NEW ZEALAND -- Following several dog attacks on sheep at a farm near Albert Town, stock manager Alistair McLeod says he caught the canine culprit "in the act" yesterday.
The mob of sheep at Riverrun which was twice targeted by a dog in June was attacked again last week and about 15 lambs killed. Mr McLeod believed one dog carried out both attacks.
Yesterday afternoon, he was collecting the lamb carcasses when he spotted a dog in the paddock attacking the mob of sheep.
"It killed two lambs right in front of me, only about 50 or 60m away."
After mauling a ewe, it headed to a nearby spring for a drink. Mr McLeod did not have his rifle so instead managed to call the dog over and tie it up before calling police.
Senior Constable Sean Hurley said police had seized a pit bull from the property and handed it to the Queenstown Lakes District Council for enforcement action.
The dog's owner, who lives next to the Riverrun paddocks, had been spoken to, but insisted his dog was not responsible, Snr Const Hurley said.
"He believes his dog was still at his house."
Mr McLeod was relieved the dog had been caught, although he understood the owner was going to fight to have his pet returned.
"Hopefully this is the end of it," Mr McLeod said.
(Otago Daily Times - Oct 1, 2012)
