Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Katelinn Mix greets the student owned pigs while cleaning out their pen in an Intro to Agriculture class. At Roots, Utah's first farm-based charter school in West Valley City, students get hands on experience working at the school's farm just down the street from the school. A legislative task form is recommending changes to the way Utah's charter schools are funded.
Students at Roots Charter High School buy their own animals — many with the aid of state loans — to raise and sell as they learn farming skills along with taking traditional classes.
But in two recent attacks, dogs have killed or injured eight animals, leaving some students grieving and without a way to repay their debts.
On Thursday, May 31, a German shepherd killed two goats. On Tuesday, the German shepherd returned with a Husky and the pair attacked six sheep.
“Two of [the sheep] had to be put down because of their injuries,” said founding director Tyler Bastian. “It was very hard on the students.”
“It was really heartbreaking,” said Baylie Johnson, 17, a junior at Roots who lost one sheep and owns four others that were injured. “Everybody who was out there that morning was in tears. It was terrible.”
West Valley Animal Control is looking for the German shepherd. But the Husky was captured early Thursday — and Dave Moss, director of West Valley City Animal Services, credited Roots students for the bust.
“These students really stepped up,” he said. “They set up surveillance cameras. They were watching in shifts. And they called us in the middle of the night so we were able to get over there and prevent another attack. That’s huge.
“We’re still looking for the German shepherd. And we’re asking for the public’s help.”
He described the dog as large, with a dark muzzle, dark ears and big dark patch on its back.
It’s illegal in West Valley City to allow dogs to roam free. And when a dog attacks other animals, the owner is responsible and can be charged with multiple crimes.
“We’ll gather all the evidence and then we’re going to ask a judge to make a decision,” Moss said.
That could mean euthanasia if it’s determined the dog is dangerous, or the owner could be ordered to prove his or her residence is secure and to post a bond to pay for any additional damage the animal might do.
This is the first time anything like this has happened since Roots opened its doors three years ago, Bastian said. In addition to teaching math, reading and science, the 180-student charter school at 2250 S. 1300 West operates a farm as a laboratory.
“The kids are devastated,” he said. “It’s tough, because we’re a small school. A low-income school. And this has affected all of us.”
(Photo credit: Roots Charter High School) This sheep was attacked and badly injured by dogs.
The school estimates that the value of the sheep and goats killed was at least $3,500. It has launched a GoFundMe campaign — gofundme.com/help-roots-with-our-loss — to replace student animals, cover the cost of veterinary care for injured animals and to buy two llamas — herd-protecting animals that help keep other livestock safe.
Johnson said her lost sheep was worth at least $350.
“I have to pay for that out of pocket,” she said. “I’m still trying to figure out how I’m going to do that. But I’m not worried about the money. I just want that dog caught so we don’t have something like this happen again.”
Bastian said all students interact with the school’s animals, and about two-thirds of the students either own animals or participate in their care.
“The farm becomes so pivotal in their education,” he said, “that when something like this happens, it really does have a negative effect on what their experience is here.”
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