Escaped Rottweilers savaged and killed a defenceless flock of sheep last week, appalling Guyra farmers Eric and Deirdre Scott.
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On Wednesday, June 12, the Scotts had 18 sheep; that morning, they discovered their cross-bred ewes were pregnant. On Thursday, only three of the adults were still alive.
"The sheep were so badly mauled they couldn't get up," Mr Scott said. "I put seven of them out of their misery; the others were dead. But, oh, they made a mess of them."
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At 7am on Thursday, the two dogs were found attacking the sheep in a paddock the Scotts leased from Llangothlin Street neighbours.
They mangled the sheep, biting their legs, necks, and heads, apparently crazed with bloodlust. (We have photos of the dead animals, but have decided not to publish them.)
"The cruelty to the animals is shocking," Mr Scott said. "If they'd killed one from hunger, and had a feed, we could have handled that - but not 15."
"They savaged them all," Mrs Scott said.
Only two of the wounded animals have survived. Three lambs were in another paddock with cattle.
The dogs are believed to have escaped from their owners' home on Wednesday night.
"They were big strong dogs," Mr Scott said. "If those two dogs had attacked us, we'd never have got away from them."
A local shot one of the dogs that morning, as it leapt at him.
It could have been worse, Mr Scott said. The couple from whom he leases the paddock, Bill and Judy Wicks, are in their 80s. "It's a good thing Bill didn't see it happen; those dogs could have savaged him."
The second dog escaped. Council ranger Richard Mayled scanned the dead dog's microchip, and identified the owner. He accepted responsibility for his pets' actions, an Armidale Regional Council spokesman said, and surrendered his dog - covered in blood - to be euthanised.
Police are not laying charges at this stage, but are liaising with both Mr Scott and the dog owner. Council are investigating to determine further appropriate actions, the spokesman said.
Mr Scott said he would give the dog owners the opportunity to pay for the sheep - worth $200 to $240 each - before possibly seeking advice from a solicitor.
"If they haven't got money, what do you do?" he wondered. "You have the loss of your sheep, plus a solicitor's bill. I don't know what to do."
Mr Scott and his friend Barry Lockyer spent a day disposing of the carcasses. The bodies were too mauled to sell as meat.
"They chewed them everywhere," Mr Scott said.
The ewes would have started to lamb by this weekend, or early next week, Mr Scott said.
"I would have had a heap of little lambs - but I've got nothing," he said.
Since cross-bred ewes often give birth to two lambs, he could have ended up with 25 lambs, possibly fetching hundreds of dollars. Mr Scott sold three-month-old lambs for $125 last week, while lambs sold this week fetched $309 each.
Rangers have been called to deal with several dog attacks in recent weeks, the council spokesman said.
"The number of recent dog attacks in the Guyra region, well above the usual levels, is a serious concern," Mayor Simon Murray said.
He reminded dog owners of their responsibilities. Pet dogs must be kept in a secure yard, or, whenever in a public space, on a leash and under the control of a responsible adult. Heavy fines can be issued to the owners of dogs that attack or intimidate a person or animal.
"While pet dogs are an important part of many people's lives, it is essential these animals do not negatively impact on other people or animals."