The Kuvasz is commonly used as a livestock guardian. The breed is intelligent and assertive; steadfast, loyal and devoted to whatever they call their family.
I recently heard of a street dog taking refuge on a construction site in downtown LA. One of the men on the job had made the stray a dog house and was feeding it. The skinny dog was fearful and would only stick it's head out from under safety far enough to grab food and dive back under the storage container. Who knows how long the dog had been homeless; perhaps it had never known a home to call it's own. This dog may have been born on the streets and destined to a life where everyday was a struggle for simple survival. So the dog had found a temporary home; on a construction site, not a good place for any dog.
This past weekend the nameless, medium, white and tan dog was attacked and injured beyond repair by a pack of feral dogs. The dogs had not only gone after this single canine but the humans in the area as well. Once the dust cleared and they were able to get a look at the damage; it was bad, really bad. A shelter was contacted and they arrived to find the dog in such horrific shape that they euthanized the dog immediately. Such a sad, sad story.
When feral dogs pack together; they can become very dangerous. They don't just band together and run off to lead a wonderful life in the woods. Many consist of dominant intact males making the pack an aggressive one to start with. Then living on the streets and fighting for survival creates an atypical pack; adult members coming together instead of a family that grows with the birth of a new litter each year. I remember hearing about feral dog packs when I was a child; even then I new that it was a dangerous situation.
Sadly many dogs are simply tossed out to the street. There they survive the best they can if they are not rescued by a group or good Samaritan. They tend to gravitate to one another and thus a pack is formed; an unconventional pack. Packs of feral dogs may kill cats, dogs and livestock. Many states have laws that allow farmers to shoot stray dogs on their property for this reason. And because many members of a pack may actually have been a pet at one time they may be fearless of humans and can attack; especially children. Below are several articles pertaining to feral dog packs. If you run into a pack of feral dogs; do not approach, immediately call the authorities, shelter or rescue group. The only way to stop these packs from growing is to round them up and rehabilitate them if possible.
Wildlife damage management article
National Geographic article
USA Today article
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