RR-Folk: Invisible Fence
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>
> On Monday, July 16, 2007, at 08:32  AM, (Someone) wrote:
>
>>  This was
>> the second deer that I have seen this happen with. He
>> chases deer when we are on walks in the woods, so he
>> definitely knows what they are, but he is more afraid
>> of the tiny little shock (yes, he is a big baby and
>> only needs the collar on the lowest setting!) than
>> chasing the deer.
>>
>> As far as other dogs coming in the yard, yes, that can
>> happen, but fortunately Buddy loves other dogs and
>> that so far has not been a problem.
>>
>> Everyone has their own opinions and some will say we
>> are wrong to trust the invisible fence as our only
>> fence, but it works wonderfully for us and that is
>> what matters most to me.
>> ****
> His relatively low prey drive is not something to rely upon, as if he
> were to get a sufficient stimulus he might well bolt through.  I
> really doubt that most of the folks on this list (or my others) really
> appreciate the fight you will be in for if something happens.  It is
> OUR responsibility to protect our dogs, and part of that is making
> sure that the chances are of some bad outcome are reduced to the
> absolute minimum.  When something unsound happens (not if; it will -
> you can't measure a non-event, or make an appointment for an
> emergency), the financial and emotional costs will be staggering.
>
> Others dogs:  just because your dog is wonderful with them does not
> mean that they will be with him.  All you need is one bad apple, and
> your dog may have terrible, even fatal, injuries before you can do
> anything.  I have dealt with dog fights, with our pack of leashed dogs
> attacked by dogs which are not well controlled, and a couple involving
> internal conflicts I did not foresee due to my ignorance.  Until you
> have experienced that, you cannot comprehend what this can mean. 
> There is a reason I never walk my dogs unarmed.  And this does not
> include the idiot parents whose kid escapes and comes into your yard -
> you may end up not liable for anything which happens, but the cost of
> the fight will boggle your mind.  Figure a MINIMUM of $5000 down,
> probably $10,000.  Even when you "win", the relations in your
> neighborhood will be so bad that someone will have to move.
>
> I have spent most of my professional life in conflict, as a cop and
> prosecutor in two states.  I am paid to go into conflicts and prevail.
>  Until and unless you have been in these conditions for a long time,
> you will not comprehend the stakes.  I have been threatened with
> litigation by people who don't know better, over my response to their
> dogs' attacks on ours.  I am willing to fight in a courtroom, and I
> know what I am doing, but most of the members of this list have no
> clue what this means.
>
> Please, people - DO NOT rely on good luck and an invisible fence. 
> This sets up a disaster for you, your dogs, and the rest of us.  Have
> real fences; keep the gates LOCKED at all times, keep your dogs in the
> house most of the time unless you are with them.  Anything less is
> creating the conditions for a failure.
>
>
Douglas R. Mitchell, JD, MPA, Attorney at Large
mitchell@elltel.net