Landholders on the outskirts of Guyra have expressed frustration at the lack of action taken in relation to reports of attacks on their sheep by dogs.
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The residents claim that over the past 10 months there have been five separate sheep attacks on the southern edge of town from domestic town dogs.
Despite identifying the dogs involved and numerous reports to both the police and Guyra Shire Council, no action was taken resulting continued attacks on sheep.
The first of these attacks took place in May of 2015 with sheep belonging to Kevin and Donna Davidson having to be destroyed. A week later a dog was witnessed amongst their sheep and was again reported to Guyra Shire Council.
Across the road from the Davidson’s, Tony and Liz Looker have lost a total of 13 ewes and two lambs on three different occasions on leased railway land, while Eric and Deidre Scott, who join the railway line in South Guyra, have also lost sheep in two attacks.
All three landholders identified the same dogs as being responsible, but their complaints were ignored, resulting in further maulings and sheep deaths.
The latest sheep killing spree occurred three weeks ago with what they believe to be the same two dogs mauling sheep belonging to the Looker’s and Scott’s and then continuing onto a property along the Black Mountain Road. This time the two dogs were caught in action and were videoed, and two dogs were seized.
There is little comfort for the landholders who say that Guyra Shire Council has not been in contact with them to let them know the fate of the dogs caught.
However, they have been informed by other sources that one has been put down. They are concerned that the remaining dog, who they believe was the instigator and was witnessed attacking the Davidson’s sheep last May, is still alive.
They are warning others that this dog may continue to attack sheep and if anyone sees suspicious activity or witnesses an attack to please contact both council and the police.
What upsets these three local landowners is that all these incidents have been reported since May last year and no action was taken.
The Davidson’s have not had sheep back on their property due to the ongoing threat, and the anguish and damage to stock has been a nightmare for all involved with no compensation or apology offered.
They believe that if the matter had been dealt with when the first reports were made, this would have saved a lot of anguish and prevented the deaths and distress of the animals involved.
Guyra Shire Council has confirmed that after reports of three separate alleged sheep attack incidents within a 24 hour period during March, council’s ranger attended a Black Mountain Road property and seized two dogs witnessed in a sheep attack on the property.
Council is currently pursuing enforcement action regarding this matter and cannot provide further comment until this matter is finalised.
Council also confirmed that there have been a number of reports made from residents in the Lagoon Road area since May 2015 regarding attacks on sheep. They say that all reports were investigated, but there were no witnesses to any of the incidents and no evidence which can confirm the identity of the offending animal(s).
