SHEEP-KILLERS SHOT

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 76, 22 December 1937, Page 6

SHEEP-KILLERS SHOT

* Havelock North Flock Attacked FARMERS CONCERNED Two dogs caught in tlie act of worrying sheep we re killed early this morning on a farm in the Havelock North hills. They had mingled with a flock of about 400 sheep and only the fact that it was hilly country and the sheep were well separated kept the number destroyed down to a half-dozen. Four of the sheep, had one shoulder apiec'e gashed and were left to die apd eventnally all were destroyed by the owner, who also had to attend to the needs and care of several other sheep, two of whieh were badly bitten. Fortunately the farmer was given a warning and he was able to catch the marauders in the act, with the result that he succeeded in killing both dogs. One was a full-grown Alsatian and it was accompanied by a young sheep-dog pup that had been reared with it. "Sheep-worrying is far too rife and the Hawke's Bay County Council is contemplating taking steps to minimise the danger," said the farmer. "Certainly there is a lot of this going on in onr distriet, and the owner of this Alsatian had been warned preyiously of the dog's activities. ' ' This farmer pointed out that, in the present instance, it would be futile to lodge a claim for damages, because the people concerned did not have any money, and a prosecution, even if proceeded with as a warning to others, would be a hardship financially on these people. f'But what does annoy is that, when1 yon remonstrate with people like this and mention damages, all they say is about 'getting blood from a stone, ' or something of that type," he said. "They do not appreciate the position at all. -» « "It is not merely a case of actual Iom," he added. "There is the humanitarian aspect, for the sheep are left to di« in pain, while in the case of ewes it means that the lambs are left motherless. A total disregard of these facts is shown by some people, and it certainly is time that something definite was done to put down sheep-worry-ing by These stray and virtually unwanted dogs. There can be not the slightest doubt that the position is serious and will soon havle to be remedied in some way. ' '