Ask anyone who walks through the beautiful countryside around Macclesfield, and you will hear nothing but praise for the farmers and rangers who work tirelessly throughout the year to maintain order. In general, visitors appreciate the effort involved, and there is very little trouble. Sadly, a small number of visitors fail to appreciate anything and cause significant pain and trouble by allowing their dogs to chase livestock.
Recently, a couple of dogs were left free to run around attacking sheep, and we all know the outcome of that. It is unclear whether these dog owners were unaware of the carnage they created or simply ignorant or stupid. In and around the Teggs Area, farmers have had to deal with the horrific results of seeing their livestock torn to pieces.
Sometimes, these ignorant dog owners get caught, and what do you suppose their response is? How about: "They are lovely dogs who have never done anything like this before... honest." Let me tell you something: there is no dog in the world that just wakes up one morning and decides to kill a couple of sheep or lambs for the fun of it. It just does not happen. Even police dogs do not do that. They have to learn, either from other dogs or from owners who allow it. Whatever the supposition that these dogs have 'never done it before' is nonsense. Somehow, they have learned how to kill, maybe among themselves or from an owner who likes to see dogs fighting. In any case, the result is horrific.
"The dog you see above must be training the rest," one observer noted. People often ask me my opinion of dogfighting, and it is always the same: "We are euthanising the wrong end of the lead."
For the past 32 years, Vic has trained dogs of all shapes, breeds, and sizes. More than 4,500 have passed through his training academy, and he says working with them has been a privilege and they have taught him as much as he taught them. Vic says: "After all this time communicating directly with dogs, I can honestly say I have never met a dog I could not help. Owners, however, are a little more difficult and need to learn how dogs really communicate. It means getting into the mind of the dog and really understanding. That insight will open a new world to you."
Follow him on Facebook for daily last-minute class updates. Location: Macclesfield.
