Roaming Dogs A Threat

Wildlife

The population boom in the Rocky Mountains is creating a new threat to the region’s elk and deer herds, already struggling to survive recent heavy snows.

Many new arrivals bring their dogs and let them run free.

“It seems like everyone who is moving to the Aspen, Vails and Tellurides is bringing a dog and wants to let them run free,” said Bill Haggerty, spokesman for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. “I’ve even heard it from movie stars in Aspen.”

Many resort communities seem to have as many dogs as people, and big breeds are the most popular.

But the elk and deer have been driven down to the mountain towns by the snow. “The only places they have to survive is right where we are building homes,” Haggerty said.

Area wildlife manager Mark Konishi said: “This is an example of human and wildlife conflict that has occurred as a result of the big boom in development. The problem becomes compounded when you combine it with winter weather.”

“People who let their dogs run wild are killing wildlife,” said Todd Malmsbury, wildlife division spokesman.