Roaming dogs still are a problem for the horses. During the last research trip attempts were made to control the dog population on the farm which consists of about 12 adult dogs at any given time.

Within three months over 20 puppies were removed from near the farm workers’ village. They were found under houses and trees and in fields. Nine found homes, five died of worm infestation before they could be medicated. Six had to be put down because they were in terrible condition.

Free collars were given out to the farm workers who live on the farm who claimed to own the dogs. They were asked to use the collars so that the dogs could be tied up and gathered for a free spay and neuter clinic. They were told about the clinic several times during the two weeks prior to the clinic, and reminded the night before the clinic. On the morning of the clinic, one dog was ready to go. Another was rounded up. The remaining villagers found the entire project amusing.

Those two dogs were spayed and their stitches removed successfully at the proper time. Unfortunately, one of the spayed dogs was seen chasing horses not long after her surgery.

Vets and funds are available, but it appears that we are facing an uphill problem regarding control of the dogs. The dogs have been seen attacking adult horses and witnesses on the farm have seen them destroy foals in the past.

The dogs are not inherently vicious, in fact many of them are friendly. Others cringe and run at any move toward them. Obviously, their treatment runs the gamut from affection to abuse. Their nominal owners are not willing, at this point, to control the dogs, and in fact in one case where dogs were attacking the horses, the woman who owned the dogs encouraged them. One of the problems we are working on is to try to educate the workers about the rarity and importance of the horses. And attempts will be made this next trip to assist them in building inexpensive but effective fencing for their garden plots since the horses seem to be regarded as pests though they do minimal damage, considering the extent of the small farmers'plantings.

At the moment, we have no idea what to do next about the dogs and any suggestions will be gratefully considered