Devastating Dog Attacks Leave WA Farmer with 80 Dead Sheep

A devastating series of dog attacks has left a Western Australian farmer reeling, both financially and emotionally, after 80 of his sheep were killed. The attacks, which have been ongoing for months, have prompted concerns about the safety of livestock in the region.

Graphic Content Warning: Descriptions and Photographs of Dead Lambs

Brad Cluett, a sheep farmer from Porongurup, 385 kilometres south-east of Perth, breeds lambs from Merino ewes and white Suffolk rams. He said the attacks have been a traumatic experience, with many lambs being bitten on the top of the head and killed, while larger sheep have been attacked around the face and bled to death.

"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," Mr Cluett added.

The worst attack, which occurred in May, left Mr. Cluett to deal with the bodies of 40 lambs and 10 ewes. He estimates that the attack resulted in a 40 per cent decrease in lambing percentages.

"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," Mr Cluett stated.

Some sheep involved in the attack had to be euthanised due to critical injuries. Mr. Cluett believes that a domesticated dog is responsible for the attacks, based on the nature of the injuries.

"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," Mr Cluett described.

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

Neighbouring properties have reported similar attacks, with an emu and young alpaca injured near Porongurup Village. The attacks have caused the sheep to move about a kilometre from their usual site, and ewes have abandoned lambs, with pregnant animals miscarrying due to stress.

WA Farmers president Steve McGuire says that instincts can take over any animal, and that even working dogs need to be watched closely.

"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," Mr McGuire warned.

Katanning Saleyard manager Rod Bushell said that while dog attacks are concerning, they are 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," Mr Bushell added.

The Shire of Plantagenet is currently investigating the attacks and hopes 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," said Garry Bird, Shire of Plantagenet chief executive.

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

For now, farmers like Mr. Cluett are left to keep a close eye on their livestock, hoping to catch 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?" Mr Cluett asked.

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