Dog problem “out of control“
Pregnant mare“s death sparks plea for responsible ownership
From our weekly issue dated April 07, 2010
Caryn Gumaer: her remaining horses have pined for their stable mate. (Photos by Michelle Binker, Illinois Valley News)
Selma resident Caryn Gumaer has been on an emotional roller coaster during the past few weeks.
Gumaer was expecting her horse, “Sugar Plum,“ to give birth to a foal on Good Friday. That day also happens to be Gumaer“s birthday.
Instead, “Sugar Plum“ was killed on the early morning of Friday, March 26 by a pack of her neighbor“s dogs, Gumaer said. The story has received national media attention, and Gumaer said that her phone has literally been ringing off the hook from calls by supporters and detractors. She said that she even has received some threats.
But she said that all she wants is for people to be more responsible for taking care of their animals.
Before “Sugar Plum“ was attacked, Gumaer was fielding calls from residents eager to witness the foal“s birth. She has gotten similar calls since then, and has had to tearfully inform people of what happened.
“I have little kids calling me up,“ Gumaer said, adding, “The whole town is in an uproar.“
Gumaer said that she has raised horses on the 10-acre property for nearly a decade. “Sugar Plum“ has been on the property some two years.
That serenity was shattered when five dogs breached the fence from her neighbor“s Draper Valley Road property and killed Sugar Plum and the unborn foal, according to Gumaer.
“Those dogs just tore her apart,“ she said. “It was gruesome.“
An official from Josephine County Animal Control responded and filed a report about the incident, Gumaer said. Three of the dogs were taken away, but two still were at large as of Thursday, April 1, she said.
Some of the dogs were pit bills and others were Labrador Retrievers. A 6-month-old Labrador pup was among them, Gumaer said.
“It“s not the dogs“ fault,“ she said. “I“m not against pit bulls.“
Gumaer, who said that she used to raise Doberman dogs, accuses a neighbor of running a “puppy mill.“
They had puppies everywhere,“ Gumaer said. “I“m wondering where all these puppies came from.“
A civil lawsuit could be filed against the dogs“ owner, Gumaer said.
“People have to be held accountable for this activity,“ she said. “It“s not the money I want. I want these creatures to be safe.“
Beyond all else, Gumaer said that she just wants people to keep their dogs in their yards.
“It could be anyone“s child,“ she said. “It“s out of control.“
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