I have no doubt that ANY DOG SPECIES running in a pack are darn near fearless, as were the DOMESTIC dogs that killed my pony foal. It was 6 am, I heard the rucus, and since it was summer and hot I did not have an abundance of clothing on, slipped on my rubber boots, and when I saw the CARNAGE I took off running and screaming, jumped the wash past the barn and grabbed the biggest stick I could find and when I got close enough the alpha grump dog came at ME!!!! I hit it in the head with the branch, only to find out that it was driftwood and crumbled with little or no affect on the dog. I froze, thinking, boy will this be a mess, I did not even have on enough clothing to offer any protection from the dog attack I was sure to come, and I was too far away from the house for the kids sleeping in the house to hear me scream, and for whatever reason my dogs did not come to the rucus, (as if they might have been some help, rat terriers every one of them and one big old farm dog without teeth!) when I decided to go for it and advanced at the dogs screaming and waving my arms. Well, the slight tap from the rotten stick must of broke the alpha grump kill frenzy because she took off running. The dead foal was in shreds, the pony mare tore up pretty bad yet she stayed over that baby, willing to protect it with her life. Now, if that had been a pack of coyotes I would not change my opinion on ANY ANIMAL THAT COMES ON MY PLACE TO KILL MY LIVESTOCK!!! Yes, if I were to catch a coyote killing I would shot it as easily as I do my neighbor's dogs or the stray bird dog that got in and killed darn near all the geese, or the coonhounds that someone was hunting with on a moonlit night that had a mare and foal cornered in the pasture, trying their damndest to get the tender fresh meat of a foal. I also stake out the coons and opossums that get in the chicken house (when they can) in the chicken yard and it does work to deter others as long as the carcass is rotting there. But as soon as it is gone others will come. So anyway, where I live, coyotes are the least of my worries. I am sure it is different for others in other parts of the world, and I hope everyone does what it takes to protect their livestock, be it from ricky raccoon, morris the cat, lobo the wolf, or fido someones beloved yet unmonitored pet. And just for fun, one of the best dogs I ever knew was a lifelong companion to one of my best friends who raised sheep. She was darn near human, loved all babies, protected what was hers, yet would never hurt a fly, and we all cried when she finally succombed to old age and failing kidneys. She was, of all things, a coyote.
