Yeah, roaming dogs are a HUGE problem in many areas when it comes to livestock. Usually they are not killing because they are starving, but because they are having fun. They have to get dealt with and I do believe that it should be always legal to dispatch dogs slaughtering livestock- it sounds cruel, but until you see a pregnant ewe with her udder torn off and dying and baby lambs with their throats torn, you can't understand what these farmers are going through. Sometimes sheep will just drop dead from the stress of being chased, especially if it's hot out or they're pregnant, and they also abort their lambs afterwards. Most shepherds will do all they can with non-lethal means to protect them (good fencing, guardian dogs, llamas, or donkeys, etc.), but sometimes it has to be done.
We are responsible for these defenseless sheep and unfortunately, due to the stupidity of some people who can care less if they let their dogs run free in the countryside, we have to deal with them. It's the people, not the dogs! They just can't believe that Fluffy would chase and kill sheep or goats or chickens, but many will.
Love dogs, glad to hear that Lucky is doing well, but just wanted to clarify that point about farmers shooting dogs. It's not because we are dog haters (on the contrary), but that we have to protect our sheep which rely on us for everything.
