Farmer reveals secret weapon

Tamara Smith, a thriving goat farmer, is advocating the deployment of dogs as an added layer of security on livestock farms.

Smith, 28, said her secret weapons against predators have been American pocket bullies, which are incredibly stocky, muscular dogs. They are said to be loyal and protective and have traits similar to the American pit bull terrier.

"It is essential for farmers and any business to have a guardian dog and a working dog on their premises, because, we as humans, we only have two eyes on our one head. These dogs are heightened to the things that they can hear, so they are quicker than us in speed and enquiring what is going on, and quicker in alerting us to what is about to happen," Smith reasoned.

She told THE WEEKE ND STAR that the dogs are perfect for reducing praedial larceny because they were bred to protect.

"If they are in a situation where they have to protect the goat, they are not going to just aim to kill anything; they're more thinking about everything that they're doing, so that's the thing about pit bulls and all the siblings to them. They are thinkers, they are a smart breed ... . They think about everything they're going to do before they act," Smith said.

Convinced about the utility of the dogs on farms, Smith has been urging farmers to put the American pocket bullies on their friend's list. She has pups on sale from $85,000 to $150,000.