''It's an unfortunate situation and a reminder to all dog owners to keep their dogs confined or tied up, as any dog is capable of this sort of behaviour, '' Central Otago District Council planning and environment manager Louise van der Voort said.
One person owned both the dogs involved in the Gilligans Gully Rd incident. Apart from the fine, no other penalty would be imposed.
''The owner was genuinely sorry for what happened, has co-operated throughout our investigation and has compensated the owner of the sheep for the full value of the dead stock,'' Ms van der Voort said. The council would not prosecute the owner as both dogs had been destroyed.
A Staffordshire bull terrier was shot and killed at the scene, by a witness, and a Staffordshire-cross dog was later put down by its owner.
''The owner has a good record of dog ownership. Both dogs were registered and there has been no previous history of wandering or attacks on stock,'' she said.
The sheep were part of a mob of 40 on the property. Twenty-seven were killed by the dogs and another one had to be put down later because of its injuries.
The attack was described at the time by Ms van der Voort as one of the worst incidents reported to Central Otago dog control authorities for years.
It was believed to be linked to an earlier incident, on five lifestyle properties between Alexandra and Clyde, in which seven sheep and six hens were killed and several other sheep were mauled.
