More than 100 lambs have been killed by three roaming dogs, and more injured, in two separate incidents at a regional working farm in south Auckland.
Warning: An image in this story may be upsetting
The attacks occurred on two days — on January 16 and January 19 — at Puhinui Reserve in Manukau.
A total of 142 lambs were killed and another 86 were injured in the two attacks.
Council’s regional parks farming business manager, Mozz Trueman, in a statement, said the incident was “grisly”.
The council-run sheep and cattle farm is open to the public and has walking tracks.
Staff took swift action to tidy up the site, before visitors saw the devastation.
“It has been a particularly tough week for staff,” he said.
“We hope to never have to see this again.”
Three roaming dogs were believed to be responsible for the attacks.
Animal Management found one dog, which was being held while evidence was gathered.
One of the three dogs, which was believed to be responsible, returned to the farm on January 20, but was prevented by a neighbour from reaching the stock.
The incident has forced rangers to move the remaining flock to another site to keep them safe and relocate others to a more visible part of the park.
Trueman said they estimated the financial loss to be around $19,000.
“This doesn’t take into account the toll incidents like these take on staff, who are dedicated to looking after the animals.
“And for members of the public who may be unlucky to come across the grisly scenes.”
He was urging visitors to all regional working farms to call council urgently, if they see uncontrolled dogs roaming.
All dog owners must always keep their dogs secure on their properties when not under supervision, Trueman said.
“This time of year is particularly worrying with young, vulnerable stock on all our farms.”
Animal Management acting manager Nikki Cripps said they were always grateful to receive calls from visitors and park neighbours.
“It again emphasises the need for responsible pet ownership; dog owners need to know where their dogs are at all times and contain them on their properties,” Cripps said.
“Roaming dogs can present a serious risk not only to stock, but to people, other wildlife, and themselves.”
Under the Dog Control Act, it was an offence for dogs to injure, endanger, or cause distress to any stock, poultry, domestic animal or protected wildlife.
Investigations were ongoing and a prosecution could follow.
Council is urging anyone with information on these incidents, to contact 09 301 0101.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.