The dogs believed responsible for killing 27 sheep on a property near Alexandra last week have been put down.
The dogs had different owners and the investigation into the matter was continuing. It was too early to comment on whether any charges were likely, Central Otago District Council planning and environment manager Louise van der Voort said yesterday.
A purebred Staffordshire bull terrier was shot and killed at the scene and a Staffordshire-cross dog which received gunshot injuries at the same time had since been put down by its owner because it was believed to have been involved in the attack, Ms van der Voort said.
A third dog was seen at the time but she was satisfied that was ''an unhappy coincidence'' and it was not involved. Most of the witnesses described the two dogs that had since been put down.
Last week's attack was thought to be linked to an earlier incident in which seven sheep and six hens were killed and several other sheep were mauled on five lifestyle blocks near Airport and Manuherikia Rds.
Robin Ballantyne, of Alexandra, owned the mob of 40 sheep on a Gilligans Gully Rd property which were attacked last week. Twenty-seven were killed and one had to be put down because of its injuries. He said the remaining 12 were ''pretty quiet'' and had obviously been affected by the attack.
Mr Ballantyne was pleased the dogs responsible were ''no longer roaming around.''
Ms van der Voort described the attack as one of the worst incidents reported to Central Otago dog-control authorities for years.
