Dear Ryan Dickey of The Torrington Telegram,
I am writing to provide a factual account regarding the two dogs shot adjacent to Pioneer Park. The community has heard only one narrative, omitting critical facts about what took place on our land.
In our four years here, loose dogs have caused tens of thousands of dollars in livestock losses. A loose dog chased my favorite horse through a fence, injuring him so severely that we spent considerable money on veterinary care, only for the dog to return a week later and kill him.
The sheriff's office informed us no charges could be filed without high-resolution video tracing the dogs to their owners. Instead, law enforcement explicitly advised us to exercise our rights under Wyoming State Statute, authorizing livestock owners to shoot dogs entering private property that threaten livestock. Rogue dogs have also killed six rabbits, a goose, and a turkey, and bitten our working horses. Recently, a hand-raised bottle calf also died under suspicious circumstances.
This ongoing problem threatens our livestock and livelihoods. Thankfully, Wyoming law gives farmers and ranchers the right to protect their animals when owners fail to act responsibly.
That morning, Dave Cronk found two large, unfamiliar dogs at the interior fence holding our Jacob sheep ewes and newborn lambs, inches from the flock. After Dave made a ruckus and got the dogs headed in a different direction he got closer to them to make sure they were going to leave the premises, the dogs turned, growled, and charged him. He acted immediately to protect himself and the livestock. Local mail carriers later reported similar aggressive encounters with these dogs, including biting incidents that were allegedly reported to law enforcement.
Although provided to the investigating Deputy, these facts were omitted from his initial affidavit. Under oath, the deputy admitted the dogs were indeed on Dave Cronk's private property. The facts never supported felony animal cruelty charges, which sets a dangerous precedent when brought against citizens defending their property and not based in fact and law, but rather opinion and feelings.
Sensationalized headlines with lies about decapitation and other unspeakable things that never happened sparked harassment and threats against my family and small children, ignoring the reality faced by agricultural owners with little legal recourse. No one wants to shoot a pet, but responsible ownership is essential. I am thankful Dave Cronk intervened before these dogs encountered my children or visitors at the nearby park.
--Alexis Ballard
