Flock killed in dog attack

By Mitchell Clarke

Two menacing dogs, which have become notorious around Pakenham, are allegedly responsible for a recent early morning attack which left nine sheep dead.

Residents living near Deep Creek Reserve, off Racecourse Road, are pleading for Cardinia Shire Council to take action against the dogs in question, as fears grow that a child could become the next victim.

The sheep were all buried.

Pakenham resident Nic Russell woke to find her flock of sheep covered in blood on Wednesday morning, 21 October.

Two of the sheep had already died and two others needed to be shot, before a vet decided the remaining lambs had to be euthanised.

“It was quite horrendous. I’m still a bit shaken by it. I feel a bit traumatised by it all really,” she said.

“We’ve got an empty paddock now. It’s like losing part of your family.”

A witness, who didn’t want her name published, said she was walking behind Ms Russell’s property when she saw two of the deceased sheep.

“It was then I saw two tan dogs, a little bit smaller than a Labrador, going under a neighbour’s gate,” she recalled.

GRUESOME: A sheep was attacked by a rogue dog.

“There were two people behind me who I told to go back as one had a dog and clearly these dogs were not with anyone.”

It’s believed the dogs are responsible for a spate of attacks on pets and livestock, including in July, when they were reportedly seen jumping over a one metre fence in the same area.

On that occasion, a beloved pet sheep was mauled to death and just months earlier, a pony was also allegedly attacked by dogs fitting the same description.

GRUESOME: A sheep was attacked by a rogue dog.

Neighbours in the area are now on high alert and want action taken on the off-leash dogs.

“We know they’re from somewhere in the Racecourse Road area. It’d be purely coincidental if they’re other dogs,” Ms Russell explained.

“They’re dangerous and I’m really concerned that people with small children or dogs will come across these dogs.

“These dogs have killed at least once, they will surely do it again. They need to be found because they’re so brazen. They’re not at all scared of people.”

A Cardinia Shire Council spokesperson confirmed an incident report had been made made and an investigation was underway.

Anyone with information about the alleged attack is encouraged to contact Cardinia Shire Council.