Alpaca breeders in Cooks Gap have lost animals from their herd in the last year including two on Sunday, July 29.
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Lyn and Terry Sahyoun said that they believe their alpacas were attacked by dogs.
Lyn said that it’s only the animals in the front paddock that are affected and that the ones in their back paddock haven’t been attacked.
“We love our alpacas and we can’t stand to lose anymore, I’m now scared to walk outside my house paddock in case I find another dead one,” she said.
The emotional devastation of finding your animals ripped apart in paddocks cannot be quantified.
“We have had a baby disappear we assume was taken by dogs but it could also have been stolen as there was no trace.
“So I don’t know what’s going on anymore.
“The financial burden that the death of these animals has created is enormous.
“The emotional devastation of finding your animals ripped apart in paddocks cannot be quantified.”
Lyn said that they believe someone is baiting their hunting dogs on their animals.
And that the recent attacks have only occurred either at night or when the couple has been away from the property.
Mid-Western Regional Council (MWRC) said the penalty for dog owners whose dogs kill another animal is $550.
And that responsibility for ensuring the dog does not kill other animals rests with the owner of that dog.
MWRC suggest all dog owners remain aware and observant about their responsibility.
In January 2009 the Mudgee Guardian reported that the Sahyouns had lost two alpacas in the space of a week.