Have I ever mentioned how much I hate this metaphor?

Number one, a sheepdog is a herding dog. It is not the job of a herding dog to defend the flock from wolves. They aren't built for it. Livestock Guardian Dogs defend the flock. https://twitter.com/AlexandraErin/status/1273279186141155330

Number two, a sheepdog only works in partnership with a shepherd. If defense from wolves is needed while a sheepdog is working, that is the human shepherd's job.

Number three, a sheepdog who seriously hurts even a single sheep is not shuffled off to a different flock, nor does the shepherd decide to just ignore it until the sheep have had enough and try to trample the dog and/or the shepherd.

No shepherd would tolerate behavior from a dog that cops get away with. Beamer does all his work *without ever touching a sheep* and while working with me to accomplish what he understands we need to do.

If I had to worry that every time I opened the gate he might try to kill a sheep, I WOULDN'T HAVE A GODDAMNED HERDING DOG.

Oh and Livestock Guardian Dogs? They often live among the flock without human supervision. But again - no shepherd will keep one that goes after a sheep.

Most importantly, I hate that fucking metaphor because HUMAN. BEINGS. ARE. NOT. SHEEP. Human beings are not sheep. Cops are not dogs and human beings are not sheep. This metaphor is shit because it posits that the community cannot keep itself safe, is unaware of danger.

Cops don't keep us safe.

We keep us safe.