A RISE in the number of attacks on local livestock by domestic dogs has sparked calls for penalties for irresponsible pet owners.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This weekend, Tamworth Regional Council hosted its annual Gala Day for Dogs in Bicentennial Park to give people a chance to socialise their pooches in the community.
Tamworth Ranger Ross White said council had seen a rise in dog attacks on livestock recently and called for people to keep a better watch and provide more training for their pets, at the event.
READ MORE:
He said the livestock attacks council had investigated hadn’t been carried out by wild dogs.
“It’s usually dogs from around the area that have gotten out and have been chasing the sheep,” Mr White said.
“It’s probably increasing at the moment because the farmers are bringing more of their stock into closer areas for water and feed.”
He said dog attacks, in general, would fluctuate with throughout the year and around breeding seasons.
He called on dog owners to undertake some better practises with their pooches.
“Just be aware of what your dogs are doing,” he said.
“If you’re going away for the weekend, just make sure they are contained in your yard.
“Training is always good for every dog; you train your dog there shouldn’t be any troubles really.”
Oxley Dog Park instructor Irena Anderson said the relevant authorities needed to come down harder on offending owners and suggested the blame could be misdirected.
“We need to get more, or a few, rules in place to make sure owners really understand it is not acceptable,” Ms Anderson said.
“Whether they fine them or not, I don’t know what the answer is to that.”
When dogs go roaming, Ms Anderson said ignorance was no excuse and believed it usually ended in a sad situation where the animal copped more punishment.
“That’s an irresponsible owner to me,” she said.
“It’s not the dog’s fault, the dog was allowed to do this, of course instincts are going to kick in.” She said the Oxley dog park and its training courses were helping to create better “canine citizens” and encouraged owners to start teaching pets as soon as possible.
“As soon as they open their eyes, you can start teaching them behaviours that will help them,” she said.
“We want them to behave and integrate into a family environment so we can be proud of them and walk around with them in the street and know they’re going to be behaving.”