Layser's Kennel & Contracting

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING SECTION CONTAINS INFORMATION AND PICTURES PERTAINING TO THE PREDATION OF LIVESTOCK AND PETS INCLUDING GRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHS. 

The following section provides only an introduction to the typical methods and habits of each of the large predators in a general manner when making a kill. This section may serve as an aid to livestock producers and pet owners in providing some idea whether an animal has been killed by a wild predator and if so, which one. 

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The following topics and descriptions are covered in more detail during an instructional course. These are usually held for groups of staff that will be responsible for responding, confirming predation and taking action to prevent further losses if necessary. 

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Please note that many jurisdictions require the owner of livestock or pets that believe they have suffered an attack or loss to wild predators to report the occurrence to the appropriate authority as soon as possible. This will often include instructions to leave the scene or remains of the victim animal unchanged in order to preserve the situation for the responding investigator. Although instructions will vary depending on the responding agency.

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The typical investigation of a potential predator attack involves the visual inspection of the surrounding area, both where the potential victim animal was last seen or housed, as well as the wounds on live animals or the partially consumed remains of pets and livestock. In cases where livestock and pets have been killed, it will be required to skin portions of the carcass in order to demonstrate the areas where trauma occurred during the ACTUAL attack. Note, teeth marks and bruising that will be READILY APPARENT when areas are exposed by skinning.

Bruising and bloodshot trauma is only possible while the heart is still beating and does not take place after the death of the animal. This is the primary indication that determines what damage was done to a carcass after death through feeding and savaging compared to what damage was done to live animals, which resulted in death. Although bites and attack damage is sometimes obvious, because the situation involves domestic animals the accompanying trauma is often not identified until the hide is skinned back making it possible to demonstrate the trauma. 

Signs of predators and scavengers feeding on the remains of carcass, such as chew marks, scratches, displacement of carcass through feeding etc. is not conclusive evidence of what killed the animal. This concept is clear when a carcass such as a road killed deer is removed from the roadside to a discreet location by highway services. The cause of death is known, yet bears, coyotes, wolves, cougar, birds and even domestic dogs can often be found feeding on the remains. A bear may even drag the remains away and cover/burry it in exactly the same manner it would as if the bear had killed it. This is why a knowledgeable inspection of the situation and the lost or damaged livestock/pets should be conducted before any particular predator is condemned. 

In some situations the remains of the victim animal has not been located before extensive feeding has taken place, resulting in the removal of all clear evidence of the attack from the carcass. Depending on the region and jurisdictional authority, some cases can rely on supporting evidence at the scene while others will not have the authority to act without such evidence.  

Although to the experienced investigator particular aspects of the scene or evidence on site will make the determination very obvious and simple to conclude, it is often required that clear "court worthy" evidence be DEMONSTRATED through photos. These requirements will often vary depending on the region, jurisdiction, the type of animal that has been attacked and even the type of predator. Typically the most clear evidence is shown by way of skinning back portions of hide on what remains of the victim carcass as well as clear representation of particular supporting signs at the scene i.e. drag marks, covering, predator tracks etc. 

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As the owner of pets and livestock, ensure you are fully aware of your local laws pertaining to the destruction of wildlife for the purpose of protecting your animals and property before killing any predator that you believe to have attacked your animals.