[RWebb]

dog packs - feral - are common

one of the first studies was in Baltimore, MD (ghetto area) - packs can form when dogs are "let out" by their owners - they go hang out at some accustomed spot; "meet up" and go off in a group to hit dumpsters, garbage cans and etc.

the initial pack formation and repeats of it are VERY similar to primate troops, including teen-aged humans

packs may have a permanent core of feral animals or not at all; the core group can be joined by dogs who are "let out for the night" or during the day

the radio-tracking Baltimore study did not find any attacks on humans, but there is certainly a risk of that

in dogs, as with other domesticated animals, complex behaviors often consist of a smaller (shorter) behavior sub-components that are then linked together during development / by learning

e.g. your Golden Retriever likes to have things in his mouth; likes to have his back rubbed; and is attracted to things in the air ("birdy") -- all are rel. hard-wired genetically
- you pet him when he fetches a stick (or duck) for you and that helps him link the following:
- watching the air for a flying/falling object
- going out
- grabbing the object
- not eating it there, but bringing it back to his good friend
- getting petted, maybe a treat from his good friend in exchange for relinquishing said duck or stick


Likewise, feral dog packs evince many short sequences of predatory behavior - together with triggers - but often, these are not linked into the complex behaviors shown by wolves running down deer, facing off musk oxen; or even a solitary coyote jumping a mouse

so, that is likely why the dogs were just hanging around the bodies, acting innocent -- they WERE "innocent" by that time

this is also why feral dogs can be much more dangerous than many people think - I hope this will be a wake up call to the authorities.