Farmer devastated after dog attack leaves 40 lambs dead

A West Australian farmer says he is processing a devastating financial and emotional cost after 80 of his sheep were killed in suspected dog attacks.

Warning: This article contains graphic content, including descriptions and photographs of dead lambs.

Brad Cluett farms sheep in Porongurup, 385 kilometres south-east of Perth, where he breeds lambs from Merino ewes and white Suffolk rams.

He said the attacks have been going on for months.

"We've been seeing lambs being taken and bitten on the top of the head and killed, other larger sheep attacked around the face and bleeding to death," he said.

"It's been some shocking sights we've had to endure."

The worst attack, in May, left Mr Cluett to deal with the bodies of 40 lambs and 10 ewes.

"Going on lambing percentages in that mob, they were down 40 per cent," he said.

"The major attack was right in the middle of lambing."

While unable to identify the exact breed involved, he believes the nature of the injuries to the animals indicates a domesticated dog is responsible.

"I spotted a dog, probably 400 metres away," he said.

"It was quite a large, rangy sort of dog, more of a reddy-tan sort of colour.

"I did try to chase after it, but I was in another paddock … never caught up with it."

He said neighbouring properties had reported similar attacks, with an emu and young alpaca injured near Porongurup Village.

The attacks have had a knock-on effect on his flock, with sheep moving about a kilometre from their usual site.

Ewes have also abandoned lambs, with pregnant animals miscarrying due to the stress.

Mr Cluett said the emotional cost came on top of increasing financial losses.

"We're looking after these animals for 12 months of the year and then coming across and seeing all these losses," he said.

"Yeah, it's pretty upsetting."

A wider concern

While wild dog and dingo attacks have prompted statewide responses, attacks by domesticated animals present a more localised problem.

WA Farmers president Steve McGuire says instincts can take over any animal.

"This has always been a concern in areas where farmland and towns intersect," he said.

"Some people think their pet dogs won't hurt a fly, but they might go up and 'play' with a lamb and end up killing them.

"We've got working dogs, but we still have to keep a close eye on them."

Dog attacks have also been reported in Katanning, about 280km south east of Perth.

Katanning Saleyard manager Rod Bushell said while such attacks were concerning, they were infrequent and usually resolved quickly.

"A month or so ago, we had town dogs on the edge of town attacking sheep," he said.

"You hear about it probably once or twice a year, but often it doesn't go far because they are either caught by the ranger or … it ceases pretty quickly."

Investigation underway

Shire of Plantagenet chief executive Garry Bird said the attacks were under investigation, and they were hoping to track down the animal responsible.

"We do have these incidents from time to time, and generally we are able to catch the dogs and deal with their owners," he said.

"(If found) we would certainly look to initiate a prosecution against the owner and try to recover the livestock losses."

In the meantime, farmers are left to keep a close eye on their livestock in the hopes of catching the culprit.

"We get up and check the sheep regularly, particularly when they're lambing," Mr Cluett said.

"Is [the next attack] going to be tomorrow or the next day or in a week's time?

"It does play on our minds, and we'd like to get to the bottom of it."