MICHIGAN -- A Michigan farmer who lost two cattle in a pit bull attack is set to receive $1,150 in compensation from Saginaw County taxpayers, thanks to a little-known law dating back a century that mandates counties reimburse farmers who lose livestock to stray dog attacks.
The attack happened in October on Ed Toddish's 250-acre cattle farm in Taymouth Township.
The attack happened in October on Ed Toddish's 250-acre cattle farm in Taymouth Township.
The 62-year-old second-generation farmer said the scene looked "like a slaughterhouse" when he discovered six injured calves. Two were laying on their sides, clinging to life, and the four cattle that survived are now identifiable by their ripped or shredded ears.
"There was blood from one side to the other," Toddish told MLive.com
"They wouldn't eat for three, maybe four days before they finally settled down."
Toddish, who said he grabbed a gun and "popped" one of the dogs he found lying outside, is now looking for financial help through The Dog Law of 1919, which was created at a time when packs of dogs would roam free tormenting and killing livestock.
Saginaw County Controller Marc McGill said the law regulates dog licensing and led to the creation of animal control agencies across the state.
By the 1960's and '70's, animal control facilities largely had brought the problem of strays under control, so the stipulation in the law Toddish is using to recoup his loss is rarely applied, McGill said.
"It's been three years at least" since officials have had to pay a farmer for livestock loss due to a stray dog attack, McGill said.
"I was just happy to get compensated for my loss," Toddish said. "There was still a major expense on the fencing we had to put up" around the perimeter to avoid future attacks.
The county Board of Commissioners will vote on whether to pay Toddish the $1,150 at its board meeting on March 20.
(WTW - March 10, 2012)
