A DUBBO farmer who has allegedly lost thousands of dollars worth of stock to attacks by neighbouring dogs says the latest kill is the last straw.
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Police and a council ranger were called to the Slack-Smith family’s property ‘Cumboogle North’ last Friday after three ewes were found deceased with gruesome injuries.
Pictures that surfaced on social media in the aftermath of the attack are too graphic to show, with the suspect dogs appearing to target the face and rear legs of the sheep.
The dogs have subsequently been seized by Dubbo Regional Council, pending the outcome of an investigation.
David Slack-Smith, who also runs the adjoining property ‘Lucernevale’, estimates his family has lost a minimum of 20 ewes and 80 lambs over the past five or six years as well as some chickens due to stray dogs.
“We got a call from some neighbours to say we had dogs in the sheep paddock so we went and investigated in the morning and hunted them away,” Mr Slack-Smith said
“We went back about midday and the dogs were back, and that is when we found the three ewes.
“It’s been going on for too long with dogs attacking our stock. We’ve made calls in the past but it’s kept happening so this time the police were called as well.”
Dubbo Regional Council’s director environmental services, Melissa Watkins, said the matter is being looked at closely.
“An investigation is currently underway to determine whether the two seized dogs attacked the sheep and what enforcement action is required,” Ms Watkins said.
“If sufficient evidence is available the offending dogs can be declared dangerous or menacing. Alternatively the owner may choose to surrender them.
All dog owners are required to keep pets secure and prevent them from causing a nuisance to others.
“Failure to do so can attract penalties of up to $77,000 or four years imprisonment if a dog attacks.
“Further the dog owner is liable for any damages, injuries or deaths that occur.
“This incident is also a reminder to dog owners that an occupier of land can lawfully injure or destroy a dog if they reasonably believe that it may attack livestock on that land.
“Council urges residents to keep their pets secure both for the pet’s and the community’s safety.”
