Horse Riders Fed Up With Dog Attacks
In light of recent attacks in Doa Ana County, horse riders are speaking out about the dangers they face when vicious dogs attack.
Jerry Crenshaw told ABC-7 he’s seen more dogs than ever wandering around his home on the East Mesa.
“If we can’t ride without constantly searching for dogs. I don’t believe that should be our job,” Crenshaw said.
Crenshaw said he’s fed up with the dangers stray dogs pose to him and his fellow horse riders. He said the owners need to be held responsible.
“We’re not interested in killing animals. What we’re interested in is owners, irresponsible owners. Stiff fines, jail time. I would not be against those as a possibility for animal control,” Crenshaw said.
The Doa Ana Sheriff’s Office has the same idea with a recent announcement of stricter enforcement of vicious dog laws.
“The dog owner will not only be cited for having an unrestrained animal, they’ll also be required to show that they’re responsible dog owners as the law reads. You have to demonstrate that you’re in control of the dog at all times. You have to show that you have proper enclosure of the dog in addition to not allowing your dog to run loose,” said Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Kelly Jameson.
Jameson said deputies will not be going door-to-door searching for vicious dogs. Rather, when deputies are called out to reports of a loose dog, they will ensure the owner is in full compliance of the law by checking if the dog is spayed/neutered, microchipped, and has a proper enclosure.
Crenshaw told ABC-7 he hopes the proper enforcement of the law will prevent dog attacks like what happened to him three years ago when three stray dogs approached him.
“Two of them went around to the back of the horse to go after her heels, and one of them went right underneath her to go after her belly. She was able to, through use of her hooves and through use of her movements, pretty much discourage the dogs and get them to back off,” Crenshaw said.
Crenshaw said not all horse riders who get attacked will be that lucky.
“You’re not always in a position where your horse can face down the oncoming dogs. If they come from the side, if they come from the rear, then you’ve got a problematic situation that’s a little more difficult to deal with,” Crenshaw said.
Crenshaw said it takes a skilled rider to handle the horse well enough to survive a dog attack unscathed.
Crenshaw and a group of horse riders will hold a public meeting on Wednesday to discuss options to protect people from dog attacks. The meeting will be held at Green Works, 125 Main St., in Las Cruces at 6 p.m.
