The plague has wiped out colonies all over the west for eons. They usually make a comeback. We get the occasional TV news advisory of it when it occurs near populated areas. This small colony has been here for decades according to my neighbor who is a town official. We have seen numerous young dogs this summer airlifted out by hawks, and even a pair of mature bald eagles probably feeding their chicks. Red foxes, coyotes seen in there all the time. I saw a feral cat nab one in July. Oddly, I have seen locals letting their pet dogs run loose there for exercise. Crazy. I have no pets to worry about. I don't bother the p-dogs unless they cross the street into my front lawn for grass. I have "bothered" several that were digging up and eating the roots.