A Te Puke farmer is concerned the number of stock being mauled by dogs on farms is escalating after losing 15 sheep in a vicious attack.

In the last month the Western Bay of Plenty District Council has received three incidents of dog attacks on stock, resulting in 21 sheep being killed.

Rangiuru Road farmer Chris Bailey is fearful of further dog attacks on his livestock. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

The attacks were on farms in Rangiuru Road, No. 3 Road and Maniatuta Road.

Chris Bailey lost his flock of pet sheep worth about $1800 in an attack that left a majority dead on the spot, or having to be put down due to injuries.

The director of Bailey Farms Ltd on Rangiuru Road believes three dogs were involved in the mauling that left on sheep 'torn to shreds”.

'We went to check on them [one morning] and they had disappeared. We had to spend some time looking for them and found them scattered along in a pretty awful state,” says Chris.

'It was the entire flock so it was very distressing.”

A dog ranger has since visited the property to investigate and dog traps have been set, but the dogs responsible are yet to be traced.

Chris believes such attacks are becoming more frequent.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council animal services leader Andrew Hope says there is typically a spike in dog attacks during lambing season.

Yet owner negligence and not keeping dogs secure is contributing to the increase, says Andrew.

'Fortunately the ones on No. 3 Road the officer involved actually turned up while the dogs were on the premises attacking the sheep, and was able to shoot two dogs in the process and impound the third,” says Andrew.

'It is about keeping your dog secured, especially in rural areas and around stock.”

The attack has made Chris is seriously concerned about the safety of his 350 dairy herd on 200 hectare farm and orchard next to Rangiuru School, especially during the middle of the current calving season.

'It is our livelihood. Whether they are kid's pets or work, it's pretty distressing and to top it off the state we found them in, one was torn to shreds.

'At this stage we don't think we will put any more sheep on the property because we don't know whether it will happen again.”

Federated Farmers Meat and Fibre national board chairperson Rick Powdrell says concerns have been raised about the increasing numbers of urban people moving to rural areas with dogs.

Despite this, any dog attacking stock or chasing animals is a concern to farmers, especially during lambing as dogs disturbing stock can cause mis-mothered lambs.

He says even the smallest dog can cause damage or kill if it decides to attack a young lamb.

'I had another farmer ring on Sunday night from Maniatutu Road who had one or two sheep attacked on different occasions. He's still trying to sight this dog,” says Rick.

From a farmer's perspective, Rick says it's an issue of animal welfare and a farmer will do everything they can to protect their animals.

The simplest method for any dog owner is to make sure the dog is either tied up, or remains with them while out on the farm.

'The main thing I say is; if you own a dog and aren't supervising it, it should be tied up or kennelled. That's probably the simplest way to solve the problem.”

If you have any information about these dog attacks please call the WBOPDC Dog Ranger on 579 6637.