Dogs maul sheep

By Dion Teasdale
WARBURTON residents are being warned to lock up their dogs after two pet sheep were mauled to death last week.
Leila Road resident Bev Green lost her two pet sheep, Basil and Rosemary, after they were viciously attacked by two or more dogs on Monday, 10 July.
Ms Green said the attack occurred some time in the early hours of the morning and that she woke to find Basil had been killed, and that Rosemary had sustained severe injuries.
“We got the sheep in 2002 and they’ve become part of the family. They had lovely personalities, so it’s terribly sad and traumatic to have this happen,” she said.
Ms Green said her family erected fences around their property to ensure their animals were safe but that at least two medium to large dogs jumped the fences and attacked the sheep.
“We called the ranger from the Shire of Yarra Ranges and he came up and had a look. Rosemary was in a bad way and we had to put her down,” she said.
Ms Green said the loss of the sheep had prompted her to remind dog owners that responsibility for these sorts of attacks rested with them.
“I want to let dog owners know that these sorts of attacks are happening and they should be doing what they can to make sure they stop,” she said.
“Dog owners need to ensure they properly contain their animals. Its not the dogs’ fault that these attacks happen. People need to take more responsibility.”
Ms Green said she regularly finds dogs roaming Warburton and that she has encountered many dog owners with casual attitudes toward the safety of their pets and others.
“Dogs rely on us to keep them out of harm’s way and some people aren’t doing their job,” she said.
“I want this incident to serve as a warning to people to make sure they keep their dogs contained.”
Shire of Yarra Ranges community relations manager James Martin said the shire fully supported Ms Green’s comments.
“Dog owners have the ultimate responsibility in ensuring that animals are contained on their property and aren’t allowed to wander.
“Wandering dogs can cause damage to or attack wildlife, stock, pets or people,” he said.
“There are penalties for people who let their animals wander and in many case where serious attacks occur we will not hesitate to take the strongest possible action.”
Mr Martin said possible action taken includes taking pet owners to court and, in certain cases, offending dogs can be destroyed.