A SHEEP INCIDENT.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 17, 1 March 1918, Page 8

A SHEEP INCIDENT.

360 ANIMALS SMOTHERED. A most unfortunate occurance took place at Wainui recently (reports an exchange) which led to the loss of some valuable sheep. It appears that a mob of sheep bought from Mr G. Wheeler were put into the yards at Wainui, about a quarter of a mile from the road junction. The drover made them secure, fastening the gate on-the latch side with wire. Next morning it was soon evident that a disaster had occurred, as the yard was practically empty, and on looking down the declivity, just outside the gate, there was disclosed at the bottom of the gully the carcases of the sheep piled up one on top of the other, and smothered. Efforts were quickly made to clear the carcases, when it was discovered that 360 prime sheep were dead. The loss is a severe one, as the sheep were fourtooth, six-tooth, and f.f.m. animals which had been purchased only a day or two before for about 30s apiece. ' It is surmised that dogs Were the cause of the trouble, as one sheep was found in the yard torn from brisket to head, and another with its side mutilated. Evidently the sheep had been worried by dogs and jambed against the gate, which was lifted off its hinges, and was only held by the wire on the other side. The gate once opened, the path to destruction was clear, the sheep being forced over the crest of the gully to the bottom, where they were quickly piled up, one on top of the other, with the unfortunate result above mentioned. This is the third accident of the kind which has occurred in this locality.