WITH a spate of dog attacks on sheep in Musk Vale now tallying 16 deaths in 14 months, Hepburn Shire’s councillors are planning to form a strategy to stop the bloodshed.
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Hobby farmer Craig Cahoon said his sheep had been targeted five times in the past year, by what he said were dogs from two different owners.
Again last week, Mr Cahoon’s animals were attacked. A pet sheep by the name of Bubba was killed, along with Mr Cahoon’s alpaca.
Mr Cahoon has previously said not enough was being done to prevent or prosecute dog attacks in his town. He said many of his neighbours have also had problems, with sheep, chickens and horses attacked.
Mr Cahoon said he had purchased the alpaca to protect his sheep following the initial three attacks.
“The poor alpaca has died doing his job. I was absolutely devastated,” he said.
“(When we found him), we lifted him onto a doona and into the stable and three or four minutes later he died.”
Another pet sheep, Rainbow, was ravaged but not killed in last week’s attack.
“I can tell you one thing, we’re not buying anymore sheep. I’ve given up,” Mr Cahoon said.
“I had a flock of 16 purebreds that were worth $400 to $500 each. I had a few woolly ones as well that we kept as pets. I’m now down to four dorpers and one woolly sheep, Rainbow. And Rainbow was attacked, she had a ripped up leg but luckily she didn’t die.”
Mr Cahoon said although he had contact the council on each occasion, the dogs responsible were never dealt with.
Birch ward councillor Pierre Niclas said the council had difficulty in this situation because the owners had temporarily removed the dogs when council staff visited.
“Due to lack of cooperation we issued an order for control of the dog, so if the dog came back they needed to have him fully muzzled and locked up at night,” Cr Niclas said.
“That was the only thing we could do because we couldn’t get the dog because they had moved it. We’ve put in place an action plan if the dog reappears.
“All councillors are really concerned with what’s going on in Musk Vale. We’re a bit confused as to why it’s all happening in Musk Vale.”
He said Hepburn Shire councillors would meet in the coming week to discuss the issue and potential actions that could be taken to prevent future attacks.