Living Sanibel: It’s a dog’s world
Recent DNA evidence shows that all dogs, from the tiniest Yorkshire terrier at 113 grams to the massive English mastiff at 343 pounds, came from the gray wolf some 15,000 years ago. The dog is ubiquitous throughout southwest Florida. Having been around humans for centuries, it has been bred to handle any number of chores-from bloodhounds tracking criminals to huskies pulling sleds and all points in between.
The dog has reasonably good eyesight, very good hearing, and an astonishing sense of smell. It is this sense of smell that is the primary reason why the dog should be kept on a leash whenever it is taken outside, especially on the beaches. The dog is still a wolf, and despite our best intentions, we should always consider it a threat to wildlife.
Its olfactory ability can sometimes lead an unleashed dog directly to a fresh sea-turtle nest, and within seconds an entire clutch can be destroyed. Even if the dog doesn’t uncover the eggs, the strong canine scent left behind will likely lead raccoons to the nest later that evening.
The dog also tends to chase shorebirds, which, after flying across the Gulf of Mexico, are sometimes far too exhausted for such behavior. If a dog should catch an adult plover or sandpiper, one shake of the dog’s head will kill the bird.
Pet owners are also tempted to unleash their dogs while walking them in wildlife preserves. An injured marsh rabbit is quickly killed by an unchecked dog. Leashes are for the dog’s safety as well-alligators love eating dogs, even large ones. Feral dogs are a major problem. They sometimes form wild dog packs, which have been known to take down deer, bear, and even humans. A dog’s wild instincts tend to be heightened under these conditions, and anyone coming across a dog pack should use extreme caution and report the sighting to the local authorities.
Charles Sobczak is a Sanibel author whose works include the novel “Six Mornings on Sanibel,” and two local guide books, “Living Sanibel A Nature Guide to Sanibel & Captiva Islands” and “The Living Gulf Coast A Nature Guide to Southwest Florida.” His books are available online and at most local bookstores. For more information about Sobczak’s writing, go to www.indigopress.net. This article is from “The Living Gulf Coast.”