To think you should not allow your dog to chase squirrels?

[lillypond75]

Because it causes distress to a wild animal! I said to my friend to put their dog on a lead and she looked at me like I was mad. Apparently it's fine as their dog is unlikely to catch it, but that's hardly the point imo.

Our ex racer caught a squirrel once and it was the most horrific thing I've witnessed- she wasn't even off the lead!

Squirrel was frozen about 1ft ahead- it was like slow motion- it move an inch, she shot at it and then shook it to death. We had to prise it out of her mouth as she wouldn't let go. Far too fast for us to stop it, but it really upset me (I don't blame the dog though, she did what she had been trained to do!). Just wish I'd noticed it sooner.

Given the choice, I would not allow them to chase! We now have a 5month old lurcher, and happily enough she recalls well- even when she spots a squirrel! (Only happened once, may change as she gets bigger/more confident!).

But squirrels are wild vermin and not someone's fluffy pet. Our parks are over run with grey squirrels.
Comparing it with attacking another pet is silly. Yes dog owners stop dogs raiding picnics or chasing sheep, but if not be able to let my dog off lead if I was worried about squirrels..and no he's never caught one

but its ok for humans to hunt, kill and attack animals then op??

cats and other animals are also free to hunt kill and attack other animals too...all good

just not dogs

We're coming in to lambing/calving/nesting season, dogs that can't be controlled should be on leads at all times.. mine are just in case.

Not do a live on a coastal path so ground nesting birds aren't an issue either.

If it’s a red, no way in hell!

If it’s a grey, I say go dog go

Being around livestock is very different to squirrels, which are vermin.

I live in an urban area and don't walk anywhere near farms, if I did, mine would be on lead (but I just avoid areas like that).

You can't compare chasing vermin to attacking livestock. Of course attacking livestock is inexcusable.

But I maintain that cats kill many birds and small mammals.

Squirrels are prey. They can be chased by any predator including, but not limited to, dogs. Dogs are predators and will chase prey. Foxes are also predators and will seek out prey - chickens, squirrels, rabbits. When a dog, especially if it has a high prey drive, sees prey even with the most well trained dog their instinct could still take over and chase the prey.

Well said!

I don't want to see any animal hurt OP, but I don't think this is much of an issue. I am far more concerned about the farmers who have had their sheep savaged by dogs; I've seen several news reports in the last year.

@firedog

Not do a live on a coastal path so ground nesting birds aren't an issue either.

Coastal paths are normally dogs on lead where I am. Coastguards are fed up with cliff side dog rescue

@BlatheringOn

I don't want to see any animal hurt OP, but I don't think this is much of an issue. I am far more concerned about the farmers who have had their sheep savaged by dogs; I've seen several news reports in the last year.

But its all the same, dog allowed to be out of control and developing its prey drive on squirrels regularly , it then sees a sheep and has no recall and an enhanced prey drive

sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/ground-nesting-birds

@firedog above link shows lots of coastal birds are ground nesting

I'm with you OP, I think it's cruel.
For those saying red squirrels are off limits but greys are fine, I'm intrigued as to how you teach your dog to differentiate between the two?

Newfluff, it comes back to responsible owners. My dog has a high prey drive and has never caught or harmed any creature. I ensure that he is always on lead where necessary.

@Newfluff

sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/ground-nesting-birds

@firedog above link shows lots of coastal birds are ground nesting

Yes. I hear you. But I live about 90 min from the coast so it's really not an issue where I am. If I lived on the coast the dog would be on a lead. But I don't. We walk in a massive busy urban park which is over run with grey squirrels. Most dogs are off leads under control. Some chase squirrels. Lots don't. Some just stare at them. No one I know looses any sleep over it

My cat caught a squirrel

OP I assume thus you are vegan too along others?. Or have never visited a meat factory or watched millions of male chicks being beheaded a day. Or chickens by the million a day. Or a slaughter house and seen scared cows in a race. I have many times over.

@firedog fair enough, and apologies if I'm a bit tetchy. I look over heathland, I watch the birds building their nests, I'm part of the group that nails the massive posters to every car park, every post and then watches as people think it doesn't apply to their dog. Urban parks are great, we have a few near by all geared to lead free walking.

My dog does not chase squirrels. He plots and sneaks and works on elaborate strategies. If he realises that none of them will work, he gives up. If he think he has a chance, he will implement his plan with precision and cunning. And he's perfectly under control, thanks you. Grey squirrels are a pest, and you won't find much sympathy for them around this area.

Oh, and he's twice caught one, but once he did he happily trotted off looking cocky whilst the squirrel picked itself up and ran up a tree. The game was in the strategy, not he catch.

That's a border collie for you....

Trust me. Everyone I know would abide by signs like that. My dog is never off lead near farm land or such like. But it's impossible to stop some dogs stalking squirrels in my experience.
I'm serious about my vegan comment (not at you).. people just don't seem to realise that supermarket cheap meat means mass production. Thousands of animals killed an hour. Not always in the nicest way.

@Jijithecat

I'm with you OP, I think it's cruel. For those saying red squirrels are off limits but greys are fine, I'm intrigued as to how you teach your dog to differentiate between the two?

He doesn't. But my eyesight is fine, and my control over him is absolute. He knows what "no" means.

@Bluebird2021

but its ok for humans to hunt, kill and attack animals then op??

cats and other animals are also free to hunt kill and attack other animals too...all good

just not dogs

This is 'whataboutery' the behaviour in other situations does not justify behaviour in a different one

@Newfluff I would completely abide by any posters/signs I see like that and keep mine on lead.

When I'm on a walk with signs about conservation areas (one is to protect water voles) I keep mine close and away from the reeds and habitat areas. Another walk has signs asking to keep dogs on lead in particular conservation areas, mine is strictly on lead there.

If she chases the odd squirrel I don't see that as an issue though, they are vermin.

@firedog

Trust me. Everyone I know would abide by signs like that. My dog is never off lead near farm land or such like. But it's impossible to stop some dogs stalking squirrels in my experience. I'm serious about my vegan comment (not at you).. people just don't seem to realise that supermarket cheap meat means mass production. Thousands of animals killed an hour. Not always in the nicest way.

I agree more than you can know, but the existence of something bad can not be used to support something else that is wrong. It's not just cheap meat but cheap dairy, leather, eggs all have a massive impact. Free range eggs are a good example everyone imagines this wonderful life, not the reality .

@firedog
To answer your question, yeah I am vegan which is probably why it bothers me so much as I believe all sentient beings are worth something in their own right regardless of their colour or conservation status! I personally find the whole red squirrels- no way, grey squirrels- crack on mentality very disturbing. To the squirrels it makes no difference, they feel the same pain and emotions regardless of colour.