For over two thousand years, LGD have served agricultural operations, providing a non-lethal form of predator management. Industry experts recommend specific feeding, medical, and socialization/bonding protocols as well as microchipping and sterilization to increase protection and decrease conflict. These practices can be found in the "Livestock Guardian Dog Recommended Best Practices" by the American Sheep Industry.

While many owners take excellent care of their working dogs, these recommendations aren't always put into practice which has resulted in emaciated and injured displaced dogs, including mothers and their litters. The numbers of livestock guardian dogs that are mismanaged and mistreated continue to increase. Without any protections, more become vulnerable. This creates a burden already underfunded non-profits and animal shelters and the communities they serve.

There remains a social responsibility to assure and to improve the work conditions of all working dogs. This can be achieved with collaborative ownership of the issues, developing partnerships with associations, organizations and the ranching community to develop programs such as sheepherder training, livestock guardian dog certification and microchipping and sterilization initiatives.

Livestock guardian dogs currently do not have any protections and there is overwhelming support to enact basic protections that will decrease conflicts and increase protection of livestock. We urge the State of Utah to enact basic protections for all working dogs and sterilization and microchipping dogs used on open range. The benefits that will result will minimize, if not completely eliminate, dogs being left behind, stolen or impounded.

*Utah residents* you can make a difference for these dogs by personally contacting your local legislators. 

For more information visit: www.coalitionforlgd.org