Two black and white dogs, described by a witness as pig dogs, were believed to be responsible for an early morning attack on sheep and hens on five different lifestyle blocks near Airport Rd and Manuherikia Rd last week .
The dogs killed five sheep and six hens and mauled several sheep on different properties.
The Teviotdale family, who live on a 2ha lifestyle block between Alexandra and Clyde, were distraught to see the ''carnage'' on their property after all seven of their sheep were attacked.
Five had been killed and two had to be put down by a vet as ''they had their faces so badly ripped'', Jayne Teviotdale said.
''I got up early to go to work at 4am and one of the neighbours phoned to say she'd disturbed two black dogs, with white on them, on her place and she asked me `have you seen your sheep?'.''
Mrs Teviotdale discovered a grisly scene. Most of the sheep were recently-weaned ewe lambs, intended as breeding stock, and they included three the children had bottle-fed as lambs.
''It's not the monetary value of them that gets to me; it's the sentimental value - they were the kids' pets.
''Who lets their dogs roam around like that? Just tie them up at night.
''Someone would have to know what's going on. Those dogs must've turned up back at home covered in blood.
''There's so many lifestyle blocks around here, many with children on them. Are the dogs going to stop at sheep and chooks or will a child be the next one hurt?'' Mrs Teviotdale said.
Her son Ben (12) was too upset to go to school that day and said his pets Milco and Spot were among the casualties.
'' I came out and saw them all lying on the ground and then saw Charlie [the pet sheep] move, so was happy that one was still alive.''
He was angry about the incident and said there was no excuse for letting dogs roam as it was easy to buy a collar and chain to tie them up.
''I was fuming at those dogs ...''
The family's own two dogs were quiet during the attack. Mrs Teviotdale had a message for the owners of the dogs.
''If you love them, lock them up, because if they're worrying stock again, they might get shot.''
Central Otago District Council planning and environment manager Louise van der Voort said the investigation into the matter was continuing.
