STRAY DOGS KILL 46 VALUABLE SHEEP AND INJURE 40

Grey River Argus, 12 October 1949, Page 4

STRAY DOGS KILL 46 VALUABLE SHEEP AND INJURE 40

P.A. AUCKLAND, October 11. Forty-six sheep are dead and many others have been injured, following attacks by stray dogs on a mob of 92 stud and flock hoggets on the property of MT J. M. H. Toft, Island Block, Te Kauwhata. Mr Toft has valued the dead animals at £l3B. He says that some of them, by an imported ram, cannot be replaced. Havoc among the sheep was caused in about three hours. Apart from those killed, or so badly mauled that they later died, nearly 40 others were injured and only six or seven in the mob escaped unhurt. The dogs had disappeared by the time Mi’ Toft discovered his loss. Nearly 70 of the sheep had to be carried a mile and half to a she'd, where a veterinary surgeon and some of Mr Toft’s neighbours were working on badly torn animals in an effort to save as many as possible. They worked throughout the night, and until 1.30 o’clock the follow’ng morning. Mr Toft believes that 'two or three dogs possibly ones that have been turned loose by owners who did not want them, had been responsible for the attack.