Dogs seized after attacks

By KATH GANNAWAY
HEALESVILLE residents Elaine Thorpe and Ray Martin have called for a crackdown on irresponsible dog owners following recent attacks on livestock in Valley Farm Road, off Myers Creek Road, and Cornelius Crescent.
Mrs Thorpe said her young goat was killed by four Jack Russelltype dogs, and another goat, Gus, was badly mauled on the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
She said the dogs returned on Saturday, 16 July, and attacked Gus before she chased them off.
Mr Martin said he was first alerted to the same dogs when he saw them attacking a wombat.
He said he discovered his goat badly bitten and with a tear under its tail about a week ago, and while he did not witness the attack, he had seen the dogs around his property.
Mrs Thorpe said she was angry no action was taken after the first attack and it was left up to her to find out where the dogs had come from.
After the second attack she contacted neighbours, including Mr Martin, who had discovered where the dogs lived. He contacted the ranger, who picked the dogs up.
Mr Martin said he was distressed when the ranger brought the dogs to him to identify, and he saw them looking neglected with mange and infections.
“It’s the owners who should be punished,” he said.
Mrs Thorpe said vet bills and putting up wire fences to keep little dogs out had cost her $700, and she was constantly anxious about the possibility of other dogs from the same property continuing the attacks.
Shire of Yarra Ranges acting executive officer local laws Peter Wright said four dogs had been seized from a property in Myers Creek Road and further investigations were being undertaken to establish the ownership of the dogs.
He said the initial difficulty had been in establishing where the dogs had come from, but once the ranger had that information he acted quickly to remove them.
“We have discovered quite a number of dogs (on the property) and at this stage have not gone up there to assess the situation as to whether they are registered or not,” Mr Wright said. “That will be dealt with shortly.”