A young farmer trying to save his sheep from the drought is afraid they will continue to be mauled by dogs.
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Damian Tegart moved almost 200 sheep from Nevertire to a property on the outskirts of Dubbo after January rain produced feed.
But last Saturday he was called to the Buddens Road property to find six sheep dead and eight others seriously injured.
Born-and-bred in Dubbo, Mr Tegart believes a "pack of dogs" is responsible for the horrific attack on the night of Friday, March 15, or the early morning of Saturday, March 16.
Later that day a dog was seen chasing and biting more of the farmer's sheep on the same property.
A witness caught and then photographed the dog.
Mr Tegart had to shoot the eight surviving sheep after travelling to Dubbo from his Nevertire home.
The state of the sheep suggested to him that the attack had been ferocious.
"As soon as I got down the driveway I saw one along the fence line with its back end chewed apart and with a broken leg," he said.
"I was just distraught ..the ones that were still alive weren't going to see the night out.
"I had to look at them down the bloody barrel and put a bullet in them, then drive over and put them in the back of the tray."
Mr Tegart transported most of the dead sheep back to Nevertire where their carcasses were destroyed.
The almost day-long effort took its toll on the young man who is out-of-pocket by about $1120.
The farmer understands that the council has not issued any penalties and the dog caught on the Saturday has been returned to its owner after being registered and microchipped.
I had to look at them down the bloody barrel and put a bullet in them, then drive over and put them in the back of the tray.
- Nevertire farmer Damian Tegart
"Apparently we don't have enough hard evidence," he said.
"The council wants photo or video evidence of dogs attacking but the first thing on your mind would be trying to stop them."
The council has told the Daily Liberal that "this recent incident is currently under investigation" and referred to a statement it released this week titled "double check your dog fences for the safety of our community".
Mr Tegart is now following the advice of a NSW Police rural crime investigator.