A THIRD sheep attack in Horsham within a month has prompt rangers to urge property owners to check their stock.
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After two sheep attacks in the Old Hamilton Road area, a grazier has come forward to report that seven of his sheep were attacked in the area in late-August.
There have been three attacks in the area since August 22 and overall 27 sheep and lambs have died.
Horsham Rural City Council rangers have established that the extensive injuries to the animals would have involved at least two dogs.
Ranger Melissa McCombe said evidence suggested that the animals responsible were domestic dogs.
“The nature of these attacks is brutal and the dogs are clearly on a rampage having gone out multiple nights at the end of August,” she said.
“If the dogs have been taken out for hunting they need to be tethered appropriately or confined to a ute and brought home at the end of the night.
“The owner of the dogs has not come forward and has not taken the responsible steps necessary to prevent this from happening again.”
Ms McCombe said the dogs needed to be dealt with appropriately.
“We’re urging anyone with information on either of the attacks to contact us so that we can further investigate the issue and take the necessary actions to prevent this happening again,” she said.
“Council officers will be door-knocking the area, including Mackies and Grahams Bridge Road, for leads and are maintaining a presence in the area but we are reliant on information from the public.
“Horsham is an on-lead area and we ask that all residents keep their dogs on lead and be responsible dog owners.”
Ms McCombe said anyone with information on the attacks should call 0409 994 033.