…and on the eighth day God created the horse in perfect image, to romp, graze, gallop, play, and make manure wherever it darn well pleases, in divine grace.
It seems that customary courtesy and respect continue to fall by the wayside, along with common sense.
Two items in the news recently have caused tragedy to animals, due to the thoughtlessness and disrespect on the part of humans.
I am speaking of the local Hackney Pony that was attacked in his own barn by a pack of dogs in the Mercer Pike, Crawford County area, and of the horrific fire at a zoo in Germany, most likely caused by flying paper sky lanterns.
On Mercer Pike, 4 large dogs allegedly entered a barn three miles from their home and attacked a show pony which was in its stall.
The owner of the pony found the pack of dogs in his barn when a ruckus was heard. Upon entering the barn, one of the dogs had the pony, valued at approximately $4,500, by the throat.
The owner was carrying a gun, and he subsequently shot three of the dogs, while a fourth one escaped.
The dog pack had traveled 3 miles from their own home, roaming loose.
The pony died in the arms of the owner’s wife, due to injuries and extensive blood loss caused by the dog attack.
I know that family, and the son had given this pony to his parents as a gift.
Philip Smith shows Road Ponies and Hackneys on the Inter-County Circuit. They are beautiful, quality animals and Philip is an excellent driver.
All of this could have been avoided if the owner of the dogs showed some customary courtesy, respect, and common sense.
PA Dog Laws require licensing, rabies vaccines, and restraint of all dogs via fencing in yards or on leashes. These are the PA Leash Laws, and they help protect you, your family, your little grand kids, and your livestock.
What if that pack of dogs had come in to your yard or barn?
Prepare yourself by thinking ahead, and forge a plan of action.
Do you raise cows, goats, chickens, sheep, or horses? What if your baby animals were on the ground and that dog pack came cruising in?
What if it was your little grandchild toddling around in your yard or barn? Or even you? Are you packin’ each night when you go out for chores?
Laws are created for reasons, and I don’t think it is too much government interference to make people obey Dog and Leash Laws.
One time years ago my Father was up at the other farm pruning fruit trees in the old orchard.
He came down the orchard ladder and turned around to find 3 large German Shepherd dogs crouched down about 30 yards out, stalking him.
Not having a rifle with him, Dad looked around for any kind of weapon he could get. Seeing a pitchfork propped up against the tree, he grabbed it and immediately assumed a predatory, stalking stance, making eye contact with the lead dog. He advanced on them, as if he was now hunting them.
The strategy worked, and the 3 dogs turned tail and ran away.
Even the nicest of pups can change when they get into a group of 3 or more; pack mentality can set in, and dogs who reside at someone’s fireplace hearth can turn into deadly, stalking killers.
Exercise your 2nd Amendment rights and carry or keep a gun handy at your back door. Most men and smart women I know do just this.
Or, you should keep some pitchforks handy at your back door if you don’t carry a gun.
I heard-tell of a pack of Pit Bulls entering a barn in Andover, OH, a few years ago killing most of the barn cats who resided there. The man shot at the dogs with a rifle and they fled.
The man’s neighbors were allowing their dogs to roam free.
Remember predator psychology in that crouching down in a stalking stance, pitchfork, baseball bat, or stick in hand, making eye contact, and confidently and aggressively advancing forward shows bravado and bravery. Tell your children to back up slowly toward the door, and don’t run.
Don’t be afraid to stab and kill a vicious animal on your own property or yard, we’re talking about your life here, it’s you or it’s them, do whatever it takes to protect yourself.
The other problem that occurred recently is a fire at a zoo in Germany where paper sky lanterns were seen flying on New Year’s Eve, and their paper remnants were discovered in the charred ruins of the animal enclosures.
I have written my disdain and disapproval of these sky lanterns before and will do so now.
The sky lanterns have super-thin paper stretched over a thin support frame with a live flame held within.
Those sky lanterns have landed in my hay field, and Tom Herman baled them up. Their paper remnants and wires were in the bales of hay that I was feeding my horses. If a horse ate that, it would mean disaster.
The paper sky lanterns have been cultural representations for centuries around the world, especially in Asia and South America.
Tissue paper or oiled rice paper is glued over a bamboo or piano wire frame, with a live candle, paraffin, or rosin suspended on a wire to heat the lantern. They are essentially little hot air balloons soaring around anywhere in the wind.
The sky lanterns are for good luck and good wishes, and many people will write notes and tuck them inside the lanterns, light them up, and send them flying. It is thought that the wishes will be granted when the lantern floats away, up to heaven.
But they come down onto people’s houses, barns, fields, and in this case, the ape and bird building at the Krefeld Zoo, in Krefeld Germany.
Over 30 animals died in the blaze.
The use of sky lanterns has been prohibited in the north German state of North Rhine Westfalia since 2009, when the law went into effect due to several deadly fires caused by sky lanterns there.
Three women have turned themselves in to German authorities, in relation to the fire at the zoo, stating they ordered the sky lanterns online and weren’t aware that they were banned.
The women most likely will be charged with Negligent Arson.
Sky lanterns look pretty, but they are a menace to society, property, and animals. They are also a menace to wildlife since they can cause brush and grass fires. They pose a threat to airplanes and aviation, as well.
The debris they leave behind once they descend is nothing more than litter.
I urge my readers never to purchase or use sky lanterns.
I would like people to think of others besides themselves. Just because you feel your dogs should run free doesn’t mean they should. It doesn’t give you the right to disrespect the law, and it could be your family or livestock attacked by your neighbor’s happy Rover-gone-wild.
Just because you think sky lanterns are pretty doesn’t mean they won’t land on someone’s house, field, or barn.
It could be you; any circumstances could happen to you.
Let’s use some common sense for the greater good of all concerned. You know, like a good “Team Player.”
Your word of the year is “Sagacity,” or wisdom, sensibility, prudence, judiciousness, and reasonableness.
The opinions expressed in this column are solely the opinions of this writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Community News or its staff.
Leaving you to deliberate these two very important social talking points to the immortal words of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, “Happy Trails to You.”