The Colorado Division of Wildlife urges dog owners to keep their pets secured to prevent them from chasing wildlife. Throughout the state, dogs chasing wildlife is a growing problem for wildlife managers.Every year DOW offices receive hundreds of calls reporting dogs chasing deer, elk or other wildlife species, but this year’s heavy snowfall has pushed wildlife closer to homes and has left wildlife in an even more vulnerable condition.Owners are urged to keep their dogs on a leash when hiking and to make sure that their pets cannot escape their fenced yards or kennels.Dogs are instinctively hunters or herders and if given the opportunity, even the most mild-mannered dogs will act on this instinct to chase other animals.”It’s a serious problem,” said Dawson Swanson, district wildlife manager in Bailey. “Dogs that are allowed to run loose can cause serious injuries or death to big-game animals.”Pet owners are legally responsible for any damages that are caused to wildlife by their dogs. Under Colorado statute, pet owners can be fined $274 if their animals are harassing wildlife. If a dog kills or injures an animal, an additional fine of $500 can be assessed.Dogs can also be susceptible to disease or injuries resulting from contact with smaller animals like porcupines, skunks, rodents and prairie dogs.DOW officials would also like to remind cat owners to keep their pets indoors. Cats are very skilled hunters and they can have a considerable impact on the populations of small animals and songbirds. Cats are also easy prey for foxes and coyotes.If you see dogs chasing wildlife, call the local DOW office or any law enforcement agency. In residential areas, please talk to neighbors whose dogs are running loose.For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
