Muswellbrook, NSW: Four sheep killed by kelpies

"Three Poll Dorset sheep were killed, another had to be euthanised and four others were severely wounded"

Two kelpies - one tan and one black - are being blamed for the death of four sheep at Muswellbrook. The deaths occurred during two separate attacks on Monday and Thursday nights last week.

The second attack occurred at Muswellbrook High School Agriculture Farm where the sheep were integral to the agricultural education program.

“It’s distressing for the students to see the animals this way when they put in so much work,” agriculture teacher Fiona Bailey said.

The first attack occurred on a neighbouring property and council was notified the next day, but the ranger could not be raised. Police were notified following the second attack.

Prepared using report "Student farm attacked", Muswellbrook Chronicle 29/8/07, http://muswellbrook.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/student-farm-attacked/1257563.aspx, accessed 29/8/08. Image from the source article where it is uncredited.

Kalgoorlie, WA: Wild dogs slaughtering sheep

"the dogs don’t just kill sheep to eat, they will hunt for fun, so they can kill large numbers of sheep in one night"

Wild dogs are being blamed in Western Australia for the loss of hundreds of sheep. Pastoralists are criticising the government for trivialising the issue and they say feral animals are "out of control" and the region is at risk of becoming a "feral wilderness."

One pastoralist has given up running sheep on his property, stating that in a year where he expected to shear 8000 sheep, he managed to harvest wool from only less than 900. Although his property is ideal for running sheep he made the decision to farm cattle instead.

A second pastoralist has reduced his sheep headcount from 20,000 to just 2,500 and hopes to have all sheep sold off by Christmas. "If we don’t control these pests, that opens the whole agricultural area up to come under attack from wild dogs and camels," he said.

Prepared using report "Wild dog attacks spark feral wilderness fear", The West Australian 28/8/07, http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=146&ContentID=94600 **disturbing image warning**, accessed 28/8/08. Image from the source article where it is uncredited.

Nowra NSW: Staffordshire bullterrier attacks prize horse

"it came running up to us and savagely attacked and kept attacking"

A multi-award winning draught horse was attacked while it pulled grandchildren in a carriage this weekend.

Michal and Robyn Lawrence were taking their grandchildren for a ride when a Staffordshire bullterrier rushed up and repeatedly bit the horse's legs.

The horse, named Bill, was eventually able to kick the dog in the head.

Police attended and Michal reported their saying the dog owner would be held liable for expenses. Apart from injuries to the horse, riding equipment was also damaged in the attack.

Prepared using report "Draught horse injured in savage dog attack", South Coast Register 27/8/07, http://nowra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/draught-horse-injured-in-savage-dog-attack/1255056.aspx, accessed 27/8/08. Image from the source article where it is uncredited.

Rockhampton, Qld: Rottweilers slaughter 4 sheep

"Cameron entered a bloody scene of dead sheep and terrified animals"

Two rottweilers destroyed three sheep yesterday morning on a property at Parkhurst, near Rockhampton, Queensland. A fourth sheep was later put down by a vet due to its extensive injuries. The attack was interrupted by Cameron Burggraaf, one of the property owner's employees.

Pictured is the property owner Mark Bull, who said "If they come back again onto my property, I'll shoot them ... I have the licences."

Mr Bull has been informed by authorities that the dogs would likely return now they had the taste for blood. An employee had previously been chased by a rottweiler as he rode a bicycle to work.

"I would hate to think what would happen if these dogs got hold of a child," Mr Bull said. "Someone knows whose dogs these are. They would have come home with blood all over them."

Mr Bull's property is fenced and it appears that the dogs dug under the fence. Also on the property is a pony that his children love.

A police spokesperson outlined the circumstances under which a property owner may lawfully shoot a dog on the property: "The section applies if an owner of land that is not in an urban district, and is an authorised person, reasonably believes a dog on the land is not under someone's control, and is attacking, or is about to attack, stock on the land.""

Prepared using report "Roaming rottweilers slaughter pet sheep in frenzied attack", The Morning Bulletin 26/8/07, http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3782740, accessed 26/8/08. Image from the source article where it is uncredited.

Warren, NSW: Inquest into girl's death put on hold

An inquest into the death of a four year old girl has been put on hold this week as the coronor presiding over proceedings was taken from the hearing in an ambulance.

Two years ago, the girl was killed by dogs owned by Tom and Joel Wilson of Warren. The inquest was to hear that the girl had trespassed onto her neighbour's property and that the dogs were being housed in compliance with guidelines.

A history of interaction between police, the girl's mother, the dogs' owners and the Department of Community Services (DOCS) was being detailed, including allegations that the mother had been warned previously of the danger of her child trespassing onto the dogs' property.

A separate claim alleged that the dogs had earlier been seen wandering on public streets, but that at the time of the death they were properly housed.

The court was told that the Wilsons had six cross-bred pig dogs including two kept in their own enclosure, three kept on a chain and one free to roam the property's yard.

Deputy State Coroner MacPherson adjourned the hearing abruptly two days ago and an ambulance was called shortly thereafter. The hearing was expected to continue yesterday however.

Prepared using report "Inquest Stalled", Daily Liberal 19/8/07, http://dubbo.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/inquest-stalled/1248086.aspx, accessed 20/8/08. Image from the source article where it is uncredited.

Alice Springs, NT: Second man eaten by dogs

"I needed to get away after seeing the body - I spewed my guts up"

The body of a second man has been found at Alice Springs, being eaten by dogs.

The news comes after a South Australian man was found dead three weeks ago and a local Aboriginal woman suffered a horrific attack in May.

An anonymous 46 year old man found the deceased Aboriginal man's body being eaten by three dogs at the Hidden Valley camp. He chased the dogs off and checked for a pulse but found none. He directed a relative to contact police and then "needed to get away" and vomited in response to seeing the corpse.

The man remarked that "once dogs get the taste of human blood they'll never go back [to not attempting to acquire more human blood]."

Prepared using report "Second body eaten by dogs", Centralian Advocate 28/8/07, http://www.centralianadvocate.com.au/article/2008/08/19/3128_news.html, accessed 20/8/08.

Alice Springs, NT: Man eaten by dogs

"the savagely bitten [dead man's] body ... was found by children"

Three weeks ago school children found the "savagely bitten body" of 26 year old South Australian man Michael Hardy.

Although the news article does not say whether he was killed by dog attacks, emergency meetings were held by Tangentyere Council resulting in the destruction of 26 dogs.

This information comes as part of a larger report on three attacks in the area, which are each listed separately here at Dog Attack News.

Prepared using report "Second body eaten by dogs", Centralian Advocate 28/8/07, http://www.centralianadvocate.com.au/article/2008/08/19/3128_news.html, accessed 20/8/08.

Alice Springs, NT: Woman's Ear ripped off by dogs

"her ear ripped off and ... deep wounds to her face"

A 41 year old Aboriginal woman had her ear ripped off and suffered deep wounds to her face following a dog attack in Alice Springs in May this year.

The information comes from a larger report published recently that gives details of a number of other attacks in that region. These will be listed separately here on Dog Attack News.

Prepared using report "Second body eaten by dogs", Centralian Advocate 28/8/07, http://www.centralianadvocate.com.au/article/2008/08/19/3128_news.html, accessed 20/8/08.