Another attack on stock at farm

One of the sheep victims of the recent dog attacks in the Albert Town area. Photo by Lucy Ibbotson.
One of the sheep victims of the recent dog attacks in the Albert Town area. Photo by Lucy Ibbotson.
Another dog attack on stock has occurred at a property near Albert Town where 14 sheep were mauled last week.

Riverrun stock manager Alistair McLeod contacted police again yesterday morning to report an overnight dog attack after discovering one animal dead and at least three badly injured in his 2000-strong mob of hoggets at the farm, located between the older residential part of Albert Town and the Cardrona River.

The dead sheep had been "that badly crushed, it's popped its eyes out", Mr McLeod said.

Last Thursday, he found 14 merino ewes with serious injuries to their heads and legs following a dog attack.

"It's just so disappointing. It's not the value of the stock; it's the fact that these animals are minding their own business and are just being chewed up for no reason at all, just a dog having bloody fun by the sound of it," Mr McLeod said.

Further attacks would start to disrupt the winter regime for Dingleburn Station, which leased the Riverrun property. There were a lot of crops in the paddocks where the sheep had been attacked that needed to be eaten.

However, if the problem continued, the animals would have to be shifted to another paddock further away, he said.

"We've got to get on to it, otherwise it's going to cost us a lot of money."

Senior Constable Bruce Mclean said police would contact dog owners in the Albert Town area.

Police would also launch a campaign to remind owners to have their dogs under control at all times and that any dog found among stock or attacking animals could be seized or destroyed.

Mr McLeod said he planned to take his rifle to the property last night and keep an eye out for wandering dogs.

lucy.ibbotson@odt.co.nz

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