Sheep Worrying In United States CO-OPERATIVE INDEMNITY SCHEME

Lake County Mail, Issue 26, 19 November 1947, Page 8

Sheep Worrying In United States CO-OPERATIVE INDEMNITY SCHEME

When one State, such as lowa, pays out nearly 200,000 dollars in county funds during a single year, it’s a none-too-gentle reminder of what a menace sheep-killing dogs (and other killers) can he to the sheep industry. In some States co-operative indemnity associations have been set up to meet the losses. Mercer County, Kentucky, first tried the plan in 1935, and the idea spread to other Kentucky counties until nearly 300,000 sheep in some 40 counties were involved. Under the Mercer plan, members paid 7 cents per head in annual dues on all sheep owned, and the money was put in the bank. Yearly losses were reported to the association’s board of directors for investigation and approval, and the deposited money was used to meet the claims. It was found that the 7-cent dues aore than covered the losses, but the

rate was continued to build up reserve. Later the rate was reduced to 3 cents. This plan spread to Tennessee. The Wilson County Association, with 388 members and 13,662 insured sheep, is the largest single unit in the State. Assets totalled 2300 dollars at the close of the last fiscal year. Sheep killed by dogs during the year numbered 188 head in the flocks of 56 members. In some States, such as Virginia, the sheep indemnity programme is set up on a State-wide basis and the contracts are handled by the United Wool Growers’ Association. Under this plan the sheep owner pays a fee of 10 cents per head annually and is reimbursed five dollars per animal. If the sheep are purebred, a fee of 20 cents is paid and the indemnity is doubled.