Birch ward councillors Kate Redwood and Pierre Niclas held a forum on the issue recently, with 13 residents turning up to tell their stories.

The issue of dog attacks in the township has reached crisis point, with more than 16 sheep and alpaca deaths over the past 14 months.

Cr Redwood said many locals had “compelling stories”, and reported issues with fellow residents not keeping their animals locked up at night.

She also said Hepburn Shire Council was due to next year revise its Domestic Animal Management Plan, and was calling for community feedback before its re-release in 2017.

“(We heard) stories about people who let their dogs out at night and just don’t take enough care,” Cr Redwood said.

“Everybody knows if you have more than one dog out, any dog can get into a hunting mode. They turn into a dog pack and then they create the most terrible damage.

“People are saying they’ll never have stock again because they can’t be certain they won’t be injured or killed again like others were.”

Cr Redwood said she couldn’t discuss certain cases due to legal reasons, but council was “listening very hard” and the “specifics will be followed up”.

Musk Vale hobby farmer Craig Cahoon has spoken previously to The Advocate about the five occasions in the past year when he has arrived at his property to find his sheep either seriously injured, mauled to death, or having drowned trying to reach safety on an island in his dam.

Crs Redwood and Niclas have asked the entire Hepburn Shire community to be each other’s eyes and ears and to report any dogs seen roaming unattended.

Council has reported lack of ability to identify responsible dogs as an ongoing challenge in prosecuting responsible owners.

Another community forum will be held September 24 at Leonards Hill Hall from 10am. All welcome.