DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



THE DOG NUISANCE. 



Dogs, besides worrying sheep, may scatter parasites, such as the eggs of tape- 

 worms, over the pastures, to infect the sheep. It has been estimated that the losses 

 caused by sheep-worrying dogs are equal to those caused by disease. 



It is not only the sheep which are actually hurt or killed which are damaged, 

 but the whole flock. Ewes which have once been chased will abort, lose flesh, and 

 prove unprofitable breeders. 



Sheep are nearly always killed by dogs during the night-time, so that it is 

 desirable to get the flock into the habit of sleeping near home by providing salt near 

 the buildings. It is also a good plan to put lots of sheep-bells and several larger 

 bells on the flock. This will act as a deterrent to marauding dogs or coyotes, as well 

 as warning any one within hearing if trouble is afoot. A dog-proof fence is one of 

 woven wire about 5 feet 6 inches high, with a strand of barbed wire along the 

 bottom and top. Very few pasture fences are dog-proof. If confined in a dog-proof 

 enclosure at night, the flock should be fed or else set at liberty very early in the 

 morning. 



The work of sheep-killing dogs. 



SHEEP PROTECTION IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. 



For some years prior to 1917 representations had been made to the Department 

 that a measure of protection for sheep was necessary; on Vancouver Island in 

 particular considerable depredations had been done by wandering dogs, and in order 

 to meet these conditions the "Sheep Protection Act" (chapter 57) was passed in 

 May, 1917. 



The chief features of this Act are: 



(a.) The constitution of sheep-protection districts by Proclamation, the Act only 

 to apply in such areas. 



(6.) No person shall keep or have in his possession any dog unlicensed or with- 

 out a collar and tag as prescribed by the Act. 



(c.) No dog to be allowed at large at any time between sunset and sunrise unless 

 accompanied by owner or within reasonable call. 



(d.) Any person may kill any dog in the act of pursuing, worrying, or destroy- 

 ing any sheep elsewhere than on the land belonging to the owner of such dog. 



(e.) The owner of any sheep killed or injured by dogs may recover damages 

 from the owner of dogs by the " Summary Convictions Act." 



Up to 1920 the Act had not been taken advantage of to the extent anticipated ; 

 the sheep-protection districts organized being as follows : 



(1.) District A, Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands, including all lands east of 

 the Esquimalt & Nanaimo land-grant boundary and north of the Sayward District. 



