Council Claims Quick Response – Owners Angry

THE owners of a sheep which was attacked last week in Scone are incensed by a media release issued by the Upper Hunter Shire Council yesterday claiming “staff responded quickly” to two incidents of dog attacks last week in Scone.

See related stories: More Dog Attacks in Town and Two More Dogs Attack.

In the Council release it stated:

• On 15 October, two dogs attacked sheep and were impounded by Council that day, surrendered by the owner for euthanasia.
• On 16 October, another two dogs attacked an alpaca and were removed from town that day to a secure facility.
• Enforcement action is being taken by Council in relation to both incidents.

Debbie O’Brien the owner of the sheep that was killed by two German Shepherds and then became aggressive to her, said she was angry Council were not doing more to resource proper dog control in the area and outright rejected their claims that they had “responded quickly”.

“We have not heard from Council at all!” said Ms O’Brien.

“They are full of (sic)!” she said.

“My son caught the two dogs and loaded them onto the back of his ute,” she said.

“The police came straight up and they said to take the dogs down to the pound as soon as it opened at 9 o’clock which my son did.

“He then waited an hour for the ranger to arrive so he could hand the dogs over to Council.

“The police took photos of everything, went to contact the owner and came back the next day to tell us the dogs would be put down, but we have not heard a word from anyone at Council.

“Our solicitor has written a letter to Council and to the owner of the dogs and we will be seeking our costs covered including the tip fee we had to pay to take our sheep up to the tip and that was $40,” she said.

“There have been too many dog attacks, it’s not funny and it’s not on!” Debbie O’Brien said.

The owners of the alpaca which was attacked last week (see story: Two More Dogs Attack – Still At Large) said they had left messages on the Council’s after-hours service at 6:25am, 6:51am and 9am before calling the Council landline at 9:20am and did not receive a return phone call from Council until 12:25pm.

During that phone call they said Council staff explained the ranger was not available that day and they arranged to take a statement at approximately 3pm that day.

“I think there should be someone available to respond around the clock so that if there is an attack they can respond and secure the dogs quickly,” said the owner of the alpaca.

To Report a Dog:

• In the case of a dog attack or damage to property: Phone Police and record an event number: 02 6542 6999
• In the case of a nuisance or menacing dog: Phone Council and record a complaint number: 02 6540 1100
• Council has an after-hours number which can be used to report non-emergency events: 02 6540 1199
• NOTE: There is a 72 hour period in which a dog can be seized following an attack.

Related stories:

• Owner Urges People to Report Attacks – October 19, 2018.
• More Dog Attacks in Town – October 16, 2018.
• Dog Owners to be Brought to Heel – August 29, 2018.
• By-Law for Hunting Dogs Considered – August 29, 2018.
• Residents Growl at Ongoing Dog Issues – August 29, 2018.
• Teenager Attacked by Dog in Town – August 3, 2018.
• Map: Dodgy Dog Trails – August 3, 2018.
• Killer Dogs Slipping Bureaucratic Net – June 18, 2018.
• Lack of Control with Dog Control – July 28, 2016.