Madison the Great Pyrenees livestock guardian dog takes good care of her sheep in Aguanga. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo
Predators abound in the Anza Valley, just waiting for their chance to make a meal of the farmer’s poultry and other small animals. Domestic livestock such as sheep and goats can fall victim to predation from various wild and even domesticated animals, such as coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, skunks, weasels, mountain lions and stray dogs.While these hunters fully recognize humans as the apex predator and fear and respect us for the most part, most people are unable to patrol their ranches 24 hours a day. Fencing and other physical deterrents help, but sometimes the job of protecting the helpless animal residents falls on one special hero – the livestock guardian dog.With their ancient protective instincts, these dogs can successfully reduce predation on livestock. Though common else
