ATTACK BY DOGS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22532, 24 September 1936, Page 12

ATTACK BY DOGS

MANY LAMBS KILLED p CORNWALL PARK FLOCK ALSATIAN AND BIG TERRIER RAID IN EARLY MORNING Sixteen lambs were killed by two dogs which savagely attacked a ilock of 400 ewes and lambs in Cornwall Park, One Tree Hill, early yesterday morning. Two other lambs were so badly mauled that they subsequently had to be destroyed, and another 10 or 12 were less seriously injured. As far as is known none of the ewes was badly hurt. One of the dogs was a large dark Alsatian, x and the other was believed to be a big terrier. Both dogs escaped, but the Alsatian was peppered by shot from a gun fired by the park superintendent, Mr. W. G. Batt. A noise in the sheep paddock at about 3 a.m. aroused Mr. Batt, who lives near. On investigating in the dark he could just distinguish the two dogs worrying the sheep and, by shouting out, was able to frighten them away temporarily. Armed with a shotgun, he stayed on guard until about 4 a.m., when he noticed the Alsatian creeping back toward the sheep. Ho attempted to shoot it, but the dog, although struck, ran whimpering away into Green Lano Road, followed by its companion. It was not possible to estimato the havoc caused until daylight. Then it . was found that each dead lamb had its throat badly torn and its neck broken. Other lambs also had been attacked in the throat, and those which it was not necessary to destroy were immediately giveu attention. There were almost equal numbers of lambs and ewes, in the paddock, and tho lambs were in primd fat condition, almost ready for the market. • For several years sheep have been troubled by dogs at Cornwall Park, and the superintendent has instructions to shoot on sigh# all dogs not under proper control. Oh at least two occasions four or five lainbs and ewes have been killed this year, but ■ yesterday's attack was the worst experienced*