The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has renewed its call for responsible dog ownership amid continued reports of roaming dogs chasing, injuring and killing livestock across the territory. Veterinary Officer Dr Nadya George said the attacks remain a serious and recurring problem, causing significant financial losses and emotional distress for farmers.
She said sheep, goats and other livestock are regularly chased, bitten, badly injured or killed by roaming dogs, some of which are owned animals that have escaped or are allowed to wander.
The department said livestock can suffer bite wounds, fractures, shock and infections, while some animals are injured while fleeing or become separated from their young. Even where no physical attack occurs, the animals can experience severe stress.
Officials warned that a single incident can wipe out years of investment, particularly when breeding animals are killed, affecting future offspring, production and farm income.
Under the Dogs (Prevention of Injury to Persons, Livestock and Poultry) Act, 2001, owners are required to register their dogs and keep them under proper control.
The department urged owners to secure dogs on their premises, use leashes in public, keep registration current and ensure animals carry identification tags. It also advised owners to routinely inspect fences, gates, kennels, collars and restraints.
George warned that dogs which repeatedly escape or roam should not be treated as harmless, noting that an uncontrolled animal can cause extensive losses in a short period.
The department said dog registration also assists authorities in identifying roaming animals and their owners after attacks.
It added that preventable livestock losses undermine efforts to boost local food production and could discourage both existing and prospective farmers from investing in agriculture.
‘Farmers should not have to continually bear the financial consequences of preventable attacks by uncontrolled dogs,’ George said.