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mediation stands in the markets to raise awareness of patous

The commune community of the Pays des Écrins emphasized the need to raise public awareness of the presence and role of these sheepdogs and set up dissemination stands in the Vallouise and L’Argentière-la-Bessée markets.

While incidents between patous and hikers are at the heart of the discussions in the Hautes-Alpes, the municipality of Pays des Écrins has emphasized the need to increase public awareness of the presence and role of these sheepdogs, which are necessary to protect animals from wolf predation in the mountains.

The municipalities have therefore decided to be present at the markets of Vallouise and L’Argentière-la-Bessée every week to inform about public holidays. Pauline, who is used to promoting on footpaths, believes that the market allows us to reach “a different audience”.

“It allows people to become a small part of the heart of the pack before they prepare their travel plan,” she explains to BFM DICI.

The right actions to take when dealing with patous

Information that is not always easy for hikers to acquire. “I’m afraid of dogs,” says Marie, a vacationer. “So I see any dog, I’m afraid. I see a patou, I’m afraid.”

However, there are a few simple rules to avoid incidents of patous in the mountains. Good actions to adopt that brokers can transfer to the markets.

The basic principle is mainly aimed at bypassing a pack wide and, if necessary, leaving the track, as long as this does not constitute a danger. It is also recommended to make noise to signal your presence to the sheepdog, and not to surprise the animal.

It is possible that the dogs come to meet the walkers, in which case the meeting is generally uneventful. However, be careful if the dog comes running and barking towards the walkers, this is not an attack: the animal works mainly by smell, it is necessary for it to approach the walkers to identify.

As long as walkers are within the pack’s protective perimeter, the dog will continue to bark. He can even escort walkers outside the perimeter.

The mediators remind that it is important not to run away, shout or be threatening to the animal. Since the dog has a role in protecting the pack, it is important to send him calming signals.

It is also important not to stare into the animal’s eyes, a gesture seen as confrontational in dog behavior.

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