Feral Dog Capture and Handling Workshop

First Day in the Field

After resting a day to acclimate myself to the 10,000 feet elevation, I went out with Kunzang, Sonam, and Tsering to capture dogs.  Although the Tru Catch (48F) folding dog traps had arrived long before I arrived no one wanted to take them out until they were shown how to use it.  I was soon going to learn that they were going to teach me how to use a boxtrap!  That first day I went out to merely watch and learn.

Although I have handled over 1,000 dogs they have always been on my terms in my way.  It was time I learned how other people caught animals.  It is not only different types of equipment, I wish to learn how other cultures influence their actions,  how does the public react to them, what are their greatest challenges and needs.  It is also important for me to watch to see if they have an inherent desire and dedication for compassionate and respectful handling and if so how do they convey that when handling the dog.

Animal Handlers from Sikkim

Kunzang and his team definately had an inherent care and compassion for the animal.  Their primary approach was to use long handled nets and catch dogs who were sleeping.  There were several escapes but they were very quick.  I could see they can concern about working in front of the public.  Chasing dogs with nets and then hearing them yelping as the other pack members are barking and upset makes the public upset and the animal handlers were often scolded even though they were helping their community.   It usually does not have to be that way.

I taught Kunzang, Sunam, and Tsering how to scruff a dog and how to muzzle it with a leash.  This combination safely and humanely controls the front half of the dog and if it is moved another person can hold the hips for a two person carry.  I also taught them how to be calm and use the breath to relax when the animal is tense.  The crazier the animal is, the calmer we should be. I explained that animal handlers usualy add far to much excitement and tension and the animals are very sensitive to this and react to it.    Throughout my trip as we were handling dogs, I would stop in the middle of a crazy moment of excitement remind them how to watch ourselves and our behaivor and relax so that it will reduce the struggling of the dog and help us better control and guide the situation.  As in all things in life what we are being is usually more important than what we are doing.

On our second day out they asked me to teach them how to use the boxtraps.  I set one up at the clinic and big, slow moving Boris came by.  Boris snores as he breathes because of a previous bite wound resulting in a chronic draining infection of his nasal sinuses.  Boris casually walked into the trap to check it out and everyone laughed and screamed with excitement when they saw how easily the trap closed.  Boris layed down in his clumsy but frieindly way and enjoyed the attention.

We quickly took the traps out for a try.  I had expected that we would be setting up a line of traps and drive back to check them out.  This is the way I have always used them.  Instead, Kunzang drove until he saw a dog resting in the shade and offered it a treat (biscuits were all we had at the time).  The hungry dog started coming to him and he told us to set up a trap.  We set it up, he put in some food and the dog walked in!!  No chasing.  No barking.  It was extremely quiet and humane.  They were in awe.

Capturing Dogs with Boxtraps

Our next few days consisted of catching dogs in this way.  I wanted them to get creative on how the bait was placed in the trap, where the trap was placed, and so on.  Each morning we would go to a local butcher shop to buy scraps of meat.  It is interesting that at the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean, feral dogs did not recognize or enjoy raw meat.  It had to be cooked with spices!  Here the dogs loved raw meat scraps.

One time we had set up a trap as a dog was approaching, but I quickly noticed that the dog had a veryclose buddy with him.  I shouted to Sunam to chase the dog away and he was very confused.  I quickly set up a second trap next to the first trap (doors in the opposite direction).  The dog we chased away was slow to come but his buddy, a yearling stepped into one of the traps.  As he entered a third dog walked into the same trap trying to get some meat.  The yearling triggered the trap and the third dog, a pup, was touched on the but by the closing door and pushed both of them in!  We are all ecstatic!!!  As the young pups whimpered the first dog came back and walked into the other trap.!  We had three dogs in two traps.  Not bad.

The Training Workshop

On day 6 we began my three day training workshop.  I have created a page to show the general outline of my feral dog workshop.  It was a great honor to teach in Leh and for the Lakakhi Animal Care Society (LACS) and Vets Beyond Borders.

Dr. Sunil of Help in Suffering

In addition to the LACS, there was VBB staff and animal handlers from Sikkim.  Also, Dr. Sunil and Ragendra from Help in Suffering in Jaipur attended.  Dr.  Sunil has run a spay/neuter program for over 25 years.  He provided considerable input in the course.   Ragendra is a gifted surgical assistant and animal handler and could do just about anything.

There was also Rinchen Wangchuk of the Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust.  Rinchen has been working hard on ecotourism to save the snow leopard which lives in the surrounding mountains.  We visited several times after the workshop, I have great respect for who he is and what he is accomplishing and I value him as a friend.  Rinchen and his colleague, Rodney Jackson have waited for years to get a permit to capture and radio collar a snow leopard in Ladakh.

I could not have taught this course without the help of my awesome translator, Pooja from Mumbai who translated everything into Hindi.

Pooja from Mumbai, Dog Whisperer

It is best to describe Pooja as a dog whisperer.  She was extremely caring, sensitive, and patient with each and every dog.  Her focus and patience was incredible.  Although I do not recommend it, at times she would crawl into a trap with the dog to slowly earn it’s trust and lead it out rather than yanking the dog out.  I truly believe that how we handle each animal influences who we are as individuals, as an organization, and as a human population in relationship with the animals.

The class room was a gathering room in Kunzang’s home a former royal guest house.  It was more ornately painted than any room in the house and it was the most beautiful classroom I have ever taught in.  We had lecture and discussion each morning with t

Feral Dog Workshop for Ladakhi Animal Care Society

ea, then we are graciously served lunch, and went to the clinic for afternoon labs.  For one lab we learned how to use a boxtrap.  Another lab focused on learning how to use the Y pole.

I started the workshop as I do each time with attitudes and perspectives.  I established a basic foundation and understanding of care, honor and respect for each animal.  I explored in depth who and what a dog really is and explained the difference between aggression and fear.

I described the challenges and opportunities of the animal handler and honored them for the essential and important people they are.  I suggested that our tools are not only traps and nets, our tools are our Confidence … Calmness… Pride….  and Compassion.

I then introduced the idea of making a connection with the animal and later in the workshop decribed how we can seek to blend with the animal, especially with the Y pole.

For the last part of this section I talked about the value in exploring and observing ourselves as we handle each animal.  Our we contributing to the calmness or are we adding to the fear and excitement.  Are we fighting the animal or are we blending and making a connection.

You can see the course outline on another page in this blog.  I am slowly writing this up and making more teaching aids such as videos and handouts.  I am also redoing my website at www.wildliferesources.org.  I hope it will be up and running in May.  There will be a section on my new website which will be a library of resources on humane capture and handling of feral dogs.

 

A Wonderful Ladakhi Home

A Wonderful Home for Three Weeks

The view flying to Leh

I flew from Dehli to Leh with the most incredible view of the Himalays and Korakoram mountains. Leh is the second highest airport in the world at 10,000 feet elevation.

I was greeted by Kunzang, the director of the Ladakhi Animal Society, and by Dr. Ruth and Dr. Janet, coordinators of the Vets Beyond Borders Ladakhi program who are supporting Kunzang’s important program. It is a long trip for anyone when traveling to Leh and the elevation affects most people so VBB’s rule is for volunteers to take at least one day off before being active.

My meditation spot along the stream.

My home for three weeks.

Kunzang drove me to his home which he generously shares with many of the volunteers. The volunteers, mostly veterinarians and some veterinary technicians, sign up through Vets Beyond and do their work sterilizing and vaccinating dogs at the Ladakhi Animal Center. Their home was a wonderful place to stay. Although I live in Montana and hiked in the mountains to prepare for the elevation, I could certainly feel the change as well my weariness from the trip. I spent alot of time along the stream just below their home and had a nice meditation to the sound of the stream and with the wind singing in the trees. I walked a short ways down a trail following down the creek, but everyone warned me be conservative. It was very good advice. I went to work the next day, joining Kunzang and his team catching dogs and had so problems. Other volunteers and visitors on their first 3-4 days struggled with headaches, weakness, jet lag, or diarrhea.

The driveway to our home.

Kunzang’s home was a remarkable place. Part of the home is over 300 years old. In Ladakh, the people live intimately with the land. It is high above the stream and surrounded by a beautiful mosaic of stone walls, irrigated fields, and stands of poplar, willow, apple, and apricot trees. All of these are connected by the life force of the narrow winding water channels. Beyond the irrigated valley, above where water can be guided, are the parch desert mountains only sparsely covered by the small plants which can survive such harsh conditions.

To reach the house we passed through several gates which kept the free ranging cattle and donkeys out and which kept the family milk cows (and new calf named Mark!) in. The first level, the stone foundation, was for the livestock, so we walked up the steep steps into the house. The traditional Ladakhi doors have a low top so it is important to alway bow when passing through. It took me a few days of hitting my forehead, before it became unconscious. Except, unfortunately when I got in a hurry, and at least once I was knocked back on my butt remembering my mistake. It is good to bow to express our humility and our gratitude for such wonderful comfort and abundance.

Kunzang and his family.

If the home was special, Kunzang and his family were magical. They were so incredibly generous with sharing their home. They taught me a new level of generosity as they made us feel very much a part of the family.

Mark and Gigdal.

When I was not down at the stream on that first day of rest, I was up at the house drinking tea and visiting with the family. Kunang’s wife, Rinchen, was watching over the baby, Gigdal, and as she was doing chores, she asked me to watch over the little boy. He was always full of smiles and he became entranced when I sang Lakota songs to him. The essence of the entire family was that of kindness and gentleness.

Mark wearing a traditional hat made by Father-le (left).

Kunzang’s parents, Mother-le and Father-le, held a wisdom and a quiet strength which you could feel was deeply embedded in faith. Each morning, Father-le would walk through the house at 7am after his morning prayers in the prayer room and smudge each room with a fragrant juniper incense. He was a walking prayer who warmed my heart whenever I saw him. I dearly wished that I could have spoken Ladakhi so that I could have learned from his wisdom and strong Buddhist practice. One of our special times together was when I brought home a Ladakhi-English book and Father-le and I took turns teaching each other as we joked and smiled. Language typically was not a problem and everyone’s english was so much better than my Ladakhi!

The Ladakhi Animal Shelter

The Ladakhi Animal Shelter

Finally on my second day I visited the animal shelter. It was a beautiful walk from the house as I passed traditional homes, free roaming donkeys and cattle, lush grass, trees, and crops (this was June), and Buddhist shrines and prayers wheels. To get to the shelter, we drove through a state forest of willows and locust trees, then along the winding dirt road to the open area of the shelter. The shelter was a single room mudbrick building, maybe 40 feet square in the open sandy base of a tall ridge. This was the surgery room with two surgical tables where veterinarians from all over the world spayed and neutered and dogs which were then held then later returned to their place of capture. A parachute was set up near the building to provide shade since there is very little clouds or rain and temperatures were easily 80 degrees F.

One (blue) building had room for storage and a few of the dogs. Most of the dogs were kept in a larger mud brick building which was divided into three rooms. Each room was completely open and had a half roof of poles and branches which gave perfect shade. There could be up to 15 dogs in each room running loose and with the old ways of doing things it was emotionally and physically challenging to gather the dogs so they could be transported to their capture location and released.

Bringing a dog to holding.

Dogs in Post Op Holding

The one room building is the surgical room with vets from Poland and Hawaii.

Another mud brick building was under construction. The four walls were up but they waited for my arrival before deciding how to finish it. The program definitely need smaller kennels to separate the dominant males from the other dogs. During my visit, we decided to use mud brick to divide the area into 11 kennels with an aisle down the middle and metal gates. We designed the kennel size and door layout so the animals could be easily handled with Y poles and moved into transport crates.

Kunzang's truck for capture, transport, and errands.

Kunzang started with humble beginnings and with VBB has had incredible accomplishments. They are sterilizing 900-1000 dogs a year. One case of rabies has recently popped up in Ladakh and so they are also vaccinating for rabies. (India and central Asia have about 80% of the world’s rabies cases. But high in the mountains in Ladkah, rabies is very rare, though important.) He and VBB have a wonderful vision for an even stronger shelter and animal care center. Since I have left, they have built a new building for the prep room, surgical room, and a kitchen for both people and dogs. Kunzang has been donating his own truck to capture and transport dogs, run errands, and gather supplies in addition to using it for his own family needs. They are working hard to get a vehicle from the government or from donations.

Next entry… The feral dog workshop and capture strategies.