A spate of dog attacks on Western Bay of Plenty stock is prompting a warning to dog owners to ensure their dogs are tied up and within the property.
In the last month Western Bay of Plenty District Council animal service officers attended eight separate dog attacks on private properties.
There have been eight separate dog attacks on Western Bay private properties in the last month.
Six sheep were killed, five were so badly injured they had to be euthanised, three steers were injured and 18 chickens were killed in the attacks occurring in Maketu, Te Puna and Pyes Pa.
As a result, one dog was shot by police, one was euthanised by council following surrender by its owner and three dogs remain in the pound awaiting the results of enquiries into the attacks.
The latest attack was around midday on Monday, when two border-collie cross type dogs escaped their compound and attacked the 11 sheep on a neighbouring rural property on Pyes Pa Road.
The dogs allegedly killed the six sheep and badly injured another five – which were later euthanised.
The estimated cost for the sheep is around $5000 with a final stock agents report still to come.
The two registered and micro-chipped dogs are in the pound awaiting their fate following a council investigation.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council animal services team leader Andrew Hope says the attacks are horrifying for the owners of the stock and serve as a sharp reminder to dog owners of their responsibilities – particularly with lambing and calving season underway.
Council will not hesitate considering prosecuting owners if their dogs are confirmed as the owners, says Andrew.
'This is a very serious situation and a reminder to dog owners that all dogs are capable of attacking stock if given the opportunity, even dogs whose owners don't think they would attack.”
The potential penalties for a dog attacking stock or poultry under the Dog Control Act 1996 are a $3000 fine for the owners and payment to the stock owner for damages and loss. A court can also order the dog to be euthanised.
2 comments
Dogs
Posted on 02-08-2013 17:46 | By whatsinaname
there should be strict control on the owners. they are the ones repsonsible. dogs dont know any better.
totally on the owners
Posted on 03-08-2013 10:46 | By Deb74
This is not a breed thing, its a responsibility thing and to be frank until our councils and law makers start taking this seriously and coming down hard at the first sign of trouble the dogs will continue to get progressively worse - ask anyone who has put in complaints about stock attacks and had little to no response, or those who have voice concerns over aggressive dogs that are puting their children at risk ... affadavits and officials just ask the owners to keep the dogs in their yard ... yeah right
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