The future is unknown for two pet dogs that attacked sheep on a farm in the east of Portland last week.
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Councillor Cassandra Coleman, the owner of two lambs killed in the attack, said the incident lost the farm $1500 worth of livestock, including a stud ram who had to be put down after the event.
Ms Coleman and her husband Robert were alerted to the attack, which occurred at 12.30am on January 3, by a call from their neighbours.
“We witnessed two dogs, one of them a husky looking thing and a terrier attacking our sheep,” she said.
Coleman’s alpaca ‘Scotty’ who was in the paddock for the purpose of protecting the sheep is undergoing vet treatment for injuries to his legs.
“He’s pretty worst for wear at the moment,” Ms Coleman said.
The Colemans caught the dogs and took them to the pound. Ms Coleman said they had been identified as the pets of a local resident.
It was the first time her livestock had been threatened by domestic animals in the 15 years she’d lived on the farm she said.
“If you live in a rural or regional area that’s got stock around, make sure your dogs are well secured. Nobody wins in this situation.”
Damon Cupitt the environmental office at Lithgow City Council said there was a possibility the dogs, who are still impounded, would be euthanized.
“It depends if the owner of the dogs surrenders them or not. If they don’t surrender them and they are declared dangerous dogs then there’s a requirements for housing the dogs,” he said.
“Under the Companion Animals Act that requires the owner to build an enclosure to comply with the act.”
Council is currently investigating the incident.
He said incidents of dogs attacking livestock happened around three times a year, and can attract fines of up to $570. Ms Coleman said she would be seeking recompense for the loss of livestock.
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