Brave Sheepdog Defends Sheep Flock From 11 Coyotes In Daring Rescue

“When he got home, he simply looked at me like, ‘boss, stop staring at how horrible I look, just take care of me.'”

Damjan

• Published in Animal Stories
• July 26, 2023

Great Pyrenees dogs, like Casper, have been trusted for centuries as livestock guardian dogs, bravely standing their ground against predators and ensuring the safety of the flocks they're tasked to protect. They're loyal and courageous, and these traits make them extremely valuable in areas where predation is a threat.

This story unfolds on a chilly night in early November, as Casper, a valiant 2-year-old Great Pyrenees, and his companion Daisy are on their usual duty guarding their flock of sheep. Little did they know, the danger was about to emerge in the form of a pack of over a dozen coyotes keen to prey on the helpless sheep.

Casper's home is situated in Decatur, Dekalb County, Georgia, and is a part of the Ewe Can Do It Naturally farm owned by John Weirville. John operates a unique and eco-friendly business where he rents out his flock of sheep to homeowners who require a natural and sustainable solution for clearing undergrowth from their properties.

The quiet of that particular night was broken by the sinister howls of coyotes. Recognizing the impending danger, Casper swiftly sprung into action, ready to defend his flock from the encroaching wild predators. The courage and devotion that Casper exhibited that night is a testament to the remarkable nature of these guardian dogs and their immense importance in protecting livestock.

Casper is guarding a sheep flock on a farm in Decatur, Dekalb County, Georgia, with his friend Daisy

A pack of 12 coyotes attacked their flock, and they managed to defend it

For roughly thirty minutes, Casper put up a fierce fight against the invading coyotes, managing to eliminate eight of them before he vanished into the night, relentlessly pursuing the remaining few. Remarkably, amidst the chaos and danger, not a single sheep suffered harm.

However, Casper wasn't as fortunate. Distressed by his disappearance, Weirville, his family, and neighboring residents embarked on a frantic search for the valiant dog.

The only traces of Casper they could find were fragments of his tail and a distressing trail of blood, leading them to fear the worst. Just when hope seemed lost, two days later, the unexpected happened.

Casper, the brave guardian, miraculously appeared back home. Weirville found him nestled in the chicken hutch, a safe corner he had found to rest and recover from his heroic battle.

“I could see the coyotes running around in this area,” Weirville (his owner) said. “When I came over here, Casper took off.”

“He looked like death, I mean horrific,” Weirville remarked. “When he got home, he simply looked at me like, ‘boss, stop staring at how horrible I look, just take care of me.'”

Casper was immediately transported to the Lifeline Animal Project, where he has been receiving care for the past month. His condition was so grim upon arrival that the veterinarians were unsure if he would survive.

However, despite the odds, he has undergone several surgeries, and his wounds are now on the mend. Generously, the veterinary facility is providing its services on a volunteer basis, but it will still be a long road to recovery for Casper.

Despite the ordeal, Weirville is overjoyed by Casper's progress. In fact, Casper was recently able to pay Weirville a visit.

“I can’t express how happy I am to see him,” he added, hugging Casper tightly

Damjan