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.

Red squirrels are quite rare. They’re also indigenous in the U.K. Grey squirrels are not. That said, I don’t think dogs should be let off the lead unless the owner can recall them.

[quote lillypond75]@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. [/quote]
I don't eat meat but I do work in and around the industry & farms so am realistic. Hence why I view done dogs stalking squirrels as part of the natural order of nature. Same as cats chasing mice and birds of prey eating small mammals etc

Sounds like there's a lot of very irresponsible dog owners on here with dogs that are not under control in public. No wonder I've seen so many posts about sheep being attacked

@N51BU

Sounds like there's a lot of very irresponsible dog owners on here with dogs that are not under control in public. No wonder I've seen so many posts about sheep being attacked

As opposed to being gobbled to bits by humans 😂😉

Or posters who don't own a dog

I don’t own a dog but my cat killed one, is that irresponsible? That ratbag does what it likes 😱

@N51BU

Sounds like there's a lot of very irresponsible dog owners on here with dogs that are not under control in public. No wonder I've seen so many posts about sheep being attacked

How similar do you think sheep and squirrels are?!

@firedog

But dogs and cats are domestic animals so how can they be part of the food chain or order of nature?

Dogs are supposed to be under control by law. Cats not so much. How is a dog that attacks a squirrel and cannot he recalled by owner under control?

The wild bird on the other hand is total different imo.

Hunting animals with dogs is illegal in England (and probably the UK)

Not entirely, it’s legal to hunt rabbits and rats using dogs.

My dog regularly catches them but doesn't hurt them, it's instinct - he doesn't chase anything else

[quote lillypond75]@firedog

But dogs and cats are domestic animals so how can they be part of the food chain or order of nature?

Dogs are supposed to be under control by law. Cats not so much. How is a dog that attacks a squirrel and cannot he recalled by owner under control?

The wild bird on the other hand is total different imo. [/quote]
No. They are domesticated animals. Not domestic animals. Dogs didn't start by living in centrally heated semis with cosy beds and warm coats and food every 13 hours in a nice bowl. They can be trained to a great degree. BUT
They are still animals. With animal instincts.

@N51BU I think you are getting confused about the difference between livestock and vermin.

Chasing squirrels (which are quick and agile) is not the same as attacking livestock. I don't think dogs should be off lead around livestock, but spying the odd squirrel on a walk is different.

I dont think they should be encouraged to chase, i think predatory behaviour should be discouraged in a pet, but if it doesnt catch it then i dont think its a big deal.

But dogs and cats are domestic animals so how can they be part of the food chain or order of nature?

Because evolution.

They still have their instincts even though they live in nice warm houses with humans.

Grey squirrels are vermin.

Would you have the same issue with a dog chasing rats?

My dog chases squirrels. Has never caught one and no I really don't care about the "distress" it causes. See previous vermin comment

I let my idiot Spaniel chase them because he's far more likely to do damage to himself than the squirrel. If I had a dog that could possible catch and kill a squirrel then I'd be far more cautious.

To all the posters saying they don't let their children chase pigeons, how do you feel about seagulls? The gulls where I live are like a street gang and terrorise pedestrians and business owners on a regular basis. I'd let the dc chase them if they felt brave enough.

OP. Some dogs like labs will almost always dive into a stream. Instinct and breed. My dog wouldn't go near.
Some dogs scavenge food or bins or picnics. My dog will sniff around but wouldn't do anything else.
Some dogs would snatch food from strangers. My dog won't.
Ive not trained this; it's his breed.
He will however chase or hunt the scent of a rat or fox or squirrel for hours if allowed.
Viewing dogs as fully domestic is misleading. They are trained animals.

Ha, try telling this to DDog, she’s on constant squirrel surveillance in our garden, she’ll never catch one, not unless she realises she needs to be more stealth and not make a bloody racket barking as she chases them. TBF the squirrels do not learn, they’re back within the hour.

Owners of dogs that chase the odd squirrel (natural behaviour) are not the same as owners who allow their dogs to attack livestock.

Most owners know their dogs and wouldn't let them harm wildlife or be uncontrollable around livestock.

Squirrels are vermin, and I see no difference between them and rats.

I wouldn't own a cat because I couldn't control it killing wild birds, but most people are fine with that while being outspoken about dogs natural prey drive.

Owners should have control of their dogs for sure, but surely it's instinct for a prey animal to chase a rodent?

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

pfffttt....i'm right though....and you don't like that so you try and brush it off as a made up word designed to TRY and shut people up.TRY

I've always kept my dog on a lead, even out on remote walks.

this thread has encouraged me to start thinking about a bit of off lead walking...or squirrel chasing...doubt he would catch one. Need to double check on recall first then its game on!

[quote Bluebird2021]**@Newfluff* This is 'whataboutery' the behaviour in other situations does not justify behaviour in a different one*

pfffttt....i'm right though....and you don't like that so you try and brush it off as a made up word designed to TRY and shut people up.TRY[/quote]
Crack on and justify it how you want

@N51BU

Sounds like there's a lot of very irresponsible dog owners on here with dogs that are not under control in public. No wonder I've seen so many posts about sheep being attacked

My dog has a particular squirrel bark - she’s obsessed by squirrels.

She’s indifferent to sheep. I keep her on lead around livestock just in case, though.

She’s a friend to cats, and bored by birds.

A rat, mouse, vole or other small furry would be very exciting.

A sheep and a squirrel are not at all alike.

I have that dog 😩

My dog is usually incredibly well behaved, sloppy and sleepy. However, if she sees a squirrel-it's as if she has taken squirrel amphetamine.

She was off lead (has good recall) in a woodland area and caught 2 squirrels in approx 6 mins. I was beyond shocked. I did keep her on a lead for a while but then bought a huge load bell for her collar and that stopped any squirrel catching.

I went out last week with her and she emerged from the bushes with another squirrel.

The groundsman was chatting with me when we saw her and he was really encouraging of her catching them! He said they were overrun with grey squirrels and they were causing loads of damage.

I don't think I can go through the trauma as I can still hear the squirrel death squeaks in my sleep.

She is back on the lead now