jugular vein, 

 and gorge themselves with blood. They will not at first 

 devour the flesh, if there is blood sufficient to glut 

 them. They leave the carcases for a second repast, on 

 returning to the fi^ld of carnage. In this second expe- 

 dition, they expose themselves to the revenge of a 

 watchful marksman ; and are often shot, while on their 

 march, or feeding on the dead bodies. They do not 

 always return, but seek for more victims ; ^preferring 

 another feast of blood, to the ffesh of those already ^ain. 



