Pet dogs suspected of killing or maiming dozens of sheep in nightly farm attacks

In short:

More than 20 sheep have been killed over three nights in suspected dog attacks at a Kojonup farm.

Dozens more sheep have been maimed.

What’s next?

Local authorities are installing cameras and traps in a bid to locate and catch the culprits.

A landowner who has lost more than 20 sheep in repeated dog attacks in Western Australia’s south this week is pleading for the owner to take action.

WARNING: Readers are advised this article contains images of dead animals that some may find distressing.

Nicole Daniels, a small landholder in Kojonup, about 250 kilometres south-east of Perth, said her flock had been repeatedly attacked.

Over three nights, 20 sheep were killed in suspected dog attacks, the latest overnight on Tuesday.

Dozens more of her animals were left maimed.

“It looks like a graveyard,” she said.

“It’s devastating … one sheep had its rib area eaten away.

“Half of them had to be killed humanely, they’d been obviously suffering.”

Nicole Daniels has lost more than 20 sheep after dogs attacked her flock.(ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding)

What is killing the sheep?

Ms Daniels believed the sheep were killed by an escaped pet dog or dogs, ruling out a fox due to the size of the sheep killed and the sheer number of animals attacked.

“About three months ago, I noticed a [dead] sheep, there was a dog with it. At that stage I didn’t ring the ranger, I thought I could deal just with the owners,” she said.

“You’re going to have to make your fences more secure and contain this dog because once it kills a sheep, it will keep on doing it.”

She said the owners of the dog told her their animal had been attracted by the dead sheep, and it was her responsibility to remove it.

The Shire of Kojonup is investigating the sheep deaths.(ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding)

Ms Daniels, who has about 100 sheep on her property close to the Kojonup town centre, said she reported the dog to the rangers following the second attack.

“Discovering all these sheep with absolutely horrific injuries you would not believe, I’ve taken photos of them and showed the ranger on Friday,” she said.

“I just feel sorry for the dog because this dog needs to be euthanased.”

Shire to install cameras, traps for dogs

The attacks have sparked an investigation by the Shire of Kojonup with rangers installing cameras and traps.

Shire chief executive Grant Thompson said it was the first dog attack reported to the shire since 2022 with the relative rarity prompting the inquiry.

Kojonup is one of the state’s oldest and largest wool-producing regions.(ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding)

“We’re not sure that it’s a prevalent problem. It’s the first time that’s happened for a couple of years now,” Mr Thompson said.

“We probably think that it’s a domesticated animal that’s escaped its security during the evening.”

Mr Thompson said the shire required proof linking dogs to an attack before the ranger could act.

Ms Daniels says some of the sheep had suffered horrific injuries.(ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding)

Poor pet selection, management

Australian Sheep Dog Workers’ Association vice-president Jon Cantrall said attacks on sheep caused by pet or non-working dogs were common in farming areas.

“We commonly refer to them as town dogs,” he said.

“It could be a couple that get out together or they meet up, so to speak, and start to enjoy that bit of a chase.

“In that instance, it’s sort of that destructive behaviour where they’re not killing because they need it to survive, but it’s become their game that’s taken to the next level.”

Dead sheep litter the fields on Ms Daniels’ Kojonup farm.(ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding)

Mr Cantrall said some people took on dogs beyond their means, while others had insufficient methods to keep their dogs from escaping.

“We talk about getting a dog that suits you and has been bred to do the job that you need, whether it be a cattle dog, a yard dog, a truck dog, or paddock dog,” he said.

“The same as if you’re getting a dog at home. If you have a small backyard and you liked the idea of getting a kelpie, that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the right dog to suit you.”