The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank is tightening its pet policy after eight land bank goats were injured in recent dog attacks.
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank is tightening its pet policy after eight land bank goats were injured in recent dog attacks.
The land bank commission voted Monday to ban dogs from the portions of properties where the goat herd is grazing. The idea came at the recommendation of the herd manager Zachary Jessee. Signs on the prohibition will be posted at the land bank properties and information on where the goats are grazing will be on the land bank’s website and social media.
The ban on dogs comes after two unleashed dogs attacked the goats this summer.
According to a memo on the attacks from Mr. Jessee and land bank ecologist Julie Russell, neither of the dog owners contacted animal control officers or the land bank after the attacks. Both owners had to be tracked down to confirm the dogs had rabies shots.
The attacks occurred at Sweetened Water Preserve and Tisbury Meadow Preserve.
“I’m disgusted by the whole incident and my sympathies to the staff that had to deal with it,” said Wesley Mott, state representative on the land bank commission. “Many dog owners, I think, have the principle that ‘my dog is constantly under voice control.’ And we all know that’s a myth.”
All the wounded goats are recovering well, said Mr. Jessee. The land bank has about 150 goats that manage the vegetation on land bank properties.
Land bank executive director James Lengyel said the land bank will coordinate with town officials on enforcement if another attack occurs in the future.
“If we find actors who continue to defy the rules, then we go to the animal control officers and we say… ‘What power is given to you to handle someone who will not obey the rules?’” he said.
Comments
When are dog owners going to
Bob EdgartownWhen are dog owners going to understand that we do not all like dogs. That dogs need to be on a leash. That dogs are not people, they are animals and they can and do strange things. Please keep your dogs close to yourself and on a tight leash if people are around. It happens on the bike path, sidewalks, beach and all over owners who think there dog is the best behaved. As a victim of a so called well behaved dog I can tell you they are not.
Man has a strong bond with
Albert GosnoldMan has a strong bond with dogs, goats not so much.
Why aren’t the owners being
Jessica EdgartownWhy aren’t the owners being charged? They allowed their dogs to attack livestock and left the goats to suffer? This has happened more than once and the LB is saying next time we’ll “coordinate with the towns”? The LB employees have the right to protect the livestock and could kill a loose dog harassing their animals if they wanted to. Letting your dog off leash where livestock is grazing is irresponsible enough. Not reporting it after the dog caused injury is inexcusable.
I grew up on our family farm
Robert MVI grew up on our family farm in Central Massachusetts. My dad shot many dogs that attacked his farm animals. It was legal to do so. I believe it's legal to this day. "Once a dog tastes blood they remain killers" I heard my dad say more than once.
Ban dogs from active grazing
George Stein OBBan dogs from active grazing areas. Shoot to kill
Your comfortable with
Albert GosnoldYour comfortable with shooting dogs?
The island is no family farm.
It has high population density.
What would happen if a goat whisperer shot a "kid" dead?
Murder or manslaughter?
Guns are the answer?
In this case (dogs attacking
Robert MVIn this case (dogs attacking farm animals) -- Yes. And it is the law.
If your dog goes after my
David MVIf your dog goes after my chickens, rabbits, or sheep it will likely be the last time. The island is still heavily agricultural based. My land is not "high population density", as is much of our island, and I know Gosnold isn't either.
What a barbaric practice.
Mark EdgartownWhat a barbaric practice. What about teenagers messing with livestock, should we shoot them too?
Always admire folks who lack
George Stein OBAlways admire folks who lack temerity of actual identity. Expanding the original premise to create an alternative agenda is diversion. One of the safest places possibly in the world should allow respect for livestock as a revenue source. Hard cold facts not illusions what other drama can be fantasized. Young people that reside on the Island are way more responsible than summer transients.
I've this to friends before.
Jim V EdgartownI've this to friends before. This is the law in Massachusetts, which includes what's permissible if a dog attacks someone's farm animals: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter140/Sec…
I'm a dog owner and dog lover
Vasha Brunelle Vineyard HavenI'm a dog owner and dog lover, but letting a predator, that being most canine species, be un-thethered near a prey animal can go so wrong. Hey folks, be responsible or we all pay the price.
My wife was bitten on the
Mark West TisMy wife was bitten on the back of her thigh, drawing blood, by an unleashed dog, one of two, on a Land Bank property. It was an unpleasant scene. My wife said to the owner, "Your dog has bitten me," in a very soft voice. The owner replied "No, no, he didn't... he didn't....don't, don't." It was obvious that the owner had no control over her "pet", and that this had happened before.
Ditto to all of the above comments. It seems all unleashed dog owners think they are exempt for one reason or another from the leashing requirement.
I got bit by a golden
Charlie Callahan So Boston/EdgartownI got bit by a golden retriever who was usually friendly.It jumped on me and tore my sweatshirt,then it jumped again and bit me,I punched the dog in the face and knocked out some of it's teeth. The woman said she was going to sue me. I told her to go ahead.
Why stop at Land Bank
James Kozak Vineyard HavenWhy stop at Land Bank properties? Ban dogs from the whole island.
I’m a dog owner and I agree
Tom Engley West TisburyI’m a dog owner and I agree that dogs should be under control. Over the years I’ve seen some bad behavior from my dogs and dogs we were caring for at the time. One of my dogs is 111 pounds a gentle guy 99% of the time but he is first and foremost an animal. I do under the right conditions let him run free at my own risk. I know he would never bite a human but I’ve seen him go after other dogs in my house. One of the best dogs I’ve cared for was Willie a pit Bull not a mean bone in his body afraid of turkeys. Willie died last week at 14. Be good dog owners. Have your pets spade or nurtured RIP Willie and Bob Barker
As a fellow goat grazier, I
Margaret KCMOAs a fellow goat grazier, I feel for these folks. I'm always asked if I worry about predators while my goats are on projects...nope, I don't worry about natural predators, I worry about two-legged idiots and their uncontrolled domestic dogs. I've never had issues with coyotes, bobcats, even mountain lions...but humans and their dogs cause me serious headaches.
Cats are much more
GrahamCats are much more destructive to wildlife, especially birds.
Several times when I have
Jose Oak BluffsSeveral times when I have walked on Sheriff Meadow trails this summer, I have been accosted by dogs who are off leash. I am lucky so far as I have not been bitten but I can tell you that the episodes are scary and disturbing. The owner typically says something like "he's friendly" as if that is supposed to make me feel better about his irresponsibility. News flash: There is nothing friendly about a 50 pound mammal with sharp teeth suddenly bounding at you and barking in a menacing manner. Owners - Please leash your dogs! And can our Police start enforcing the law if they don't? How about some patrols?
Does this ban apply to
Susanna J. Sturgis West TisburyDoes this ban apply to leashed dogs too? If so, why?
The problem with allowing
MarieThe problem with allowing leashed dogs is that people will allow their “good” dogs off leash.
Just ban dogs. It’s not a hardship for dog owners. They can walk elsewhere.
Ah the good old "slippery
JD Oak BluffsAh the good old "slippery slope" argument
The dog owners should be
Jim IslanderThe dog owners should be identified, fined $20,000 each, and sued for endangerment and reckless behaviour. Their dogs should be banned from all land bank properties. And if their dogs have ever attacked any other person or thing it should be made known. The community should not be penalized for the actions of the stupid few — i am amazed elected officials and appointees don’t automatically know this regardless of the feelings of a goatherder. Those are public lands paid for by public dollars.
I have been attacked and
Carol EdgartownI have been attacked and bitten by a "friendly " pet dog on MV. I required medical attention at the hospital. The dog was behind on its shots and had to be quarantined by Animal Control while we all waited to learn if I would need the rabies protocol and further treatment. Next time I will not only seek medical attention. I will seek legal remedies. It was an assault. I used to like dogs but am now fearful of them.
I understand from this
Elizabeth EdgartownI understand from this article that the Land Bank is going to ban dogs to protect the grazing goats - good for the Land Bank! Are other land trust organizations on Island going to follow suit to protect people? Or are we less than goats? My daughter was bitten at Caroline Tuthill. Now she is afraid to walk in the woods, even with her Dad and I.
So where do you suggest
CarolSo where do you suggest people walk there dogs?
Banning dogs is NOT the answer. Bigger repercussions need to be occurring to people that cannot control there off leash pets ESP on trails where it mandates dogs being leashed.
There is no bad dogs, just bad owners.
Carol -- the dogs that
Jenn IslanderCarol -- the dogs that attacked and maimed the goats were not out for a walk. Out for a walk means on a leash. These dogs were clearly not on a leash when they attacked. If you're a responsible dog owner it's up to YOU to find somewhere you can safely walk your dog.
The problem is that there are
Jose Oak BluffsThe problem is that there are no repercussions. Too many dog owners just don't care, and the police don't patrol or enforce the law on dogs being leashed. And the irresponsible dog owners know this. And so hope becomes a strategy...I have to hope that I don't get attacked. Why shouldn't I have peace of mind that our laws are enforced? But given that they are not, corner solutions like banning dogs becomes an option meaning dog owners should walk the dogs in their own neighborhoods where greater public density makes it obvious why the animals should be leashed.
PS - I frequently see unleashed dogs at State Beach (Edgartown) after 5 pm even though there are no dogs allowed. There is no enforcement of the rules by anyone.
Dogs must be leashed and
shamika obDogs must be leashed and under the control of the owner. That doesn't allow a 10 foot long leash. Get your phone out, take a picture, and give it to the animal control officer in your town. thats the only way to get inconsiderate owners to comply
actually a long line is a
Carolactually a long line is a great way for dogs to have freedom and be on leash, so yes that is actually allowed.
I carry a staff when I walk
Carlos Degotta TisburyI carry a staff when I walk in Land Bank property and have used it a few times on the nose and heads of a few unleashed dogs. I don’t feel uncomfortable about protecting myself at all, I have told a few dog owners to go ahead and call the police about my actions caused by their callous and illegal behavior.
I’ve been attacked multiple
August West EdgartownI’ve been attacked multiple times in the state forest. I was blamed for one attack because I “came around a corner fast” and another time the owner denied it happened even though I was bleeding. This is a real problem here and I’m glad to see it in the news.
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