SW Colo. hikers, bikers complain about sheepdog use

Some San Juan National Forest hikers and bicyclists complain that Akbash sheepdogs used by ranchers to protect their livestock from coyotes and other predators intimidate them and should be banned by the U.S. Forest Service. But rancher and state Rep. J. Paul Brown of Ignacio defends the use of the breed that originated in Turkey. "We cut our loss to predators by 60 to 70 percent when we introduced dogs," Brown said. Durango Herald.